Trip and Excursion Information
The Institute of Modern Spanish periodically arranges trips to surrounding tourist attractions. We also assist students with travel arrangements to cultural locations and nearby resort areas.

The Institute of Modern Spanish will make reservations on behalf of with a local travel agent for trips not arranged by or available through the Institute of Modern Spanish. The travel agent that the Institute of Modern Spanish recommends provides excellent service at economical rates. You can either pre-register for these trips at (U.S. bank check or credit card payment--see below), or pay regular rates once you are in Merida (Mexican peso cash payment). The most popular trips are Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Kabah, and Uxmal Light and Sound show.

:TRIPS PRE-PAYMENT INFORAMATION: We understand that preparing for a trip out of the country requires lots of planning. While you are planning how much spending money to bring—weather in cash or traveler’s checks—you may be wondering how much you will spend on trips and excursions in Mérida. In order to eliminate this question from your trip planning—and make your time in the Yucatán more convenient for you—we offer pre-payment for major trips to the famous Mayan ruins sites of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal as well as several other trips explained below. While we accept cash payments for these trips once you are in Mérida, pre-payments can be made with Visa/Mastercard or personal check from a U.S. Bank. Our prices are competitive, and our service provider is excellent!

All trips require a minimum of four persons. Trips to Chichén Itzá and Uxmal always reach the minimum of four persons. Often times the Institute of Modern Spanish can offer a semi-private tour for the Celestún Beach trip and the Ruta Puuc Loltún Cave trip. These trips have recommended dates in order to ensure we meet the minimum of four persons and/or receive a semi-private tour—recommended dates are posted on our payment site. In the case that the minimum number of persons is not met a full refund will be provided. For any other cases, there are no refunds on these trips.

If you will be arriving Friday or Saturday—you can take advantage of your first days in the Yucatán by taking a tour to Chichén Itzá, Celestún or the Ruta Puuc. When you pre-pay your trip online, we will deliver your trip tickets to your host family’s home or hotel. Your host family will have specific instruction to help you arrive for your trip departure. Full day trips depart from the Fiesta Americana hotel close to host families’ homes at 8:45AM or 9:00AM.

Visit http://www.merchantamerica.com/modernspanish to pay for these trips as listed below:

Chichen Itza
The most famous of the Mayan ruin sites in the Yucatán. Recommended for either a Saturday or a Sunday. Full day excursion with 9:00AM departure and evening return (5:30PM). Includes transportation in air-conditioned motor coach, bilingual guide,visits to the major Mayan ruin site of "Chichén Itzá," and lunch at hotel with time for swimming if desired. Entrance fee paid at ruin site. $35.00

Uxmal Light & Sound
Recommended for a weekday afternoon--students leave classes a few minutes early for a prompt 1:00PM departure from Merida. Arrival at the Uxmal Mayan ruin site is at 3:00PM. Students have two hours to explore the ruins which close for the day at 5:00PM. Students enjoy a buffet dinner at a near-by hotel (with optional swimming) and return to the ruin site in the late evening for the Light & Sound show. Return to Merida is around 10:00PM. Tour includes transportation in air conditioned motor coach, bilingual guide, buffet dinner, and Light & Sound show. Entrance fees paid at ruin site. $36.50

Ruta Puuc and Loltún Caves
Available Sundays only. 8:45AM departure visiting Mayan ruin sites including Sayhil and Labná and a short guided hike through the underground caverns of Loltún. Transportation in air conditioned motor coach or van and bilingual guide. Highly recommended tour! While there are recommended dates for these tours—sign up for any Sunday and we can place you with other students or tourists to meet the minimum. Entrance fees are paid at ruin sites. $40.00

Celestún Beach and Wild life Reserve
Full day trip recommended for Saturday or Sunday. 8:45AM departure Westward from Mérida toward the gulf beach shore town of Celestún. Tour includes transportation in air conditioned motor coach, bilingual guide, boat ride through wildlife reserve, lunch and time at beach. 5:30PM return arrival to Merida. US$47.50

Tixcocob Hammock making village tour with cenote:
Students depart from the Institute of Modern Spanish at 1:00PM. Upon arrival to Tixcocob, you will visit a “cenote” or “Holly sink well.” After there is a walking tour of the main square and church. Students are invited into the home of a local family where the family explains how hammocks are made and how the economy of the family and village are maintained through this industry. The students help the family prepare an evening meal of "Salbutes"--typical Yucatecan tacos. Transportation, meal, and refreshments included. This tour takes place every other Wednesday—if you will be in Mérida for a minimum of two weeks, sign up now for this trip. Students always give great reviews of their experience in Tixcocob!
US$17.50/person

QUESTIONS: contact 4merida@modernspanish.com
Visit http://www.merchantamerica.com/modernspanish for pre-payment.