Tour Description

This 30-day trip takes you from Mexico City to Antigua, with plenty in between. You’ll work your way through Oaxaca, Chiapas and the Yucatán before crossing into Belize and Guatemala. Think ancient ruins, waterfall swims, mezcal, cenotes, island time on Caye Caulker and a proper jungle hit at Tikal. Then it’s on to Lake Atitlán for a local homestay before finishing in Antigua, all cobbled streets, volcano views and cafe time. Think simple stays, public and private transport and plenty of flexibility to do things your way.

Priced From:

$ 5925pp ^*

From: 2027-01-04

To: 2027-12-13

Start Location: Mexico City, Mexico

End Location: Antigua, Guatemala

Trip Type: In-depth Explorer

Tour Advisors

Beccy Hayes

Travel Specialist

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Mexico City

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)

Welcome to Mexico City! Once you make your way to the hostel, you'll have the rest of the day to settle in, explore the neighbourhood, or take it easy. In the evening, meet your Trip Manager and fellow travellers at the Welcome Meeting.

Mexico City

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)

Kick off with an orientation through Centro, getting a feel for the heart of CDMX. After that, you’ll have time to explore more your way — whether that’s checking out museums and landmarks or making your way to Roma Norte for cafes and a change of pace. Plus, there’s an option to join a gourmet taco tour for lunch, which is a pretty great way to get into Mexico City’s food scene.

Mexico City to Oaxaca

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)

Leave the capital behind this morning and travel south by private transfer, swapping big-city buzz for a slower pace and a new side of Mexico.The rest of the day free to settle in or head out and explore. You might want to wander the historic centre, browse the local markets, or ease into the city with dinner and a mezcal.

Oaxaca

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)

Swap the city for the countryside, and visit a traditional mezcal palenque for an experience rooted in local culture and craft. After learning how it all comes together, you’ll enjoy a tasting and a local lunch before heading back to Oaxaca. There’s the option to experience the world-famous Lucha Libre later tonight.

Oaxaca & Overnight Bus to San Cristobal

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Overnight bus to San Cristóbal

You’ll have a free day to enjoy Oaxaca your way, whether that means market browsing, museum stops, artisan workshops, or just taking it slow in a cafe around the historic centre. Later this evening, we'll jump on public transport for a overnight journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Settle into your seat, grab some snacks for the road, and get some rest as you travel through the mountains into Chiapas.

San Cristobal

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)

You’ll arrive in San Cristóbal early this morning and transfer to the hostel. Then your Trip Manager will show you around and help you get your bearings. After that, the rest of the day will be free to explore, relax, or ease into the city’s mountain-town pace.

San Cristobal

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)

Today's a free day to explore San Cristóbal however you like. Spend the day wandering artisan markets, finding a good cafe, or taking in more of the town’s relaxed pace and local culture. You also have the option to join a Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo experience if you want to get out and see more of the region.

San Cristobal to Palenque via Aqua Azul and Misol-Ha

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Cabañas Kin Balam (or similar)

Time to leave San Cristóbal behind and travel through the Chiapas mountains by private transfer, with some seriously good scenery along the way.First stop? Agua Azul, where you’ll have time to walk the trails, take in the turquoise cascades, and cool off with a swim.Next up is Misol-Ha, a dramatic waterfall surrounded by lush jungle, with time to explore and enjoy the setting before continuing on.By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Palenque. With a pool and proper jungle surroundings, it’s a pretty ideal place to relax for the evening.

Palenque & Overnight Bus to Merida via Roberto Barrios Waterfalls

Day 9

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Overnight Bus to Merida

This morning, head out on a guided tour of the Palenque ruins, one of the most impressive Maya sites in Mexico, set deep in the jungle.Later, you’ll visit Roberto Barrios, where turquoise pools and waterfalls make for a solid change of pace. There’ll be time to swim, relax, or just enjoy the setting before heading back.In the evening, board your overnight bus to Mérida. Grab dinner and snacks before you go, then settle in for the journey across to the Yucatán.

Merida

Day 10

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che Hostel Merida (Or Similar)

Arrive in Merida early this morning and transfer to the hostel, where you can freshen up before heading out for breakfast. Once you’ve settled in, your Trip Manager will give you an orientation of the town. Then you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Join a Yucatán home cooking experience with local hosts if you’re keen to get straight into the local food scene.

Merida to Valladolid via Chichen Itza and Cenote Ik Kil

Day 11

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che Valladolid Hostel (Or Similar)

Leave Merida behind this morning and head out by private transfer towards Chichen Itza - one of Mexico’s most famous landmarks.Explore this ancient site on a guided tour and get a closer look at the history, architecture, and stories behind this ancient Maya city.Afterwards, you’ll stop at Cenote Ik Kil for a quick cool off and swim in one of the region’s best-known natural sinkholes.Later on, continue to Valladolid and check in on arrival. Once you’ve settled in, the rest of the day will be free to relax or head out and explore this smaller colonial town.

Valladolid to Tulum

Day 12

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Enjoy a day in Valladolid. Optionally, join a full-day trip to Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas if you want to see more of this side of the Yucatán.Later in the afternoon, you’ll collect your bags and take the public bus to Tulum. Once you arrive and check in, the evening will be free for dinner and a first taste of this laid-back Caribbean stop.

Tulum

Day 13

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

You’ll have a full free day to enjoy Tulum however you like. Head for the beach, visit the cliffside ruins, check out a cenote, or just take it slow around town with cafes, shops, and plenty of time to do your own thing.

Tulum

Day 14

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Another free day to enjoy Tulum your way, whether that means more beach time, a last cenote stop, or just taking it easy around town.

Tulum to Bacalar

Day 15

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero Bacalar Hostel (Or Similar)

Time to lave Tulum behind this morning and catch the local bus south to Bacalar, heading from the coast to one of the Yucatán’s most laid-back lagoon towns.Once you arrive, the rest of the day is free to settle in and explore. You could relax by the lagoon, wander through town, or head to Los Rápidos if you’re up for an easy afternoon out.

Bacalar

Day 16

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero Bacalar Hostel (Or Similar)

Today, you'll head out onto the Lagoon of Seven Colours for a private catamaran experience, with time to take in Bacalar from the water and see some of its best-known spots along the way. Depending on conditions, we'll stop by places like Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, Isla de los Pájaros, and the Canal de los Piratas. After the sail, the rest of the afternoon is free.

Bacalar to Caye Caulker via Chetumal and San Pedro

Day 17

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Tropical Paradise Express Hostel (Or Similar)

Time to head towards Chetumal by private transfer, making our way towards Belize and the next part of the trip.From here, you’ll board the ferry bound for Caye Caulker as we set off across the Caribbean.On arrival in San Pedro, you'll briefly disembark to clear Belize immigration and customs before continuing on.Once you arrive in Caye Caulker, it’ll be a short walk to your accommodation. After check-in, the rest of the day will be free to settle in, explore the island, or ease straight into its laid-back pace.

Caye Caulker

Day 18

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Tropical Paradise Express Hostel (Or Similar)

You’ll have a full free day to enjoy Caye Caulker however you like. Plus, there's the option to join a snorkelling and island adventure if you want to make the most of Belize’s clear waters.

Caye Caulker

Day 19

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Tropical Paradise Express Hostel (Or Similar)

Yep, another free day to enjoy island life at your own pace. You could head out on a paddleboard, spend time by the water at The Split, or just lean into the slow pace and make the most of your final time here.

Caye Caulker to San Ignacio via Belize City

Day 20

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel (Or Similar)

This morning, walk to the ferry terminal and say goodbye to island life as you make your way back to the mainland.Once you arrive in Belize City, a private transfer will be waiting to take you inland towards your next stop.After checking in, the rest of the day will be free to settle in and explore. With its local markets, cafes, and laid-back feel, San Ignacio is a good place to ease into this next part of Belize.

San Ignacio

Day 21

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel (Or Similar)

A full free day to enjoy San Ignacio your way. You can keep it relaxed with time around town, the local market, or a riverside cafe, or go bigger with the option to join either the ATM Cave expedition or a cave tubing experience. With an early start coming up tomorrow, today works well as a choose-your-own-pace kind of day.

San Ignacio to Flores via Tikal National Park

Day 22

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Los Amigos Hostel (Or Similar)

Time to leave San Ignacio this morning and cross the border into Guatemala by private shuttle, heading for one of the region’s biggest highlights.Once you arrive, we'll explore Tikal on a guided tour, with its towering temples, ancient plazas, and jungle setting.Later, continue on to Flores and check in on arrival. The evening is all yours to relax, head out for dinner, or enjoy the lakeside setting.

Flores to Lanquin

Day 23

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hostal Portal de Champey (Or Similar)

You’ll leave Flores behind today and travel by private shuttle towards Lanquín, passing through rural landscapes and mountain scenery along the way.This will be one of the longer travel days on the trip, so expect most of the day to be spent on the road. Once you arrive, you’ll check in and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax by the river or settle into the jungle surroundings.

Lanquin

Day 24

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hostal Portal de Champey (Or Similar)

Enjoy Lanquín at your own pace today. Take it slow by the river, relax at the accommodation, or make the most of the jungle setting. There’ll also be the option to join a full-day trip to Semuc Champey and the K’an Ba Caves if you’re up for something more adventurous.

Lanquín to Lake Atitlán

Day 25

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Dreamboat Hostel (Or Similar)

You’ll leave Lanquín this morning and travel by private shuttle towards Lake Atitlán, with mountain roads and highland scenery the whole way.This will be another longer travel day, but the views on arrival will make it worth it. Once you’ve checked in at Panajachel, the rest of the evening will be free to relax, head out for a walk, or take in your first look at the lake and volcanoes.

Lake Atitlan to San Jorge La Laguna

Day 26

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Maya Homestay (Or Similar)

You’ll have a free morning in Panajachel to make the most of the lake before moving on. Take a walk by the water, browse the local markets, or just enjoy the views and a slower start to the day.Later, head to a nearby Maya village for an overnight homestay with a local Kaqchikel family. Dinner's with a local Kaqchikel family, where you'll get genuine insight into daily life and community traditions.

San Jorge La Laguna to Antigua via Lake Atitlán

Day 27

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Start the day with breakfast with your host family and a relaxed morning in the village.Later, you’ll head back towards Panajachel, with the option to join a cultural boat tour visiting Maya communities around the lake. In the late afternoon, continue by shuttle to Antigua, arriving in the early evening. After check-in, the rest of the night will be free to settle in and head out for dinner.

Antigua

Day 28

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Explore Antigua your way today. Wander the cobbled streets, check out churches and plazas, shop for local crafts, or find a cafe with a volcano view. There’ll also be the option to join a Pacaya hike, an Antigua bike ride and plantation visit, or the Acatenango overnight hike if you’re up for something bigger.

Antigua

Day 29

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Another free day in Antigua. Keep exploring the city, take it slow in a cafe, or join an optional visit to the Native Chocolate Museum for a closer look at one of Guatemala’s best-known local flavours.

Antigua

Day 30

Duration: 1

And just like that, 30 epic days of non-stop Central America's colours, culture and chaos has officially come to an end.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2027-01-04

End Date: 2027-02-02

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