Central America Intro

Hola and welcome to Mexico! Landing in Cancun, we'll meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Playa del Carmen. Meet up with your travel crew for dinner and get excited for the adventures to come.

Getting into explorer mode, today we head to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - Chichén Itzá. A local guide will introduce us to the myths and majesty of these iconic ruins, including Temple of Kukulkan (‘El Castillo'), the Platform of the Skulls, and the Plaza of a Thousand Columns.

Later, we'll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the crystal waters of a stunning cenote, a natural limestone swimming hole in a secret subterranean world. *You'll likely join forces with our Viva Mexico group for a few days.

Fiesta, siesta, today we do it all! Hitting the road this morning, we're off to Tulum. We'll have the option to marvel in the archeological Tulum ruins, or chill in the bluer-than-blue waters of Tulum beach. Back in Playa there's time to get ready before dinner. Let's smash some avocado, down a tequila shot (or more), get a little loco!

Hop on the bus as we embark on our adventure south along the Yucatán Peninsula to truly begin this epic trip. Our first destination, Bacalar, is renowned for its stunning, vibrant blue lagoon. Once we check in, we'll experience the lagoon in the best way possible—on a boat ride. As the boat glides across the lagoon, you'll have the chance to cool off in the crystal-clear waters and maybe even raise a beer in celebration.

Our journey continues south today as we cross the border to our next country of the trip – Belize! Belize has the second-largest barrier reef in the world, so we are heading straight to the sea on a short ferry to Caye Caulker. A small, walkable island, our hotel is less than a minute from the beach, so drop your bags and get straight out to the white sand. We will meet for sunset on the other side of the island, where the friendly local stingrays come up and literally swim between you.

Get your snorkels ready as we hop on a boat bound for the breathtaking Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to an incredible variety of marine life. We'll make stops along the barrier reef, offering plenty of opportunities to spot colourful fish and vibrant corals. Our final stop brings the chance to encounter the gentle "sea cows," better known as manatees (seasonal). For dinner, we’ll indulge in some irresistible Caribbean cuisine. Imagine the freshest fish you’ve ever tasted, topped with a mouthwatering Caribbean curry sauce. Alright, now I’m getting hungry!

Today is yours to explore at your own pace, so you'll probably want to head to a beautiful beach or the famous ‘Split', a natural divide created by a hurricane and the perfect spot to swim as reggae tunes play in the distance. Caye Caulker embodies the essence of Caribbean relaxation, so whether you're eager to lounge in a hammock, sip a rum punch, go paddleboarding or explore the rich underwater world some more, we will make sure you make the most of it.

Departing the sandy shores, we're leaving behind Belize's Caribbean vibes for something different. As the terrain shifts, we pass small towns and charming roadside stands selling local goods.

For lunch, we'll stop in a Mayan village, a place that embodies an ancient culture that is truly a world away from our island experience. Greeted with warm smiles, together we learn how to cook a Mayan feast the traditional way, gaining insight into the Mayan heritage that still thrives here. Bellies full, we will cross the border to Guatemala and check into our hotel on the tiny island of Flores.

Get your Indiana Jones impression ready as we turn the clocks back thousands of years. Hidden deep in the northern jungles of Guatemala, the sprawling archaeological site of Tikal stands as a testament to the grandeur of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. The air – thick with humidity – adds to the mystery of the giant ceremonial Lost World (Mundo Perdido) Pyramid and the Temple of the Grand Jaguar as we explore the complex with local guides.

Guatemala takes up a big chunk of Central America, so today we cover some distance as we travel south to the highlands. The good news is we will break up the journey with a tour of the epic Candelaria Caves – an 80km long cave system with significance to the Mayan Culture. It's believed to be the entrance to the underworld, but you can make up your own mind! Back under the sun, we continue to Cobán, a colourful city set amongst the mountains of central Guatemala.

This morning, a fleet of 4X4s will whisk us away on a genuine adventure into the highlands. Hold on tight as we navigate the winding mountain roads, offering breathtaking views on both sides. As we journey through these rugged landscapes, we’re on the lookout for something truly special. But the adventure doesn’t end there—we’ll need to hike the final stretch into the jungle. There, we’ll discover a stunning bright blue river flowing through the mountains, cascading down the valley and creating a series of beautiful pools edged with vibrant, light green algae.

We’ll have a couple of hours to float in these refreshing pools, basking in the sun and leisurely drifting down the river in rubber rings. We’ll then arrive at an authentic Mayan home for a traditional, mouthwatering lunch! Can you imagine a better way to spend your afternoon?

Today our journey continues south through the highlands, stopping at the bright town of Chichicastenango. This town is a hub of Indigenous Maya traditions, and if we're lucky we can experience its famous local markets, one of the largest in Central America.

Later we'll arrive in Panajachel, our overnight stay right on the shores of Lake Atitlán. With the sound of lapping water and towering volcanoes on the skyline, you'll want to pinch yourself. This is quintessential Central America.

The quickest way to travel across Lake Atitlán is via boat, so doing as the locals do we're hopping on a boat to absorb the panoramic views and head to San Marco's. Known for being a little hippy – and extremely zen – the water entices us in for a swim.

Our next stop is San Juan, home for the night, where we're staying at an authentic homestay with a Mayan family in smaller groups to really get to know how the locals live. Despite the language barrier, our hosts will greet us with warm smiles and open hearts. Over dinner we can trade phrases, learning some Mayan along with the more widely spoken Spanish. At the very least, laughter is universal!

It's an early start, but trust us, this one is worth getting up for. Starting in pre-dawn darkness, we're hiking under the moonlight to reach the summit of Mayan Face Mountain, known for its unique profile resembling a Mayan Face. Just as we reach the top, the sun creeps over the horizon, revealing the beauty of Lake Atitlán from above. Our local guides will provide hot cocoa as we bask in the view, feeling a sense of accomplishment from the hike. Back down, we'll share breakfast with the local families before we say goodbye and head towards Antigua.

Today, gear up for the adventure of a lifetime. Those volcanoes we've been viewing from afar? Today we're climbing one, and while it won't be easy, the exhilarating experience will be incredibly rewarding for those willing to push their limits. Over several hours we ascend through lush forests into rocky terrain, and when the hike gets steep our local guide will keep us entertained by sharing insights about the region.

As the sun sets low and the air gets thin, we reach basecamp near the summit above the clouds, setting up for an epic evening. Night falls, the sky fills with stars, and the active Volcan Fuego – AKA Fire Volcano – mesmerises us as lava bursts from the crater. You won't be able to keep your eyes off it.

Please Note: The Acatenango overnight volcano hike is quite challenging, taking up to 7 hours to ascend, and requires a reasonably good level of fitness. The trek involves steep sections and rugged terrain, which can be demanding at high elevations. You will need some warm layers, decent trainers or hiking boots and travel insurance that covers hikes up to 4000m. The volcano hike is EPIC, however you can choose not to do it, if so we will provide you alternative accommodation and a just-as-epic traditional chocolate making experience in Antigua. For more info on the hike and alternatives please ask your travel advisor.

An early start and steep final climb to the summit rewards us with breathtaking views of Volcan Fuego, the Antigua Valley and Guatemalan highlands stretching to Mexico. Feeling (literally) on top of the world, we'll take in the 360 views and then start our descent to Antigua. Whatever goes up, must come down, after all. Back in town, there's time to freshen up and explore the streets of Antigua, plus any sights you may have missed before. Finally, it's time to dress up as we will have our final dinner and drinks together.

Time to say adios to our Central America dream as our trip comes to an end. You can either check out and journey home, stay on longer in Antigua or continue your travels in Central America with our help.