February 16-25, 2026
Double Occupancy: $6350 per person
Single Occupancy: $6950 per person
Airfare is not included.
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Imagine soaring over ancient pyramids in a hot-air balloon, strolling through colorful historic streets, or tasting your way through one of the world’s most flavorful destinations. Go Learn’s Mexico City 2026 trip is a vibrant journey through central Mexico, where you are fully immersed in the region’s rich culture, history, and cuisine. From the artistic charm of San Miguel de Allende to the excitement of Mexico City, you’ll explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, visit Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, and experience the festive spirit of Xochimilco. This trip is more than a vacation; it is an opportunity to engage deeply with Mexico’s beautiful culture and rich historical legacy in an unforgettable way. And you are in good hands with beloved trip leaders and Archaeologist Rick Paine and Valerie Gates.
Welcome to Mexico! Once you arrive at Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO), you’ll be met by your driver to be transported by car from airport to the hotel where you’ll be able to check in, rest, and relax before our real adventure begins tomorrow. Rick and Val will be there to make sure all is well so be sure to say “Hi!”
Hotel: Hacienda El Santuario opens a new window
Activity Level: Moderate
Feel free to get up late, have a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and spend a peaceful day exploring San Miguel. Travel + Leisure magazine named San Miguel de Allende the “Best City in the World” twice! Between the beautiful colonial architecture, the great food, and the city’s festive attitude, it isn’t hard to tell why San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the day strolling through charming cobblestone streets and enjoy lunch wherever looks most enticing. We’ll meet up at the hotel that evening for a welcome dinner where we’ll go over everything we’ve got planned for this trip.
Hotel: Hacienda El Santuario opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate
Today we’re off to visit the enchanting city of Guanajuato. We will travel by private coach, and along the way, we’ll make a couple of meaningful stops: the Santuario de Atotonilco, and Dolores Hidalgo, the cradle of the Mexican Revolution. While there, we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch of carnitas and homemade ice cream.
Guanajuato was once one of the richest cities in the world, by producing nearly ½ the world’s silver in the 17th century. Impressively, the Hidalgo Market building was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. Yes, the same Eiffel behind that famous Parisian tower! Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its incredible beauty and historical significance.
Your evening is free to dine wherever you like and enjoy more of the city on your own.
Hotel: Hacienda El Santuario opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll spend the morning soaking up the charm of San Miguel. Feel free to wander through the colorful streets, explore local shops, and eat lunch somewhere that catches your eye. After lunch, we’ll meet back up and head off to our adventure in Mexico City! We will board a private coach and enjoy the scenery as we travel the 3 hours to Mexico’s capital city. Once we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel in the beautiful Condesa neighborhood.
After settling in, we’ll reconnect for a fun and delicious group dinner to kick off our time in the capital city together.
Hotel: San Fernando opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate
We’ll start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then dive into the culture and excitement of Mexico City. The morning will be spent exploring the vibrant neighborhoods of Condesa and Roma Norte on your own. After we meet up for a fabulous lunch, we’ll make our way, by private coach, to Coyoacan to visit the iconic Casa Azul (Blue House) Museum, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s beautiful and inspiring former home.
The evening is all yours! Enjoy dinner wherever you’d like and take in the local area at your own pace.
Hotel: San Fernando opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate
We won’t need breakfast, because this day is all about Mexico City’s incredible street food scene! We’ll set off on a flavorful food tour that will take us through bustling local markets and street stalls, sampling a wide variety of delicious bites along the way. Fair warning: you’ll be so full, dinner might not even cross your mind.
Enjoy the rest of your evening in your own way.
Hotel: San Fernando opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Enjoy a slow morning, sleep in, shop, or just wander and enjoy our beautiful neighborhood. In the afternoon, we’ll head out to Xochimilco, a vibrant, historic area where canals and floating gardens once fed the Aztecs. Today the area is known for its colorful trajineras, which are brightly painted boats that are pushed gondola style through the canals. We’ll take in the festive atmosphere by enjoying tasty canal food, drinks, and listen to the live mariachi music floating by. It’s an incredible way to experience local tradition in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Wrap up the day your way! Whether it’s a quiet dinner or a bit more exploring, it’s totally up to you!
Hotel: San Fernando opens a new window
Meals: B, L
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Today, we’re up early for a truly life-changing adventure, soaring in hot-air balloons over the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Launching before dawn, it will still be dark, and we’ll get to watch the sun come up over the Pyramid of the Sun from the sky! Once back on the ground, Rick will guide us through Teotihuacan on foot, sharing insights into its history, architecture, and cultural significance.
Teotihuacan was one of the world’s greatest cities (from AD 100 to AD 700) and is home to some of the most iconic structures in the Americas. The Pyramid of the Sun is possibly the largest Pre-Columbian structure in the New World (Rick’s colleagues at El Mirador may disagree), and the third largest pyramid in the world.
We’ll also get to see the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the city’s political center, where more than 200 sacrifices were conducted as part of the temple dedication. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an awe-inspiring treasure and today’s experience will be one you’ll never forget!
After this adventure-filled day, you can grab dinner wherever you like and enjoy your evening at your leisure.
Hotel: San Fernando opens a new window
Meal: B
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
The Zocalo is at the intersection between Mesoamerica’s last empire, the Aztecs, and colonial New Spain. After breakfast, we’ll explore the historic heart of Mexico City, including the Templo Mayor and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Once the spiritual center of the Aztec empire, the Templo Mayor was rediscovered by electrical workers after being buried for nearly 500 years. The entire historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After our morning of discovery, we’ll return to Condesa, where you’ll have the afternoon free to relax or explore the neighborhood.
That evening, we will come together one last time for a special farewell dinner.
Hotel: San Fernando opens a new window
Meals: B, D
Activity Level: Moderate
Departure Day! Enjoy one last breakfast together before heading out. As we say farewell to this incredible country, we hope you leave with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a deep appreciation for the culture and beauty of Mexico. Safe Travels! ¡adiós!
Meal: B
Rick Paine has been introducing University of Utah students to the wonders of Mesoamerican archaeology since 1995. He has led several learning abroad trips to Costa Rica, teaching tropical forest ecology and land use, as well as GoLearn's Maya/Guatemala adventure. Rick is an experienced Maya scholar and has conducted fieldwork at several Maya sites, as well as excavations in Turkey, and the United States. Rick is currently a member of the Mirador Basin archaeological project. El Mirador is a colossal pre-Classic Maya site in the Peten rainforest of northern Guatemala; it is a key to understanding the rise of Maya civilization.
Valerie Gates is a teacher and the English as a Second Language coordinator at West High School in Salt Lake City. Valerie was the 2016 Salt Lake District Teacher of the Year, and the 2017 Utah Teacher of the Year. The same warmth, dedication, and attention to every detail that make her an exceptional teacher make Valerie an amazing tour leader.
Valerie has a great love of Mexican and Central American culture, which she loves to share. Valerie and her husband, Rick Paine, have led the GoLearn Maya trip to Guatemala and Honduras, as well as the Oaxaca trip. Valerie grew up in Montreal and Toronto, and has travelled extensively in Europe, Turkey, Mexico and Central America. She has worked at El Mirador, on two archaeological projects in Honduras, and several in the United States, and considers herself a qualified digger. Valerie and Rick have lived in Denmark and Honduras, as well as the US and Canada. When they were excavating at Copan, Valerie and Rick drove from Pennsylvania to Honduras and back.Pre-departure
Like all Go Learn journeys, the adventure begins at home. We’ll meet about a month or so before the trip to discuss travel logistics and packing. Our guides Valerie and Rick live in Massachusetts, so we’ll be having our pre-departure meeting online. This trip may appeal to travelers from all over the U.S., and we’re happy to send you all the necessary information you’ll need in advance if you cannot join us for this meeting.Weather
February is an excellent time to visit the Mexican highlands. Temperatures are pleasant and skies are clear, but it does get cool at night. Daytime temperatures in Mexico City are generally in the mid-70s to 80s (Fahrenheit). Nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s (Fahrenheit). A jacket or fleece is recommended for early mornings and evenings.
Activity levels and restrictions
In order to fully explore the sights on our itinerary, participants should be in reasonably good health and not subject to major mobility challenges. This trip will involve moderate walking and easy hiking. Both San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato are fairly hilly (much less than hills in SLC’s Avenues, for example). Teotihuacan is very sunny and gets hot as the day goes on. A good hat and sunscreen are essential. We consider this trip to be an Activity Level 2.
Learn More about our .
Be sure to pack comfortable shoes; we’ll be doing a lot of walking! We will rely on private shuttles for our transportation.
Dates
February 16-25, 2026
Size
Tour is limited to 14 participants
Cost
Double occupancy: $6350 per person
Single occupancy: $6950
Payment options are available upon request. Contact golearn@utah.edu for information.
See for payment and cancellation details.
Included
Not included