Mexico and Cancun – Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe

CHICAGO – MEXICO CITY

Group meeting at ORD airport in Chicago. Check-in. Arrival in Mexico. Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight stay in Mexico City.

Mexico and Cancun – Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Pilgrimage to Mexico - MEXICO CITY

We begin our Mexican adventure with a trip to the city’s main square, Zocalo. Here, we see the Baroque Metropolitan Cathedral with the figure of Christ of the Poison and the monument of Pope John Paul II.

Next, we head to the Aztec temple Templo Mayor, where we view its ruins from a lookout point. We also see the National Palace, the current administrative seat of the President of Mexico. This monumental building with red awnings hides many treasures, including Diego Rivera’s murals, which depict the history of the country and the strength of the Mexican people.

The next place we visit is the Plaza of Three Cultures. This is a symbolic site of the birth of the new mestizo race, with an interesting history. It is here that Juan Diego reports the apparitions of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe to Bishop Zumarraga.

We then travel to Xochimilco. This indigenous name, meaning “City of Flowers,” refers to the ancient cultivation of flowers and vegetables on moored rafts, which, built from reeds and branches, resemble floating gardens.

Today, among the green oasis of this multi-million metropolis, fairy-tale boats, resembling gondolas, lazily transport tourists through the old Aztec canals.

We enjoy a boat ride among artificial islands, Mexican specialties, indigenous handicrafts, colorful flowers, and sombreros—all in the festive atmosphere and to the sounds of Mariachi music. We transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - PUEBLA

After breakfast, we travel to Puebla, where we see sacred buildings in the style of indigenous baroque. In the eastern part of the city, the remains of the largest pyramid by volume in the world dominate the landscape.

We climb the pyramid in Cholula and visit the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel located there. From the top, there is an unforgettable view of the surrounding area and the two volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. At the foot of the pyramid, long tunnels, 8 km in length, are excavated, from which we can view the underground structures.

On this day, we also visit the Cathedral and the Rosary Chapel in the Church of Santo Domingo – the most beautiful example of Mexican baroque. The beautifully and richly decorated Church of St. Dominic is Puebla’s greatest attraction, hiding numerous treasures.

Among many chapels, the Rosary Chapel is the one that draws the most attention. Majestic and hailed as the eighth wonder of the world, it dazzles with the baroque opulence of its gilded stucco.

The interior, glowing with golden splendor, takes our breath away, and the onyx pulpit and the abundance of decorations are unrivaled. It is the first chapel not only in Mexico but in all of the Americas to be dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary.

We end the evening with a pleasant walk along the “Sweet Street,” tasting local sweets. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - TAXCO

The next day brings more attractions. We leave for Taxco, the picturesque silver capital nestled in the Mexican hills. On the way, we stop in Cuernavaca. During a stroll through the “City of Eternal Spring,” we visit the sixteenth-century Cathedral and the former residence of Hernán Cortés.

We stop at a local craft workshop to observe the process of silver production and craftsmanship. We see the products created here and taste the local drink “Berta.”

A highlight of this region is the high-quality silverware and jewelry. Their variety and rich designs can be overwhelming. However, beautiful and original jewelry is not the only hallmark of the region.

The low colonial architecture impresses with white houses topped with red tiles and winding, cobblestone streets that evoke the charm of quaint Mediterranean towns. In the evening, we check in at the hotel. Free time.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - TAXCO

We continue exploring Taxco.

In humped taxis, winding through the narrow, twisting streets, we set out to admire the city’s architecture. White houses with red roofs, wrapped in lush vegetation, make an extraordinary impression.

We end the visit at the main square and the Church of Santa Prisca located there. The pink walls of this historic colonial-era church tower over the entire region of Taxco.

The church, founded in the mid-18th century by a mining magnate, is dedicated to St. Prisca and St. Sebastian and was the tallest building in Mexico until 1806. It is definitely one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Latin America.

In the evening, we check in at the hotel. Free time.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - GUADALUPE

We start the day with a visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the most important Marian sanctuary in Mexico and one of the most visited Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. On December 12, 1531, an Aztec Indian named Juan Diego saw the Virgin Mary, who instructed him to go to the bishop and request that a church be built at the site of the apparition in her honor.

Juan Diego was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990, and during another papal visit to Mexico in 2002, he was declared a saint.

In the afternoon, we travel to Teotihuacan, the former ceremonial and administrative center of the Teotihuacanos and the largest pre-Columbian city in Mesoamerica. The name Teotihuacan in Nahuatl means “place where the gods were made.” According to indigenous beliefs, it is here that the world was created. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most frequently visited archaeological attractions in Latin America.

While there, we climb the Pyramid of the Sun. We also see the Pyramid of the Moon, the Palace of the Feathered Shells, and the Feathered Serpent Pyramid. These majestic pyramids and palace complexes continue to be a mystery to many researchers. They are among the most photographed landmarks in Mexico.

In the evening, we spend time tasting tequila and learning about the process of crafting obsidian, the sacred stone from which the people of Teotihuacan made beautiful masks and figurines, inlaid with silver and precious stones. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - CANCUN

After breakfast, we fly to Cancun.

This Mexican city on the Yucatan Peninsula, bordering the Caribbean Sea, is famous for its beautiful beaches, numerous resorts, and vibrant nightlife. We will spend the next 3 days enjoying sunbathing, nightlife, and delicious local food.

Accommodation in an all-inclusive hotel. Free time for relaxation and beach lounging.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - CANCUN - TULUM

On this day, we focus on relaxation and recreation. For those interested, there is an opportunity to spend the morning on the beach or by the pool of the luxury resort with excellent tourist infrastructure.

For decades, the Yucatan coast has been one of the most visited destinations in Mexico, attracting over four million tourists each year. It is blessed with stunning white sand beaches, coral reefs, and perfect weather.

Free time can be used to explore Punta Nizuc, where there are many interesting Mayan ruins known as El Rey. They are named after the discovery of a mask that was likely dedicated to the sun god.

The complex consists of about 47 buildings, including numerous tombs built by the Mayans since 900 AD. Particularly interesting are the two main platforms with their temples, which were once part of the market and important ceremonial areas.

For those who prefer to explore with a group, there is a trip to the city of Tulum. The gray ruins set against the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea will dazzle not only history enthusiasts. The complex is dominated by the so-called “El Castillo.” It is likely that the main religious ceremonies took place in this “castle.” After exploring the ancient city, we will visit one of the countless cenotes—natural wells located in limestone caves or grottos. For those interested, there is an opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear, fresh waters. In the afternoon, we return to the hotel. Free time.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - CANCUN - CHICHEN ITZA

The next day is for relaxation. There is free time for lounging on the beach, swimming in the pool, or enjoying the waters surrounding the white sands of Mexican beaches. For those who do not enjoy spending the entire day “basking in the sun,” there is an optional full-day excursion to Chichen Itza. Known in Poland as Czeczenica, it is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico. Moreover, it is one of the SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, so we cannot miss it.

We leave around 7 a.m. and, after about 2.5 hours of driving, arrive at the site. This pre-Columbian Mayan city, though abandoned over the centuries, still reminds us of the power of the population that lived here at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. The massive stone structures, about 50 temples and buildings, amaze and attract thousands of tourists from around the world. The most valuable monument we see is the Temple of Kukulkan. It is a typical pyramid, but unlike Egyptian pyramids, it has a flat top. The top is accessed by 365 steps symbolizing the calendar year. We also visit the Temple of the Warriors, the Tzompantli, the El Caracol astronomical observatory, the largest ceremonial ball court in Central America, and the so-called Sacred Cenote, where human sacrifices were once made to honor the rain god. The name of the complex, Chichen Itza, originates from “the mouth of the well of the Itza.” Return to the hotel. Free time.

Pilgrimage to Mexico - CANCUN – CHICAGO

Last day of stay. Preparation for the journey. Transfer to the airport. Return flight to Chicago.

The program is tentative. The order of the various points in the program may be subject to change. Holy Mass every day (if possible, in selected sanctuaries).

See also:

Poland & Rome 2025 – in the footsteps of faith.

Paradise Philipppines 2024/2025