Itinerary
- Day 1
Cancun to Merida
You'll need to get yourself to the Cancun bus station to catch a bus headed to Merida. Buses run every hour starting at 01:00 and going through 23:59, so you've got flexibility with timing. The ride takes 3.5 hours, which gives you time to settle in and watch the landscape change as you head inland from the coast.
- Day 2
Magic Cenotes and Hacienda
Departure happens at 07:30 for a 6.5-hour cenote and jungle tour. You'll visit two cenotes where the water ranges from sapphire blue to emerald green, and you can swim, snorkel, jump in, or just float around. The tour also includes a historic hacienda and cultural information about Mayan civilization. There's an option to grab a regional meal prepared by the local Mayan community, though it costs extra and isn't part of the base tour price.
Included Activities
- Visit 2 cenotes with swimming and snorkeling
- Visit historic hacienda
- Guided Mayan jungle experience with cultural information
Optional Activities
- Regional artisanal organic firewood cooked meal (Vegan & Vegetarian options available) - not included in price
Landmarks/POIs Cenote - Cavern Type Cenote - Open Circle Type - Day 3
Chichen Itza Day Trip
From Merida, the bus departs between 08:00 and 08:20 (you'll pick your specific time) for a 9.5-hour roundtrip to Chichen Itza. You get a guided tour early before crowds show up, walking through the Temple of Kukulkan pyramid, the Temple of the Jaguars, and the Temple of the Warriors. Along the way you'll learn about how this site functioned from around 600 AD until 1200, its later abandonment, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Chichen Itza archaeological site
- Visit Temple of Kukulkan
- Visit Temple of the Jaguars
- Visit Temple of the Warriors
- Educational information on Mayan history, philosophy, cosmology and mythology
Landmarks/POIs Chichen Itza Temple of Kukulkan Temple of the Jaguars Temple of the Warriors - Day 4
Merida to Palenque
Head to the Merida bus station for an overnight journey to Palenque. Buses leave at either 22:00 or 23:30, and the trip takes 9 hours, so you'll arrive early the next morning. It's a long haul but lets you cover distance while sleeping.
- Day 5
Ruins, Waterfalls and Cenote
Early pickup starts at 08:00 for an 11-hour day visiting three sites. You'll spend roughly 3.5 hours at Palenque Ruins, climbing pyramids through tropical forest to see views of the ancient city layout. After that, there's a 45-minute stop at Misol-Ha Waterfall where you can swim and walk behind the waterfall into caves. The day wraps up with about 2.5 hours at Agua Azul, where multiple cascades let you swim and hike through the waterfall valley.
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Palenque Ruins with approximately 3.5 hours exploration time
- Visit Misol-Ha Waterfall with swimming and cave exploration
- Visit Agua Azul Waterfalls with hiking and swimming
Landmarks/POIs Palenque Ruins Misol-Ha Waterfall Agua Azul Waterfalls - Day 6
Palenque to Flores
A shuttle picks you up from your hotel at 06:00 for a 10-hour transfer to Flores. The driver will get you to your accommodation or meeting point in Flores, so it's a straightforward transfer day with no activities scheduled.
- Day 7
Tikal Early Morning Day Tour
From Flores, the Tikal tour departs early at one of three times: 04:30, 06:00, or 08:00 (depending on which you book). The 8.5-hour tour takes you through the jungle where you'll hear the sounds of wildlife waking up at dawn. You'll walk among giant pyramids over 200 feet tall and learn about this ancient Mayan city's significance, how it was rediscovered, and its UNESCO status. Keep an eye out for jaguars, howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, and quetzals moving through the canopy.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tikal archaeological site at dawn
- Jungle wildlife experience and dawn immersion
Optional Activities
- Advance purchase of entrance tickets at Banrural bank in Flores (day before tour) to avoid waiting in line
Landmarks/POIs Tikal National Park - Day 8
Flores to San Ignacio
Get yourself to the meeting point by 07:00 to board a 2.5-hour shuttle transfer to San Ignacio. You'll need to arrange your own transportation to reach the pickup location.
- Day 9
San Ignacio to Belize City
Make your way to the meeting point by 10:30 for a 2.5-hour shuttle transfer heading to Belize City. Similar to other transfers, you're responsible for getting to the pickup spot on time.
- Day 10
Belize City to Caye Caulker
You'll head to the Belize City ferry terminal for either a 16:30 or 17:30 departure, depending on which sailing you book. The ferry ride to Caye Caulker takes 1.5 hours and travels over the water, so you get nice ocean views along the way.
- Day 11
Snorkel with Sharks and Rays
Snorkeling tours depart at either 10:30 or 13:30 for a 3-hour adventure in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. You'll explore pristine coral reef and spot schools of tropical fish. The tour hits three different snorkeling stops where you get chances to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays in their natural habitat.
Included Activities
- Half-day snorkeling tour in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
- Snorkeling at three different reef stops
- Swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays
Landmarks/POIs Caye Caulker Marine Reserve - Day 12
Caye Caulker to Chetumal via San Pedro
Get to the Caye Caulker ferry terminal and check in about 2 hours before your 12:45 departure. This ferry takes 3 hours and stops in San Pedro before heading to Chetumal. It's a longer water journey but you get to see more of the coastline and island communities.
- Day 13
Chetumal to Bacalar
From Chetumal bus station, catch a 1-hour bus to Bacalar. Buses run frequently throughout the day with departures at 07:30, 08:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, and 18:30, so you can choose timing that works for you.
- Day 14
Bacalar to Tulum
The bus from Bacalar station to Tulum takes 2.5 hours, and you've got lots of departure options starting from 07:20 and running through 19:20. Pick whatever time fits your schedule and you'll be in Tulum by mid-afternoon at the latest.
- Day 15
Shared ATVs, Rappel, Ziplines, Cenote and Lunch
The jungle adventure starts at either 08:30 or 12:00 for a 5-hour experience. You'll ride shared ATVs through lush trails, zip through the treetops for aerial views, and finish with a cool swim in a cenote. Hotel or meeting point pickup and dropoff are both included, and lunch with local flavors is part of the day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local flavors lunch following jungle activities)
Included Activities
- Shared ATV jungle trail ride
- Zipline experience through jungle canopy
- Cenote swimming experience
- Lunch with local flavors
- Roundtrip hotel or meeting point transportation
Optional Activities
- Individual ATV rental - if odd number of shared ATV bookers, extra passenger will be automatically assigned individual ATV at additional cost of $12 USD
Landmarks/POIs Tulum Jungle Park - Day 16
Tulum to Playa del Carmen
From Tulum bus station, take a 1-hour bus to Playa del Carmen. Departures run frequently starting at 08:10 and continuing through 23:57, so timing is flexible depending on when you want to move on.
- Day 17
Playa del Carmen
You have a free day in Playa del Carmen to do whatever you'd like. Walk the beaches, check out the beachfront shops and restaurants, or just relax at your hotel.
- Day 18
Playa del Carmen to Cancun
When you're ready to head back to Cancun, go to the Playa del Carmen bus station and catch a 1.5-hour bus back to where you started. Buses depart every 30 minutes from 07:00 through 23:10, giving you plenty of flexibility for your departure time.
