Mexiko & Guatemala Highlights

1. Tag: Playa del Carmen

Bienvenidos! Welcome to this beachside playground. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and travel group. If you have time, why not kick off your shoes and walk along one of Playa's beaches. The evening is yours. Full of energy and craving a party? Try one of the many clubs that line the beachfront. Don't despair if you're not a techno-head, you can find a venue for every taste here, from rock and roll to jazz.

Special Information: It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
If you’ve just arrived in Mexico it is possible you will experience lethargy and loss of appetite. This is nothing to be concerned about and is just your body acclimatising to the heat and humidity. Be sure to drink plenty of water and try not to do too much in any one day, you'll soon adjust.

2. Tag: Chichen Itza/Merida

Rise and shine! At 8 am take a private minivan to the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, and on the 3-hour journey you can practice your Spanish and spot charming villages. You’ll have a good couple of hours to explore the remains of Chichen Itza, an ancient city that fuses of religion, architecture and geometry. Then, travel on to the Yucatan capital of Merida for a beguiling dose of old-world charm. After a 2-hour ride, take a brief tour of the town centre and main attractions and then do as you please for the rest of the evening.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport)
Merida - Orientation walk

3. Tag: Merida

Founded in 1542, it still retains much of its old-world charm with a well-preserved Old Town, wonderful museums and city streets alive with art and culture. Hang out in the green and shady Plaza Grande, with the twin-towered 16th century Cathedral on one side and City Hall, State Government Palace and Casa Mantejo on the others. For a taste of Merida's 19th century glory go for a walk along the mansion lined Paseo de Montejo. Mornings are the best time to visit the outdoor markets. It's a great place to try out the local food specialities, like cochinita pibil (barbecue pork) or the head-blowingly spicy El Yucateco hot sauce. 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.

Optional Activities:
Merida - Contemporary Art Museum - MXN65
Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (Entrance and Transport) - MXN1035
Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN810

4. Tag: Palenque

Today we have an early start in order to jump on one of the very comfortable first or second class buses heading to Chiapas. These buses are equipped with bathrooms and TVs, though you may want to spend your journey staring out the window. There's plenty to admire in the landscape of Mexico's South, particularly once you reach the mountainous region of Chiapas. There will also be time for an informal Spanish lesson. Arrive at your hotel in the evening and get some rest for tomorrow—a day full of archaeological wonder.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson

5. Tag: Ruinen von Palenque

Today we will hit the ruins with a local guide in Palenque to give you all the information that you need on the impressive Maya city state, entry fee included. The pyramids and structures that formed this once thriving hub are now swallowed by jungle. Whilst walking amongst the ruins it is often possible to hear the eerie calls of howler monkeys echoing from the jungle, giving an added dimension to this magnificent site.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Palenque - Archaeological site (Guide, Transport & Entrance fee)

6. Tag: San Cristobal de las Casas

After breakfast you'll grab a seat on a bus bound for San Cristobal de las Casas.The roughly 5-hour journey will be broken up with a refreshing dip in the the turquoise waters of the multi-tiered Agua Azul falls. Continue southward to San Cristobal de las Casas and explore this lovely city in a guided tour. With winding cobblestone streets and colonial Spanish architecture, San Cristobal maintains a lovely old-world feel mixed with strong indigenous roots. Maybe make a note of any particular points of interest during your tour, which you can then come back to during your free evening.

Special Information: The local Zapatista movement in the region around Palenque has been quite active in recent years, occasionally holding protests or blocking roads. Our local operations team is constantly monitoring this situation to ensure the safety of our passengers and leaders. In some cases we might need to use an alternative route from Palenque to San Cristobal to avoid this activity - more so to bypass long traffic delays than any real danger.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led city tour
Agua Azul waterfall - Visit with option to swim (Entrance fee)

7. Tag: San Cristobal de las Casas

In nearby San Juan Chamula, you'll find an insular indigenous community where life is heavily informed by a spiritual blend of ancient ritual, animism and Catholicism. Make sure to visit the church, where the floor is covered with pine needles and the air is heavy with incense. Shamans come here to carry out cleansings with firewater, ancient prayer and sometimes chickens. There are also markets with colourful handicrafts for sale. Back in town, why not go for a stroll and try to spot the cafe with the most locals in it for a taste of the traditional 'elote', a corn cob which makes a common snack in the highlands of Chiapas.

Optional Activities:
San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - MXN65
Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (Entrance & Transport) - USD30
San Cristobal de las Casas - Mountain bike tour - MXN600

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Maya village - San Juan Chamula Church (Entrance Fee)
Maya village - Zinacantan church (Entrance fee)

8. Tag: Atitlan See / Panajachel

Now entering Guatemala! From San Cristobal we head down by shuttle bus. It takes about 4 hours to get to the Guatemalan border, just make sure you have your passport ready and the tour leader will give you detailed instructions on what to do once at the border. Continue on to Lake Atitlan, and settle in Panajachel which has a thriving market, good eateries and many water-based activities to enjoy. The surrounding area is dotted with villages which can be reached on foot or by boat. After a leader-led orientation walk, why not pick one and start exploring? In each village the local life has changed little over the last few hundred years. Each village has its own typical dress and make all the textiles themselves in designs passed down through generations.

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Panajachel - Orientation walk

9. Tag: Panajachel

Today is wide open for you to continue exploring this fascinating region of Guatemala. You could go for a swim or hire a kayak, soaking up the sun and the breathtaking mountain views. If you're feeling adventurous, you could jump on the zipline that takes you through lush forest and spits you out over the lake. Just chat to your leader about the various optional activities you can partake in today.

Optional Activities:
Panajachel - Water taxi to Santiago, San Pedro or San Juan (Return) - GTQ40
Panajachel - Kayak rental (per hour) - GTQ45
Panajachel - San Pedro Volcano hike - GTQ400
Panajachel - Bicycle rental (per day) - GTQ55
Panajachel - Zipline - GTQ280

10. Tag: Antigua

The old colonial capital of Guatemala, Antigua remains the cultural centre of the country. Its cobbled streets, local markets, colonial buildings, and indigenous marimba music emanating from the many bars and restaurants create a fantastic atmosphere. After a 4-hour drive, an orientation walk will get you started in the city, then it's up to you. If you're into salsa dancing or you'd like to learn some steps, Antigua is the place to be. Many dancing schools offer hourly lessons that give you the preparation to hit the discos at night and show your moves.

Optional Activities:
Antigua - Pacaya Volcano hike - GTQ85
Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop - GTQ130
Antigua - Bike tour - GTQ210
Antigua - Coffee/Macadamia nut plantation tour - GTQ240
Antigua - Salsa lesson (per hour) - GTQ35

Enthaltene Aktivitäten:
Antigua - Orientation walk

11. Tag: Antigua

The trip ends after breakfast this morning.

Optional Activities:
Guatemala City - Urban Adventures: Holy Guatemole! Food & Market Tour - USD107
Antigua - Urban Adventures: Antigua by the Bean - USD77