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.

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!

We leave the busyness of Playa behind this morning, so jump on our bus as we travel south to the Yucatán Peninsula. We'll make the most of Bacalar – also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours – with a sunset boat trip. Gliding across the water, shades of turquoise ripple below us, and what better way to cool off than by jumping straight in? As the sun goes down, the sky's warm hues reflect on the lagoon's surface – so grab a local beer and cheers to a day in paradise.

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 at the ready as we jump on a boat out to the incredible Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to a vast array of marine life. At each stop, plunge into the warm water to reveal a kaleidoscope of colours: fish dart around you, coral reefs teem with life, and rays glide calmy below. At our last stop, keep your fingers crossed as there is a chance to see what the locals endearingly call sea cows – otherwise known as manatees. For dinner, find a local eatery serving up fresh seafood, drizzled with taste-bud-tingling Caribbean curry sauce. Okay, now we're 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.

Our 4X4s are ready to take us on an adventure into the highlands this morning. Hold on tight as we travel up into the mountains, with jaw-dropping views all around us. But the adventure is not over, as we need to take the final section by foot, hiking deeper into the jungle. Emerging from the trees we'll find what we've been looking for – a bright blue river carved into the mountain, cascading down the valley, leaving beautiful pools bordered with vibrant, light green algae. The whole day is ours to bath in the refreshing pools!

Then, we'll take the fun to the next level and drift down the river in rubber rings. We'll then arrive at an authentic Mayan home for a traditional, mouthwatering lunch. What a day!

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 enjoy some well-deserved free time to explore the colonial town of Antigua, a favourite for tourists and locals alike. Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at a cozy café, savouring freshly brewed Guatemalan coffee and huevos rancheros, before strolling through the parks, churches and markets. In Antigua, there's a photo opportunity at every turn.

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.

*See the Trip Notes section below for important info on the volcano hike & alternate activities.

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.