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Mayan Sun Northbound: Cobblestones & Caribbean Culture
16 days, Antigua Guatemala to Playa del Carmen
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Trek though jungle backdrops to Mayan ruins and chill out on white-sand beaches under the Caribbean sun. Check out Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico and experience the region’s diversity. Wander colonial Antigua’s cobblestone streets and shop for treasures before experiencing the natural beauty of Lake Atitlán, its Indigenous Mayan villages, and striking volcanoes. One of our most popular trips, this adventure offers natural wonders, excitement, and culture with enough time to socialize and do your own thing.
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: CGAC
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings
Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.
Service Level: Basic
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14.
Age requirement: 18-39
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Itinerary
Day 1Antigua Guatemala
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Antigua Guatemala
Explore this colonial city during an orientation walk, then get the feet moving to the beat with an included salsa lesson. Relax with a massage, and soak up the culture in one of many cafés.
Day 3Antigua Guatemala/San Juan La Laguna
Travel to beautiful Lake Atitlán and enjoy the views. Take a boat across the lake to a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family in a Mayan Tz'utujil village. Tour the village with a local guide to learn more about daily life and see some artisan workshops.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 4San Juan La Laguna/Panajachel
Return across the lake and enjoy free time in Panajachel to visit the market or relax.
Day 5Panajachel/Rio Dulce
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 6Rio Dulce
Opt to visit the coastal town of Livingston by boat, or go for a swim in a natural hot waterfall.
Day 7Rio Dulce/Flores
Head north to our final stop in Guatemala, Flores, a picturesque town surrounded by Lake Petén Itzá.
Day 8Flores/San Ignacio
Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of Tikal before crossing into Belize.
Day 9San Ignacio
Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Crystal Maiden), or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Discover MomentDay 10San Ignacio/Caye Caulker
Hop aboard a local bus, then board a water taxi to the island paradise of Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on the G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour.
Days 11–12Caye Caulker
Enjoy free time to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, or just chill out, Belizean style. Take part in a Big Night Out with the group this evening.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Discover MomentDay 13Caye Caulker/Mahahual
Leaving Belize and its Caribbean reggae-tinged vibe, head north to the Costa Maya, Mexico, to the beachside town of Mahahual.
Day 14Mahahual
Enjoy a free day for beach lounging and sipping seaside margaritas.
Day 15Mahahual/Playa del Carmen
Head up the coast to Playa del Carmen, the de facto centre of the Mayan Riviera, for a final night with the group.
Day 16Playa del Carmen
Depart at any time.
Reverse Itinerary
This trip also runs in reverse from Playa del Carmen to Antigua Guatemala. See Mayan Sun Southbound: Boat Rides & Ruins
What's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna
- Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Hands-On Moment: Salsa Lesson, Antigua Guatemala
- Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio
- Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker
- Orientation walk in Antigua
- Guided tour of Tikal
- Beach time in Mahahual
- Free time in Rio Dulce, San Ignacio, and Caye Caulker
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Simple hotels/hostels (14 nts, some multi-share), local homestay (1 nt).
Meals
1 dinner
Allow USD420-550 for meals not included.
Transportation
Public bus, boat, van, taxi, walking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
Departures
There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.
Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.