Mayan Encounter
Experience Overview
Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Shop for treasures along colonial Antigua's cobblestone streets and get to know the locals from communities where life sometimes moves at a reggae pace. Explore the ruins of Tikal, snorkel with stingrays, lounge in gorgeous Caye Caulker, and finish up in bustling Playa del Carmen. With accommodation and transport arranged by a Chief Experience Officer, this trip offers the perfect way to discover this region’s unique vibe.
Highlights
- Listen to howler monkeys from the top of Temple IV at Tikal
- Revel in Caye Caulker sunsets
- Sway to reggae beats wafting through the Belizean air
- Wander the colonial streets of Antigua.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1772
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: CGME
Starts: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Finishes: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar", Lívingston 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: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen
- Scenic boat ride to Livingston
- Tikal guided tour
- Free time in San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and Playa del Carmen
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (10 nts), jungle lodge (1 nt).
- 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Transport
- Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,799 ($150 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Antigua Guatemala
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.
Day 2: Antigua to Rio Dulce
Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.
Day 3: Rio Dulce/Flores
Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy a visit to the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project here. Then, walk around the grounds before a sit-down lunch of delicious local flavours. Continue on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.
Day 4: 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 5: 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.
Day 6: San Ignacio
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.
Day 7: San Ignacio/Caye Caulker
Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise.
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.
Day 8: Caye Caulker
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. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.
Day 9: 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!
Day 10: Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen
Say farewell to Belize, and travel by boat and private vehicle from Caye Caulker to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.
Day 11: Playa del Carmen
Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.
Day 12: Playa del Carmen
Depart at any time.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Sara R - Traveled, December 2023
Is I good way to travel if you don't have time and energy to plan everything by yourself. And you feel very safe on the tour. The minus is that you don't know what type of people the rest of the group is, and what age.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Yael B - Traveled, December 2022
Great prices, itineraries and small groups
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2022
Ville V - Traveled, December 2023
I have done two tours with G Adventures and both have been excellent experiences. I would definitely recommend G Adventures to my family members and friends. However, group traveling in general is probably not 100 % suitable for everyone, which is why I didn't give 10/10.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Lubaba I - Traveled, December 2023
Way too much time spent in buses and very little time actually spent in the locations we visited. There were times when our CEO did not have control of the group, schedule and his temper.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Synne L - Traveled, December 2023
I loved the places, But too much travelling and being on a bus for my liking
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023
Amanda A - Traveled, November 2023
The tour was an excellent pace and geared towards the style of travel we enjoy most. Safe, interesting and off the beaten path.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Neha T - Traveled, November 2023
The trip was not planned well, it wasn't inclusive beating in mind non Americans and it was discriminatory against vegetarians. Horrible experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Megan E - Traveled, November 2023
I've already recommended it several times! This was my second time joining a G tour and I have to say they',re well organized, well thought out in terms of how long we stay somewhere, what the optional activities are vs. those built into the program, and how we get from place to place most efficiently. The tour leader I had on the Mayan Experience (shout-out to Salvador!) was wonderful - he was knowledgeable, kind, funny, and had an incredibly calm demeanour - he did everything he could to ensure we had a good experience, and he delivered.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Julia H - Traveled, November 2023
it's an amazing way to travel that takes the guesswork out of seeing local culture, and it makes the most of your time without wearing you out.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Stephan A - Traveled, November 2023
Excellent itinerary, full of culture and history!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Shannon M - Traveled, November 2023
I felt safe with my group and received so much information it was great!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023
Alma O - Traveled, November 2023
Activities were great, tour guide was excellent, good travel group.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Janin H - Traveled, November 2023
I was completely satisfied as this is the way of travelling that I like and I recommend to others
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Evelyn K - Traveled, November 2023
Mostly, the tour was fantastic, but, the first 2 days amount of travelling and accommodation are just not ok after everyone has travelled from far away.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Alan Tat Lung L - Traveled, November 2023
The like-minded groups and the excellent CEOs, who make the experience of travelling more fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Kristen B - Traveled, October 2023
I always recommend G, but it depends on the person I'm speaking to - G isn',t for more laid back travelers with 4 or 5 star accommodation
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Jessica K - Traveled, October 2023
I generally enjoy the way G does travel - small groups, international, free time and optional activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Yency C - Traveled, October 2023
Because the trip make change people lives
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Robin S - Traveled, October 2023
I like this type of travel, it suits my lifestyle.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
Sachini D - Traveled, October 2023
Amazing guide (CEO), itinerary, focus on history and local customs and culture, purpose built tours giving back to the local community and the size of the tour (max 16 ppl is perfect size)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/17/2023
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