 DAY ONE - Arrival Merida / Uxmal Most flights arrive in the evening. Interact's Foreign Representative greets you in the airport lobby. Enjoy your hour drive to your first sentinel of silence, Uxmal, the most famous Maya Puuc site. Since the Yucatan is relatively flat, this term was extended to encompass the large hills in the southern portion of the state, hence, the terms Puuc region or Puuc hills. DAY TWO - Uxmal / Palenque Explore Uxmal in the coolness of the jungle morning. Visit the Temple of the Magician, the Nunnery, and what many consider to be the finest example of Puuc architecture, the Governor's Palace. Learn about the fascinating chultunes, underground water storage systems. Then, relax as you skirt the coastal highway on your drive to Palenque, your second sentinel of silence. DAY THREE - Jungle Gems Palenque's majestic rainforest setting will transport you back to a mysterious bygone era. Howler monkeys serenade as the early morning mist wraps itself around the pyramids. Following your Palenque exploration, drive through lush jungle scenery on your way to the powerful waterfalls in Agua Azul National Park DAY FOUR - Merida Hotel or Homestay Stop for lunch in Campeche. At one time, it was protected from pirates by eight bastions. Drive along the seaside promenade and enjoy spectacular views of the harbor and city. Merida has been a major colonial city ever since its founding by the Spaniards in the late 1500s. Its people have a wonderfully relaxed attitude toward life. |
HOMESTAY GROUPS:
Host families are interviewed, selected and monitored by the Institute of Modern Spanish, founded in 1995. The school serves as the central meeting point. On the initial excursion, a member of the host family accompanies the students to the meeting point. Most families are within walking distance while a few might prefer public transportation or safe, private taxis. Host families live in middle to upper middle-class northern suburbs of Merida.
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: exclusive student maps -with bilingual historical explanations of each landmark- permit
each group to explore at their own pace and to purchase and sample popular regional snacks and refreshments during their exploration.
Later, return to the bargaining markets where you'll have fun practicing your Spanish and bargaining skills.
