6 Day Sober Yucatán, Mexico Tour - Ruins, History, and Culture

Highlights

• 6 days on Mexico's new all-electric Tren Maya, covering Valladolid, Chichén Itzá, and Mérida
• Cenote swimming holes reached by guided bike ride through the jungle
• Guided day trips to Chichén Itzá and Uxmal with a local, bilingual guide

The alcohol-free positioning

This tour is fully alcohol- and substance-free for its entire duration — every guest agrees to take a break from alcohol and recreational substances for all six days, whether or not they identify as sober in daily life. There's no formal alcohol-free programming (this is a cultural and adventure tour, not a recovery retreat), but the group itself is the support: everyone is on the same page, so there's no pressure and no one drinking around you. We don't include formal recovery meetings, but our guests are always sharing and learning from each other. Instead of cantina nights, you get cenote swimming, a bike ride through the jungle, colonial city walking tours, and real connection with a small group of like-minded, active travelers.

A typical day

1. Morning

   Breakfast on your own (local cafés and market stalls nearby), then a train ride or guided activity kicks off the day — whether that's the Tren Maya to a new city or a bike ride out to the cenotes.

2. Midday

   Guided exploration of the day's main site — Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, or a colonial city walking tour — with a local, bilingual guide. Lunch is on your own, with restaurant recommendations from Carrie and Zach for every budget.

3. Afternoon

   Free time to wander — explore a colonial city on foot, hit a local market, or just relax at your hotel or Airbnb. Once a trip, an optional add-on like a Mayan honey and bee tour.

4. Evening

   Dinner on your own from the group's recommended spots (two group meals are included over the trip). Optional Spanish crash course one evening, then time to enjoy the city at night together as a group.

Is this trip right for you?

Active, culturally curious travelers who want to see real Mexico beyond the resort strip: ancient pyramids, colonial cities, cenotes, and street food, without alcohol in the picture. Solo travelers are common and share rooms with a same-gender roommate if they choose the budget option. You'll want to be up for some walking, some Spanish (even just a few words), and being flexible with a developing country's pace.

Support & Environment

Accommodation

Boutique Hotel

Five nights in quality, highly-rated hotels or Airbnbs in safe, walkable neighborhoods across Valladolid, near Chichén Itzá, and Mérida. Rooms may vary night to night since you're moving through several cities. Solo travelers share a room with a same-gender roommate at the budget rate, or pay more for a private room; couples get a private room with a queen or king bed where available. Private ensuite bathrooms aren't guaranteed in every stay — living in community is part of the experience.

What’s Included

Not Included

Also not included: most meals (only 2 group meals included — budget $25–$75/day), massages, additional tours/add-ons like the Mayan bee experience, and yoga classes (though we highly recommend trying a local studio class in Valladolid or Mérida).

Refund Policy

About the Host

We're Carrie Hoffman and Zach Minnich, the husband-and-wife team behind Bigger Life Adventures. We started this in 2018 out of a shared love for world travel, yoga, real food, and time outside, and a belief that adventure and sobriety aren't a tradeoff. Every retreat we run is plant-based, alcohol-free, and rooted in trauma-informed yoga, whether we're leading a hike through the cloud forest in Monteverde or a beach camp on Catalina Island. We try to tread lightly on the places we visit, and we treat yoga as more than a workout. You don't need a label to join us. Just a desire for something real.

Frequently asked questions