17 Days | Explore the pulsating streets of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
Explore Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala and Belize on this amazing 17-day adventure in Central America. Learn some Spanish phrases to help you on your way, and then head to Chichen Itza – one of the new Wonders of the World! Visit natural pools, try traditional local cuisine, and enjoy loads of free time to explore at your own pace, too. Learn more about the lives of mysterious civilisations at the cliffside Maya ruins of Tulum and at Tikal National Park in Guatemala. Finish in Belize’s Caye Caulker, with white sands and glittering waters perfect for kicking back and relaxing with a cocktail or taking on more fun outdoor activities.
Trip overview
- Start
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Finish
- Caye Caulker, Belize
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Guatemala, Belize, Mexico
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- QBSYC
- Experience Chichen Itza – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your tour of the ancient ruins includes a visit to the nearby Piste community, where you’ll sit down for a traditional lunch.
- Kick back and relax in the lakeside town of Bacalar, known for its deep blue cenote and aquamarine lagoon.
- Travel to Tulum and explore the archaeological site of Mayan ruins at your own pace. Then, enjoy some free time to find the best snorkelling spots or local bars.
- Gaze in wonder at the jungle-shrouded limestone temples of Tikal National Park, one of the most impressive Mayan sites in the whole of Central America, as howler monkeys call from the canopy.
- Relax and recharge on the white sands of Caye Caulker – a tiny Belizean island made for beach BBQs, snorkel trips and lazy afternoons spent swinging in a hammock.
- Explore Livingston – a one-of-a-kind riverside town where the local culture is heavily influenced by the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna population.
- The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours.
- As this trip covers destinations across three countries, you'll need to make a land border crossing. While this is usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient.
- While your leaders on this trip will bridge any language gaps you have along the way, you'll find meeting locals easier the more Spanish words you know. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is a great way of showing you care.
- This trip involves some long days of travel, some of it by local transport. This may be a little more rustic than you are used to, but it's worth it to encounter local life in a real way.
Itinerary
Inclusions
11 breakfasts, 5 lunches
Private vehicle, Plane, Public bus, local bus, Taxi, Ferry, Shared boat
Hotel (14 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Piste - Traditional Maya Family Lunch
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
- Merida - Visit to Cenote Yokdnozot Piste
- Campeche - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Becal - Visit to Jipi hat artisan cave studio
- Bacalar - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tulum - Archaeological site visit
- Antigua - Informal Spanish Lesson
- Antigua - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Livingston - River boat trip to Garifuna town
- Flores - Leader-led orientation walk
- Santa Ana Vieja - Cooperativa Nuevo Horizonte visit
- Flores - Tortilla Making Workshop
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Merida - Regional Museum of Yucatan - MXN95
- Merida – Rio Lagartos (entrance and transport) - MXN1365
- Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1470
- Campeche - San Miguel Fort (Entrance Fee) - MXN68
- Cenote Azul - Natural rock pool with option to swim (Entrance fee & Transport) - MXN37
- Dos Ojos Cenote - Fresh Water Rock Pool (entrance fee with snorkelling gear & life jacket included) - MXN578
- Tulum- Bike rental - MXN263
- Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ105
- Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ236
- San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD200
- San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD24
- San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD11
- San Ignacio - Cahal Pech Ruins entry - BZD10
- San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD263
- Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing - BZD126
- Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD44
- Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD8
- Caye Caulker - Full day Catamaran snorkeling tour in Hol Chan Marine Reserve-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
- Caye Caulker - Full day speed boat-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Playa del Carmen. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. On your final day, you’ve got the power to choose where your adventure takes you. If you like, you can stay in Caye Caulker for another couple of nights relaxing beachside – we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Otherwise, jump on an included water taxi transfer from the Caye Caulker ferry port back to Belize City where you can also book additional nights’ accommodation, or where your leader can assist you to catch a taxi from the port to the airport for an onward connection. You will need to make your own way from your hotel in Caye Caulker to the ferry port. To allow for transfer times, please book a flight after 12 pm (midday).
4. It is recommended that you keep your main luggage weight to15kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option. Luggage more than 15 kg may incur fees on the flight from Cancun to Guatemala City. Any overage fees are to be paid by the passenger, these are determined by the airline and payable at time of check in. Some airlines will allow up to 20kg free of charge, but this is not guaranteed for this trip. Anything more than 20kg in weight will be charged extra for luggage.
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