Mayan Encounter

Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with...

Guatemala, Belize, Mexico
DAY 1 Antigua Guatemala

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.

Administrative

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

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 Bucaros Express

Hotel
DAY 2 Antigua to Rio Dulce

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Antigua Guatemala- Rio Dulce6.5h-7.5h318km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle during this long travel day.

Free Time

Rio DulceEVENING

Enjoy free time to explore the town.

Accommodation

Hacienda Tijax

Hotel
DAY 3 Rio Dulce/Flores

Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy a visit to the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project here. Then, walk around the grounds before a sit-down lunch of delicious local flavours. Continue on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.

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”.

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.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Lívingston- Flores

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

Accommodation

Hotel Petén

Hotel
DAY 4 Flores

Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Flores- Tikal1h-1.5h64km

Enjoy the ride out to Tikal and return the same way in the afternoon (1-1.5 hrs one way).

Land Tour

Tikal Ruins Guided Tour

Tikal3h-4h7km

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.

Free Time

Flores

Explore the area anyway you like.

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Optional Activities - Day 4Show

Accommodation

Hotel Petén

Hotel
DAY 5 Flores/San Ignacio

Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Flores- Melchor de Mencos2h-3h95km

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

Administrative

Border Crossing (Guatemala - Belize)

Melchor de Mencos- Benque Viejo del Carmen0.5h-1.5h

Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Benque Viejo del Carmen- San Ignacio0.5h-0.75h13km

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

Free Time

San IgnacioAFTERNOON

Head out to start exploring this fun town. There's a full free day tomorrow for anything you can't get to this afternoon.

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Optional Activities - Day 5Show

Accommodation

Midas Resort

Hotel
DAY 6 San Ignacio

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

Free Time

San IgnacioFULL_DAY

Enjoy a full day to head out and explore.

6

Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Midas Resort

Hotel
DAY 7 San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise. Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.

Bus

Local Bus

San Ignacio- Belize City3h-4h123km

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

Automobile

Taxi

Belize City- Caye Caulker0.75h-1h

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

Landsport

Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour

Caye Caulker2h

Take a leisurely bike tour around Caye Caulker with a guide from the G Adventures for Good supported Bike with Purpose project. See the island through the eyes of a local on this two-hour tour, and live the island's motto of 'Go Slow'. Feel the island breeze in you hair while knowing you're supporting a program that helps youth from Caye Caulker build skills for tourism jobs upon graduation from high school.

Accommodation

Enjoy Hotel

Hotel
DAY 8 Caye Caulker

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

Free Time

Caye CaulkerFULL_DAY

Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.

3

Optional Activities - Day 8Show

Accommodation

Enjoy Hotel

Hotel
DAY 9 Caye Caulker

Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!

Free Time

Caye CaulkerFULL_DAY

Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.

3

Optional Activities - Day 9Show

Accommodation

Enjoy Hotel

Hotel
DAY 10 Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen

Say farewell to Belize, and travel by boat and private vehicle from Caye Caulker to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.

Watercraft

Water Taxi

Caye Caulker- Belize City0.75h-1h39km

Jump in and cross the water to the next stop.

Bus

Private Vehicle

Belize City- Chetumal2.5h-3h150km

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

Administrative

Border Crossing (Belize - Mexico)

Chetumal

Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Bus

Transport

Chetumal- Playa del Carmen4h-5h310km

Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

Accommodation

Hotel Nautilus

Hotel
DAY 11 Playa del Carmen

Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.

Free Time

Playa del CarmenFULL_DAY

Do as much or as little as you want.

Cuisine

Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program

Playa del Carmen

El Hongo (which means 'The Mushroom') is a volunteer-run restaurant started as a means to create income to support a youth art program in the 'real' Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Across the highway from the commercial beach strip is where most locals live – cross onto the unpaved roads and enjoy a delicious home-style meal at the restaurant, while learning more about this much-needed program for the community.

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Optional Activities - Day 11Show

Accommodation

Hotel Nautilus

Hotel
DAY 12 Playa del Carmen

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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