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 a 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 week 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 - Haciendas, Cenotes and Mayans...Oh my!

Today we will explore the sites of one of the only working haciendas left today. During the booming henequen or sisal era of the late 1800's many haciendas were built to process what came to be known as green gold. After synthetic fibers were introduced in the early 1900's, the entire industry collapsed and many haciendas were eventually abandoned. Today many of these serve as museums, tourist stops or luxury hotels.

We will learn about this fascinating time in history as we walk through the awe inspiring grounds of the main plantation home, machine house and gardens. Our visit includes a look into an authentic Maya home where you will meet Don Antonio, the resident of the Mayan house and the senior member of the local Mayan community.

No visit to an hacienda is complete without a dip in the crystal clear waters of a cenote (Seh-no-tehs). These are sinkhole formations unique to this part of the world. Our trip here is concluded with a tasty lunch of typical Yucatecan dishes under a palm thatched roof restaurant.

Back in the city we will have our first Spanish class with Laura Holland as well as a chef prepared healthy dinner in the home´s beautiful courtyard.

Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included

Day 3 - Refreshing Cenotes

An antique cart pulled by a horse is the mode of transportation used on this trip to see three spectacular cenotes (Seh-no-tehs). The carts were used during the sisal booming days of the late 1800´s to transport the harvested plant back to the hacienda machine houses where they were processed into a finshed product such as rope. We will be traveling through the lush sisal plantations of the Yucatan with three wonderful refreshing cenotes as the goal of the trip, this day trip is something truly unique and unforgettable.

Cenotes are sinkhole formation unique to this part of the world.

In the Yucatán there are over 3000 cenotes, with only 1400 actually studied and registered.

They are magical places that were once the only resource for fresh, sweet water in the local Yucatecan jungle. They were the sacred places of the Mayas for that reason, but also because they represented the entrance to the underworld.

We will be enjoying a chef prepared gourmet picnic lunch on site. Upon our return to Merida you will have a welcomed break to rest at the hotel before our evening class session. Mexican favorites will be especially prepared by our chef and served in the open air courtyard of our colonial classroom.

Meals- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Class Time and The City of Three Cultures

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will continue learning during our morning class session with Laura. You will be free to explore and have a leisurly lunch in anyone of our thoughtful suggestions.

Our late afternoon activities will be very special as we 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.

This evening's activities include a wonderful dinner under a palm thatched room restaurant boasting some of the best authentic Yucatecan food in the region. Among the many attractions is the Franciscan monastery whose construction was completed in 1562. It is still recognized as a destination for many belivers who come in pilgramage to pray at the feet of our Lady of Izamal. We will enjoy a wonderful light and sound show on the convent grounds after our dinner.

Meals- Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5-Cooking Class!

A fun morning is planned after our breakfast at the hotel. Our star chef, Brent Marsh will be leading you on a culinary journey through Mexico. This is more than a Mexican cooking demonstration. It is a full fledged, hands-on, interactive and totally participatory Mexican cooking class. You will be preparing your very own meal for lunch today!

A free afternoon will be yours to explore or relax. An evening session is planned with Laura accompanied by a tasty dinner in our favorite courtyard.

Meals- Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6-Morning class, City Bus Tour and Farewell Dinner Party

Our morning class session will follow our hotel breakfast. Take the afternoon off for a long lunch in any one of the city´s famous cafes and explore some more or opt for a relaxing and refreshing dip in the hotel pool.

Our group reunites to embark on a city wide tour on a charming colorful open bus known as the gua gua. The gua gua will take us on a delightful tour of the city´s most important avenues where we will be able to appreciate the finest examples of French, Spanish and Moorish architecture this colonial city is famous for.

Our evening festivities will commence as we arrive at a beautiful art gallery where a memorable and delicious dinner party has been planned for us. This will be a time to share our learned experiences and toast to our most recent accomplishements. Live acoustic music of traditional Yucatecan trova will add a magical touch on this evening of celebration.

Meals- Breakfast and 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

Meet your Instructors

Laura Holland Gomez

Spanish Instructor

Laura was born and educated in Mexico City, where her long career began as a bilingual secretary for various companies and eventually worked as a teacher in both Mexico City and Toluca. She studied at the Instituto Anglo Mexicana de Cultura in Mexico City and is certified to teach English as a foreign language and has a Lower Certificate of Cambridge.

She has participated in several teachers' training courses as well as a course in the application of neurolinguistic techniques for teaching.

Laura has been enjoying her teaching work with adults in Merida since her move in 2000. She enjoys reading, sports, self improvement activities as well as cooking and baking. She is married to John Holland and has two grown children, Patrick, 30 and George, 28.

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.

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.

About Accommodations

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.

2011 Travel Dates and Rates

Feb. 26th-March 4th  $1,800

July  23rd-29th  $1,800

Nov.  19th-25th  $1,800

¨My Own Room Supplement¨ +$350

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.