Guatemala Travel & Tours | Rio Dulce & Tikal Guatemala

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Tour Overview

Three very different countries provide pulsating cosmopolitan cities, incredible jungle vistas, Caribbean beaches and perhaps the finest array of Mayan ruins. Dance the night away to a mariachi beat, try tamales washed down with Mezcal, follow jungle trails to towering Mayan ruins and walk streets paved in history on this Central American odyssey.

• > Visit Guatemala, Belize and Mexico
• > Walking tours in Oaxaca, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mérida, Playa del Carmen, Caye Caulker, Rio Dulce
• > Entrance into Palenque, guided excursion to Chichen Itza, Tikal
• > Sparkling Caribbean Sea and sprawling jungle
• > Agua Azul waterfalls
• > Shop until you drop in colourful markets
• > Return water taxis to Caye Caulker
• > Informal Spanish language sessions with tour leader
• > Visit UNESCO world heritage sites

• > Tour leader: Services of a professional bilingual tour leader and local guides
• > Transport: All transport by BOLT (Buses or Local Transport)
• > Accommodation: All 17 nights included (10 x twin, 5 x twin/triple & 2 sleeper coaches)
• > Wi-Fi: The majority of hotels/hostels have Wi-Fi available in rooms or common space.
• > Group size: 18 maximum

Our BOLT tours (Buses Or Local Transport) offer the same great TrekAmerica experience, but using the most appropriate and affordable style of travel for the countries we visit. You'll stay in a mix of hotels and hostels, with most nights on a twin or triple share basis. Buses, collectivos, taxis, ferries and overnight buses get you from A to B, so you get to see the best that these awesome countries have to offer whilst travelling the same way the locals do, with the help and security of your local tour leader.

• Various optional activities are available with a selection of the most popular listed below. All activities are arranged and paid locally with your tour leader. Please see the day by day itinerary for a full list of activities available each day.


• > Mexico City local tours US$14
• > Teotihuacan Pyramids US$28
• > Oaxaca archeological sites and tours US$25 each
• > Oaxaca city tour (3.5hrs) US$25
• > Sumidero Canyon boat tour (5hrs) US$24
• > Horseback riding US$15
• > Rancho Nuevo Cave & Chiflon Waterfalls (11hrs) US$25
• > Coba Ruins with cenote US$75
• > Cenotes and natural water parks US$109-$159
• > Ragamuffin boat snorkelling tour US$45
• > Caye Caulker crocodile cruise US$22
• > Kayaking US$10-15 per hour
• > La Finca hot springs US$35

Please note the closest airport to Antigua is Guatemala City. Please ensure you choose the correct airport name if booking your own flights.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Local Payments:
Some meals included as per the itinerary with all other meals paid individually in local restaurants.

Budget approximately US$48 for border-crossing fees (additional fees may apply for air departures).

Mexico combined entry & exit fee US$25 (Keep proof of payment)
Guatemala exit fee US$3
Belize exit fee US$20

Fees are subject to change. Please consult local embassies to confirm exact costs.

Important: You will need adequate travel insurance to join this trip. Download our insurance tips pdf for more information.

• Day: 1-2 Antigua & Rio Dulce, Guatemala

  Meaning "Sweet River', Rio Dulce is a melting pot of Caribbean charm and natural beauty. Hop on a tuk tuk to a hot spring or make a beeline for the local markets, where the food is to die for.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 x breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: La Finca hot springs US$35 | Visit to Livingston town (transfer and entrance) US$26

• Day: 3-4 Tikal Mayan Ruins & El Remate, Guatemala

  Say "adios" to Rio Dulce, making our way to El Remate, a sleepy typically Guatemalan village where it's so laid back, it's almost horizontal. Nearby lies Tikal National Park, a massive area containing some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Mayan civilization and the largest excavated site in the American Continent.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share

• Day: 5-6 Caye Caulker, Belize

  Take a bus and water taxi towards Caye Caulker, Belize. With a population of only 1,200 people, it has a real cosy island appeal. Take off your shoes and dip your feet into the clear seas, and tuck into fresh local lobster.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share
  
  Optional activities: Ragamuffin boat snorkelling tour US$45 | Cave tubing US$87 (inc transfer and lunch) | Bike rental US$8 (full day) | Crocodile Cruise US$22 | Night fishing US$200 for 4 people | Kayaking US$10-15 per hour

• Day: 7-8 Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

  Playa del Carmen awaits, with a full day tomorrow to explore Tulum or visit Xcaret, an awesome natural park with tons of weird and wonderful wildlife and Cenontes (underground caves).
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 x breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: Coba Ruins with cenote tour US$75 | Xcaret, Xel-Ha & Xplor natural water parks US$109-$159 each

• Day: 9-10 Chichen Itza & Merida

  Leaving for Merida stopping en route to visit the fabled site of Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Continue to Valladolid, a bustling Mayan city where the townspeople still wear traditional Mayan clothing and buildings around the Main Plaza are pretty in pastel. Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan and there's always something going on in Merida - cheap eats, thriving markets and regular festivals ensure a full day of sights and sounds. This evening you board your bus for an overnight transfer to Palenque.
  Accommodation: 1 night Budget Lodging in twin share & 1 overnight sleeper coach, 1 x breakfast included

• Day: 11 Palenque

  Pottery shards found during excavations show that people lived in Palenque as early as 300 B.C. Discover a rich history with an included entrance ticket into the enigmatic Palenque Archaeological site and ruins. You may like to hire a local guide around the site as your tour leader is unable to guide you here.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share

• Day: 12-14 San Cristobal

  Take a private transfer to San Cristobal with a stop at Agua Azul, a group of waterfalls which create beautiful natural ponds. Make sure you take your swimwear as there will be time for a refreshing dip. Popular with travellers for decades, picture-perfect San Cristobal is set in a highland valley surrounded by pine forest. Explore San Cristobal's cobbled streets and markets, soak up the unique ambience and share a traditional group meal of Tamales Chiapanecos, before hitting the local bars. Visit the Sumidero Canyon and indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula & Zinacantan. On the final evening in San Cristobal you take the overnight sleeper coach to Oaxaca.
  Accommodation: 2 nights Budget Lodging in twin share & 1 overnight sleeper coach, 2 x breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: : Sumidero Canyon boat tour (5hrs) US$24 | Indigenous villages tour (5hrs) US$18 | Horseback riding US$15 | Rancho Nuevo Cave & Chiflon Waterfalls (11hrs) US$25

• Day: 15-16 Oaxaca

  Join your tour leader for a guided walking tour through Oaxaca, a city famous for its arts and crafts. Buy souvenirs at a local market and slow the pace down by visiting some great archaeological sites - Mitla & Monte Alban are particularly beautiful.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: Monte Alban archeological site US$25 | Mitla &Tule Tree archeological sites US$25 | Artisan villages & markets US$25 | Oaxaca city tour (3.5hrs) US$25

• Day: 17-18 Oaxaca & Mexico City

  One of the largest cities on earth, there's plenty to keep you occupied for a couple of weeks, let alone 1 night. Why not extend your time in Mexico City with post tour accommodation and stop by the archaeological site of Teotihuacan; see an original Frida Kahlo painting at the Coyoacan art Museum or dance to world class DJs in one of the many regular club nights.
  Accommodation: 1 night Budget Lodging in twin share
  
  Optional activities: Chapultepec downtown tour US$14 | South tour to Tlalpan US$14 | Teotihuacan Pyramids US$28 | Anthropology Museum US$8
  
  This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs on day 18. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs. If you would like to BOLT on additional nights here, please enquire at the time of booking.

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You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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