We Are a Group Travel Company for Women Focused on Learning Vacations. Vacations with Fun and Captivating Workshops. MexicaChica Getaways is dedicated to providing inspiring, high-quality tours that incorporate fun and interesting workshops to help women reawaken their passions.

Day 1- Welcome!

MexicaChica Getaways takes you to Merida, Yucatan, also known as The White City. From ancient Maya temples to charming haciendas full of history, we celebrate the diversity that this region has to offer. This is a state rich in natural wonders and exciting adventures.

Join MexicaChica Getaways for this 7 day, 6 night trip that embraces the exuberant tapestry of Mexico. You will be met at the airport by a private transfer and will be taken directly to a five star boutique hotel known for its impeccable service, beautiful courtyard and famous gift shop and bakery. This will serve as our home base for the next three days as we delve into our creative activities and explorations of the area.

Once at the hotel, we will be greeted with welcome cocktails and appetizers followed by a brief orientation with Claudette. You will have time to explore before and after our delicious dinner in a beautiful Merida restaurant. Our timely arrival could not be better orchestrated since that night we will play witness to one big authentic Mexican fiesta featuring live music, folkloric dances from various regions of Mexico, food and local crafts. Take the time to explore the city by night on one of the charming horse drawn carriages found only steps away from our hotel.

Meals- Welcome Drinks and appetizers, Dinner

Day 2- Market Day, Cooking and Altars Oh my!

Our day begins with a delicious breakfast at the famous Tala restaurant and bakery within our hotel. The city´s main market will be our first adventure this week with Chef Brent Marsh as our guide. He will be teaching us about the history of the dishes we will prepare, as we shop for the freshest ingredients we can find. You will learn how to pick them and what to look for. This fascinating visit to the market offers a glimpse into the bustling center of activity that is at the heart of every Mexican city.

After our shopping, the real fun begins when we arrive at our gorgeous colonial home that will serve as our classroom. Today we will be preparing a Central Mexican favorite- tacos! These are no ordinary tacos. You will never look at a taco the same way again as you sample a wonderful combination of flavors not known to many outside of Mexico. Please see our menu section for more details.

The afternoon activities include an exciting visit to the city´s main square where an altar competition takes place each year. The grand designs seen at this competition are a wonderful example of the creativity and care that goes into every loved ones resting place.

Our dinner will take place in a stunning setting just outside of Merida. We will be dining in the beautiful Xcanatun hacienda known for its exceptional food, service and splendid location.

Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3- Coastal Cuisine and Cemetery

After breakfast at our hotel, we will be heading over to our favorite colonial classroom. This day we will be focusing on the flavors found in the coastal regions of the country. Learn to prepare two kinds of ceviche and a mouthwatering fish and shrimp stuffed chiles. Please see the menu section for full details.

We will have a welcomed break after lunch for you to explore the city on your own or simply relax by the hotel pool. We will regroup later in the day for a special excursion to a liquor producing hacienda within the city. We will visit the farm that supplies the exotic fruits used in the liquors and as well as learn about the history of this magnificent place. No liquor tour is complete without a tasting and stop at the hacienda´s shop.

This evening will be the highlight of the trip as we visit the cemetery and get a first hand look at this age old  tradition dating back to prehispanic times.

Meals- Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4-Mayan Ruins

We head off to Dzibichaltun, Place of Inscribed Flat Stones. This archeological site was first settled around 1500 BC, and is known to be the longest functioning city of the Mayan world.  It was still inhabited at first contact, unlike other abandoned cities that were only visited for ritual and ceremony. This is why missionaries tore down Mayan temples and began constructing a church, which was left unfinished.

The most notable structure is the The Temple of Seven Dolls. It is an observatory, which maps the movement of stars, the sun and moon.  There is a wonderful small museum and a beautiful open crystal clear cenote for swimming. We will be eating a gourmet picnic lunch on site.

We will rest upon our return to Merida before our evening session at our favorite kitchen in town. The menu today will include Oaxacan specialties. Please see our menu for full details.

Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5- The City of Three Cultures

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will head out of the city to a magical little town about 45 mintutes away. Izamal, the city of three cultures, brings together elements of the prehispanic, colonial and contemporary eras. The town is known for its distinct  yellow color that decorates a large portion of the town,  creating a very charming and unique effect. Numerous prehispanic constructions, some currently under restoration, are located within the city, providing a contrast next to the remains of the colonial era.

We will take a guided tour of the notable Franciscan monastery before an opportunity to explore on your own. You will be provided with many useful suggestions for lunch and sightseeing.

Our evening cooking session will take place in the famed Kinich restaurant known for its lush surroundings, impeccable service and authentic Yucatecan food. Chef Jose Luis will guide us in this evening´s class as he helps us understand the significance behind today´s day of the dead specialty. Kinich is famous for employing traditional methods of preparing Yucatean food apparent in its impressive standards to quality and aunthenticity.

After our dinner we will head out to a truly magical place that we will call home for the next two days. We will be staying at a 5 star beautifully restored hacienda just outside of Izamal. This 18th century hacienda is full of history and impressive beauty.

Meals- Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6-Class, Artisans and Farewell Party

We will travel to Izamal for our morning session with Chef Jose Luis, after our hotel breakfast. Today we will be preparing a delightful treats from the Yucatan region of Mexico. Please see our menu for additional details.

After enjoying our fruits of our labor, we will leave the kitchen to visit some wonderful local artisans working in their studios. An afternoon rest will follow at the hotel before our very special farewell dinner party.

Our evening festivities will take place in an unforgettable setting within the hacienda gardens. We will share a delicious dinner while listening to live acoustic Yucatecan trova for that added magical touch. This will be a time to share our learned experiences and toast to our most recent accomplishments.

Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and a very special Dinner

Day 7-Adios!

The time has come to say goodbye. You will be provided private transporation to the Merida airport. Buen viaje y Adios!

Meals- Breakfast

About Menu

Day 1: Arrival and Welcoming Day

Day 2:Flavors of Central Mexico

A morning of communal activities where students work together to prepare a selection of traditional small dishes. Through this, guests are introduced to common Mexican ingredients and techniques and their importance in the history and culture of Mexico.

The walking tour of the central market will include the selection and purchase of a few key items to be used in class.

Today our main dish will be:

Tacos with:

flor de jamaica with requeson or crema

queso oaxaca and pumpkin flowers

chicken

arracherra

Handmade tortillas and various salsas too! 

Day 3:Coastal Cuisine

A morning of fresh seafood dishes representing coastal regions of Mexico. Guests will learn how flavors are combined in Mexican dishes – where each flavor shines individually while simultaneously harmonizing with others. Emphasis will be placed on the balance between the Mexican flavors of sour, heat, salt, sweet, and fat.

Today our main dishes will be:

Two kinds of Ceviches

Chiles rellenos stuffed with fish and shrimp

Day 4 Day of the Dead Traditions

A late‐afternoon class to prepare Mole Poblano, a pinnacle of Mexican cuisine and traditional
during day of the dead festivities. With over 25 ingredients, it is truly a feat to master. Students
will learn about the range of different moles around Mexico and the traditions of various regions
in the preparation of their specialties.

A tasting of food offered to the dead – pan de muerto, sugar skulls, candied pumpkin, tamales and
atole.
Chicken with mole poblano
Black beans and rice

Dessert:

Flan

Drinks:

Tamarind Margaritas (demonstration by chef and optional prep by students during dinner)

Day 5: Yucatecan Cuisine

In the Yucatán, the holiday is known as Hanal Pixan, which means "soul food" in Mayan. The meals prepared for these picnics are sumptuous, usually featuring the foods the departed loved ones liked. In this case, we wil learn to prepare a chicken and pork pot pie dish called mucbilpollo.

Our feast will also include:

Sopa de Lima

Panuchos

Dessert:

Cremita de coco

Drinks:

Agua de chaya

Day 6: Yucatecan Cuisine

Today's focus will be on another Yucatecan favorite called papadzules, Mayan for food of love. It is a mestizo dish with clear indigenous influences. We will also learn about another comfort food in the Yucatan, Frijol con puerco or Beans with Pork.

Papadzules

Frijol con puerco

Dessert:

Dulce de calabaza

Drinks:

Lime margarita

Day 7: Buen Viaje y Adios!

Meet the Chefs

Chef Brent Marsh

Merida Chef

Upon leaving his native New Zealand at a relatively young age, Brent was delighted to discover that there was more to dinner than meat and potatoes. With a natural flair for gastronomy and bursting with curiosity, he dove head-first into the international world of culinary arts: studying the classic rules of cooking in Europe; learning to innovate and break them in California; and encountering a parallel universe of culinary traditions in the far-flung corners of East Asia.

Brent spent many years admiring the spirited cuisine of Mexico from afar, and it was only upon moving there in 2006 that he truly began to appreciate its many nuances.  An initial year in Guadalajara provided an ample course in the fiery dishes of Jalisco and the pacific coast.  An additional year in the nation’s capital allowed him to devour the intricacies of central Mexican fare. Currently based in Merida, Brent has spent the past couple of years experimenting first-hand with the flavors that make Yucatecan cuisine so utterly delicious.

With an infectious enthusiasm for food, Brent’s eventual foray into cooking instruction seemed like the most natural of progressions. He has considerable experience in leading both one-on-one cooking sessions and small, intimate classes. Over the years Brent has shared his wealth of culinary knowledge on topics ranging from essential kitchen skills like the ‘art of chopping’, to the execution of 11-course extravaganzas.

Chef Jose Luis Rodriguez

Izamal Chef

Mexico City native, Jose Luis Rodriguez is a service industry professional with many years of experience. His degree in Tourism has served him well as the Director of a restaurant, hotel and tourism consulting firm called Decatur Consulting in Mexico. His extensive knowledge  has been invaluable as a respected trainer for SECTUR Mexico, Mexico's government agency of tourism. Jose Luis has collaborated in the openings of twenty two restaurants which has included everything from menu design to work flow and systems design in order to promote efficiency and cost effectiveness. He currently serves as the lead chef at Kinich restaurant in Izamal.  We are please to have Jose Luis lead our groups as we learn about Yucatecan cuisine in a beautiful lush garden setting.

Our Inspiring Location

Mérida is the Grande Dame and cultural center of the Yucatan state in Mexico. Renowned as the most peaceful and safest city in Mexico, Mérida is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan beauty with theaters, concerts, museums, parks and numerous cultural events occurring throughout each week. The historical center is preserved for it’s architectural legacy of Spanish and French colonial styles. Mérida is only 30 minutes to the Gulf coast beaches of Progreso and sits at the top of the peninsula making for a short international flight from the US.

It is a city of about one million people and is a wonderful mixture of colonial city and a cosmopolitan destination. With Mérida as our home base, we will visit cathedrals, Mayan archaeological sites and historical haciendas. This region has traditionally been isolated from the rest of the country by geography, creating and preserving its unique traditions. Yucatan is a cultural delight with year round warm sub tropical weather and is a truly inspirational destination for our fun week long workshops.

Be sure to view the brief video below to sample the essence of the Yucatan. Video courtesy of the Tourism Board of Mexico.

About the Classroom

Merida is full of beautifully restored colonial homes and our classroom will be no exception. Our workshop will be taking place in a tranquil and luxurious setting complete with a plush tropical garden as a view. Get inspired as you work and learn within a spacious abode.

Accommodations in Merida

Hotel Casa San Angel is a place designed to rest and to indulge in the best of what Yucatan has to offer. Unique in its design, you will find a seductive environment, hand crafts, books, excellent food, home bakery, the best coffee in town and as always, a smile. Allow yourself to be pampered with its plush amenities, modern comforts and excellent service.

Casa San Angel sits at the base of the city´s most stunning and important avenue said to be a recreation of Paris´ Champs Elysee.
The hotel is a beautifully and carefully restored historical building that once was the home to a notable mathematician. Today Hotel Casa San Angel is home to 15 beautiful rooms that offer soothing comfort to our guests. You will also find two exclusive gift shops with the finest Mexican handcrafts from all parts of Mexico in one, and uniquely decorated elegant silk accessories in the other. Wake up and get ready for your day of adventures with the delicious breakfasts served in the Tala Bistro.

The hotel offers a cozy and quiet respite from the bustling city just outside its doors. There are several common areas to relax and unwind. Among the Hotel's facilities and amenities, guests can find a serene pool, wi-fi internet, high quality mattresses, mini split air conditioners, a safety deposit box and a hammock in each room. Each guest room has water filtered through three different methods.

Accommodations in Izamal

At 25 minutes East of Merida, is the small town of Tixkokob where the hacienda of San Jose de Cholul lies. It is situated halfway between Merida and Izamal. This hacienda is a small and secluded hotel with 15 rooms and suites. They are conditioned with exquisite details and they are located around the main 18^th century building, which is also surrounded by beautiful gardens.

A specific restoration project had been developed to express its personality by conserving the same spirit that its former and original owners gave to it. In some areas, the restoration of buildings brings together both contemporary and traditional aspects and the new spaces and elements serve above all to highlight the artistic and architectonic value of the haciendas original features.

Hacienda San Jose will be the perfect place to unwind during our two day stay in Izamal.

Traveling Solo? You go girl!

Embarking on a trip by yourself does not mean you have to be alone. Plenty of our travelers join our trips solo. With MexicaChica Getaways you have two options:

No Single Supplement- You can be paired with another fabulous gal to share a room with. This means you save money.

'My Own Room' Option- Sometimes, its just more comfortable to have your own room. Look for the 'My Own Room' option in the chart above and in the in the reservation form. You can choose to pay to guarantee yourself a single room.