Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala

If you’re looking to experience some of Central America’s finest highlights on a budget, this 16-day odyssey will definitely do the...

Guatemala, Belize, Mexico

Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala

DAY 1 Playa del Carmen

Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out. Check into your hotel and enjoy the city.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

EVENING

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel 12 bees

Hotel
DAY 2 Playa del Carmen

Spend a full free day in the area! Opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Tulúm or snorkel off the coast of nearby Cozumel. For a more laid-back day, choose to enjoy the beach. Take advantage of a full day of free time to relax or explore as much as you wish. Perched atop the sea you will find the ruins of Tulúm. In the coral-filled waters surrounding Cozumel you can snorkel, or you can go swimming in a cenote or at the beach, before exploring the town in the evening on your own.

Free Time

Playa del CarmenFULL_DAY

Free time to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, the diving mecca of Cozumel, or play in the waves and enjoy the beach!

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Optional Activities - Day 2Show

Accommodation

Hotel 12 bees

Hotel
DAY 3 Playa del Carmen/Caye Caulker

Travel from Mexico across the border into Belize today, which boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easy-going people. During the drive, picture the unbelievably clear blue waters and the opportunities you will have over the next few days for diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Playa del Carmen- Chetumal4h315kmMORNING

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Administrative

Border Crossing (Mexico - Belize)

Chetumal- Santa Elena0.5h-1.5hAFTERNOON

Arrive at the Mexican border then go to immigration to get passports stamped and pay the exit fee. After a quick trip on the bus, grab your luggage and pass through Belizean immigration and customs. Get back on the bus with your stuff and get ready to start exploring Belize.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Santa Elena- Belize City3h-4h158km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Automobile

Taxi

Belize City- Caye Caulker0.75h-1hAFTERNOON

Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.

Accommodation

Enjoy Hotel

Hotel
DAY 4 Caye Caulker

Enjoy a free day in Caye Caulker. Choose to snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, keeping a lookout for stingrays and nurse sharks. You can also choose to go diving, or just chill out on the beach.

Free Time

Caye CaulkerFULL_DAY

Do as much or as little as you wish on this little slice of paradise in Belize. Cruise the island or explore its seas–the Caribbean awaits!

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Optional Activities - Day 4Show

Accommodation

Enjoy Hotel

Hotel
DAY 5 Caye Caulker

Another full day of free time will allow you to participate in any optional activities in the area that you didn’t have time for yesterday.

Free Time

Caye CaulkerFULL_DAY

Do as much or as little as you wish on this little slice of paradise in Belize. Cruise the island or explore its seas–the Caribbean awaits!

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Optional Activities - Day 5Show

Accommodation

Enjoy Hotel

Hotel
DAY 6 Caye Caulker/San Ignacio

Cross back to the mainland of Belize via boat and travel by bus inland to San Ignacio. Along the way the group will stop for an included pottery demonstration and a typical lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative. San Ignacio is a great base for exploring some of Belize’s lesser known inland gems. There will be ample free time here to wander the area by foot, canoe, or horseback, or you can choose to book a caving trip.

Watercraft

Water Taxi

Caye Caulker- Belize City0.75h-1h39kmMORNING

Jump in and cross the water to the next stop.

People

Your G for Good Moment: San Antonio Women's Pottery Cooperative and Local Lunch

San Ignacio- San Antonio

Like in many places around the world, education for women in the village of San Antonio isn’t prioritized. Girls don’t typically attend school beyond primary levels. So a women’s cooperative was founded here, as a way for underprivileged women to earn income, learn new skills, and share centuries-old Mayan techniques and knowledge. Visit the pottery workshop, which is newly expanded with an investment from G Adventures. Meet some of the women who’ve found community within its walls and gain insight into the tradition of throwing pots. Afterward, enjoy lunch together with these inspiring and unforgettable women, sampling traditional foods of the Cayo region.

Bus

Local Bus

Belize City- San Ignacio3h123km

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

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Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Kawoq Hostel

Hostel
DAY 7 San Ignacio

Enjoy a day at leisure to experience the surroundings of San Ignacio. Choose to visit the Sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, or set your eyes on the lesser-visited Xunantunich Mayan ruins.

Free Time

San IgnacioFULL_DAY

Enjoy a full day at your leisure in San Ignacio.

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Optional Activities - Day 7Show

Accommodation

Kawoq Hostel

Hostel
DAY 8 San Ignacio/Flores

While this trip is fast-paced, there will be some opportunity to rest on today's drive as the group crosses another border and travels to Guatemala. Enter the country in the northeast jungle Petén region and stop for a guided tour of the ancient city of Tikal on the way to Flores. This place is the capital of Petén, a small island located on the second largest lake in Guatemala—Lake Petén Itzá.

Automobile

Taxi

San Ignacio- Benque Viejo del Carmen0.25h-0.5h5kmMORNING

Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.

Administrative

Border Crossing (Belize - Guatemala)

Benque Viejo del Carmen- Melchor de Mencos0.5h-1.5hMORNING

Grab your bags from the vehicle and head to immigration after paying the exit fee. Passports get stamped in immigration and then passed to your CEO for the short walk (200m) to the Guatemalan border where the entrance fee is paid. Lend a hand loading luggage into the vehicle while your CEO gets all the passports stamped. Welcome to Guatemala!

Bus

Private Vehicle

Melchor de Mencos- Tikal1.5h-2.5h100kmMORNING

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Land Tour

Tikal Ruins Guided Tour

Tikal3h-4h7kmAFTERNOON

Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Tikal- Flores1h-1.5h64km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Petén

Hotel
DAY 9 Flores/Rio Dulce

Travel for most of the day from Flores to Rio Dulce, which is on the shores of Lake Izabel, the largest lake in Guatemala. This journey across the country will take a road through dense jungle arriving at this port town in the evening.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Flores- Rio Dulce4h-5h210kmMORNING

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Hacienda Tijax

Hotel
DAY 10 Rio Dulce

Sit back and marvel at the scenery on a boat ride from Rio Dulce to the Caribbean town of Livingston. Make a stop at the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project there. Walk around the grounds and then gather for a delicious lunch steeped in local flavours.

Cuisine

Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar"

Lívingston1h-2h

El Manglar Restaurant in Guatemala is a women-led community tourism initiative founded by the Cayo Quemado Women's Committee with the aim of creating new job opportunities within the community. During your visit you will begin with a welcome given by the women of the committee and receive a brief introduction to the workshop. Then, there will be a short walk around the property, including a full explanation of the project, it's impact, and culture before you all sit down for lunch at the restaurant. Every traveler that visits Cayo Quemado has a direct impact on their community.

Nature

Scenic Boat Ride to Livingston

Rio Dulce- Lívingston5h-6.5h55km

Take a boat down the Rio Dulce toward the Caribbean Sea passing through El Golfete and El Canyon before arriving to Livingston. Float past mangroves and lily pads and the Boquerón Canyon, where a sheer limestone cliff rises 122m (400 ft) out of the river, covered in vines, trees and moss. Arrive at the small fishing village of Livingston known for its unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna population, with their unique art, music and delicious coconut seafood soup, “tapado”.

Accommodation

Hotel Hacienda Tijax

Hotel
DAY 11 Rio Dulce/Antigua Guatemala

Spend most of the day travelling from Rio Dulce to Antigua, Guatemala. Rest up on the ride because upon arrival the group will set off on an orientation walk. The rest of the evening is free. Get a head start planning tomorrow’s activities or enjoy this colonial city’s nightlife.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Rio Dulce- Antigua Guatemala6h-7.5h315kmMORNING

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Orientation Walk – Antigua

Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

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Optional Activities - Day 11Show

Accommodation

Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

Hostel
DAY 12 Antigua Guatemala

The group will have a full day at leisure in Antigua. From biking riding to climbing a volcano there’s plenty to see and do. Stay in town and café hop as a way to soak up the area’s culture. Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on tour, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Free Time

Antigua GuatemalaFULL_DAY

Free time in Antigua. Relax with a massage, climb a volcano, soak up the culture of this colonial town’s many museums and cafes, attend a chocolate workshop, visit one of the local coffee or macadamia nut plantations, or explore the nearby hills and towns by bike.

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Optional Activities - Day 12Show

Accommodation

Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

Hostel
DAY 13 Antigua Guatemala/Panajachel

Visit beautiful Lake Atitlán after travelling through the country’s highlands full of fertile hills and fields. The area is ideal for outdoor activities and you will have plenty of time to explore.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Antigua Guatemala- Panajachel4h80km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

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Optional Activities - Day 13Show

Accommodation

Kamol Bey

Hotel
DAY 14 Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna

Take a boat ride across the lake before taking part in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family.

Watercraft

Boat

Panajachel- San Juan La Laguna0.5h-0.75h25kmAFTERNOON

Climb aboard and get your float on.

Planeterra

Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay

San Juan La Laguna

Submerge yourself in Mayan culture during this home stay run by a Planeterra community tourism project. Set on the northwest shore of Lake Atitlán, arrive by boat to the laid-back village of San Juan La Laguna and immediately feel at home. Meet your host family, stash your stuff, then set off to explore the area. Admire the paintings of local artists, watch weavers who use traditional techniques to dye wool, go for a hike and admire the view across the lake. Feel good knowing you are supporting local families eager to benefit from tourism in their community.

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Optional Activities - Day 14Show

Accommodation

Rupalaj Kistalin Posada Homestay

Homestay
DAY 15 San Juan La Laguna/Antigua Guatemala

The group will journey back to Antigua and spend some free time exploring. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills, or taking a salsa lesson.

Watercraft

Boat

San Juan La Laguna- Panajachel0.5h-0.75h25km

Climb aboard and get your float on.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Panajachel- Antigua Guatemala3h-4hAFTERNOON

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

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Optional Activities - Day 15Show

Accommodation

Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

Hostel
DAY 16 Antigua Guatemala

Depart at any time.

Administrative

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Day
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