Intrepid Guatemala to Mexico

• Meals: 9 Breakfasts
• Transport: Private vehicle, Public bus, Local bus, Taxi, Ferry, shared boat
• Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
• Included Activities

• Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
• Antigua – Leader-led walking tour
• Livingston – River boat trip to Garifuna town
• Flores – Leader-led orientation walk
• Flores – Tortilla making demonstration
• Tikal National Park – Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
• Tulum – Leader-led orientation walk
• Playa del Carmen – Leader-led orientation walk

Day 1: Antigua

Surrounded by three volcanoes, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that the city became the tourism hub of Guatemala. Today, the city is filled with coffee shops and international restaurants, and is always buzzing with live music and salsa classes. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and travel group.

Day 2: Antigua

As the seat of the Spanish colonial government, Antigua was once the most important city in Central America. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, but many of the colonial-era buildings have been carefully restored and the architecture from its glory days can still be admired. Take an informal Spanish lesson and enjoy a guided wander around the city with your leader in the morning.

Day 3: Rio Dulce

It’s a long day of travel as you make your way to Rio Dulce by private minibus. Depart early for the eight-hour journey, arriving in the middle of the afternoon. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to enjoy at your leisure. Maybe stretch your legs on a jungle walk, rent a kayak for a bit of exploration or simply curl up in a hammock and enjoy the tropical surrounds.

Day 4: Rio Dulce

Use a free day in Rio Dulce to take advantage of the optional activities on offer. Perhaps take a boat ride down the river to Livingston, a laid-back, Afro-Caribbean town that offers a unique taste of Garifuna culture on the shoulder of Guatemala.

Day 5: Flores

Travel about four hours to Flores – your base for exploring the Maya ruins of Tikal tomorrow. Upon arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Flores. This tranquil island had a long history before it was colonised by the Spanish in 1697, most significantly as the capital of the Itza people after the fall of Chichen Itza.

Day 6: Tikal/San Ignacio

Embrace an early start for a guided exploration of Tikal National Park. Among the thick, evergreen jungle are some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Maya civilisation. Wonder at the towering granite temples and other monuments set among the thick, green jungle while pondering the mystery of the ancient city’s demise. Spend a few hours playing archaeologist and then say goodbye to Guatemala and head across the border to Belize.

Day 7: San Ignacio

This morning, you can choose whether you would like to relax in San Ignacio or take part in some of the other optional activities on offer, like a visit to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM caves). A living museum of Maya relics, the ATM cave system is home to ceramic pots and crystallised skeletons, preserved by the natural processes of the cave for over 1400 years.

Day 8: Bacalar

Hop on a public bus and head for the Mexico border, a journey that will take about four hours. Deal with formalities at the border and then continue to Chetumal, where you will swap buses and hit the road again for Bacalar (1 hour). A long day of travel will see you arriving in the afternoon with some daylight to spare.

Day 9: Tulum

Rise, shine and shake off the sleep with a 6.30 am water taxi to Belize City. Today you’re leaving one paradise behind for another. Hop on a bus and head for the Mexico border, a journey that will take about four hours. Deal with formalities at the border and then continue to Chetumal, where you will swap buses and hit the road again for Tulum (3 hours).

Day 10: Tulum

Enjoy a day on the Caribbean coast. The ruins that Tulum is famous for sit on a cliff-top plateau that overlooks the glittering water below. Choose whether to explore the small site, or find a spot on one of the white-sand beaches.

Day 11: Playa del Carmen

The last leg of your journey is a short one. Hop on a local Mexican bus and travel about 1.5 hours to Playa del Carmen. With azure waters, powdery beaches and a European feel, Playa del Carmen is a resort city similar to Cancun, but with a less intense party atmosphere.

Day 12: Playa del Carmen

This tropical adventure ends today after breakfast. There are no activities planned for the final day.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.