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Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala

16 Days Playa del Carmen to Antigua
Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala
Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala
Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 16 Day Basic Central America: Mexico & Guatemala. If you’re looking to experience some of Central America’s finest highlights on a budget, this 16-day odyssey will definitely do the trick. Lounge in the diverse beauty of Lake Atitlán and its Indigenous villages, wander Antigua’s cobblestone streets and its local markets, bask in Caye Caulker sunsets, and find true paradise from the white-sand beaches of Mexico to the lush Guatemalan highlands.
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US$1,529 per person
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Trip Length
Trip Length

16 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Playa del Carmen

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Antigua

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Operator
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Trip Style

Classic

Budget
Budget

Affordable

Age Range
Age Range

6-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

18

Pace
Pace

Leisurely

Guide Style
Guiding Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

CMPA

Itinerary

Check into your hotel and enjoy the city. Stay: Hotel 12 bees

Take advantage of a full day of free time to relax or explore as much as you wish. Perched atop the sea you will find the ruins of Tulúm. In the coral-filled waters surrounding Cozumel you can snorkel, or you can go swimming in a cenote or at the beach, before exploring the town in the evening on your own. Stay: Hotel 12 bees

Travel from Mexico across the border into Belize today, which boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easy-going people. During the drive, picture the unbelievably clear blue waters and the opportunities you will have over the next few days for diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef. Stay: Enjoy Hotel

Enjoy a free day in Caye Caulker. Choose to snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, keeping a lookout for stingrays and nurse sharks. You can also choose to go diving, or just chill out on the beach. Stay: Enjoy Hotel

Another full day of free time will allow you to participate in any optional activities in the area that you didn’t have time for yesterday. Stay: Enjoy Hotel

San Ignacio is a great base for exploring some of Belize’s lesser known inland gems. There will be ample free time here to wander the area by foot, canoe, or horseback, or you can choose to book a caving trip. Stay: Kawoq Hostel (L)

Enjoy a day at leisure to experience the surroundings of San Ignacio. Choose to visit the Sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, or set your eyes on the lesser-visited Xunantunich Mayan ruins. Stay: Kawoq Hostel

While this trip is fast-paced, there will be some opportunity to rest on today's drive as the group crosses another border and travels to Guatemala. Enter the country in the northeast jungle Petén region and stop for a guided tour of the ancient city of Tikal on the way to Flores. This place is the capital of Petén, a small island located on the second largest lake in Guatemala—Lake Petén Itzá. Stay: Hotel Petén

Travel for most of the day from Flores to Rio Dulce, which is on the shores of Lake Izabel, the largest lake in Guatemala. This journey across the country will take a road through dense jungle arriving at this port town in the evening. Stay: Hotel Hacienda Tijax

Sit back and marvel at the scenery on a boat ride from Rio Dulce to the Caribbean town of Livingston. Make a stop at the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project there. Walk around the grounds and then gather for a delicious lunch steeped in local flavours. Stay: Hotel Hacienda Tijax (L)

Spend most of the day travelling from Rio Dulce to Antigua, Guatemala. Rest up on the ride because upon arrival the group will set off on an orientation walk. The rest of the evening is free. Get a head start planning tomorrow’s activities or enjoy this colonial city’s nightlife. Stay: Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on tour, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance. Stay: Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

Visit beautiful Lake Atitlán after travelling through the country’s highlands full of fertile hills and fields. The area is ideal for outdoor activities and you will have plenty of time to explore. Stay: Kamol Bey

Take a boat ride across the lake before taking part in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. Stay: Rupalaj Kistalin Posada Homestay (D)

The group will journey back to Antigua and spend some free time exploring. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills, or taking a salsa lesson. Stay: Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

Depart at any time.

Trip Inclusions

  • Swim in calm waters off the coast of white-sand beaches in Mexico.
  • Watch sunsets in Caye Caulker with the sound of reggae music nearby.
  • Experience a pottery demonstration at a women’s cooperative.
  • Participate in a local homestay near Lake Atitlán.
  • Explore gorgeous colonial Antigua and its colourful markets.

  • Your G for Good Moment: San Antonio Women's Pottery Cooperative and Local Lunch, San Ignacio
  • Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar", Lívingston
  • Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna
  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen
  • Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker
  • Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio
  • Your Discover Moment: Antigua Guatemala
  • Guided tour of Tikal
  • Orientation walk in Antigua
  • Beach time in Playa del Carmen and Caye Caulker
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Simple hotels/hostels (14 Nights, most multi-share), local homestay (1 Night)
  • Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights on this tour will be multi-share. This may involve 4-6 group members sharing and even (on rare occasions) dormitory-style rooms for the whole group. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities.
  • Where we use multi-share hostels, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic Standard Travel Style, as this is a Classic Basic trip.
  • We embrace local culture while staying in San Juan in a Mayan Homestay. Here, you will be staying in a private room, but don't expect luxury. Just as it is for the locals, there might only be cold water, and you may share the facilities with the family. It is an authentic glimpse into their lives.

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

  • 2 lunches, 1 dinner

  • Local bus, ferry, boat, private vehicle, taxi, walking

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

G Adventures
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.

On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Trip Style: Classic

Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.

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Dates & Pricing USD USD

Tuesday 17 Feb 2026 17 Feb 26 Playa del Carmen
Wednesday 04 Mar 2026 04 Mar 26 Antigua
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$2,099
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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