Basix
Explorer
Central America Encompassed
31 Days | Swim, hike and eat your way through Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
4.8
Excellent
6 reviews
31 days
Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Antigua, Guatemala
Trip Code
QVRYC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - null
Physical Rating
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Overnight public bus, Taxi, Shared Boat, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (25 nights), Overnight bus (1 night), Multishare Hotel (1 night), Hotel with shared facilities (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
From £3,067(31 days)
Trip Informations
From traditional villages to an island paradise surrounded by coral reefs, this 31-day journey is an all-encompassing adventure of Central American highlights. Start your epic discovery in thriving Mexico City, where you’ll taste the city’s best tacos. Visit Nahuatl descendants and learn about how they keep their culture alive, discover the arts scene in Oaxaca, walk the pine-covered floor of Iglesia de San Juan and visit vibrant markets before discovering one of the New Wonders of the World at Chichen Itza. Kick back, surf, swim and recharge on the paradise-like shores of Playa del Carmen and Caye Caulker. When you’ve had your fill of beach days, hit the highlands of Belize and discover local Maya culture and delicious local meals. After, dive into Guatemala and discover the ancient remains of Tikal, the bustling Chichi market and stay with the locals near Lake Atitlan.
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore the stunning Mayan temples of Palenque dating back to AD600 and stroll through Chichen Itza – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Visit the community of San Pedro Tlahuac – home to Nahuatl descendants who practice traditions like chinampa farming, fiestas and ancient ceremonies.
Spend two days exploring the island paradise of Caye Caulker – munch on barbecued lobster, snorkel around a coral reef, nap under palm trees, go kayaking or just kick back with a couple of worry-free beach days.
Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Juan La Laguna – a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family and see how they harvest their local medicinal plants.
Cruise up the Rio Dulce to your waterfront jungle lodge, then maybe grab a beer and relax while the sounds of nature fill the air.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary includes basic accommodation and has free time for activities when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
This trip involves some long days of travel by private and local transport, including one overnight bus. While this can be tiring, it's also a fantastic way to rub shoulders with the locals and get under the skin of a place. Crossing the borders between the various countries visited on this trip is usually straightforward, but you may need to be patient. Books, podcasts and car games will be your best friend.
Central America's climate is sultry and tropical, so can get really hot and humid. Wear loose clothing and make sure stay hydrated, especially while out on walking tours. 
The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. Conditions are simple and multi-share but comfortable. A homecooked dinner will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
Try to learn as many Spanish words as you can before the trip. In many of the destinations we visit, local people are reserved and/or do not speak English. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is a great way of showing you care.
Itinerary
Inclusions
Meals
1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Overnight public bus, Taxi, Shared Boat, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (25 nights), Overnight bus (1 night), Multishare Hotel (1 night), Hotel with shared facilities (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Activities
Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
Puebla - Visit to La Pasita Bar
Tlahuac - Community Visit
Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Zinacatan Church - Visit
San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit
Palenque - Palenque Ruins (entrance fee)
Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
Tikal National Park - Tikal archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
Chichicastenango - Market Visit
Chichicastenango - Shaman Visit
Panajachel - Leader-led orientation walk
San Juan La Laguna - Traditional Maya Homestay
Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
Santa Apolonia - Traditional Pottery Demonstration
Optional activities
Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN84
Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN95
Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN263
Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral (entrance fee) - Free
Mexico City - Torre Latino 360° Lookout (entrance fee) - MXN179
Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee) - MXN37
Mexico City - Teotihuacan Pyramids Urban Adventure - USD79
Puebla - Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel (entrance fee) - MXN21
Puebla - San Pedro Art Museum (entrance fee) - MXN47
Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN95
Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN89
Oaxaca – Mitla, Teotitlan weaving town & mezcal distillery - MXN893
Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1500
San Cristobal de Las Casas - Amber Museum (entrance fee) - MXN32
Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport) - MXN593
Merida - Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum (entrance fee) - Free
Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1470
Merida - Las Coloradas Flamingo Tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1365
Playa del Carmen - Bicycle Rental (per day) - MXN273
Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN525
Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD44
Caye Caulker - Manatee boat tour (Incl. transport & guide) - BZD254
Caye Caulker - Full day Catamaran snorkeling tour in Hol Chan Marine Reserve-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
Caye Caulker - Full day speed boat-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD8
Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing - BZD126
San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD263
San Ignacio - Butterfly Farm (incl. transport) - BZD158
San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD200
San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD24
San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD11
Tikal National Park - Guide for Ruins (per person, min 5 participants) - GTQ105
Rio Dulce - Boat trip to Livingston (Price dependent on boat available & passengers) - GTQ263
Rio Dulce - Natural Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport) - GTQ210
Rio Dulce - Quirigua Ruins (entrance fee) - GTQ95
Rio Dulce - San Felipe Fort (entrance fee) - GTQ89
San Juan La Laguna - Water taxi to Santiago (Return) - GTQ63
Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ105
Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ236
Antigua - Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure - USD170
Antigua - Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch - USD115
Antigua - Half Day local towns, coffee and craft beer tour - USD95
Antigua - City Tour with lunch - USD70
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 7 (Overnight bus), Day 23 (Tikal) & Day 28 (San Juan La Laguna homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share rooms (triple and quad). This means travelers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single gender allocation.
3. Please be careful when booking flights from Antigua; make sure you fly out of Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
4. For 21, 24 and 28 December departures, the segment of this combination trip starting in Antigua, Guatemala has been upgraded from Basix to Original style. Therefore, you may need to change hotels in Antigua. Your leader will be on hand to assist you with coordinating any transitions, ensuring a smooth experience.
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