Condor Verde: DMC Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala & Venezuela

Pilgrimage

Catholic pilgrimage to Mexico

Mexico's pre-Hispanic civilizations built some of the world’s great archaeological monuments. Then came the Spanish colonial era, which left beautiful towns full of tree-shaded plazas and richly sculpted churches.

Catholicism in Mexico is one of the major legacies from Spanish rule, and its history is fascinating: starting with Spanish missionaries arriving in the 16th century, to the more recent Reform War of the 19th century.

The places in the sample itinerary below have been chosen for their religious, historic and architectural importance.

DAY 1

Arrival in magnificent Mexico City!
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DAY 2

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Latin America's most revered religious shrine. It is here where the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared before Juan Diego in 1531, and an image of her was miraculously emblazoned on his cloak.
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DAY 2

Teotihuacan, where we can climb up the majestic Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon.
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DAY 2

Tulpetlac, the church of the 5th apparition to Juan Diego.
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DAY 3

Catedral Metropolitana in the colonial city center, the largest cathedral in the Americas.
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DAY 3

Frida Kahlo Museum in the bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacan, where Frida was born and lived most of her life.
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DAY 3

Church of San Juan Bautista in Coyoacan, originally constructed as a Dominican monastery.
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DAY 3

There is always time for churros con chocolate!
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DAY 4

We head Southeast towards Puebla today. First stop is the Sanctuary of San Miguel del Milagro, where St. Michael appeared to Diego Lazaro in 1631.
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DAY 4

Basilica of Our Lady of Ocotlan, where in 1541 Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego Bernardino (no relation to Juan Diego of Guadalupe fame).
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DAY 4

Church of Santa Maria Tonantzintla. The exterior of this 16th-century church might be simple, but inside waits an explosion of color. To facilitate conversion to Catholicism, Franciscan monks incorporated elements of the local goddess Tonantzin.
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DAY 4

Puebla was founded by the Spanish in early colonial times, and fairly bursts with baroque flourishes and the colors of its famed Talavera tiles.
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DAY 4

Catedral de Puebla. Construction began in 1550, but most of it took place under Bishop Juan de Palafox in the 1640s. At 69m, the towers are Mexico’s tallest.
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DAY 4

Church of Santo Domingo in Puebla. Its Rosary Chapel is one of Mexico’s most beautiful baroque chapels.
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DAY 5

We head South towards Taxco today. This beautiful colonial town, set on a steep hillside with narrow cobbled streets, was the center of silver mining in the 19th century.
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DAY 5

Catedral de Cuernavaca. Hernan Cortes ordered the construction of this cathedral, and like his palace, it doubled as a fortress. The facade may give you a sense of foreboding, especially when you see the skull and crossbones over the door.
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DAY 5

Church of Santa Prisca in Taxco, one of Mexico's most impressive baroque churches. The carved facade is eclipsed by the interior, with breathtakingly intricate gold-leafed saints and cherubic angels. Farewell mass.
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DAY 6

We will explore the floating gardens of Xochimilco – where the Aztecs grew much of their food – on board a typical trajinera.
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DAY 6

Alternatively, we will visit the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, which houses one of the finest archaeological collections in the world.
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DAY 6

Goodbye Mexico!
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Green Book of net rates for Mexico

Catholic pilgrimage to Mexico

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