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Mayan Encounter

12 Days
From CAD $1,574 Was CAD $2,099

Best Rate
Guarantee

Trip Type
Small Group

Activity Level
Light

Rating

(20 reviews)

Experience Overview

Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Shop for treasures along colonial Antigua's cobblestone streets and get to know the locals from communities where life sometimes moves at a reggae pace. Explore the ruins of Tikal, snorkel with stingrays, lounge in gorgeous Caye Caulker, and finish up in bustling Playa del Carmen. With accommodation and transport arranged by a Chief Experience Officer, this trip offers the perfect way to discover this region’s unique vibe.

Highlights

Listen to howler monkeys from the top of Temple IV at Tikal
Revel in Caye Caulker sunsets
Sway to reggae beats wafting through the Belizean air
Wander the colonial streets of Antigua

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Trip Details

Product Code: 1772

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Budget

Transport: Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Classic

Supplier Code: CGME

Starts: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Finishes: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Duration: 12 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical rating: Light

Includes

Activities

Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar", Lívingston Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program, Playa del Carmen Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen
Scenic boat ride to Livingston
Tikal guided tour
Free time in San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and Playa del Carmen
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels (10 nts), jungle lodge (1 nt).

1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.

Group Leader

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1574 (CAD $131 /day)

Itinerary

Day 1: Antigua Guatemala

Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Hotel Bucaros Express

Day 2: Antigua to Rio Dulce

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle during this long travel day.Free_time - Enjoy free time to explore the town.Accommodation - Hacienda Tijax

Day 3: Rio Dulce/Flores

Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy a visit to the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project here. Then, walk around the grounds before a sit-down lunch of delicious local flavours. Continue on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.

Meals included: Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Take a boat down the Rio Dulce toward the Caribbean Sea passing through El Golfete and El Canyon before arriving to Livingston. Float past mangroves and lily pads and the Boquerón Canyon, where a sheer limestone cliff rises 122m (400 ft) out of the river, covered in vines, trees and moss. Arrive at the small fishing village of Livingston known for its unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna population, with their unique art, music and delicious coconut seafood soup, “tapado”.Activity - El Manglar Restaurant in Guatemala is a women-led community tourism initiative founded by the Cayo Quemado Women's Committee with the aim of creating new job opportunities within the community. During your visit you will begin with a welcome given by the women of the committee and receive a brief introduction to the workshop. Then, there will be a short walk around the property, including a full explanation of the project, it's impact, and culture before you all sit down for lunch at the restaurant. Every traveler that visits Cayo Quemado has a direct impact on their community.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Petén

Day 4: Flores

Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Enjoy the ride out to Tikal and return the same way in the afternoon (1-1.5 hrs one way).Activity - Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.Free_time - Explore the area anyway you like.Accommodation - Hotel Petén

Day 5: Flores/San Ignacio

Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Head out to start exploring this fun town. There's a full free day tomorrow for anything you can't get to this afternoon.Accommodation - Midas Resort

Day 6: San Ignacio

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a full day to head out and explore.Accommodation - Midas Resort

Day 7: San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise.
Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Transport - Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.Activity - Take a leisurely bike tour around Caye Caulker with a guide from the G Adventures for Good supported Bike with Purpose project. See the island through the eyes of a local on this two-hour tour, and live the island's motto of 'Go Slow'. Feel the island breeze in you hair while knowing you're supporting a program that helps youth from Caye Caulker build skills for tourism jobs upon graduation from high school.Accommodation - Enjoy Hotel

Day 8: Caye Caulker

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.Accommodation - Enjoy Hotel

Day 9: Caye Caulker

Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.Accommodation - Enjoy Hotel

Day 10: Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen

Say farewell to Belize, and travel by boat and private vehicle from Caye Caulker to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Jump in and cross the water to the next stop.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.Accommodation - Hotel Nautilus

Day 11: Playa del Carmen

Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Do as much or as little as you want.Activity - El Hongo (which means 'The Mushroom') is a volunteer-run restaurant started as a means to create income to support a youth art program in the 'real' Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Across the highway from the commercial beach strip is where most locals live – cross onto the unpaved roads and enjoy a delicious home-style meal at the restaurant, while learning more about this much-needed program for the community.Accommodation - Hotel Nautilus

Day 12: Playa del Carmen

Depart at any time.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

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Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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Reviews

Sara R - Traveled, December 2023

Is I good way to travel if you don't have time and energy to plan everything by yourself. And you feel very safe on the tour. The minus is that you don't know what type of people the rest of the group is, and what age.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023

Yael B - Traveled, December 2022

Great prices, itineraries and small groups

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2022

Ville V - Traveled, December 2023

I have done two tours with G Adventures and both have been excellent experiences. I would definitely recommend G Adventures to my family members and friends. However, group traveling in general is probably not 100 % suitable for everyone, which is why I didn't give 10/10.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023

Lubaba I - Traveled, December 2023

Way too much time spent in buses and very little time actually spent in the locations we visited. There were times when our CEO did not have control of the group, schedule and his temper.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023

Synne L - Traveled, December 2023

I loved the places, But too much travelling and being on a bus for my liking

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/31/2023

Amanda A - Traveled, November 2023

The tour was an excellent pace and geared towards the style of travel we enjoy most. Safe, interesting and off the beaten path.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023

Neha T - Traveled, November 2023

The trip was not planned well, it wasn't inclusive beating in mind non Americans and it was discriminatory against vegetarians. Horrible experience

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023

Megan E - Traveled, November 2023

I've already recommended it several times! This was my second time joining a G tour and I have to say they',re well organized, well thought out in terms of how long we stay somewhere, what the optional activities are vs. those built into the program, and how we get from place to place most efficiently. The tour leader I had on the Mayan Experience (shout-out to Salvador!) was wonderful - he was knowledgeable, kind, funny, and had an incredibly calm demeanour - he did everything he could to ensure we had a good experience, and he delivered.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023

Julia H - Traveled, November 2023

it's an amazing way to travel that takes the guesswork out of seeing local culture, and it makes the most of your time without wearing you out.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023

Stephan A - Traveled, November 2023

Excellent itinerary, full of culture and history!

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023

Shannon M - Traveled, November 2023

I felt safe with my group and received so much information it was great!

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/24/2023

Alma O - Traveled, November 2023

Activities were great, tour guide was excellent, good travel group.