Itinerary
- Day 1
Playa del Carmen
You'll arrive in Playa del Carmen and can spend the afternoon checking out cenotes for snorkeling, walking along the white sand beaches, or diving off Cozumel if you get in early. Then at 6 pm you'll head to the welcome meeting to connect with your travel group. Afterward, you'll grab cocktails and tacos together to kick things off.
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling in cenotes (freshwater rock pools)
- Stroll along white sand beaches
- Reef dive on Cozumel
- Cocktails and tacos with travel group
Landmarks Cozumel - Day 2
Playa del Carmen
After breakfast, you'll hop on a local bus heading to Cenote Azul where you can swim, dive, or snorkel in the natural open-air pool. Later you'll return to Playa del Carmen for a free afternoon to explore the area or continue with water activities. You could take a local bus south to Tulum if you want to see white sand beaches and Maya ruins. By evening you'll catch the sunset with your fellow travelers.
Included Activities
- Cenote Azul visit - swimming, diving or snorkeling
Optional Activities
- Underwater activities in coral reefs (spotting rays, moray eels, turtles)
- Local bus trip to Tulum (1.5 hours) for beaches and Maya ruins
- Sunset watching
Landmarks Cenote Azul Tulum - Day 3
Playa del Carmen to Chetumal
This morning you can take a beach stroll in Playa del Carmen or relax at a local cafe, then you'll head to Bacalar, the first settlement of the Itza tribe. Lunch is included, and you'll have time to relax at the Lake of Seven Colours with its blue shades. There's an optional boat tour of the lake if you want, then you'll continue on to Chetumal near the Belize border.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Lunch in Bacalar
- Lake of Seven Colours relaxation time
Optional Activities
- Early morning beach stroll or local cafe visit
- Boat tour of Lake of Seven Colours
Landmarks Bacalar Lake of Seven Colours Chichen Itza - Day 4
Chetumal to Caye Caulker
Early this morning you'll head south across the Mexico-Belize border. After handling border formalities, you'll arrive in Belize City and take a water taxi to Caye Caulker island. Your leader will give you a guided orientation walk when you get there. Keep in mind there are crocodiles in the split area dividing the north and south of the island, so be careful while swimming and exploring beaches.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Caye Caulker
Optional Activities
- Free relaxation or island exploration
Landmarks Belize City Caye Caulker 
- Day 5
Caye Caulker
Your day is completely free to do what you want on the island. You can snorkel in the nearby coral reef, visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve to see the world's second longest coral reef, go manatee spotting, or find a hammock under a palm tree for reading and relaxing on the beach.
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling in coral reef
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve visit (world's second-longest coral reef)
- Manatee spotting
- Beach relaxation with hammock and reading
Landmarks Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Day 6
Caye Caulker
Your morning is free to relax at your own pace. At lunch you'll join a cooking class with a local family where you'll learn how to make traditional Belizean food with chicken, rice and beans. In the afternoon, you can swim at the beach or hire a bicycle to explore the island. Tonight you'll try fresh Belizean seafood at beachside outdoor restaurants.
Included Activities
- Cooking class with local family - Belizean meal preparation
Optional Activities
- Beach swimming
- Bicycle rental for island exploration
- Belizean seafood dinner at outdoor restaurants
- Roadside grilled shrimp and rum and coke
- Day 7
Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
You'll leave the island by ferry to Belize City, then take a bus to San Ignacio in the highlands. Your leader will take you on a walking tour of San Ignacio and Santa Elena to show you the vibrant local Garifuna and Maya communities. Later you'll try a classic Maya dish like cochinita pibil for dinner.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of San Ignacio and Santa Elena
Optional Activities
- Classic Maya dish dinner (cochinita pibil)
Landmarks San Ignacio Santa Elena - Day 8
San Ignacio
Your day is free to explore this highland town surrounded by fast flowing rivers, waterfalls, and Maya ruins. History lovers can visit Xunantunich, an impressive ceremonial site on a hill with a hand cranked ferry crossing. If you're into adventure, you might explore Actun Tunichil Muknal cave with 1400 year old Maya relics or Mountain Pine Ridge cave. In late afternoon, grab barbecue from Santa Elena stalls about 15 minutes away.
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Xunantunich Maya ceremonial site with hand-cranked ferry crossing
- Actun Tunichil Muknal cave exploration - Maya relics and crystallized skeletons
- Mountain Pine Ridge cave visit
- Barbecue dinner at Santa Elena stalls
Landmarks Xunantunich Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Mountain Pine Ridge - Day 9
San Ignacio to Tikal
Early this morning you'll cross the Belize Guatemala border and head to Tikal National Park. You'll have time to buy lunch before visiting the impressive archaeological site with a local guide. The five granite temples tower above the jungle in one of the most significant Maya ruins, with smaller structures you can explore. If you're energetic you can climb to the top for jungle canopy views and chances to spot toucans, macaws, and other colorful birds.
Included Activities
- Tikal National Park archaeological site visit - entrance fee, guide & transport included
Optional Activities
- Lunch purchase before site visit
- Temple climbing for canopy views and bird spotting
Landmarks Tikal National Park 
- Day 10
Tikal to Rio Dulce
You'll leave Tikal for Flores in the morning and have breakfast in a local restaurant. Then your leader will take you on an orientation walk on the island before continuing by private minivan to Rio Dulce. You'll transfer to your hotel by boat, which is the easiest way back to town (organized through the hotel) or you can take a 40 minute jungle walk. You'll relax at the hotel overlooking the water with reasonably priced meals. If interested, you can join an informal Spanish lesson led by your leader.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Local restaurant breakfast in Flores)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at local restaurant in Flores
- Orientation walk on Flores island
- Boat transfer to Rio Dulce hotel
Optional Activities
- Boat trip back to town from hotel
- 40-minute jungle walk to town
- Informal Spanish lesson with leader
- Hotel restaurant meals and drinks
Landmarks Flores Rio Dulce - Day 11
Rio Dulce to Livingston
You'll take a boat ride down the river to Livingston, an Afro Caribbean town about 30 km away with unique Garifuna culture. The journey passes through water lilies, tropical forests, and a deep canyon with river birds. After a short orientation walk around the colorful town to see fishermen at the docks, you'll learn local moves in a Garifuna dance class. Then you'll have free time for lunch and exploration before heading back to Rio Dulce by boat in the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Livingston
- Orientation walk through Livingston
- Garifuna dance class
Optional Activities
- Lunch and free time for exploration in Livingston
Landmarks Livingston - Day 12
Rio Dulce to Antigua
You'll leave Rio Dulce this morning by private minibus heading toward Antigua. The drive takes you through busy roads with traffic and construction zones, so bring a book, music, or something to keep yourself occupied during the journey. By evening, consider gathering with other travelers for a final group dinner and swap stories about what you've seen so far.
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with fellow travelers
Landmarks Antigua - Day 13
Antigua
You'll have a free day to explore UNESCO World Heritage listed Antigua at your own pace. The city is surrounded by volcanoes with spectacular views. You can wander through Spanish colonial buildings, many restored after the 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua's status as Guatemala's capital. At 6 pm there's a welcome meeting with your new local leader and new group members. After the meeting you'll head out for dinner and get to know each other.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in historic center
Optional Activities
- Self-paced exploration of Antigua
- Spanish colonial building walking tour
- Post-meeting dinner and socializing
Landmarks Antigua - Day 14
San Andres Itzapa - Quetzaltenango
After breakfast, you're heading to San Andres Itzapa for a shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon. Here you'll see how Mayan traditions and Catholic beliefs blend together in the Guatemalan Highlands. Once lunch wraps up with your group, you'll continue on to Quetzaltenango, locally called Xela, where your leader takes you on a walking orientation through the city so you get your bearings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Group lunch)
Included Activities
- San Simon shamanic ceremony at Temple of San Simon
- Group lunch
- Leader-led orientation walk in Quetzaltenango
Optional Activities
- Rum or tobacco offering at liquor store near temple
Landmarks San Andres Itzapa Temple of San Simon Quetzaltenango 
- Day 15
Quetzaltenango
Start early and hop on a chicken bus, those colorful decorated former American school buses that are distinctly Guatemalan. You're heading to Almolonga market before breakfast to see the famous stalls known for their oversized vegetables. After browsing around, you'll head back to your hotel to have breakfast and rest a bit before the rest of your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chicken bus ride to Almolonga market
- Almolonga vegetable market visit
Optional Activities
- Purchase vegetables or souvenirs at Almolonga market
Landmarks Almolonga Market - Day 16
Quetzaltenango to Panajachel
After breakfast, you're off to Chichicastenango market, or Chichi as locals call it, one of the largest outdoor markets in all of Latin America. Thousands of stalls spread out with textiles, wooden crafts, and jade jewelry, and your local guide will help you navigate it all. You'll see traditional garments, pottery, incense, masks, and leather goods throughout. Later you'll travel to Panajachel, and a group dinner at a local restaurant is a nice option for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chichicastenango market visit with expert local leader
Optional Activities
- Purchase souvenirs at market including huipils, handmade jewelry, pottery, incense, tablecloths, ceremonial masks, or leather goods
- Group dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Chichicastenango Market Panajachel 
- Day 17
Panajachel to Santiago Atitlan
You'll take a lancha boat across Lake Atitlan this morning, surrounded by volcanoes and Maya villages dotting the shoreline. Your destination is Santiago Atitlan, the lake's largest town and much quieter than other spots around here. There you'll visit the shrine of Maximon with local shamans, and bring a gift of local spirits to share and learn about this holy place and how people live on the lake. Back in Panajachel by afternoon, you have the evening free to walk along the shores or just relax.
Included Activities
- Lancha boat ride on Lake Atitlan
- Santiago Atitlan visit
- Shamanic keepers of the shrine of Maximon visit
Optional Activities
- Evening activities in Panajachel
Landmarks Lake Atitlan Santiago Atitlan Shrine of Maximon - Day 18
Panajachel to Antigua
This morning is yours to do as you like in Panajachel. Sleep in if you want to, or sign up for an optional cooking class to learn local dishes and understand the cultural importance of sharing meals with your community. Later, a private transfer takes you back to Antigua. Once you arrive, check in and join your leader for a walking tour through the historic center to get oriented. Tonight, another group dinner is a great chance to say goodbye to everyone.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Antigua historic center
Optional Activities
- Cooking class in Panajachel
- Group dinner with fellow travelers
Landmarks Antigua - Day 19
Antigua
Your trip concludes today with no scheduled activities. If you'd like to stay longer in Antigua, reach out to your booking agent before your trip ends to add extra nights to your reservation.
