A large ancient Mayan pyramid rises above the surrounding trees, its stone structure weathered but still imposing. Fluffy clouds drift across a bright blue sky, creating a striking backdrop to the historic archaeological site.

Yucatán with Mary Sue Milliken

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Stimulate Every Sense

Experience Yucatán's rich traditions and culinary heritage with Chef Mary Sue Milliken

March 24 - 29, 2023

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6 Days, 5 Nights

Best of the Yucatán including Mérida, Uxmal, Valladolid

Price from

$4,800

Per person based on double occupancy

Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018

Illustrated Yucatán map featuring Valladolid, Temozón, Mayan pyramid, cenote scene, and ancient sculptures.

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We will contact you if and as space becomes available.

You wake up and wander the colorful market stalls, each overflowing with bright vegetables and earthy spices as the smoky aroma of pit-roasted pork beckons you towards the best breakfast you’ve ever had. Though it’s hard to believe, in just a few hours you’ll be floating in the ethereal blue waters of a cenote as the jungle canopy brims with birdsong. You’ve already witnessed so much of the true Yucatán; you’ve explored Mayan ruins, met local artists in their home studios, and explored the region’s vibrant colonial towns. And tonight, you’ll toast the entire experience—after a traditional poc chuc meal of marinated pork—in the lush garden of a 17th-century hacienda, accompanied by a million stars. This is the authentic Yucatán, and there’s nothing like it.

With us on this incredible journey is Mary Sue Milliken, the James Beard and Julia Child award-winning chef and author, and co-owner of LA’s iconic Border Grill restaurants and trucks, Socalo Santa Monica, BBQ Mexicana and Pacha Mamas in Las Vegas. This isn’t just any Modern Adventure with Mary Sue, it’s a trip to the Yucatán that showcases the land, food, and culture, an opportunity to taste what it means to make authentic, modern, and sustainable Mexican cuisine.

If your idea of the perfect adventure involves slowing down and experiencing a place deeply, join us for a dose of Mexico few outsiders experience. Learn the meaning and tradition behind every bite, and experience the Yucatán at its most timeless and delicious.

Savor

Slow-cooked cochinita pibil, traditional street foods, specially prepared Yucatecan feasts

Explore

Ancient Mayan temples, underground cenotes, colonial towns and tropical forests

Meet

Traditional makers and local craftspeople, and modern artists in home studios

Connect

With Yucatán's culture and cuisine, and with like-minded travelers alongside Chef Mary Sue Milliken

3 Reasons to Travel with Mary Sue

When Mary Sue Milliken starts talking about Mexican food, specifically from the Yucatán, you can’t help but feel transported (or hungry) as she describes her recipe for cochinita pibil, or the perfect color of annatto seeds, or the textures of a seville orange when you run your finger along its skin. She’s an absolute force. We can’t wait to climb pyramids, cook, and learn alongside her.

The Trophy Case

Mary Sue’s accolades could fill an entire page, but the short list includes: the Julia Child Award, Los Angeles Times’ annual Gold Award, Top Chef Masters finalist, and multiple James Beard nods (and wins).

A Force for Good

Since the beginning of her career, Mary Sue has always been an advocate. As a No Kid Hungry/Share our Strength and James Beard Foundation board member, founder of the Regarding Her nonprofit, and thought leader in sustainable seafood practices, Mary Sue finds joy in helping move the hospitality business in the right direction for people and the planet.

Mexico on Her Mind

When it comes to the Yucatán, Mary Sue can’t wait to explore and reminisce—she first visited the Yucatán in the 1980s, and has been back many times since—in a destination that sparked her impressive career. Every shared meal and renewed connection will make each and every dinner a transformational experience.

Your Experience

“Travel is my church. It's sort of what I am. It's irresistible.”
Mary Sue Milliken

Mérida, Chichén Ítza, Uxmal, Temozón

A local artisan in a rustic, thatched-roof workshop meticulously shaping clay on a manual pottery wheel.
“The part of the Yucatán that I find so amazing is the overlap of Mayan and European culture.”
Mary Sue Milliken

Day by Day

*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.

Day 1

March 24, Fri

Bienvenidos a Mérida! This is the glorious heart of the Yucatán, with its French-inspired colonial homes and wrought-iron balconies overlooking streets bursting with open-air music. Mérida is often called the New Orleans of Mexico; and like the Big Easy, it’s not hard to fall in love with Mérida’s historic central district.

Mary Sue will lead the way as we weave through traditional markets and grab a lunch of local street-food favorites: salbutes topped with shredded meat, cabbage and pickled onions; cochinita pibil marinated in citrus and spiced with achiote paste, wrapped in a banana leaf; and pavo en relleno negro, simmering in a rich sauce of black recado and cabbage with a hardboiled egg.

Next, we’ll check into our oasis of a hotel and reconvene for a late lunch at the acclaimed hotspot, Kuuk—think meticulous remixes of traditional fare paired with subtle Mexican wines you never knew existed. Still beaming from this historical tour of small plates, we’ll make our way home for a little siesta.

In the evening, we’ll meet up at the hotel for cocktail hour where we’ll plot out course for the next 6 days of exhilaration and discovery. Dinner tonight (if you’re even hungry) is casual street food in the city’s historic center.

A woman making fresh tortillas at a bustling local food stall in a Mexico market, capturing the vibrant street-food culture often found in cities like Oaxaca and Mexico City.

Day 1 Highlights

  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn airplane flying in front of a textured golden circle. Arrive in Mérida
  • MOAD Illustration icon Tlayuda_500x500 Market tour & lunch
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Welcome dinner
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at The Treehouse Boutique Hotel

Day 2

March 25, Sat

After breakfast, we dive right into the cultural riches of the Yucatán. Our first stop is the Tixkokob—the textile capital of the region famous for its handcrafted hammocks. Here, in a local home, we will learn to cook relleno negro, one of the Yucatán’s most famous dishes. After we roll up our sleeves and prep the meat and spices, we’ll bury it in an underground oven and allow it to cook for the next few hours.

Just as the smell of the wood coals tinge the air, we’ll make a pilgrimage to the nearby pueblo magicó, Izmal. Also known as the yellow city, Izmal is a photographer’s dream, a picturesque marriage of Spanish colonial architecture and Mayan sophistication.

We’ll take it all in and hustle back to our family and check in on our literally historic lunch. We’ll uncover the relleno, prep salsa, grind out tortillas and sit down together for a long, slow and grateful feast.

In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to Mérida to relax back at the hotel—dinner tonight is on your own. See you in the morning for a trek into the jungle!

A local cook preparing fresh seafood while community members look on, capturing the vibrant culinary traditions of coastal towns in Mexico such as Veracruz and Mérida.

Day 2 Highlights

  • Hand-drawn illustration of the Chichén Itzá pyramid, representing Mexico’s ancient Mayan heritage and Yucatán landmarks. Chile Relleno feast
  • MOAD Illustration icon Tlayuda_500x500 Visit to Izmal
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at The Treehouse Boutique Hotel

Day 3

March 26, Sun

Our final morning in Mérida begins with a breakfast to remember, at a ‘morning only’ taqueria. Papadzules sauced with pumpkin seeds and chiltomate, panuchos and salbutes, and polcanes bursting with the flavors of suckling pig, relleno negro and huevos motuleños, all bringing the essence of traditional Mayan cuisine to our lips.

Next stop: tranquility. Just an hour away, our jungle-clad hacienda sits behind brilliant coral walls, the perfect retreat for our souls. The afternoon is ours to wander the pristine grounds, take a dip in its on-site cenote or grab a drink poolside. This evening, we’ll reconvene with Mary Sue for a full-on Mayan cooking workshop and private dinner.  

Day 3 Highlights

  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Traditional taco breakfast
  • A stippled line art drawing of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van in gold and black, representing premium group travel and custom road trip itineraries through iconic cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Transfer to hacienda
  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Hands-on cooking & dinner led by Mary Sue
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Hacienda Santa Rosa

Day 4

March 27, Mon

Today we experience Yucatán culture through an artist’s eye. We start in the village of Maní, exploring its magnificent 16th-century Church of San Michael Arcangel, and then visit a master potter at his home and studio, where he produces his highly prized works rooted in ancient Mayan techniques. Next up is a visit to a centuries-old apiary. We’ll meet Father Luis, a caretaker of an incredible community of Melipona bees. These stingless bees are sacred to the Maya and produce some of the finest honey in the world.

Lunch today is a serious treat. We dine at humble, legendary El Príncipe Tutul Xiu in Maní, one of the region’s most storied kitchens, for their signature poc chuc: charcoal fired with grill-roasted onions, a sharp marinade, a dash of roasted habanero salsa. After lunch, we’ll take a dip in a pristine cenote, where ancient tree roots and imposing stalactites hang like an upside-down world. When we return to our hacienda, we’ll be full of inspiration and ready to relax for the evening.

Person swinging from a long vine above the deep blue water inside a dramatic limestone cenote surrounded by rock walls and hanging roots.

Day 4 Highlights

  • moad-illustrations-iconset-weaver Maní apiary visit
  • A hand drawn illustration in black and gold of two hands spinning a bowl, holding a sponge in one hand, on a pottery wheel. Master potter studio visit
  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Cenote swim
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Hacienda Santa Rosa

Day 5

March 28, Tue

The beauty is in the details. And today we’re getting up close and historical with Yucatan heritage, beginning with arguably the region’s best Mayan site, Uxmal. Here we see the ornate Puuc-style carvings adorning the gated temple walkways and bulbous pyramids that inspired Frank Lloyd Wright. Afterwards, we have a feast we won’t soon forget—the local cochinita pibil—pit-roasted, smoky and succulent, prepared just for us.

We return for a peaceful afternoon at our hacienda, but hopefully not too full! This evening, dinner is an equal treat: a farewell feast prepared by Mary Sue to celebrate his love of Yucatán and Mexico, and of our time together.

A large ancient Mayan pyramid rises above the surrounding trees, its stone structure weathered but still imposing. Fluffy clouds drift across a bright blue sky, creating a striking backdrop to the historic archaeological site.

Day 5 Highlights

  • Hand-drawn illustration of the Chichén Itzá pyramid, representing Mexico’s ancient Mayan heritage and Yucatán landmarks. Uxmal Mayan site
  • moad-illustrations-iconset-pig-farm-icons Traditional Mayan pit-roasted pork
  • A circular gold and black logo featuring a minimalist, stylized bird emblem in a stippled art style, representing boutique travel experiences and global expeditions from Portland to Tokyo and Mexico City. Farewell dinner by Mary Sue
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn multi-story building with windows and a central entrance. Stay at Hacienda Santa Rosa

Day 6

March 29, Wed

Alas, our time together is done. After a final breakfast we pack up and say K’a’ak’ate to the wonderful hacienda, our new friends, and especially Mary Sue. We’ll transfer you to the Mérida Airport for flights home. Till next time!

A sunlit dirt path curves through a dense tropical forest, bordered by tall palm trees and lush green foliage. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves, creating soft shadows on the sandy road as it winds into the distance.

Day 6 Highlights

  • MOAD icon showing a hand-drawn plate, fork, knife, and spoon arranged on a placemat Breakfast
  • MOAD icon depicting a hand-drawn airplane flying in front of a textured golden circle. Transfers to Mérida Airport (MID)

People Love MO/AD’s Yucatán

Yucatan 2021_Travelers participating in a hands-on cooking experience with a local chef in Yucatan, Mexico, preparing fresh ingredients during a cultural culinary workshop.
Yucatan 2021_Local beekeeper demonstrating traditional Mayan melipona honey harvesting techniques in a rustic apiary surrounded by the Yucatan jungle.
Yucatan 2021_Colorful alebrije sculptures displayed in a Yucatan art gallery, showcasing traditional Mexican craftsmanship and vibrant folk art figures inspired by local mythology.
Yucatan 2021_Beautifully plated traditional Yucatecan dish served in a rustic clay bowl, featuring local ingredients and authentic regional flavors from southern Mexico.
Yucatan 2021_Elegant colonial-style hacienda terrace in Yucatan, Mexico, with arched walkways, tiled floors, and guests relaxing in wicker chairs surrounded by lush greenery.
Yucatan 2021_Local cook preparing traditional handmade corn tortillas in Yucatan, Mexico, showcasing authentic culinary traditions and artisanal food preparation.
Yucatan 2021_Colorful display of traditional spices, dried chiles, and local ingredients in a vibrant Yucatan market, showcasing authentic Mexican culinary culture and regional flavors.
Yucatan 2021_Tranquil resort pool in Yucatan, Mexico, featuring shaded hammocks over clear water and sun loungers surrounded by lush tropical greenery for a relaxing retreat.
Yucatan 2021_Plate of traditional Yucatecan street food featuring cochinita pibil tacos and stuffed empanadas topped with salsa and pickled onions, highlighting authentic regional flavors of Mexico.
Yucatan 2021_Elegant colonial-style bedroom in a restored Yucatan hacienda, featuring vintage furniture, checkerboard tile floors, and warm natural light for a classic Mexican ambiance.
Oaxaca 2020_Group of travelers enjoying a festive outdoor meal together under the trees, raising glasses in a toast during a culinary experience in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Yucatan 2021_Plate of traditional Yucatecan albóndigas served with rice, vegetables, and fried potatoes, showcasing authentic homemade flavors from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Yucatan 2021_Local Mayan guide sharing traditional knowledge and stories with travelers inside a rustic home in Yucatan, Mexico, offering an intimate cultural learning experience.
Yucatan 2021_Plate of freshly prepared tostada topped with lettuce, radish, and pickled onions, held against agave leaves in Yucatan, Mexico, showcasing authentic regional street food.
Yucatan 2021_Elegantly set dining table in a restored Yucatan hacienda with rustic yellow walls and open-air architecture, prepared for a traditional Mexican meal and cultural gathering.
Yucatan 2021_Elegant pastel blue colonial-style building with ornate white and gold details in Mérida, showcasing the region’s rich architectural heritage and historic charm.
Yucatan 2021_The iconic yellow Convento de San Antonio de Padua in Izamal, Mexico, with its grand colonial architecture, stone courtyard, and bright sky highlighting the charm of the Yucatan region.
Yucatan 2021_Close-up of artisanal mezcal bottles labeled “Fieles Difuntos” and “Cuishe” during a tasting experience in Yucatan, showcasing local craftsmanship and traditional Mexican spirits culture.
Yucatan 2021_Visitors exploring the grand interior of the Palacio de Gobierno in Mérida, Yucatan, admiring historic murals and neoclassical architecture during a guided cultural tour.
“
I loved eating goat just after it was lifted from the pit, sipping on a mezcal.
Diana C.
“
This is more than just a trip. It’s authentic and joyful, and a powerful reminder of why we travel.
Scott M.
“
The meals made for us in local homes were just heavenly.
Andrew B.

Where We Sleep

Footsteps from colonial city scenes or tucked inside a tropical forest, our boutique hotels make you feel right at home in the Yucatán's most stunning locations.

Stylish boutique hotel lounge in Mérida, Yucatán, featuring mid-century furniture, patterned tile floors, large open windows, and views of a lush garden courtyard.

The Treehouse Boutique Hotel

Mérida

Located in the heart of Mérida, this intimate boutique hotel is an ode to native flora and Maya craftsmanship. Minimal accents of iron, glass and stone revolve around a microenvironment of 200 year-old trees—even the lap pool is tree-lined and gorgeous.

Hacienda Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa

Wake up here to fresh flowers outside your door, lush gardens and the piney aroma of last night's bonfire. The Santa Rosa is a 17th century sanctuary—replete with Mayan architecture and a stunning pool—in the heart of the jungle.

Book Yucatán with Mary Sue Milliken

Number of Travelers

Payment

Reserve your spot today with a $1,500 per-person deposit plus room supplements (if relevant). Please see our terms and conditions for full payment details.

$4,800

Per person based on double occupancy

Can't travel on these dates?
Call us at
+1 (855) 219-8018

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Questions?

That’s OK, we have answers.
Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.

  1. What does the price include?

    Five nights at luxury boutique accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, lunches and most dinners; local beverages with meals.

  2. What does the price not include?

    International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; activities, food and beverage not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.

  3. Where does this trip start and end?

    Our adventure begins at the Künük Hotel Boutique in Mérida, Mexico. The closest airport is the Mérida International Airport (MID). Our trip ends at our hacienda in Temozón; on our last day, we’ll organize an airport transfer to Mérida’s MID airport. Your flight home should be scheduled to depart at 1pm or later.

    Detailed arrival and departure guidance is provided in your post-purchase trip materials, including recommended routes, transfer options, and timing considerations. If you have specific questions before booking, our team is always happy to help.

  4. Who is going on this trip?

    Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.

  5. Who is leading this trip?

    This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure Trip Leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.

  6. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are not required to have a visa for tourist visits to Mexico, but are required to show a valid US passport. It is recommended that your passport is valid for six months after your travels are over. On arrival in the airport, you will be issued a visitor’s permit, known as a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). For citizens of other countries, please check with the Mexico Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

  7. Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?

    For solo travelers, there is a $1,500 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room.

  8. Do I need Travel Insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

  9. What is the cancelation policy?

    We understand plans can change. Here’s how cancellation fees are incurred depending on when you let us know:

    • More than 150 days before departure: $1,500 per person deposit
    • 150–121 days before departure: 50% of the total trip price
    • 120 days or less before departure: 100% of the total trip price

    For the full details, please see our terms and conditions.

  10. When will my final balance be due?

    Your payment schedule depends on how far in advance you book your trip:

    • At the time of booking: Pay your $1,500 deposit per person.
    • 180 days before departure: 50% of your trip cost is due.
    • 120 days before departure: Full balance is due.

    We’ll send you secure payment links and reminders before each due date to make the process easy. If you book within 120 days of your trip, the remaining balance is due within 10 days.

  11. Is this trip the right fit for me?

    Modern Adventure trips are active, immersive small-group experiences. Our itineraries often involve sustained walking and standing throughout the day, including stairs, uneven terrain, cobblestones, unpaved paths, and moving between experiences at a pace that keeps the day flowing for the group.

    These experiences are not suitable for travelers who require physical mobility assistance, personal care support, or significant itinerary modifications in order to participate. In many destinations, accommodations for significant physical limitations may not be possible without materially altering the experience for the individual traveler or the group.

    All travelers are responsible for informing Modern Adventure of any physical limitations, medical considerations, or concerns before booking, or as early as possible before departure. Please don’t hesitate to contact us before booking if you have any questions. We want every traveler to feel confident, comfortable, and fully prepared for the journey ahead.

MO/AD News

Modern Adventure founder Luis Vargas is recognized as one of the top travel specialists for 2025 by ​Condé Nast Traveler. This list includes travel experts for every trip and traveler imaginable.

Modern Adventure makes the Fast Company list of Brands that Matter in 2022. Next-level creativity and sustainable business practices build a brand with impact.

For the second year running, Modern Adventure is recognized as one of the top travel operators in the world by ​Condé Nast Traveller’s​ annual Readers’ Choice Awards, the most prestigious in the travel industry.

“I’d had Oaxacan food before, but few restaurants served meals like this—'celebration food' worth the effort only for births and weddings. And, apparently, for Modern Adventure.”

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