Mayan Adventure
22 days
From $ 2464
Duration22 days
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Leave the resorts of the Mayan Riviera behind and explore the authentic Yucatán. From sunny beaches and lush jungles to the highlands of Chiapas, journey through Belize, Guatemala, and southern Mexico on this incredible 22-day adventure. Explore the amazing ruins of Chichén Itzá, Palenque, and Tikal and walk the cobblestoned streets of colonial San Cristóbal de las Casas and Antigua. Snorkel with stingrays or just get into the reggae pace of life on a sunny Caribbean island. Experience a journey that introduces you to local culture and offers insight into the history of the Mayan heartland.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 22 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Light
  • Ages: 12+
Mayan Adventure - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Playa del Carmen
As travellers arrive throughout the day, there are no planned activities until the welcome meeting in the evening.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Playa del Carmen/Mérida
Depart Playa del Carmen and head to the famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá for a guided tour. Spend time exploring this famous site, known for its huge stepped pyramids and elaborate stone carvings.

Continue on to Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán State, and take a short orientation walk. Also known as la ciudad blanca (the white city), Mérida offers the ideal opportunity to learn about Mexico’s fascinating mix of cultural influences.
Take a guided tour of Chichén Itzá and orientation walk around Mérida.
Day 3: Mérida
The area surrounding Mérida has tons to offer. Choose to visit nearby cenotes (water sink holes) in the town of Cuzamá. Inside, swim in the massive crystal-clear sinkholes. Transportation to the cenotes is half the fun, taking small wooden horse-drawn carts along old rail tracks.

Opt to visit ruins in Uxmal, ride the PUUC Route or go bird-watching. There's something for everyone.
Opt to visit the ruins of Uxmal or swim in cenotes in the Yucatán. Hit the beach or soak in the history this city has to offer.
Day 4: Mérida/Palenque
After a long day of travel, arrive to Palenque. Enjoy a 2-night stay inside the national park in a jungle lodge. The lodge is quite close to the town, the ruins and the museum and offers a restaurant and bar on the grounds.
Travel to Palenque and spend two nights in a jungle lodge.
Day 5: Palenque
Enjoy a guided tour of the Mayan ruins of Palenque. After, go for a swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall.
Day 6: Palenque/San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Travel to San Cristóbal de Las Casas located in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft), via Villahermosa. Enjoy an orientation walk of the city, known for its 16th-century architecture.
Day 7: San Cristóbal de Las Casas
Opt to visit nearby indigenous Mayan villages to see their unique day-to-day life or journey to beautiful Sumidero Canyon for a relaxing boat ride.
Day 8: San Cristóbal de Las Casas/Panajachel
The first stop in Guatemala is on beautiful Lake Atitlán. Stay in Panajachel, a lakeshore town surrounded by spectacular volcanoes and small villages.
Journey from San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico to Panajachel, Guatemala. Opt to explore the town on arrival.
Day 9: Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna
Embark on a boat ride across the lake before participating in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings at the lake's many villages.
Meals: D
Day 10: Antigua
There is so much to do in this charming colonial city, optional activities for the area include a city tour, salsa dancing classes, a Guatemalan cooking class, or relaxing with a massage. Further afield you can rent bikes and ride through the hills, visit a macadamia nut farm or check out some nearby villages.
Travel to Antigua and head out for an orientation walk. Opt for a final night out in town.
Day 11: Antigua Guatemala
Try your hand at making some Guatemalan cuisine. Pre-book the Antigua Cooking Class on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Enjoy a free day exploring this charming colonial city.
Day 12: Antigua Guatemala/Rio Dulce
Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.
Day 13: Rio Dulce/Flores
Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy free time to check out the town before continuing on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.
Day 14: Flores
Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.
Day 15: Flores/San Ignacio
Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

End place: San Ignacio

Day 16: San Ignacio

Start place: San Ignacio

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

End place: San Ignacio

Day 17: San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Start place: San Ignacio

Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.
Travel to Belize City to catch a ferry to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise.

End place: Caye Caulker

Day 18: Caye Caulker

Start place: Caye Caulker

If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.
Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Choose to visit the famous Blue Hole on a diving trip or a fly-over.

End place: Caye Caulker

Day 19: Caye Caulker

Start place: Caye Caulker

Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!

End place: Caye Caulker

Day 20: Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen

Start place: Caye Caulker

With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.
Say farewell to Belize, and travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, by speed boat and private vehicle.
Day 21: Playa del Carmen
Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, visit one of the many cenotes, or go diving off Cozumel. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.
Meals: D
Day 22: Playa del Carmen
Depart at any time.
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program, Playa del Carmen Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Mérida Your Discover Moment: San Cristóbal de Las Casas Your Discover Moment: Antigua Guatemala Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen
  • Chichén Itzá guided tour
  • Mérida orientation walk
  • Palenque guided tour
  • Roberto Barrios waterfall visit
  • San Cristóbal de las Casas orientation walk
  • Lake Atitlán boat tour
  • Antigua orientation walk
  • Scenic boat ride to Livingston
  • Tikal guided tour
  • G Adventures-supported bike tour of Caye Caulker
  • Beach time in Playa del Carmen
  • Free time in Mérida, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Antigua, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and Playa del Carmen
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hotels (17 nts), Jungle lodges (3 nts), Homestay (1 nt)

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