YOUR journey
J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.
Art & Culture
Archaeology
Heritage
Local Specialists
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Program Itinerary
- 4:50 a.m. Arrive at Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, where you will be met by your local guide and J² Expert Educator, who will accompany you throughout your journey.
- Transfer to your hotel and check in, with time to rest before the day begins.
- Enjoy a welcome lunch and opening conversation with your J² Expert Educator.
- Walk to the Zócalo, the monumental heart of Mexico City and one of the largest public squares in the world. Explore the layers of history that define this iconic space, including:
- The Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest and oldest cathedral in Latin America.
- The National Palace, home to the offices of the Mexican President and the National Archives.
- The remains of the Templo Mayor, built on the sacred site where the Aztecs envisioned the founding of their capital.
- Continue with a deep dive into Jewish life in Mexico on a guided walking tour of the historic center, led by a local community expert. Trace the footsteps of early Jewish immigrants who arrived over a century ago. Highlights include:
- The Historic Synagogue on Justo Sierra Street.
- Former communal housing and kosher establishments.
- Santo Domingo Square and surrounding historic sites.
- A local market featuring murals by students of Diego Rivera.
- The site of a former Yiddish theater, once a vibrant cultural hub.
- Evening at leisure.
- Meet with Dr. Daniel Fainstein, Dean and Professor of Jewish Studies and Education at the Hebrew University of Mexico, for a meaningful introduction to Jewish life in Mexico, including its history, evolution, and contemporary realities.
- Continue to CDIJUM, the Mexican Jewish Documentation and Research Center, a vital institution dedicated to preserving and studying the history and cultural heritage of the Jewish community in Mexico. Meet with a local researcher who will guide you through key artifacts, archival materials, and personal stories that bring the community’s narrative to life.
- Lunch at leisure in the vibrant Roma neighborhood. Enjoy free time to explore one of Mexico City’s most beloved districts, known for its tree-lined streets, Art Deco architecture, and dynamic culinary scene, offering everything from casual taquerías to acclaimed contemporary restaurants.
- This afternoon, visit Deportivo Israelita (CDI), a vibrant sports and cultural center that serves as a cornerstone of Jewish communal life. Learn about its mission to foster connection, identity, and continuity by providing a welcoming space for cultural, educational, and recreational engagement.
- Return to your hotel along Paseo de la Reforma and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure, with opportunities for a stroll, dinner, or drinks nearby.
- Begin your exploration with a visit to the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico’s most important cultural institution. Step into a world where centuries of history come vividly to life as you encounter extraordinary artifacts from pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Aztec Calendar Stone and the statue of Xochipilli.
- Travel beyond the modern city to the ruins of Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant archaeological complexes in the world. Once home to over 100,000 inhabitants, Teotihuacan was among the largest urban centers of the ancient world.
- Explore the grandeur of this city, including its monumental pyramids and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, while gaining insight into the spiritual, political, and cultural life of this pre-Columbian civilization.
- Return to Mexico City and enjoy an evening at leisure.
- Depart Mexico City and begin your scenic drive to San Miguel de Allende, traveling through the Mexican countryside toward one of the country’s most beautiful and culturally rich colonial towns.
- Begin with a guided walking tour through the heart of the city, including:
- The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose neo-Gothic façade defines the skyline and serves as a symbol of the city.
- Parque Allende, the lively central square, where locals and visitors gather amid cafés, gardens, and historic architecture.
- Continue to Fábrica La Aurora, a restored former textile factory now home to galleries and studios showcasing local and international artists, reflecting the city’s vibrant creative spirit.
- This evening, gather at JC3, the Jewish Cultural and Community Center, for a meaningful Kabbalat Shabbat service, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner with members of the local community.
- Begin the day with a short nature walk followed by a brief morning service led by Rabbi Magat, offering a meaningful and reflective start to Shabbat.
- Visit Casa Cohen and learn about its history, along with discussion of the nearby House of the Inquisitor, providing insight into the Jewish experience in colonial Mexico and the complexities of identity during that period.
- Return to JC3 for a presentation on Jewish life in San Miguel, exploring the development of this unique and growing community.
- Engage in a special conversation, “From London to Tel Aviv to San Miguel,” with Martin Fletcher, author and retired NBC News Middle East correspondent.
- As Shabbat comes to a close, gather for a meaningful Havdalah ceremony, followed by an evening of Sephardic and world Jewish music performed by local musicians, creating a memorable cultural and spiritual conclusion to the day.
- The evening is at leisure to continue discovering San Miguel’s vibrant atmosphere.
- Check out and return to Mexico City.
- Group lunch, en route.
- Explore the waterways of Xochimilco, a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape and one of Mexico City’s most iconic experiences. Step aboard a colorful trajinera and cruise through the canals, sampling local flavors and enjoying live music while taking in the festive atmosphere that defines this tradition.
- End the day at the Dolores Olmedo Patiño Museum, where lush gardens and elegant architecture frame one of the world’s most significant collections dedicated to Frida Kahlo, offering rare insight into her art, relationships, and creative evolution. Engage intimately with Frida’s story as you move through works that reveal her resilience, identity, and enduring influence on Mexico’s cultural narrative.
- Conclude the journey with a farewell dinner, sharing reflections and memories from the week.
- This morning, check out of your hotel and transfer to Benito Juárez International Airport for your return flight home.
RATES & LODGING
Mexico City: Hilton Mexico City Reforma
- Nights: 3
- Room Category: Signature Room
- Hotel Website
San Miguel de Allende: Albor Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Nights: 2
- Room Category: Standard Room
- Hotel Website
Mexico City: Hilton Mexico City Reforma
- Nights: 1
- Room Category: Signature Room
- Hotel Website
Choose Your Way
What to expect
- 6 nights' accommodations.
- Early check-in on February 16.
- 6 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and local guides, 5 days of touring in a luxury, climate controlled bus.
- 1 Group arrival transfer from the Mexico City airport.
- 1 Group departure transfer to the Mexico City airport.
- Daily breakfast, 2 lunches & 2 dinners.
- Gratuities are included for all services throughout the program, including the J² Expert Educator, local guides, and drivers.
- The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
- Water on the bus.
- Porterage at the hotels.
- All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Credit card fees.
- Flights to & from Mexico.
- Individual airport transfers.
- Late check-out.
- COVID related expenses, including tests.
- Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
- Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
- Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
- US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
- This journey includes walking tours, cultural site visits, and hotel stays that may involve uneven terrain, stairs, and longer distances on foot. While we do our best to accommodate a range of mobility levels, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the experience. For more information, please see the “Travelers with Physical Limitations” section in our full Terms & Conditions.
- Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
- Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on double occupancy room.
- How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A non-refundable deposit of $675 is required in order to complete the registration process.
- For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
- Payments | The balance of your payment is due 120 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
- Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
- Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
- J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
- Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
- Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 120 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 119 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
- Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
- Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
- Please click here to view our full terms (T&C's). These T&C's apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.
DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.
JOURNEYS.
A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community.
Stuff.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
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