Historic ruins, beaches and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of discovery. A guided tour of Tulum is followed by a visit to a traditional Maya community. What's more, you'll get to take a dip in a cenote, too. Benito, one of our local guides, says, ‘Most of Tulum dates from the two centuries before Spanish colonisation, so it's a final snapshot of a doomed civilisation. Among the many things you'll learn is the symbolism behind the deities carved into the temples.'

First up, explore the remains of the Maya city of Tulum. Your expert guide will give show you temples of the Frescoes, the Descending God, the Winds and more. And then there's El Castillo pyramid, whose clifftop location overlooking the Caribbean saw it double as a lighthouse. Nowadays, it's made for Instagram – it's the most photographed location in the Riviera Maya. Gustavo, another of our local guides, says, ‘Tulum is that perfect balance between culture and nature – just look at all the iguanas you'll see lazing around. The ancient Maya appreciated this, and each area represented one of the elements – earth, water, wind and fire.' You'll also have free time to visit the beach below, a nesting site for turtles.

Then, after a stop in a Maya village to mingle with some locals, we'll finish up with a swim in a cenote. These freshwater sinkholes were sacred to the ancient Maya. A bit of snorkelling in this hallowed cavern is the ideal way to round off your experience.