Mexico, Belize & Guatemala, 18 Days

Why you'll love it

1. 1

   Chichén Itzá with a local guide

2. 2

   Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize

3. 3

   Tikal's pyramids in the Guatemalan jungle

4. 4

   Swim the pools of Semuc Champey

5. 5

   Homestay with a Mayan family on Lake Atitlán

6. 6

   Overnight on Acatenango volcano

Day-by-day itinerary

1 Day 1 · Arrive in Cancún

Airport pickup and transfer to Playa del Carmen. The group meets for a welcome dinner at about 7pm.

2 Day 2 · Chichén Itzá & a cenote

A local guide takes you through Chichén Itzá, from El Castillo to the Platform of the Skulls, then you swim in the underground pool at Chukum cenote.

3 Day 3 · Cozumel beach club

Ferry over to Cozumel for a day at a beach club: swim, snorkel, kayak or do nothing. Back to Playa for the night.

4 Day 4 · Bacalar lagoon

Drive south to Bacalar and take a boat across the Lagoon of Seven Colours, stopping to swim.

5 Day 5 · Into Belize: Caye Caulker

Cross the border into Belize and ferry out to Caye Caulker, a small island where the hotel is a minute from the water. Sunset on the west side of the island.

6 Day 6 · Hol Chan snorkel

A boat trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve to snorkel the barrier reef among rays and tropical fish. Manatees turn up in season.

7 Day 7 · Free day on Caye Caulker

Swim at the Split, hire a paddleboard or claim a hammock. The day is yours.

8 Day 8 · Into Guatemala: Flores

Stop at a Mayan village to cook lunch with a local family, then cross into Guatemala and check in on the island town of Flores.

9 Day 9 · Tikal

Explore Tikal with local guides, including the Lost World pyramid and the Temple of the Great Jaguar, then dinner by the lake.

10 Day 10 · Candelaria Caves to Cobán

A long drive south, broken by a tour of the Candelaria Caves, a system the Maya held sacred. Overnight in Cobán in the central highlands.

11 Day 11 · Semuc Champey

4x4s up into the mountains and a short jungle walk to Semuc Champey's turquoise limestone pools, with a couple of hours to swim. Lunch at a Mayan family home.

12 Day 12 · Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlán

Stop at Chichicastenango for its market, then on to Panajachel on the shore of Lake Atitlán, with volcanoes on the skyline.

13 Day 13 · Homestay in San Juan

Boat across the lake via San Marcos to San Juan, where you stay in small groups with Mayan families and share dinner.

14 Day 14 · Mayan Face sunrise, then Antigua

A pre-dawn hike up Mayan Face (Indian Nose) for sunrise over the lake, hot cocoa at the top and breakfast with local families, then the drive to Antigua.

15 Day 15 · Antigua

A briefing for tomorrow's climb, a walking tour of Antigua's churches and squares, then free time in the markets.

16 Day 16 · Acatenango volcano

Climb Acatenango with local guides, up to seven hours through forest and loose rock, to cabins near the summit. After dark, watch Fuego erupt across the valley. Not hiking? Stay in Antigua with a chocolate-making session instead.

17 Day 17 · Summit, then back to Antigua

An early push to the summit for views over Fuego and the highlands, then down to Antigua for a last dinner in Guatemala.

18 Day 18 · Trip ends in Antigua

Check out and head home, or stay on in Antigua.

What's included

Accommodation

Curated stays along the route, a mix of characterful hotels, traditional lodgings and social hostels, all with the essentials sorted.

Colonial-style hotel

3 nights in twin, double or triple ensuite rooms with Wi-Fi, a pool and a restaurant.

Bacalar boutique hotel

1 night on the water, twin or double ensuite rooms with Wi-Fi, air-con and a rooftop terrace.

Flores lakeside hotel

2 nights with lake views, ensuite rooms, Wi-Fi, air-con, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar.

Acatenango volcano cabins

1 night in basic cabins high on the volcano, shared by 2 to 4, with sleeping bags and foam mats supplied.

Rooming is typically same-gender multi-share unless a private/twin upgrade is noted, ask us if you'd like a private room.

Common questions about this trip

• How hard is the volcano hike?

  Acatenango is the toughest day of the trip: up to seven hours of climbing on steep, loose ground to cabins near 4,000 m, and it gets cold at night. You need reasonable fitness, warm layers, a rain jacket, good shoes and travel insurance that covers hiking to 4,000 m. If you'd rather skip it, tell us before you travel and you'll stay in Antigua with a chocolate-making session instead, at no extra cost. If you start the climb and turn back, that night's room in town is at your own cost.

• How big is the group?

  Usually 10 to 16 travellers, with a maximum of 22, with two leaders on bigger groups. Most are aged 18 to their 40s and most travel solo.

• Which airports do I fly into and out of?

  Fly into Cancún (CUN), where an airport pickup is included. The trip finishes in Antigua, Guatemala on the last day; the nearest international airport is Guatemala City (GUA), about an hour's drive away.

• How much spending money should I bring?

  With accommodation, transport, activities and many meals covered, most travellers budget about A$1,500 for other meals, drinks and souvenirs. You'll be spending Mexican pesos, Belize dollars and Guatemalan quetzales.

• Can I eat vegetarian or vegan?

  Vegetarian food is easy to find all along the route. Strict vegan and gluten-free diets are harder in the remote areas, so tell us when you book and we'll pass your requirements on before you travel.

• What's the cancellation policy?

  Dates or tours can be changed free up to 30 days before departure, and changes inside 30 days may incur a fee. If you cancel 30 or more days out, you can keep 100% of your payment as credit, or take a refund of 75% of the tour value. Inside 30 days the operator retains the full amount. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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