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Southern Migration San Francisco to Cancun: Fri, Dec 10, 2010 - Fri, Jan 7, 2011 28 Days: $1689 plus $201 for food/parks. Hostel nights not included.  The cost of the Copper Canyon train ride is not included. Frequent Crawler Program Points Awarded for this Trip: 5,000 Points for Free Trip: 70,000 Join the Frequent Crawler Club today!

Southern Migration - 28 Days

By far our most unique travel experience in mainland Mexico! This journey creatively combines the best Mexico has to offer!

Departing from San Francisco, we head for the border town of Nogales-Bienvenidos a Mexico! Our first camp out will be at the beautiful Playa San Carlos, where white-washed houses and red-tile roofs form the backdrop to a snorkeling paradise. Over 500 species of fish share this beach with an abundance of pelicans and dolphins! An overnight drive takes us to El Fuerte, the mouth of the majestic Copper Canyon, where we board one of the most breathtaking train rides in all of North America! Balanced on the rim of this natural wonder, the mining town of Creel and its pine-covered mountains will be our base for the night.

From there, we wind our way to the tranquil beach town of San Blas. An optional jungle trek will take you to a hidden freshwater artesian spring and swimming hole. Rise and shine in Guanajuato, where colonial architecture crowds the narrow, hilly streets. Stroll through the alleys, relax in the cafes, and be sure to visit the mummy museum! Later, we visit the artist and ex-pat community of San Miguel de Allende, where you can wander the cobblestone streets past numerous churches and gardens while enjoying the town's unique artistic flair.

We continue our journey at the Aztec metropolis of Teotihuacan, home to the famous Temples of the Sun and Moon. We wrap up our second week in Oaxaca, a charming, cosmopolitan city adorned with jacaranda trees, outdoor cafes, colorful markets and prestigious museums. A visit to the nearby ruins of Monte Alban is also well worth the trip. Returning to the Pacific, we spend the next days and nights at the beach, camping under the stars and celebrating the New Year.

Our next focus will be San Cristobal de las Casas and the surrounding Chiapas highland towns. Traditional villages, colorful mercados, colonial monuments, and the cascading waterfalls of Agua Azul await your discovery. After exploring the jungle ruins of Palenque, we visit the thundering waterfall and crystal clear pool of Misol-Ha, where for a small tip, the local kids will show you a hidden cave!

The final portion of our journey takes us to Majahual, a sleepy little town tucked away on a remote Caribbean beach. Optional activities here range from scuba diving to fishing the turquoise seas. After stopping to marvel at the bottomless sacred pools of Cenote Azul, we make our way to the beachside ruins of Tulum. Watch the sun rise against temples and crashing waves, and explore this coastal wonder before the crowds arrive. A starry night camping on the beach and a short trek to the ruins of Coba will thrill you one last time before we finish our adventure in Cancun.

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Flexible Itinerary means that we may alter an itinerary depending on weather, local events, etc. Although we make every attempt to run our trips as advertised, please be aware that the itinerary may change to give you the best trip possible.

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Important Considerations

Passport, Visas, and Red Tape: The international borders we cross are usually not a problem, provided that everybody has their necessary papers in order. Getting these papers in advance is easy — much easier than at the border at 3:00 AM when the consulate is closed.

The United States border: Everyone, including U.S. citizens, must present a valid passport to re-enter the United States. You may be even required to present a multi-entry visa or a plane ticket out of the country. Be prepared! The Green Tortoise cannot be responsible (nor can we wait) for any passengers who get delayed at the border because of missing or improper papers. Please contact the respective consulates to be certain that you can obtain travel papers BEFORE you make a reservation. We do not refund deposits due to beauracractic errors.

Transportation: This trip will require you to organize your own transportation from Cancun. Once you have booked with us, we will send you a thorough information package to help you plan and pack for this expedition. We highly recommend Exito Travel for airline tickets (see "Weblinks" on the left) at 1.800.655.4053 or 510.655.2154 (ask for Emma).

The People and their Country: Mexico has incredibly friendly locals steeped in a unique and rich history. Many people will go out of their way to help visitors or just to strike up friendly conversation. You will find the cultural experience very rewarding with participation, respect, and common sense.

Camping Out: We will be camping out quite a bit on these trips and we do not provide tents. As such, we highly encourage people to bring a small, easy-to-assemble tent. Not only do they provide privacy and sanctuary when in the great outdoors, but also protection from elements such as wind and sand.

Why Green Tortoise? You may be thinking, The place is beautiful, the locals are friendly, why don't I pack a bag and do it on my own? This is possible and thousands do it every year. However, by traveling with us, you can leave the hassles of public buses, car rentals, and lodging details behind. We have been running these tours for more than 30 years, and our experience provides you with a greater knowledge of the country, an increased level of security, and, most importantly, access to destinations, people, and experiences that you might never find on your own!