Colorful Mayan Discovery

TOUR ITINERARY

my_location Day 1 CANCUN

WELCOME TO CANCUN! You will be picked up at the Airport and transfer to your Hotel in Cancun, located 30kms from the country’s 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.

my_location Day 2: PLAYA DEL CARMEN(FREE DAY)

FSituated right in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is the region’s top destination for shopping, dining and nightlife. There’s 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 it’s packed with people browsing the shops and boutiques; by night roving musicians entertain diners in the many restaurants and bars. .

my_location Day 3: PLAYA DEL CARMEN – TULUM

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. You’ve 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.

my_location DAY 4: TULUM – FREE BEACH

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 Yucatán 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 water—a welcome reward indeed after the hot climb.
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my_location Day 5: TULUM – CHETUMAL – CAYE CAULKER.

we head to the Mexican town of Tulum where we swap buses and head to Chetumal (4hrs). You will make a few stops on the ways, great opportunities to stretch your legs and find some local snacks, once arrive Chetumal you go at the ferry of Chetumal to take a boat to Caye Cualker (2hours)

my_location Day 6: CAYE CAULKER – FREEE DAY

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.

my_locationDAY 7: CAYE CAULKER – BELIZE CITY – SAN IGNACIO

Today you can depart at any time of the day. The transfer to San Ignacio from 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.

my_location Day 8: SAN IGNACIO – ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL – SAN IGNACIO

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.

my_location Day 9 – 10: SAN IGNACIO – FLORES ISLAND

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.

my_location Day 11 FLORES ISLAND – TIKAL TEMPLES – FLORES

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.

my_location Day 12 FLORES ISLAND – LANQUIN VILLAGE

This morning you will be met by our local representative at Meetint point to take you by shared van for 15 passenger to travel to Lanquin center, by the the beautiful way you riding for 6 hours, you see the colorful green jungle along the roads, you also you will have nice stop for travellers neccesities.
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my_location Day 13 LANQUIN VILLAGE – SEMUC CHAMPEY – LANQUIN.

At this morning you will walk to the Meeting point, and you will take a local turistic truck and travel to Semuc champey as great crystal natural cascades, before you will see and dive to Kanba cave and later you go back to Lanquin, this day adventure will ride for 6 hours.

my_location Day 14 LANQUIN VILLAGE – ANTIGUA

Situated right in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is the region’s top destination for shopping, dining and nightlife. There’s 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 it’s packed with people browsing the shops and boutiques; by night roving musicians entertain diners in the many restaurants and bars.

my_location Day 15 ANTIGUA – PACAYA TREK

Today we will take a local bus heading towards the ruins of Chichen Itza (approx. 4.5 hours). This bus cruises through little villages allowing to see the Mexican Maya. We have around 2-3 hours to spend at the ruins before we travel onwards. One of the most impressive Maya sites, Chichen Itza, meaning (‘at the mouth of the well of the Itza’) is an amalgam of an older Maya city and newer Toltec settlement. The towering Castillo pyramid, which is fraught with cosmological symbolism dominates the site along with the largest ball court where games used to be held. The games are depicted in carvings on the walls. After the visit we travel on to Merida (approx. 2 hours) where we will spend the night.

my_location Day 16 ANTIGUA – GUATEMALA CITY.

Merida, nicknamed, La Ciudad Blanca (The White City) from the predominance of white limestone that was used as a building material, is the capital and largest city in Yucatan State and the cultural and financial capital of the region is considered the crossroads of the region and one of the most important places to experience the yucateco life. It’s a modern, cosmopolitan city with museums, art galleries, restaurants, shops and boutiques. Founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo “el Mozo” (the son), and built on the site of the ancient Maya city T’ho, meaning “city of five hills.” T’ho was the center of Mayan culture and activity in the Yucatan region. After the arrival of the Spanish, the ancient city’s five main pyramids were destroyed and their ruins used in the construction of Merida’s cathedral and other important buildings. Merida was built as a walled city and several of the old Spanish city gates remain. Merida is also the gateway to the Maya ruins of Uxmal and there is an opportunity to visit these impressive ruins. Little is known about the site’s origins but it is thought the city was founded around AD500. Much of the site is decorated with masks of the rain god Chac. This is no great surprise as the area has a lack of natural water supplies and the city relied on rain water. Our local partner will meet you at the reception and take you to explore the national archeological site of Uxmal and Kabah. Uxmal and Kabah Ruins guided tour