Mayan Encounter

Arrive at any time.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.

Additional Information: Please note that Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying into the Caribbean island nation of Antigua— it's nowhere near the start of this tour!

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle during this long travel day.

FREE TIME: EVENING Enjoy free time to explore the town.

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. Continue on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.

ACTIVITY: Take a boat down the Rio Dulce toward the Caribbean Sea passing through El Golfete and El Canyon before arriving to Livingston. Float past mangroves and lily pads and the Boquerón Canyon, where a sheer limestone cliff rises 122m (400 ft) out of the river, covered in vines, trees and moss. Arrive at the small fishing village of Livingston known for its unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna population, with their unique art, music and delicious coconut seafood soup, “tapado”.

ACTIVITY: El Manglar Restaurant in Guatemala is a women-led community tourism initiative founded by the Cayo Quemado Women's Committee with the aim of creating new job opportunities within the community. During your visit you will begin with a welcome given by the women of the committee and receive a brief introduction to the workshop. Then, there will be a short walk around the property, including a full explanation of the project, it's impact, and culture before you all sit down for lunch at the restaurant. Every traveler that visits Cayo Quemado has a direct impact on their community.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.

TRANSPORT: Enjoy the ride out to Tikal and return the same way in the afternoon (1-1.5 hrs one way).

ACTIVITY: Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.

FREE TIME: Explore the area anyway you like.

Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Head out to start exploring this fun town. There's a full free day tomorrow for anything you can't get to this afternoon.

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Enjoy a full day to head out and explore.

Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise.

Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

TRANSPORT: Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.

ACTIVITY: Take a leisurely bike tour around Caye Caulker with a guide from the G Adventures for Good supported Bike with Purpose project. See the island through the eyes of a local on this two-hour tour, and live the island's motto of 'Go Slow'. Feel the island breeze in you hair while knowing you're supporting a program that helps youth from Caye Caulker build skills for tourism jobs upon graduation from high school.

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.

Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.

Say farewell to Belize, and travel by boat and private vehicle from Caye Caulker to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.

TRANSPORT: Jump in and cross the water to the next stop.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Do as much or as little as you want.

ACTIVITY: El Hongo (which means 'The Mushroom') is a volunteer-run restaurant started as a means to create income to support a youth art program in the 'real' Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Across the highway from the commercial beach strip is where most locals live – cross onto the unpaved roads and enjoy a delicious home-style meal at the restaurant, while learning more about this much-needed program for the community.

Depart at any time.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.