Epic Mexico, Belize & Guatemala
Overview
Highlights
- Head deep into the jungle to the lush wilderness of Lacanja River during your stay at an eco-lodge, which supports the local indigenous community in the forest of the Lacandon area. Maybe opt to raft through the waterfalls and backwaters or take a guided hike.
- Tour the historic site of Chichen Itza – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World – and learn why these ancient Maya ruins are the most important in all of Mexico.
- Enjoy traditional Guatemalan hospitality with a homecooked lunch in a local home in San Juan La Laguna, after visiting a local midwife, walking through medicinal gardens and experiencing a weaving and dying workshop.
- Visit the colourful markets of Chichicastenango, nicknamed Chichi, where you can explore the local handmade wares like jade jewellery, pottery and traditional huipils – the traditional dress worn by Maya women.
- Soak up extended time in the paradise of Caye Caulker and unique Antigua, offering the perfect opportunity for some laidback island vibes and buzzing city life. Swim among tropical fish and then hit the salsa lessons.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
- Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
- Mexico City - Gastromotiva (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
- Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
- San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- San Cristobal - Santo Domingo Market Visit
- Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Lacanja River - Jungle Camp
- Palenque - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Merida – Marquesitas Snack
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
- Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
- Yokdnozot Cenote – Visit and Swim
- Piste - Home-cooked Lunch
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk
- Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
- San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological Site Tour (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Chichicastenango - Market Visit
- San Juan La Laguna - Weaving & Dyeing experience
- San Juan La Laguna - Midwife home visit
- San Juan La Laguna - Medicinal Garden
- Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Your adventure starts in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, Mexico City has plenty of museums, galleries and walkable streets to keep you busy. Maybe check out the Chapulte...
Maybe grab some chilaquiles (a type of breakfast nachos) this morning, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the historic centre of the city. Mexico City can feel overwhelming due to its sheer size and volume of people, but your leader will know where t...
Take a public bus to the smaller but no less beautiful city of Oaxaca (pronounced ‘wuh-haa-ka’). This colourful town in the south is full of colonial buildings, colourful arcades and busy markets. You’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings w...
The city (and state) of Oaxaca is yours to explore on this free day. Perhaps head to the mountaintop temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. Monte Alban was inhabited for 1500 years by the Olmec, Zapotec and Mixtec peoples and is an outstanding example of a pre-...
Today is another free day in Oaxaca, but you’ll board an overnight bus later tonight to the mountain-top village of San Cristobal de las Casas. You’ve got today to bask in the colour and sights of Oaxaca, so why not test out your culinary skills at a cooking class. Ot...
This afternoon, say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Your leader will point out the main things to know on a leader-led orientation walk this morning. With its winding cobblestone streets snuggled in the Chiapas highlands,...
There’s no alarm clock needed this morning as today is yours to explore San Cristobal de las Casas at your own leisure. Maybe take in the cobblestone streets and architecture, soaking up the old-world feel that’s mixed with strong, pre-Hispanic roots. If you're in the...
Today, you’ll travel along a windy road by private vehicle to Lacanja River, stopping at Agua Azul (blue water) waterfall on the way (providing road conditions allow). Here, you'll have the option to swim in the cascading pools. Then, brush up on your Spanish during t...
This morning, drive to Palenque. When you arrive, you’ll head to the archaeological zone and visit the ruins of Palenque. Sitting on a hilltop surrounded by thick trees, the ruins date back to AD 600 and are some of the most impressive Maya relics in Mexico. As you ta...
Today, head north on a local bus to the old-world Merida – founded in 1542, this city has a large Indigenous population, with approximately 60% of Merida residents of Maya background. Head out on an orientation walk with your leader and wander through the Old Town, ch...
Today, you’re free to explore Merida – the gateway to the Maya ruins of Uxmal. Maybe a tour of the ruins is on the cards, including a guide and shared transport. Little is known about the site’s origins, but it’s thought that the city was founded around AD 500. Much o...
This morning, head to the Yokdzonot cenote for a refreshing swim in the blue waters and a laze in the sun. Surrounded by hanging vines and lush greenery, the cenote was developed by a group of local Mayan women as a sustainable and communally owned source of employmen...
Today is a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe go snorkelling in one of the cenotes, walk along the beach or take the ferry across to Cozumel – this island is famous for its reef diving! You’ll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new travellers joining you. After, why not head out for dinner or stroll down Calle Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) as night falls.
Today, you’ll hop on a local bus and travel along the Caribbean coast to Tulum, where it's all about that laidback life on the white sands of the Yucatan Peninsula. Head out on a leader-led orientation walk around Tulum and maybe visit one of the best-looking Maya sit...
With a free day to relax in Tulum, you can settle into the laidback Mexican vibe. Maybe rent a bike and cruise around the area on two wheels. The town is heaving with hip cafes and restaurants with many vegetarian and vegan options. There are also plenty of places to ...
Say adios to Mexico and hello to Belize. You’ll have a long travel day today, so make sure you grab a window seat if you can or get stuck into a good book. This is also the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers a bit better! Drive by local bus to t...
Your time in Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy. It’s said that the pace of life is so slow here that it's almost backwards! If being underwater is your thing, maybe head out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the world's second-longest barrier reef. Snorkel among the ...
Today is another free day to take up any other optional activities you like, or to simply pull up a towel and relax on the beach with a book, a cocktail or some friends. If you’ve already been snorkelling, maybe continue the marine exploration with a manatee tour. Get...
Leave island paradise behind today and return to Belize City by boat, before taking a local bus to San Ignacio via Belize’s capital, Belmopan. The local buses here are a little more basic than in Mexico, but this is a great opportunity to mix with Belizeans and get a ...
There is heaps to do in San Ignacio, so your free day has endless possibilities. The cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal is a living museum of Maya relics and you can wade through its waters until you reach a bunch of spooky 1400-year-old crystallised skeletons. You could t...
Today you’ll leave San Ignacio, cross the border and get dropped off at Tikal National Park – often referred to as the Maya forest. Check-in at your hotel before exploring the Maya ruins of Tikal. Pass through the lush jungle vegetation, and if you've got the energy, ...
Head from the jungle to the lakeside town of Flores this morning. Here, there's time to grab some lunch and quickly explore the town. Then it's back to the private vehicle to Rio Dulce. When you arrive, you’ll transfer to the hotel by boat. The easiest way to get back...
There is a load of kick-ass activities to choose from in Rio Dulce today. Take a scenic boat trip down the river to Livingston – a laidback town on the Caribbean coast that offers the unique experience of local Garifuna culture. Go boating on the lake, relax in the th...
This morning you’ll travel to Antigua, where you’ll spend the night before heading to Lake Atitlan. When you arrive, maybe stroll around the city and tuck into some tasty tamales (a local dish served in a corn leaf) or pepian (a spicy meat stew of chicken, beef and pork in a dark sauce). You'll find the best value food in the square next to the La Merced Church.
Travel by private vehicle to the famous market in Chichicastenango (nicknamed Chichi market). This is the most colourful market in the country, where on Thursdays and Sundays, locals come from the surrounding villages to sell their wares and the streets are lined with...
This morning, make a trip to San Juan La Laguna to immerse yourself in Mayan village life. Visit a local midwife to learn about this traditional and sacred art. Then visit the village's medicinal garden before a hands-on workshop where you'll learn about Mayan textile...
After breakfast, hit the road back to Antigua – three nearby volcanoes dominate the horizon, creating a truly unique landscape. Join your leader on a walk to orientate yourself around the World Heritage-listed city full of cobblestones, leafy town squares and ornate c...
While there are no activities planned for today, Antigua has a lot to offer, from its vibrant colonial-style buildings and curved archways to the puffing volcanoes of Pacaya, Agua and Jumaytepeque. The number one stop for any chocoholic should be the ChocoMuseo, where...
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check current availability, prices, specials & more.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Intrepid Travel Reviews
EBC trek with Intrepid.
I did the EBC trek with Intrepid in September and October. Our group missed the first 3 days of the planned 12 day trek due to bad weather. There was a real fear we...
Terrific organisation, unforgettable experiences.
I did my first Intrepid trip on the Camino de Santiago and it was simply excellent every step of the way. Pre-travel organisation was comprehensive and well organis...
We travelled 8 days in Morrocco with…
We travelled 8 days in Morrocco with Mahdi as our guide. We loved the trip and found Mahdi and the other local guides very informative and friendly. The accommodatio...
Tour Operator
The Intrepid Travel Experience
If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.
Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.
Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
Why Intrepid?
- Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
- Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
- Local leaders - authentic perspectives
- Local transport - get close and personal
- Local accommodation - experience real living
- Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions
History
Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.
Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.
Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.
Values
On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:
- Integrity – Doing the right thing
- Responsible – Think global, act local
- Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
- Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
- Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
- Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
Finish point
- Posada Los Bucaros
- #94, 7a North Avenue
- Antigua
- 03001
- GUATEMALA
- Phone: +502 78322346
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations