Compare Mayan Sun Southbound: Boat Rides & Ruins by G Adventures vs Grand tour of Guatemala by Audley Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 16 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 1,162 | $ 5,761 |
| Price Per Day | $ 73 | $ 443 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | 2 lunches, 1 dinner | N/A |
| Description |
Find your paradise somewhere between the blazing Mexican sun and the cool Guatemalan highlands on this 16-day odyssey. Wander Antigua’s cobblestone streets and its local markets before experiencing the diverse beauty of Lake Atitlán and its Indigenous villages. Geared to the adventurer wanting to capture some of Central America's finest highlights, this trip will ensure that you really pack some punch into those postcards home. |
Holidays in Guatemala can feel more intrepid than journeys to other parts of Central America. In reality, our specialists will tell you that Guatemala is a safe, compact country to explore. Pockets of it - such as the mountain communities of the Western Highlands - have changed little in centuries. While we can suggest a tried-and-tested circuit for your Guatemala holiday, you might also like to explore less trodden destinations such as the Rio Dulce and Livingston, where Carib-influenced Garifuna culture beats to the sound of African-inspired drumming. |
Day 1 Playa del Carmen
Arrive at any time. Head out tonight with your fellow travellers to 12th Street, where there’s tons of bars and clubs to choose from. Say cheers to new adventures with new friends!
Check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
Shuttles and buses from the Cancún airport are easy to find and reasonably priced. You can also take the public ADO bus that has departures every 30 minutes from the airport to Playa Del Carmen for approximately MX 176 ($10 USD).
Day 2 Playa del Carmen
Enjoy free time to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm or take a ferry to nearby Cozumel. Or just play in the waves and enjoy the beach.
Start your holiday off with some hardcore relaxation. Enjoy a full day of free time to fill as you wish. Get your ruin on with a visit to Tulum perched atop the sea, explore the fish- and coral-filled seas around Cozumel on a scuba dive, go swimming in a cenote or at the beach, and save some energy for a night out on the town.
Day 3 Playa del Carmen/Caye Caulker
Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.
Mention Belize and you may conjure up visions of unbelievably clear blue waters, diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef and remarkable marine life. Belize also boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easygoing people. Belize is all this and much more!
Day 4 Caye Caulker
Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.
Day 5 Caye Caulker
Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.
Day 6 Caye Caulker/San Ignacio
Travel by boat and bus from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio. Enjoy an included pottery demonstration and local lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative.
From the town of San Ignacio, opportunities abound for exploring Belize’s little known inland scenic beauty. With free time here, choose to explore the area by foot, canoe or horse, take a caving trip, or visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and swim in its inviting pools and rivers.
Day 7 San Ignacio
Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
Day 8 San Ignacio/Flores
Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of the ruins of Tikal.
Cross the border into Guatemala and you immediately notice the difference in culture, with its heavy Mayan influence and Spanish language. Here we have entered Guatemala’s northeast jungle Petén region. The descendants of the Maya of Chichén Itzá migrated to the Petén area several centuries after the collapse of the great Mayan cities in the Yucatán. En route to Flores, stop for a guided tour of the ancient city of Tikal. Arrive in Flores, the capital of the department of Petén, a small island located on the second largest lake of Guatemala, Lake Petén Itzá.
Day 9 Flores/Rio Dulce
Travel across the country towards the coast to Rio Dulce, on the shores of Lake Izabal.
A travel day from Flores to Rio Dulce which is located in the department of Izabal, home of the largest lake in Guatemala, Lake Izabal was one of the most important water ways of the Spanish crown during colonial times. We take the road past areas of dense jungle and arrive at Río Dulce, a small town on Lake Izabal and a port stop for boaters around the globe, on their way to/from Livingston and the Caribbean coast.
Day 10 Rio Dulce
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.
Day 11 Rio Dulce/Antigua Guatemala
Enjoy an orientation walk of Antigua's cobblestone streets, then opt to take a salsa lesson and practice new moves out at night.
Today is a travel day from Rio Dulce to Antigua, followed by an orientation walk once you arrive. Plan your activities for the next day and enjoy some of the nightlife this beautiful colonial city has to offer.
Day 12 Antigua Guatemala
Enjoy a free day in Antigua. Opt to relax with a massage, climb a volcano, soak up the culture in one of the city's many cafés, or explore the nearby hills and towns by bike.
Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 13 Antigua Guatemala/Panajachel
Travel to beautiful Lake Atitlán and enjoy the views.
Travel through the hills and fertile fields of the Guatemalan highlands to the shores of Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue/grey mountains and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual natural beauty and traditional culture. The area is also ideal for outdoor pursuits like swimming, fishing, wind surfing, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, and horseback riding.
Note: Please dress conservatively when visiting the villages and refrain from photographing religious ceremonies, or individuals who do not wish to be photographed.
Day 14 Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna
Embark on a boat ride across the lake before participating in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings at the lake's markets.
Day 15 San Juan La Laguna/Antigua Guatemala
Return to Antigua, and enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
We return to Antigua to spend more time to explore the city, shop, and check out optional activities in the area. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills or taking a salsa lesson.
Day 16 Antigua Guatemala
Depart at any time.
Please note that Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying out from the Caribbean island nation of Antigua; it's nowhere near the finish point of this tour!
Day 1 : Antigua
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Guatemala City. Arrive in Guatemala City today where you will be met and driven to the historic capital of Antigua in private vehicle.
Day 2 : Antigua
Today you will have a half day walking tour of beautiful colonial Antigua to get your bearings and visit the many pretty squares and churches.
Day 3 : Antigua
Free day to further explore Antigua at your own leisure or perhaps go on a chocolate making tour, visit a coffee plantation or try a volcano hike.
Day 4 : Lake Atitlan
This morning you will be transferred Lake Atitlan via a colourful indigenous market - gain a fascinating insight into community life as locals barter for their weekly shop.
Day 5 : Lake Atitlan
Today you will take to the waters of Lake Atitlan with your private guide, visiting some of the communities dotted around the lake shores.
Day 6 : Quetzaltenango
Drive from Lake Atitlan through spectacular scenery and traditional villages until you reach Quetzaltenango, in the heart of the highlands.
Day 7 : Antigua
Depart early this morning to reach the authentic San Francisco El Alto animal market, held once a week where locals buy and sell livestock of all kinds. After time exploring continue on to Antigua for the night.
Day 8 : Lanquin
This morning take the long journey between Antigua and Lanquin, passing cloud forests and lush jungle. After a stop at the Biotopo del Quetzal reserve, home to a variety of birds, you will continue on to Lanquin.
Day 9 : Lanquin
Full day private guided tour to the beautiful pools at Semuc Champey and nearby caves.
Day 10 : El Petén
Depart Lanquin this morning for the drive to Flores, gateway city to Tikal.
Day 11 : El Petén
Today you will take a private tour of Tikal. This really is one of the most outstanding places you can visit in Central America - dramatic Mayan ruins towering in the jungle with monkeys and toucans in the trees above you!
Day 12 : International return flight
Transfer back to Flores for your domestic flight to Guatemala City, and onward international connection.
Day 13 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
