Flavours of Yucatán with market visit, cooking and cenote swim

The cool rush of freshwater as you plunge into the Chukum Cenote awaits you on this flavour-packed tour exploring the Yucatan Peninsula's culture and cuisine. The day begins in Uayma, where you'll visit the Church of Santo Domingo and stroll through the town centre before getting creative in a clay workshop, shaping your own piece alongside local artisans using techniques passed down through generations. Sofia, one of our local expert guides, says, “this tour is all about getting closer to Yucatan life, from what people create to what they grow, cook and share.”Next, it's on to the pastel-painted town of Valladolid, where a lively local market awaits, with the air thick with fragrant spices and stalls overflowing with fresh produce. The experience continues at Hacienda Chukum, set deep in the jungle, where you'll learn all about the sacred chukum tree. After that, you'll visit a traditional Mayan house for tastings, check out a thatched-roof palapa and wander through the gardens to harvest fresh ingredients.Then, it's time to get hands-on with cooking workshops. You'll master the art of salsa, press your own tortillas and learn about the beloved cochinita pibil – a classic pork dish that's slow-cooked underground over hot stones. You'll taste the fruits of your labour as you tuck into a buffet lunch bursting with those rich local flavours. To wrap it all up, you'll take part in a traditional Mayan ceremony before a well-earned cool-down dip in the mystical caves of the jungle cenote at Hacienda Chukum.This experience includes a visit to a project supported by the TUI Care Foundation. By developing meaningful connections between tourism and local initiatives, the Foundation helps communities to thrive, empowers young people through education and training, and drives the protection of nature and the environment. Learn more here: www.tuicarefoundation.com