Vegan Ventures - Merida Feb 2026

Day 1: Arrival in Mérida

Welcome to the heart of the Yucatan, Mérida! Once in the Arrivals Hall, look for a Vegan Ventures sign and your driver for your transfer to the hotel. 

Mérida - Mérida, Mexico, is a vibrant city in the Yucatán Peninsula known for its rich Mayan heritage, colonial architecture, and welcoming atmosphere. A growing vegan scene makes it easy to enjoy the region’s fresh, plant-based flavours—from chaya and lime to inventive takes on traditional Yucatecan cuisine. With its colourful markets, cenotes, and nearby ruins, Mérida offers the perfect blend of culture, nature, and culinary travel.

6:00PM: This evening, we'll meet up to introduce ourselves before heading out for our first dinner together.  

Hotel: Piedra de Agua (or similar)

Meals: -/-/Dinner

After breakfast, we start our trip with a Mérida city tour, which offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and vibrant local flavours.

As the cultural heart of Yucatán, Mérida showcases its colonial charm through colourful streets, grand plazas, and historic landmarks. The tour begins at Plaza Grande, home to the impressive Cathedral of San Ildefonso and the Palacio de Gobierno, where murals depict Yucatán’s rich history. Strolling down Paseo de Montejo, visitors admire elegant mansions reflecting the city’s 19th-century prosperity. Throughout the tour, we stop at carefully selected vegan-friendly eateries, sampling plant-based takes on local specialties. From refreshing agua fresca to handmade tamales or plant-based cochinita, these foodie stops highlight the region’s diverse flavours.

A visit to a local market introduces fresh tropical fruits and traditional Yucatecan spices. This experience offers a perfect balance of culture and cuisine, allowing travellers to explore Mérida’s heritage while savouring delicious vegan-friendly dishes.

Accommodation: Piedra de Agua (or similar)

Meals: B/L/- 

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby.A Piíbil Workshop at a nearby village offers a unique opportunity to experience a time-honoured Mayan cooking tradition in an authentic and interactive way. This hands-on experience guides participants through every step of the piíbil method, a slow-cooking technique using an earthen oven. Travellers will learn how to prepare the underground pit, wrap plant-based ingredients in banana leaves, and carefully place them beneath the earth to cook. While the food slowly develops its rich flavours, participants gain insight into the cultural and historical significance of this ancient practice.

The workshop culminates in a delicious four-course vegan meal, showcasing traditional Mayan flavours with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This immersive experience is ideal for those interested in indigenous culinary traditions, sustainable cooking methods, and plant-based cuisine. Whether a seasoned vegan or simply curious about Mayan gastronomy, this workshop provides a meaningful and flavorful connection to Yucatán’s heritage.

A visit to Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient Maya civilization. Unlike more crowded sites, Uxmal provides a serene experience, with its well-preserved structures showcasing intricate Puuc-style architecture. The Pyramid of the Magician, with its curved façade and steep staircases, is the most striking landmark. Nearby, the Nunnery Quadrangle features ornate carvings depicting serpents and celestial figures. The Governor’s Palace, set on a raised platform, offers panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. As you explore, guides share fascinating insights into Maya history, mythology, and astronomy. 

Accommodation: Piedra de Agua (or similar)

Meals: B/L/-

After breakfast, we head out on another adventure. 

A visit to the Santa Bárbara Cenotes offers a refreshing escape into Yucatán’s natural beauty. Located near Homún, this eco-tourism site features three stunning cenotes, each with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming. Visitors can explore these cenotes by bicycle or on a horse-drawn cart known as a "truc", a unique experience that adds to the adventure. The underground pools, surrounded by stalactites and lush vegetation, provide a serene setting to cool off and appreciate nature.

After the cenotes, the journey continues to Izamal, known as the Yellow City for its golden-hued buildings. This charming colonial town, rich in history and culture, offers picturesque streets, ancient Mayan pyramids, and the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, a former Franciscan monastery with impressive architecture and a peaceful courtyard. Strolling through Izamal’s cobblestone streets, visitors can admire local artisans' work and experience the town’s relaxed atmosphere.

The day concludes with a three-course vegan lunch at a local restaurant, featuring fresh, regional ingredients prepared in traditional Yucatecan style. Dishes may include handmade tortillas, plant-based tamales, or rich coconut-based desserts. This experience combines nature, history, and authentic cuisine, making it an unforgettable exploration of Yucatán’s diverse heritage.

Accommodation: Piedra de Agua (or similar)

Meals: B/L/- 

After a relaxed morning in Mérida, the day continues with an immersive vegan cooking experience, blending Yucatecan and international flavours to create high-end plant-based cuisine. This hands-on workshop introduces travellers to the region’s rich culinary heritage, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional Yucatecan spices.

Participants will learn techniques to prepare dishes that honour local flavours. From handmade tortillas to creative plant-based adaptations of classic Yucatecan recipes, the experience offers a deeper appreciation for the region’s gastronomy. After preparing the meal, we gather to enjoy a farewell dinner, savouring the fruits of our labour in a warm and inviting atmosphere. This final evening provides a memorable conclusion to the journey, celebrating food, culture, and shared experiences.

Accommodation: Piedra de Agua (or similar)

Meals: B/-/D

Meals: 

Morning free for any last-minute souvenir shopping or exploration (flight time dependent)

Transfer to the airport for departure, bringing back memories of your unforgettable vegan foodie experience in Mérida. 

• Meals: B

Please join our WhatsApp group -  

Ashley (Vegan Ventures) -

Emergency Contact Numbers in Mexico:

Keri (Finisterra Travel )-