Mexico, Belize and Guatemala

Today we enjoy an included excursion to the spectacular temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. This pre-Columbian archaeological site is the only pyramid in Mexico that sits 400 meters above the valley. There are many structures to explore around the Grand Plaza including numerous tombs, ceremonial altars, tunnels, pyramids and palaces, many decorated by glyphs, paintings and intricate carvings.

We return to Oaxaca City to enjoy a free evening.

Included Excursions

Entrance and guided tour of Monte Alban

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Parador del Dominico or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

This morning we head to the airport and fly to Merida. Capital of the Yucatan province, the 'white city' of Mérida is a pleasant mixture of colonial buildings, churches and plazas. The city boasts rich culture, history and traditions, with markets overflowing with beautiful weavings and handmade crafts. A walk through the city’s downtown buildings is an attraction in itself, as you witness the brightly painted houses which mirror it’s colonial past.

For art lovers, check out the Museum of Modern Art which is located next to the Cathedral. The museum regularly exhibits Yucatan artists who promote their country and local traditions. The Lucas de Galvéz market is another must see. The largest market in town, it sells plenty of local produce and is the ultimate place to try dishes typical of Yucatan. Have a sopa de lima (lime soup), or frijol con puerco (beans with pork) both which are specialities of the region.

Evening is often the best time to explore as the city comes alive with night markets or music and dancing in many of the squares.

Approximate Travel Times: 6h including transfers between hotels and the airport.

Optional Excursions

Anthropological Museum – US$3 • Merida city tour – free • Uxmal ruins – US$65 • Cenotes, it is possible to swim and snorkel in various cenotes which often resemble small, circular lakes or lagoons with vertical edges. – US$44 • Hop-on hop-off bus – US$8

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Colonial or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today is free to further explore the city and surrounding area. You could visit the small fishing town of Celestún, with its secluded beaches and home to the Biosphere Reserve which has a large flamingo population. You could also take a swim in the local 'cenotes' (sen-o-tays), fresh-water swimming holes connected by spectacular limestone caverns and deep underwater rivers once sacred to the ancient Maya, covering the entire Yucatan peninsula.

Optional Excursions

Anthropological Museum – US$3 • Merida city tour – free • Uxmal ruins – US$65 • Cenotes, it is possible to swim and snorkel in various cenotes which often resemble small, circular lakes or lagoons with vertical edges. – US$44 • Hop-on hop-off bus – US$8

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Colonial or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

We travel to Chichén Itzá, an impressive Maya/Toltec site recently voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Constructed between the 7th and 10th century AD, Chichén Itzá was a centre of pilgrimage for the Maya for over 1000 years. The most famous attraction is the great Pyramid of Kukulkan, dedicated to the feathered serpent god Kukulkan and built with such precision that a shadow serpent descends down the steps during the equinox. After soaking up the beauty of Chichén Itzá, we will continue onto Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen is the perfect place for relaxation. The beaches are coated with sugar-white sand with shimmering turquoise waters to swim in. You have the rest of the day to relax by the pool, beach, or simply explore the area.

Approximate Travel Times: 2h to reach Chichen Itza. After free time a further 3h to Playa del Carmen by private transfer.

Included Excursions

Entrance and guided tour of Chichen Itza

Optional Excursions

Tulum Ruins – MXN65 plus transport or MXN80 return • Cozumal day trip –US$24

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Playa del Carmen or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today is free to enjoy more of Playa del Carmen. You could soak up more of the sites and delicious Mexican food along the coast, or venture out of the city to explore. There are also various cenotes in the area for swimming and relaxing in.

Other interesting optional activities available in the area include visiting the island of Cozumel or the amazingly located Maya/Toltec ruins of Tulúm. The 13th century ruins overlook the ocean and are a fantastic example of ancient Mayan architecture.

Optional Excursions

Tulum Ruins – MXN65 plus transport or MXN80 return • Cozumal day trip –US$24

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Playa del Carmen or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

This morning we take a private transfer to the border of Belize before hopping on a ferry to Caye Caulker. A small Caribbean island off the coast of Belize, Caye Caulker is the ultimate destination for beach relaxation. Cars are prohibited and the islands moto is go slow.

Arriving early evening, you are free to spend time settling in to island way of life. Rent a bike to explore the island or take a walk along the beaches. Try out one of the local restaurants where you can sample fresh seafood, and enjoy tropical cocktails in the evening.

Please Note: When departing Mexico you will need to pay a small departure fee of approximately MXN 550.

Approximate Travel Times: 6h30 including the border crossing into Belize, but please note this can take shorter or longer depending on the day.

Optional Excursions

Half/full day Caye Caulker snorkelling – US$45-80 • Scuba diving in the Blue Hole – US$290 • Night Snorkelling – US$70 • Flight over the Blue Hole – US$200pp (min 3 people)

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Tropical Paradise Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today is free to experience the crystal blue waters and beach activities. Your tour leader will be available to recommend various options to fill your day.

You could take a boat out to Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim within a few feet of nurse sharks and majestic manta rays. If you are lucky you can also spot manatees. These peaceful creatures are often quite curious and will approach visitors. Another optional snorkelling tour takes you out to Hol-Chan Marine Reserve where you are guaranteed to see lots of colourful fish and interesting reef formations. Qualified divers can explore the so-called bottomless "Blue Hole", made famous by the explorer Jacques Cousteau (please note: this optional excursion does not go every day, check locally for availability). Other options include sunning yourself, riding a bike around the island, or trying your luck at fishing. If you are lucky, you can take your catch to one of the local restaurants so they can BBQ it for you.

Optional Excursions

Half/full day Caye Caulker snorkelling – US$45-80 • Scuba diving in the Blue Hole – US$290 • Night Snorkelling – US$70 • Flight over the Blue Hole – US$200pp (min 3 people)

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Tropical Paradise Hotel or similar

This morning we hop back on the ferry and travel to Belize City, before continuing our journey to San Ignacio by local bus.

San Ignacio is a town in western Belize and forms the main population center of Cayo District. It is situated on the banks of the Macal River and joins the neighbouring town of Santa Elena by suspension bridge.

The surrounding jungle, wildlife, waterfalls, rivers and caves, have created the ideal location for the numerous optional adventure excursions. The town itself is small and charming, with various restaurants dishing up traditional cuisine.

Approximate Travel Times: 5h including ferry to Belize city and taxis to the hotel.

Optional Excursions

Tubing – US$100 • ATM Caves – US$95 • Canoeing – US$85 • Caracol Ruins, the largest and most important Mayan ruin site in Belize – US$95 • Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve – US$85

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at The Aguada Hotel or similar

Today is free to enjoy more of the adventure activities in the area. A popular excursion is visiting the Caracol Ruins, the largest and most important ancient Maya archaeological site in Belize.

Other great options are to canoe down the river, tube through caves, or visit the famous caves Actun Tunichil Muknal, where they found untouched Mayan ceremonial and sacrificial remains.

Optional Excursions

Tubing – US$100 • ATM Caves – US$95 • Canoeing – US$85 • Caracol Ruins, the largest and most important Mayan ruin site in Belize – US$95 • Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve – US$85

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at The Aguada Hotel or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Saying goodbye to Belize we cross into Guatemala to the charming island-town of Flores. When departing Belize you will be required to pay a small fee of $40.00BZD, and on arrival in Guatemala another small payment of 10q is required.

Flores was the last town to be conquered by the Spanish and is situated in the centre of Lake Peten Itzá. On the way to Flores we stop at the breathtaking Maya site of Tikal. It is regarded as the greatest city of the Maya world and is nestled deep in the jungle. This complex is one of the biggest Maya sites discovered, and you will have most of the day to explore and learn about the flora, fauna, and amazing Mayan history with our knowledgeable local guide.

The area around Tikal has been declared as the Tikal National Park and the preserved area covers 570 square kilometres. The ancient city has been completely mapped and at its height covered an area greater than 16 square kilometres, with more than 3000 structures. Today the main centre covers an area of approximately two and a half square kilometres. As you wander the site, you will see several tall mounds which have not yet been excavated, and you will have the opportunity to climb some of the tallest Mayan temples.

The emphasis was on height when creating these imposing structures because the Maya believed the higher the building, the closer they were to the gods. Around Tikal there is a lot of animal life, and if you're lucky, you will have the chance to spot the noisy howler monkeys, pizotes (a racoon-like animal), exotic birds such as toucans, and much more!

Approximate Travel Times: 2h30 to Tikal and a further 1h30 to reach Flores on a private vehicle.

Included Excursions

Entrance and guided tour of Tikal

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels At Hotel Sabana or similar

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Today we fly to Guatemala City and then have a short private transfer to nearby Antigua. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is one of the most delightful colonial towns in Central America and the capital city of Guatemala.

The local indigenous can be seen throughout the cobbled streets and plazas of the city in their colourful costumes, selling their crafts and textiles. As the cultural centre of Guatemala, Antigua is an ideal place to experience the traditional music, architecture and art of the country. Rich in ornate churches, convents, parks, plazas, cafés, restaurants, bars and colourful street markets and surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanoes, Antigua is one place you will never forget.

Approximate Travel Times: 2h30 including flight and private transfer to reach Antigua.

Accommodation

1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Posada Los Bucaros or similar

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)