Educational Tours

The Institute of Modern Spanish has expanded to offer top-quality, all-inclusive educational tours to the most exciting destinations in Mexico. These tours are for all ages and interests, perfect for college students, high and middle school students, adult groups, senior groups, and all other social organizations.

With the IMS, we offer our travelers the best value for traveling in Mexico - excellent hotels, first class transportation, select meals, professionally led sightseeing - and the benefit of our experience to guarantee you the trip of a lifetime!

From the hustle and bustle of Mexico City to the calm waters and white beaches of the Caribbean to the wonders of the pre-Hispanic world, you count on the Institute of Modern Spanish to offer the best tours for all of your needs. This tour catalog provides a few of the most popular and amazing tours that we offer to our clients. However, our specialty is in organizing unique customized tours for our clients. So get in touch and we’ll be happy to make your wish a reality.

Bellow are a few pre designed Educational Tours that have been popular for groups off all kinds. Do note that these can be modified and tailored to your groups needs and wants.

The Yucatan Experience (8 Days)

Experience the Yucatan Peninsula from top to bottom with our all-inclusive 8 day Yucatan Experience tour. Get to know the ancient wonders of the Maya world with guided sightseeing tours of Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum and a visit to a present day Mayan village called Santa Elena. Bathe in the limestone pools called ‘cenotes’ that cover the Yucatan peninsula. Experience the colonial marvels of the Spanish empire with a overnight stay in Valladolid and Mérida. Adventure through the beaches of the peninsula with a visit to the Gulf of Mexico beach town of Progreso & the Caribbean national marine park of Xel-Ha. Our tour ends at a Caribbean resort in Cancun where you can choose from an array of awe-inspiring guided tours to end your trip!

Tour Highlights: Colonial city of Valladolid, featuring an overnight stay at El Meson del Marques Hotel • Visit to Cenote Ik-kil (fresh-water well) • Guided sightseeing of the Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Tulum • Visit to the present-day Mayan village of Santa Elena • Light & Sound Show in Uxmal • Guided tour of the colonial city of Merida, including a visit to the Gulf of Mexico resort of Progreso • National marine park of Xel-Ha • Caribbean resort of Cancun.

Day 1: Fly to the Yucatan: Upon arrival in Cancun, meet your Tour Director and transfer to Valladolid, a cute little town with Spanish colonial mansions and churches. Check in to the charming colonial-style Meson del Marques Hotel. This evening, enjoy an authentic Mayan dinner in the lovely hotel restaurant. Later, join a Tour Director-led walking tour of Valladolid, featuring visits to St. Servacio’s Cathedral and the Franciscan Church of San Bernardino.

Day 2: Chichen Itza – Cenote Ik-Kil – Merida: Journey to the awe-inspiring Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza. Your guided tour will feature views of the Ball Court, Temple of the Jaguars, astronomical Observatory, and the mighty pyramid of El Castillo, whose 365 steps and 52 panels once served as a calendar. Next stop is Cenote Ik-Kil, a subterranean lake with crystal-clear water, ideal for swimming. Enjoy an included buffet-style lunch before continuing to the colonial city of Merida, capital of the State of Yucatan. This evening, attend one of the numerous free concert or folkloric shows held at Merida’s downtown plazas.

Day 3: Santa Elena – Uxmal: Experience how hammocks and tortillas are made by a Mayan family during your visit to Santa Elena, a traditional Mayan village located in the south of the state of Yucatan. The excursion then leads to the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, featuring the legendary Pyramid of the Magician (allegedly built overnight by a dwarf borne by a witch), the impressive Nunnery Quadrangle (decorated with figures of the Mayan rain god, owls and serpents) and the state-of-the-art Governor’s Palace. Attend a sound and light show before returning to Merida.

Day 4: Merida – Progreso Beach: This morning, set out with your Tour Director for a sightseeing tour of Merida, built atop the rubble of the Mayan city of T’ho. Visit the 16th-century St. Ildefonso’s Cathedral, the Montejo House (historic residence of Merida’s founder), and the stunning Government Palace, with its extensive murals depicting Mayan history. Then journey to the Gulf of Mexico resort of Progreso for a refreshing swim and a seafood feast. Return to Merida and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. You may decide to relax by the hotel pool, do some shopping at the local markets or visit galleries and museums.

Day 5: Tulum – Xel-Ha – Cancun: Today, you’ll visit the cliff-top Mayan ceremonial center of Tulum, overlooking the turquoise Caribbean. On your guided tour, have a look at El Castillo and the Temple of the Frescoes, which still has visible paintings on its walls. You’ll then visit Xel-Ha, a park in which interconnected fresh-water lagoons form a natural aquarium full of brilliantly colored tropical fish. Participate in your choice of activities, including swimming, snorkeling, hiking, inner tubing or just relaxing on a hammock. Continue to the tropical resort of Cancun.

Day 6-7: Free days in Cancun: Beautiful, crystal-clear blue waters and gorgeous white-sand beaches make up the coast of Cancun, truly a Caribbean escape. Enjoy two free days of swimming and basking on the sunsoaked shores of this warm aquatic resort. Your Tour Director will help you choose from a variety of possible optional activities including: snorkeling trips to Isla Mujeres, deep-sea fishing, waterskiing, windsurfing, swimming with dolphins, and full-day excursions to Xcaret eco-archaeological park.

Day 8: Return home: Your Tour Director assists with the transfer to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.

The Chiapas Experience (7-9 Days)

Experience the real Chiapas in this 7 day adventure. From great waterfalls and canyons to an advanced Mayan civilizations kept hidden in the rainforest, Chiapas is the ultimate educational adventure for students and groups! In this tour we not only explore the advanced Mayan civilization of Chiapas, but also their predecessors - the Olmecs in Villahermosa, Tabasco. You will also find the colonial culture and architecture fascinating as you explore one of Mexico’s most famous colonial cities, San Cristobal de las Casas. Find your Mexican adventure traveling through the jungles of Chiapas and observe the local wildlife as you explore the hidden ruins of Palenque, Bonampak and Yaxchilan on the Usamacinta River. With a 3 day optional extension to Playa del Carmen or Cancun - don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn and travel in Chiapas!

Tour Highlights: Guided visit to Sumidero Canyon National Park, including a boat trip through the canyon • Visit to the colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo • Guided tour of San Cristobal de las Casas, including a visit to the Market and Santo Domingo Church • Visit to the native towns of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan • Excursion to Agua Azul Waterfalls • Guided sightseeing of the Mayan ruins of Palenque, Bonampak and Yaxchilan • Guided visit to La Venta Olmec Museum • Extension option to the Caribbean beaches of Cancun or Playa del Carmen

Day 1: Fly to Mexico: Step off your flight in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapa’s capital, where a our tour representative meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free before this evening’s included dinner.

Day 2: Sumidero Canyon – San Cristobal de las Casas: Begin the day with a transfer to Chiapa de Corzo, a small colonial town on the banks of the Grijalva River. Here you will take a boat trip into the awe inspiring Sumidero Canyon, a spectacular, sheer-sided gash in the landscape that extends northwards for over 12 miles and with walls over 3300 ft. high. As you ride through the canyon, you’ll view not only the gaping cliffs but the river’s green waters and the surroundings forest’s alligators, monkeys, exotic birds and colorful butterflies. Then travel to the highlands of Chiapas on your way to San Cristobal de las Casas, a colonial city with arcaded porticoes, cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and red-roofed houses.

Day 3: San Cristobal – San Juan Chamula & Zinacantan: Your guided sightseeing tour of San Cristobal de las Casas takes you to the Plaza Mayor (city’s main square), home to the 17th-century Cathedral and the Palacio Municipal (town hall). You’ll also visit the 17th- century Church of Santo Domingo, a gorgeous example of classic European baroque architecture, and the colorful Market, where you can find beautifully colored hand-woven textiles created locally by surrounding villagers. Also included is a visit to the nearby indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, with their bustling Indian markets. In Chamula’s colonial church, ancient Indian rituals intermix with Catholicism. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure in San Cristobal.

Day 4: Agua Azul Waterfalls – Palenque: Today you’ll leave the mountains for the lowlands, stopping to swim at Agua Azul Waterfalls—a long series of turquoise cascades set against a deep green jungle background. It’s then on to Palenque, one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Mexico. Located in the middle of a tropical rainforest, its pyramids, palaces and temples are magnificent examples of Mayan artistry. As you tour the site, climb to the top of the 90-foot-tall Temple of the Inscriptions, which is the funerary monument of Pacal, the king who ruled Palenque for almost 70 years. Also view the tomb inside the temple, at the foot of a long staircase. Afterwards, transfer to your hotel in the town of Palenque (5 miles from the archeological site).

Day 5: Bonampak – Yaxchilan: Your adventure continues with a visit to Yaxchilan and Bonampak. You’ll first travel by boat down the mighty Usamacinta River to the mysterious ancient Mayan site of Yaxchilan. This incredible boat ride through the rainforest with its huge trees and abundant wildlife makes you feel like you’re in an Indiana Jones movie! The tremendous archeological site of Yaxchilan, situated on the riverbanks, rises in levels to temples with breathtaking views of the rainforest stretching far into Guatemala. This site is so unique it deserves plenty of time to fully explore. See howler monkeys and many exotic birds as you roam this well organized ancient Maya city. Then take the boat ride back up the river and go to Bonampak, home of famous Mayan murals. Their ancient colors remain clear and vital, making them an excellent representation of Mayan art. At the end of the day you will return to your hotel in Palenque.

Day 6: Villahermosa – La Venta Olmec Museum: Travel to Villahermosa, capital of the state of Tabasco, a rich, fertile region of Mexico, and once the center of the Olmec civilization; the first ever civilization in Mesoamerica. Upon arrival, enjoy an included visit to La Venta Park, an outdoor museum featuring a fabulous collection of important Olmec artifacts as well as a zoo with animals native to southern Mexico. Then transfer to your hotel.

Day 7: Sand, Sun, and Sea Extension: You can get a flight home on day 7 from Villahermosa or fly to the Caribbean resort of Cancun or Playa del Carmen for a three-day extension. Highlights include swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, relaxing among sandy beaches and shopping.

Utlimate Aztec, Maya & Olmec Adventure (8-10 Days)

In this all-inclusive educational adventure, students explore the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Olmecs and Maya in the present day. Beginning your journey in Mexico City, you’ll explore the heart of the Aztec empire from the Cathedral of Guadalupe (Mexico’s patron saint), murals of Diego Rivera, to the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Later, you will make your way to Villahermosa and Chiapas to learn more about the Aztec’s and Maya’s predecessors, the Olmec Civilization and spend the rest of the day exploring the ruins of Palenque, Chiapas, the ancient Mayan city hidden in the jungle. From there, you’ll make your way up the Yucatan Peninsula to the colonial city of Campeche, and on to the Mayan ruins of Uxmal and the colonial city of Mérida. From your group will have the rest of the day to relax on the beaches of the Yucatan in Progreso. Crossing the Yucatan Peninsula to Cancun, you will visit Chichen Itza, one of the 7 wonders of the world and a Cenote or underground lake unique to the Yucatan Peninsula. After exploring the Mayan Ruins, you will have 2 free nights in Cancun to participate in Caribbean adventures or just relax on the beach.

Tour Highlights: Guided tour of Mexico City, including the National Palace, Cathedral and Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe • Guided tour of Teotihuacan pyramids • Guided visit to La Venta Museum • Guided excursions to the Mayan pyramids of Palenque, Uxmal and Chichen Itza • Guided sightseeing tour of Campeche, including the Mayan Museum at San Miguel Fort • Visit to the Mayan village of Santa Elena • Guided tour of Merida, including a visit to Progreso Beach • Visit to Cenote Ik-Kil (fresh-water well) • Caribbean resort of Cancun

Day 1: Fly to Mexico: Board your flight to Mexico City. After clearing customs, you’ll be met by your Tour Director, who will escort you to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to unpack, settle in and begin your explorations of Mexico City.

Day 2: Mexico City – Teotihuacan: Begin your tour at the Zócalo, Mexico’s City’s main square and former heart of the Aztec empire. Enter the patio of the National Palace to see Diego Rivera’s murals, which chart Mexico’s history. Upon exiting, look for the Bell of Dolores, once rung to inspire the Mexican people to fight for their independence. Also step inside the Metropolitan Cathedral for a view of the Altar of the Kings. A short drive outside the city brings you to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which stands on the site where a peasant had a vision of the patron saint of Mexico. You’ll then travel to the Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan, built more than 2,000 years ago. Here you can walk along the Avenue of the Dead and climb the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. This evening, join an optional excursion to the Ballet Folklórico, a dazzling performance of music and dance.

Day 3: Villahermosa – Palenque: Board a morning flight to Villahermosa, capital of the state of Tabasco, a rich, fertile region of Mexico, and once the center of the Olmec civilization; the first ever civilization in Mesoamerica. Upon arrival, enjoy an included visit to La Venta Park, an outdoor museum featuring a fabulous collection of important Olmec artifacts as well as a zoo with animals native to southern Mexico. Then journey to the heart of a thick jungle region of the state of Chiapas to visit Palenque, the most impressive and perhaps the most mystical of Mayan archaeological sites. Marvel at the precision of Mayan architecture as an expert guide leads you on a sightseeing tour of these impressive ruins. Climb to the top of the 90-foot-tall Temple of the Inscriptions, which is the funerary monument of Pacal, the king who ruled Palenque for almost 70 years. Also view the tomb inside the temple, at the foot of a long staircase. Spend the night in Palenque.

Day 4: Campeche: Today it’s on to Campeche, a charming colonial town founded by the Spaniards in 1540. Located along the Gulf of Mexico coast, Campeche is still surrounded by remains of hefty defensive walls and fortresses built in the 17th century to protect it against pirates. On a guided sightseeing, visit the Cathedral, built from the 16th to the 18th centuries; the Church of San Francisquito, a wonderfully lush piece of Mexican Baroque; and the Casa 6, a gracious old house containing several high-ceilinged rooms crammed with colonial furniture and paintings. Also included in your tour is a visit to Fort San Miguel, home to the Museum of Mayan Culture, which displays the finest collection of Mayan artifacts from throughout the state of Campeche. Tonight, visit the Land Gate bastion and enjoy a boisterous Sound and Light Show that uses exploding cannons and actors in costumes to simulate a pirate attack.

Day 5: Uxmal – Merida - Journey to the Mayan city of Uxmal, considered one of the masterpieces of pre-Hispanic architecture in Yucatan. Its name means “thrice built or occupied”. Your guided sightseeing tour shows you the most interesting features of this mysterious site: the oval-shaped Pyramid of the Magician (allegedly built overnight by a dwarf borne by a witch) and the Governor’s Palace, a stunning testament to Mayan architectural sophistication. You’ll also see the fascinating carved friezes that adorn the walls of the Nunnery Quadrangle, called this way because it is similar to a convent. Continue on to Merida, capital of the Yucatan state. After checking in to your hotel, you’ll have a free afternoon to relax or explore the surroundings.

Day 6: Merida – Progreso Beach - Start your day with a guided sightseeing tour of Merida. An expert local guide introduces you to the massive 16th-century St. Ildefonso’s Cathedral, partially built from the stones

of Mayan temples destroyed by the conquistadores. You’ll also see the baroque Montejo House and the Government Palace, with its interior walls adorned with mural-size paintings depicting Mayan history. Your tour then continues on to the nearby Gulf of Mexico port of Progreso, where you’ll have the chance to take a refreshing swim. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Merida on your own – browse the shops inside the Public Market for some hand-made dresses, blankets or the most popular souvenir, hammocks. Day 7. Chichen Itza – Cenote Ik-Kil – Cancun: Journey through the Yucatan to the sacred Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Gaze up at the 365 steps of the mighty pyramid of El Castillo, which once served as a giant calendar more accurate than our own. Your guided tour also features the well-preserved Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors and the astronomical Observatory. After climbing the pyramids, a pleasant cool freshwater swim awaits you at Cenote Ik-Kil, a natural pool inside a gigantic gap carved out by nature over the years. Then savor Mexico’s fine cuisine in our included buffet-style lunch at El Xaybeh. Afterwards, journey to the Caribbean resort of Cancun.

Day 8-9. Free days in Cancun: Beautiful, crystal-clear blue waters and gorgeous white-sand beaches make up the coast of Cancun, truly a Caribbean escape. Enjoy two free days of swimming and basking on the sun-soaked shores of this warm aquatic resort. Optional activities to book on your own include snorkeling trips to Isla Mujeres, fishing, water skiing and swimming with dolphins at Nizuc Park.

Day 10: Home: Board your flight home.

Tours Overview

Institute of Modern Spanish (IMS) staff assists students with travel arrangements to cultural locations by making reservations on behalf of the student with a local travel agent/excursion operator. In Mérida, these include excursions to the Mayan ruins– Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Uxmal/Kabah, Ruta Puuc—, to a Wildlife Reserve and Beach town—Celestún, to some cultural villages, and to “sink holes” for swimming. In Bacalar, these include excursions to the Mayan ruins - Chaccobean, Dzibanche & Kinichna, and Kohunlich, Sailing, paddle board, and kayaking tours on the Bacalar lagoon, and beach excursions to Mahahual & Xcalak. The excursion operator that IMS routinely uses for these excursions provides excellent service at economical rates. There is no additional cost for reserving these excursions through IMS. IMS accepts Credit/debit Card or Mexican peso cash payment and gives an excursion ticket to the student. Students meet up with the excursion operator at a hotel in walking distance of the student’s home or will have a taxi paid by the excursion operator to tour departure point. You will be provided with the details When reserving an excursion. Actual price of the excursion and entrance fees may vary slightly due to the fluctuation of the Mexican peso. While the excursion ticket can be paid with Credit/Debit Card, Paypal or Mexican peso cash, entrance fees are paid in Mexican peso cash at the ruin site.