Chichen Itza, a Cenote and Valladolid: A Private Yucatán Tour

From our base at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, we set off on our first full-day family tour with Julio, a wonderfully knowledgeable guide who taught us Mayan math on the two-hour drive. Our first stop was Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders. Clap while standing centered on the steps and the echo mimics the Maya’s sacred bird.

Next came the cenote at Selva Maya Estates, our favorite moment of the day and one the whole family will never forget. The water was only a tad cold. We finished in the colonial city of Valladolid with lunch and a stroll past the church, though Colt only had eyes for the iguanas.