The Exciting Mayan - Beach Way

WELCOME TO GUATEMALA! You will be picked up at the Airport and transfer to your Hotel in Antigua, located 30kms from the countrys busy Capital. There are no planned activities for this day but if you arrive early you can explore this City, nowadays the Tourism Hub of the country. Try some tropical fruit at the local market, or a hot cup of premium Coffee in any of the many coffee shops around the plaza.

Go to see and experience great trekking to the Pacaya Volcano in Antigua Guatemala there will see the stony, ashes and dry lava, you are on the top, See the unigue activities and nice panoramics. You will leave from Antigua at 06:00 or 2:00 p.m. by bus for 1 hour to volcano base and you will be led for our local guide walking up for 2 hours to the top, you are there you will have enough time to enjoy the experience by taking pictures and you will get back to Antigua.

Before taking the local bus to Playa Del Carmen (1.5hrs), you will have some time to visit the Ruins of Tulum. Mornings are the best and least crowded time to to visit this site. Tulum, meaning wall in Mayan, was an ancient Maya fortress city that rose to power toward the end of the Classic period. The most iconic of its structures, the Castillo, is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the clear turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean. The cliff-top Castillo, with its beachfront location and lush green landscape, is the image most often associated with the Maya Riviera. Youve probably seen the postcards! This ancient walled city was, in its time, a thriving civilization. Originally thought to be called Zama, Mayan for dawn, Tulum was a major crossroads of trade from both land and sea managing trade from Honduras and into the Yucatan. This is evident by the large amount of artifacts from all over Mexico that have been uncovered at this site. Tulum is one of the only fortified Maya sites and is one of the best preserved coastal sites in all of Mexico.

This morning you will be met by our local representative and take an easy half-hour drive inland from the coastal city of Tulum, arriving at the Ruins of Coba. Visitors who brave the steep climb up the highest pyramid in Mexico's Maya world reap the reward of a breathtaking vista. At more than 130 feet in height, Nohuch Mul, which means large mound in the Mayan language, is the tallest pyramid at Coba archaeological site and in the Yucatn Peninsula. In the Mayan language Coba means water stirred by wind. The Maya flourished here between 400 and 1100 A.D. One of the largest Maya cities of the Classic period, at its peak the site stretched out over 50 miles and was home to some 50,000 inhabitants. Two small lakes nearby made it a desirable location. Coba was an important trade link between the Caribbean coast and inland cities. A network of ancient roads called sacbe in Maya, which means white road radiates out from Coba. After your visit to Coba, plan to stop at the Gran Cenote on the way back toward Tulum for a refreshing dip in the cool, clear watera welcome reward indeed after the hot climb. So enjoy this Guatemala Second interesting capital..

Very early this morning (about 6.30am) we head back to Belize City by water taxi (1hr), and travel by bus to the border with Mexico (approx. 4hrs). After crossing the border, we head to the Mexican town of Chetumal where we swap buses and head to Tulum (4hrs). You will make a few stops on the ways, great opportunities to stretch your legs and find some local snacks. Tulum is a beautiful village on the south end of the Rivera Maya that enjoys a deep rooted history in the important culture of the ancient Mayan people. In recent years, Tulum has flourished in trades that stem directly from the skills utilized by the ancestors of the area. It offers the perfect combination of total relaxation, tranquility and seclusion, yet can fill your day with the many interesting and rich activities in the area. Tulum can be separated into 3 areas; Ruins, Town and Beach Strip.

You will be picked up today by our local operator to take you on a tour of Tikal National Park, one of the ancient Mayas largest and most fascinating urban centers. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tikal reached its heyday c. 700 A.D. with some 50,000 inhabitants. Today, it comprises 22 square miles and more than 3,000 well-preserved temples, shrines, ceremonial platforms, residences, ball courts, terraces, causeways and plazas surrounded by jungle. Tikal was an important center during their classic period. Called the City of the voices. This magical place is guaranteed to be a great adventure. The exuberant fauna and plant life are amazing. If youve seen the old Star Wars movies you might recognize the view from Temple 4. After the tour is completed you will return to your hotel in Flores. We can arrange a sunrise or sunset, or bird watching tour at an additional cost.

You will be picked up today by our local operator to take you on a tour of Tikal National Park, one of the ancient Mayas largest and most fascinating urban centers. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tikal reached its heyday c. 700 A.D. with some 50,000 inhabitants. Today, it comprises 22 square miles and more than 3,000 well-preserved temples, shrines, ceremonial platforms, residences, ball courts, terraces, causeways and plazas surrounded by jungle. Tikal was an important center during their classic period. Called the City of the voices. This magical place is guaranteed to be a great adventure. The exuberant fauna and plant life are amazing. If youve seen the old Star Wars movies you might recognize the view from Temple 4. After the tour is completed you will return to your hotel in Flores. We can arrange a sunrise or sunset, or bird watching tour at an additional cost.

You will be picked up early in the morning by one of our representatives that will meet you at the hotel front desk. From there you will take the bus to San Ignacio, changing vehicles at Melchor de Mencos (Guatemalan Border 2hrs). Please make sure you have your documents on hand for customs. From this point you are only 30 min away from San Ignacio. Whether youre visiting ancient Maya temples, caving, hiking, kayaking or horseback riding, San Ignacio is a great place to chill out, grab some food and drinks, and get ready for another day. Located 67 miles from Belize City is San Ignacio Town, connected by the Hawksworth Bridge to its twin town Santa Elena, San Ignacio is the largest town in the Cayo District and is a base for tourism activities throughout Cayo. First on the list would have to be ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) consider the top sacred cave around the world, then Caracol Ruins and Pine Ridge Area, you've also got a nice mix of tubing, horseback riding and Maya ruins to stomp around near town. With a long Caribbean coast, Belize is a culturally diverse and mixed race country with one foot in Latin America and the other in the Caribbean. There is the creole (Afro-European mixture) population as well as the native Maya people and the Mestizos that tend to live the north and northwest of the country. In the south east along the Caribbean coast live the Garifuna (Black Caribs) an Afro-Amerindian culture. German speaking Mennonites, people of East Indian, and Lebanese decent, also call Belize home.

First on the list would have to be ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) consider the top sacred cave around the world, then Caracol Ruins and Pine Ridge Area, you've also got a nice mix of tubing, horseback riding and Maya ruins to stomp around near town. With a long Caribbean coast, Belize is a culturally diverse and mixed race country with one foot in Latin America and the other in the Caribbean. There is the creole (Afro-European mixture) population as well as the native Maya people and the Mestizos that tend to live the north and northwest of the country. In the south east along the Caribbean coast live the Garifuna (Black Caribs) an Afro-Amerindian culture. German speaking Mennonites, people of East Indian, and Lebanese decent, also call Belize home.

Today you can depart at any time of the day. The transfer to Caye Caulker is split in 2 sections, first a 3hr drive to Belize City, the busy countries main port. Once you arrive there you take a Water Taxi towards Caye Caulker or (Caye Hicaco). We recommend to leave not later than 1pm so you will have enough time. There is no better place to relax than this, perfect destination to let go of your worries, and just enjoy life as it is. Indeed, nothing seems to be a problem on this tiny island, where dogs nap in the middle of the dirt road and suntanned cyclists pedal around them. The only traffic sign on the island instructs golf carts and bicycles to 'go slow,' a directive that is taken seriously. Local residents have traditionally made their living from the sea, specifically from the spiny lobsters and red snapper that inhabit its warm waters. It has also long been a budget traveler's mecca, but in recent years, tourists of all ages and incomes have begun to appreciate the island's unique atmosphere. On Caye Caulker, there are no cars, no fumes and no hassles, just balmy breezes, fresh seafood, azure waters and a fantastic barrier reef at its doorstep. The easygoing attitude is due in part to the strong Creole presence on the island, which pulses to a classic reggae beat and is home to a small community of Rastafarians.

Today you can have your free time to swim or just go directly to any of local agency to book some tours, like snorkeling or diving such as Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley, Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef Atoll or why not an Island hopping tour (some tours are weather dependent or will have a number of participants required to operate) Please keep in mind to bring Towels, sun block, extra t-shirt, hat, sunglasses, waterproof bag, light rain jacket (just in case), seasick tablets.

Very early this morning (about 6.30am) we head back to Belize City by water taxi (1hr), and travel by bus to the border with Mexico (approx. 4hrs). After crossing the border, we head to the Mexican town of Chetumal where we swap buses and head to Tulum (4hrs). You will make a few stops on the ways, great opportunities to stretch your legs and find some local snacks. Tulum is a beautiful village on the south end of the Rivera Maya that enjoys a deep rooted history in the important culture of the ancient Mayan people. In recent years, Tulum has flourished in trades that stem directly from the skills utilized by the ancestors of the area. It offers the perfect combination of total relaxation, tranquility and seclusion, yet can fill your day with the many interesting and rich activities in the area. Tulum can be separated into 3 areas; Ruins, Town and Beach trip.

This morning you will be met by our local representative and take an easy half-hour drive inland from the coastal city of Tulum, arriving at the Ruins of Coba. Visitors who brave the steep climb up the highest pyramid in Mexico's Maya world reap the reward of a breathtaking vista. At more than 130 feet in height, Nohuch Mul, which means large mound in the Mayan language, is the tallest pyramid at Coba archaeological site and in the Yucatn Peninsula. In the Mayan language Coba means water stirred by wind. The Maya flourished here between 400 and 1100 A.D. One of the largest Maya cities of the Classic period, at its peak the site stretched out over 50 miles and was home to some 50,000 inhabitants. Two small lakes nearby made it a desirable location. Coba was an important trade link between the Caribbean coast and inland cities. A network of ancient roads called sacbe in Maya, which means white road radiates out from Coba. After your visit to Coba, plan to stop at the Gran Cenote on the way back toward Tulum for a refreshing dip in the cool, clear watera welcome reward indeed after the hot climb. So enjoy this Guatemala Second interesting capital.

Before taking the local bus to Playa Del Carmen (1.5hrs), you will have some time to visit the Ruins of Tulum. Mornings are the best and least crowded time to to visit this site. Tulum, meaning wall in Mayan, was an ancient Maya fortress city that rose to power toward the end of the Classic period. The most iconic of its structures, the Castillo, is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the clear turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean. The cliff-top Castillo, with its beachfront location and lush green landscape, is the image most often associated with the Maya Riviera. Youve probably seen the postcards! This ancient walled city was, in its time, a thriving civilization. Originally thought to be called Zama, Mayan for dawn, Tulum was a major crossroads of trade from both land and sea managing trade from Honduras and into the Yucatan. This is evident by the large amount of artifacts from all over Mexico that have been uncovered at this site. Tulum is one of the only fortified Maya sites and is one of the best preserved coastal sites in all of Mexico.

Situated right in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is the regions top destination for shopping, dining and nightlife. Theres plenty to keep you occupied here, plus Playa serves as an ideal base for exploring the rest of the Riviera Maya. Head into town and take a stroll along the pedestrian Fifth Avenue strip, locally known as Quinta Avenida. La Quinta is the place to see and be seen in Playa del Carmen. By day its packed with people browsing the shops and boutiques; by night roving musicians entertain diners in the many restaurants and bars.