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Best of Belize and Guatemala

Tour Overview

Starting in the sunshine paradise of Playa del Carmen, experience the highlights of Belize and Guatemala on this 8 day adventure. Channel your Caribbean flare as you relax on the island of Caye Caulker, experience the jungle and waterfalls in San Ignacia before enjoying the Maya temple complex of Tikal. End your adventure in Antigua, a charming colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About this tour

  • Group Size: Normally 4-19. Average 10.
  • Recommended Age: 18-65
  • Physical Rating: Central 2
  • Accommodation:7 night(s) in hotels
  • Transportation:Private Vehicle, Ferry, Foot, Taxi, Travel by 1 flight(s)
  • Meals:4 Breakfast(s)
  • Other:Tucan Travel Tour Leader
  • Country:Mexico, Guatemala, Belize

Essential Information

This group tour ranges in size from 4 to 19 people, with an overall average of 10 people.

This tour uses a mixture of transport – one flights, busses, private vehicles and ferries. It is essential that you can carry your own luggage.

This tour has a few long travel days. These are unavoidable when covering such large distances however a good book and your new friends will make the time pass quicker.

This tour visits places that require a decent level of walking, such as ancient Maya sites. You will need a decent level of fitness to fully enjoy this tour.

This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.

Included/Excluded

  • Entrance and guided tour of Tikal

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrive Playa del Carmen

Welcome to the beachside paradise of Playa del Carmen! Today is free to arrive at your leisure and soak up some sun. We recommend booking pre tour accommodation to enjoy everything this activity packed location has to offer.

Playa del Carmen is located along the Yucatan Peninsula Riviera Maya strip of the Caribbean shoreline. Known for its sugar white beaches and palm-lined shores, it’s the perfect destination to kick back and relax while enjoying a host of water based activities.

Visit the island of Cozumel or the amazingly located Maya/Toltec ruins of Tulúm. There are also many 'cenotes' in the area. Cenotes (se-note-tays) are freshwater swimming holes connected to underground limestone cave systems once sacred to the ancient Maya.

Please note there will be a pre departure meeting at 6pm tonight to meet your tour leader and fellow group members.

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

Day 02 Caye Caulker

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.

Accommodation

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

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 03 Caye Caulker

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

Day 4 San Ignacio

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 centre 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.

Accommodation

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

Day 5 San Ignacio

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)

Day 6 Flores & The Maya Site of Tikal

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!

After plenty of time spent exploring Tikal you will arrive to Flores in the early evening where you have the chance to relax before flying to Antigua tomorrow.

Included Excursions

Entrance and guided tour of Tikal

Accommodation

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

Meals

1 Breakfast(s)

Day 7 Fly to Antigua

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.

Optional Excursions

Pacaya volcano climb – US$20 • Walking tour – US$30 • Chocolate making class - US$30 • Coffee farm tour - US$25

Accommodation

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

Day 8 Depart Antigua

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)

Tour Map

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