Itinerary
- Day 1
Playa del Carmen
You'll arrive in Playa del Carmen and check into your hotel before the 6 pm welcome meeting. If your flight gets in early, there's time for snorkeling, cycling, or a beach walk along the coast. Later this evening, join your group leader for dinner at a local taquería where you'll have tacos and pick up some informal Spanish tips.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local taquería with selection of tacos including freshly caught fish)
Included Activities
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Welcome dinner at local taquería with tacos
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling
- Cycling
- Beach stroll
- Day 2
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Head out by local bus along the Caribbean coast toward Tulum. Once there, your leader walks you through the area and takes you to the Temple of the Frescoes, a Maya site perched on cliffs above the ocean. You can swim in the archaeological zone if you want, then spend the evening at a beachside bar with margaritas and relaxation.
Included Activities
- Tulum walking tour
- Temple of the Frescoes visit
Optional Activities
- Swimming in archaeological zone
- Beachside bar visit
Landmarks Temple of the Frescoes 
- Day 3
Tulum
This is your free day in Tulum to move at your own pace. Rent a bike and ride around town, hit up some hip cafés with vegetarian and vegan options, or head to Dos Ojos cenote for a swim in the freshwater pool with underground stalagmites and stalactites. Later, check out Tulum's nightlife scene if you're up for it.
Optional Activities
- Bike rental (MXN250 per day)
- Yoga and meditation sessions
- Dos Ojos cenote visit and exploration
Landmarks Dos Ojos Cenote - Day 4
Tulum to Caye Caulker
Long travel day crossing into Belize. You'll take a local bus to the border, continue through to Belize City, then board a 1-hour speedboat to Caye Caulker. The journey gives you time to get to know other travelers in your group before arriving on this palm-lined island.
- Day 5
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker's free day opens up options. Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the world's second-longest barrier reef, where you'll see tropical fish, sharks, and manta rays. Take day trips to neighboring islands or simply settle on the beach. Locals speak English here, so chatting with people around town is straightforward.
Optional Activities
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve snorkeling
- Day trips to nearby cayes
Landmarks Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Day 6
Caye Caulker
Another free day on the island to continue exploring. Go snorkeling again, try a manatee tour, or get active with sea kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. If you'd rather slow down, the beach is right there. Stop by roadside food stalls to try local specialties like grilled shrimp and fresh lobster.
Optional Activities
- Sunset Sailing (BZD126)
- Full-day Guided Snorkelling Trip (BZD230 or USD120)
- Manatee tour
- Sea kayaking
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Day 7
Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Time to leave the island. You'll take a boat back to Belize City, then ride a local bus to San Ignacio through Belmopan. These buses are basic but give you an authentic look at how locals travel. After you arrive in San Ignacio, the afternoon is yours to explore. Check out the Chaa Creek butterfly garden or grab char-grilled chicken from street vendors around town.
Included Activities
- San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Chaa Creek butterfly garden visit (BZD175 inc. transport)
- Barbecue street stall dining
- Day 8
San Ignacio
Another free day with lots of options. Explore the Cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal to see 1400-year-old crystallized skeletal remains inside this underground Maya site. Or tour Mountain Pine Ridge for waterfalls and swimming spots, canoe down the Macal River, or visit Xunantunich Maya center, which you reach by hand-cranked boat. Later, walk Burns Avenue and check out restaurants and street stalls while talking with locals.
Optional Activities
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (USD135 incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch)
- Mountain Pine Ridge waterfalls and swimming holes tour
- Macal River canoe or tube adventure
- Xunantunich Ruins entry (BZD20)
- Cave tubing (USD100 incl. entrance, guide & transport)
Landmarks Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Xunantunich - Day 9
San Ignacio to Tikal National Park
You'll cross the border into Guatemala and arrive at Tikal National Park. Check in at your hotel, then explore the Maya ruins through thick jungle. Climb Temple IV if you have the energy for those sweeping canopy views. Optional guided tours and zipline canopy adventures are available if you want more activity.
Included Activities
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological Site Tour (Entrance fee & Transport)
Optional Activities
- Tikal National Park - Guided ruins tour (GTQ100 per person, min 5 participants)
- Canopy zipline tour
Landmarks Tikal National Park Temple IV - Day 10
Tikal to Rio Dulce
Leave the jungle this morning and head to Flores, a lakeside town where you'll grab lunch and take a quick look around. Then continue by private vehicle to Rio Dulce and transfer to your hotel by boat. This Caribbean town feels completely different from the inland areas you've been through, with a laid-back vibe surrounded by jungle atmosphere.
Landmarks Flores - Day 11
Rio Dulce
Lots of activity choices today. Take a scenic boat trip down the river to Livingston to experience Garifuna culture. Or go boating on the lake, relax in thermal hot springs, check out the San Felipe fort in Livingston, or hike through Chocon-Machacas Natural Reserve to see protected manatees.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Livingston (GTQ263 price dependent on boat & passengers)
- Lake boating
- Natural Hot Springs (GTQ210 entrance fee and transport)
- San Felipe Fort (GTQ85 entrance fee)
- Chocon-Machacas Natural Reserve hike with manatee spotting
- Quirigua Ruins (GTQ90 entrance fee)
Landmarks Livingston San Felipe Fort - Day 12
Rio Dulce to Antigua
Travel to Antigua this morning and arrive in time to spend the night before heading to Lake Atitlán tomorrow. Walk around the city and try local dishes like tamales wrapped in corn leaves or pepian, a spicy meat stew. The best food deals are in the square next to La Merced Church where locals eat.
Landmarks La Merced Church 
- Day 13
Antigua to Lake Atitlán
Head by private vehicle to Chichicastenango's famous colorful market, best visited on Thursday or Sunday when villagers from surrounding areas sell their goods and fill the streets with stalls. Then continue to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán to check in at your hotel. Your group has included dinner at a local pupusería where you can try these traditional stuffed tortillas.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a local pupusería)
Included Activities
- Chichicastenango - Market Visit
- Dinner at local pupusería
Landmarks Chichicastenango Market - Day 14
Lake Atitlán - San Juan La Laguna
Travel to San Juan La Laguna to learn about Mayan village life. Visit a local midwife to understand this traditional practice, explore the village's medicinal garden, and join a hands-on workshop making and dyeing Mayan textiles. You'll have homestyle lunch with your hosts and hear stories about daily village life. Return to Panajachel in the afternoon with your evening free to sit by the lake.
- Meals
- Lunch (Homestyle lunch with local hosts)
Included Activities
- San Juan La Laguna - Midwife home visit
- San Juan La Laguna - Medicinal Garden
- San Juan La Laguna - Weaving & Dyeing experience
- Homestyle lunch with local hosts
Landmarks San Juan La Laguna - Day 15
Lake Atitlán to Antigua
After breakfast, travel back to Antigua with views of three volcanoes filling the horizon. Your leader gives you an orientation walk through this World Heritage city with cobblestone streets, quiet town squares, and ornate churches. Explore quiet museums and lively Indigenous markets, bike through the countryside for mountain and valley views, or take salsa lessons. Later enjoy mojitos and dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Museum visits
- Indigenous market exploration
- Countryside cycling
- Salsa dancing lessons
- Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch (USD115)
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike & Camp (USD202)
- City Tour with lunch (USD70)
- Half Day local towns, coffee and craft beer tour (USD95)
Landmarks Pacaya Volcano Agua Volcano Jumaytepeque Volcano - Day 16
Antigua
Free day in Antigua with no planned activities. Wander through colonial buildings and curved archways, or take a trip to volcanoes like Pacaya, Agua, or Jumaytepeque. If chocolate interests you, ChocoMuseo offers history and a chocolate-making workshop. Coffee lovers can tour local plantations, taste the beans, and buy some to take home.
Optional Activities
- Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo (USD30)
- Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch (USD115)
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike & Camp (USD202)
- City Tour with lunch (USD70)
- Half Day local towns, coffee and craft beer tour (USD95)
- Coffee plantation tour and tasting
Landmarks ChocoMuseo
