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Real Central America

16 Days | Mexico, Belize and Guatemala – meet these three amigos on this Central American adventure.

4.9 out of 5 based on 50 reviews submitted.
18 to 29s
From
USD $1,431
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

Mexico, Belize and Guatemala – three very tight amigos. Play like a player in Playa del Carmen and take it nice and easy in Tulum. Delve into island life and the pristine underwater worlds in Belize. Check out the temples of Tikal, the markets of Chichicastenango and the lake vistas of Santa Cruza La Laguna.

You’ll need some essential Spanish to get you by:
- It is hot, isn’t it? – Hace calor, verdad?
- A beer, please – Una cerveza, por favor
- I love you Miguel – Te quiero Miguel

Trip overview

Map of Real Central America including Belize, Guatemala and Mexico
Start
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Finish
Antigua, Guatemala
Theme
18 to 29s
Destinations
Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
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
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QBYA
This trip generates 25.9 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • This overland adventure allows you to see some of the best of Central America in one trip, covering parts of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.
  • Extended time in Caye Caulker and Antigua offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy laidback island vibes as well as buzzing colonial city life.
  • There's nothing quite like eating with a local family to really experience a place. At lunch you'll be experiencing traditional Guatemalan hospitality while improving your Spanish with the locals.
  • There are many sides to Central America, and you’ll get a taste of a few: slumbering poolside by Playa del Carmen, gazing at the pyramids of Tikal or haggling in the markets of Chichicastenango.
  • Oh Maya, travelling in the Guatemalan Highlands is a humbling experience.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Who doesn’t love a challenge? We definitely do here at Intrepid, and while travelling between some locations on local transport on this trip can be hard, it’s super rewarding and a great way to meet the locals.
  • You’ll be crossing the borders between three countries on this trip and, while it is usually straightforward, you may need to be patient. Make sure you’ve got your best car game ready if there are any delays!
  • Is it hot in here? Well you’re in tropical Central America so it can get really hot and humid. Carry plenty of water because hydration is key, especially when you’re walking a lot.
  • It’s a good idea to try and brush up on as many Spanish words as you can. While locals are really friendly, they’re also shy, so knowing some local lingo is a great way to break the ice and show you care.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real Central America including Belize, Guatemala and Mexico

Inclusions

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Local bus, Public bus, Taxi, Shared Boat, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Multishare lodge (2 nights), Multishare hotel (3 nights)

Activities
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tikal National Park - Archaeological Site Tour (Entrance fee & Transport)
  • Chichicastenango - Market Visit
  • San Juan La Laguna - Weaving & Dyeing experience
  • San Juan La Laguna - Midwife home visit
  • San Juan La Laguna - Medicinal Garden
  • Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
Add on activities
  • Playa del Carmen - Bicycle Rental (per day) - MXN260
  • Tulum - Archaeological Site (incl. entrance & national park fee - no guide) - MXN142
  • Tulum- Bike rental - MXN250
  • Tulum - Cenote Adventure - USD135
  • Tulum - Jungle Adventure - USD135
  • Tulum - Jungle Bike tour - USD125
  • Tulum - Maya Inland Expedition - USD159
  • Tulum - Sian Ka'an Adventure - USD150
  • Tulum - World Wonder Discovery - USD160
  • Tulum - Sian Ka'an Muyil - USD180
  • Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD42
  • Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing - BZD100
  • Caye Caulker - Manatee boat tour - BZD240
  • Caye Caulker - Full-day Guided Snorkelling Trip (gear, guide and transport included) - BZD230
  • Caye Caulker - Manatee boat tour (Incl. transport & guide) - BZD242
  • San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD250
  • San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD190
  • San Ignacio - Butterfly Farm (incl. transport) - BZD150
  • San Ignacio - Cahal Pech Ruins entry - BZD10
  • San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD23
  • San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD10
  • Tikal National Park - Guide for Ruins (per group) - GTQ750
  • Rio Dulce - Boat trip to Livingston (Price dependent on boat available & passengers) - GTQ210
  • Rio Dulce - Natural Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport) - GTQ200
  • Rio Dulce - San Felipe Fort (entrance fee) - GTQ85
  • Rio Dulce - Quirigua Ruins (entrance fee) - GTQ90
  • Panajachel - Kayak rental (per hour) - GTQ100
  • Panajachel - Bicycle rental (per day) - GTQ50
  • Panajachel - Zipline - GTQ375
  • Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ225

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This trip is for ages 18-29s.
2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 2 & 3 (Tulum), Days 10 & 11 (Rio Dulce) and Days 13 & 14 (Lake Atitlan) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Multishare typically includes triple and quad rooms. You may be required to share with group members of the opposite sex and couples, and people travelling together may occasionally be separated due to rooming configurations.
5. Please be careful when booking flights from Antigua; make sure you fly out of Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
6. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 50 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Thomas · Traveled September 2023
Euri was an incredible guide, spoke English perfectly. Helped me with my Spanish and had such good banter. Made my first trip with intrepid so seemless and enjoyable
Review submitted 18 Oct 2023

Alicia · Traveled August 2023
This was my first tour and it was amazing! As a solo female traveller, the trip provided the security and safety that I was looking for whilst travelling through Belize and Guatemala. It also provided like mind-ed people to enjoy all the beautiful sights and experiences with along the way. Our group had so much fun, and we adored Caye Caulker, The ATM caves, and Guatemala. My highlight was the overnight Acatenago hike, make sure you leave an extra day on the end to attend the hike.
Review submitted 03 Sep 2023

John · Traveled August 2023
Cannot recommend this trip enough, each day brought completely new and amazing experiences. None of which I will ever forget.
Review submitted 02 Sep 2023

Rik · Traveled August 2023
Review submitted 15 Aug 2023

Tamara · Traveled August 2023
I had the best time on this trip!! I could not recommend it enough!!
Review submitted 16 Aug 2023
Real Central America
From
USD $1,431