Maya Encounter

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Booking Type Instant booking
duration 17 days
tour type Small group
age requirement 15-99 yrs
max group size 16
guiding method Fully guided
Tour Code BM-3470
Footprint Carbonneutral CO₂ emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
Operated in English

Starts Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Ends Antigua, Guatemala

HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes

Spend two days exploring the island paradise of Caye Caulker – munch on barbecued lobster, snorkel around a coral reef, nap under palm trees, go kayaking or just kick back with a couple of worry-free beach days.
Hit the streets of Antigua with your local leader and climb to a vintage cross lookout for views of the city and the incredible volcano that towers over it. Then, enjoy heaps of free time to take photos, wander and people-watch.
Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Juan La Laguna – a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family and see how they harvest their local medicinal plants.
Wander between stalls of rainbow handicrafts, fruits and flowers and get some haggling tips from your leader in the popular and colourful Chichicastenango Market.
Cruise up the Rio Dulce to your waterfront jungle lodge, then maybe grab a beer and relax while the sounds of nature fill the air.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva. Donations help them provide nutritious, balanced meals for vulnerable people in Mexico.
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Starting in Playa Del Carmen and ending in Antigua, the "Maya Encounter" trip is a guided cultural, religious and historic sites tour that takes 17 days. You will visit Antigua, San Jorge La Laguna, Playa Del Carmen and 6 other destinations in 5 different countries. "Maya Encounter" is a small group trip which will include accommodation, transport, meals and others. See below for further details.

Dive into a 17-day adventure through Central America, from the calming sea breezes of Playa del Carmen's beaches to the bustling chaos of Chichi market. On this journey to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, enjoy a hearty, homecooked dinner in a lakeside Maya village, amble down the coast to the island paradise of Caye Caulker, cut inland to the lush jungle around Tikal National Park, cruise to the vast Rio Dulce, watch a pottery demonstration using ancient Maya techniques and finish among the clouds in Panajachel and under the volcano in Antigua. On this trip, you’ll get the right balance of local-led experiences and independent exploration in a whole load of incredible places ready to be discovered.

ITINERARY Expand All

Day 1: Playa del Carmen
Day 2: Playa del Carmen
Day 3: Chetumal
Day 4: Caye Caulker
Day 5: Caye Caulker
Day 6: Caye Caulker
Day 7: San Ignacio
Day 8: San Ignacio
Day 9: Tikal National Park
Day 10: Rio Dulce
Day 11: Rio Dulce
Day 12: Antigua
Day 13: San Jorge La Laguna
Day 14: Panajachel
Day 15: Antigua
Day 16: Antigua
Day 17: Antigua

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights), Multishare Hotel (1 night), Hotel with shared facilities (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)

Meals

1 Dinner

Transport

Private vehicle , Public bus , Taxi , Shared Boat , Ferry

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
Tikal National Park - Tikal archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
Chichicastenango - Market Visit
Chichicastenango - Shaman Visit
Panajachel - Leader-led orientation walk
San Juan La Laguna - Traditional Maya Homestay
Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
Santa Apolonia - Traditional Pottery Demonstration

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

Any international flights to Playa Del Carmen and from Antigua are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
Travel insurance is not included in this Maya Encounter tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a Premier This travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.5 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 181 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6 rating.

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GOOD TO KNOW Download trip notes

CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Maya Encounter tour. You can cancel the tour up to 58 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 57 days of departure.

Payment

For any tour departures within 23 November 2023, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 23 November 2023, a deposit is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 57 days before trip departure.

Travel Insurance

Maya Encounter tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We recommend using World Nomads' travel insurance.

Visa

For this Maya Encounter tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.

Is this trip right for you

This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary includes basic accommodation and has free time for activities when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
Using public transport is better for the environment and you’ll get an authentic look at daily life, but keep in mind that local transport between certain locations on this trip can be basic.
Crossing the borders between the various countries visited on this trip is usually straightforward, but you may need to be patient. Books, podcasts and car games will be your best friend.
The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be really hot and humid. It makes the beers even more refreshing but consider what time of the year you wish to travel in if you’re easily affected by the weather.
The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. Conditions are simple and multi-share but comfortable. A hearty homecooked breakfast and dinner will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
Try to learn as many Spanish words as you can before the trip. In many of the destinations we visit, local people are reserved and/or do not speak English. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is a great way of showing you care.

COVID VACCINATION POLICY

Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer mandatory on departures after 1st January 2023. Nonetheless, all travellers are strongly advised to be vaccinated as a safety measure to protect themselves and others on the tour. This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination are required.

Also, proof of vaccination may still be required at specific entry points or by the airlines. Therefore, please make sure to check all the travel requirements carefully before travelling.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:

This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.

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