Mayan Encounter

G Adventures · 12 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
Mayan Encounter
12 Days
From AUD $2285 Was AUD $2539
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Mayan Encounter

Mayan Encounter

G Adventures · 12 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean.

Includes

Activities

  • Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar", Lívingston Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program, Playa del Carmen Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen
  • Scenic boat ride to Livingston
  • Tikal guided tour
  • Free time in San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and Playa del Carmen
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

  • Hotels (10 nts), jungle lodge (1 nt).
  • 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

  • Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.

Group Leader

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Highlights

  • Listen to howler monkeys from the top of Temple IV at Tikal
  • Revel in Caye Caulker sunsets
  • Sway to reggae beats wafting through the Belizean air
  • Wander the colonial streets of Antigua
Mayan Encounter

Trip Details

Duration

12 days

Transportation

Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Finishes

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Accommodations

Budget

Travel Style

Classic, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Antigua Guatemala

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.


Exclusive inclusions: 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.Accommodation - Hotel Bucaros Express
2

Day 2: Antigua to Rio Dulce

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.


Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle during this long travel day.Free_time - Enjoy free time to explore the town.Accommodation - Hacienda Tijax
3

Day 3: Rio Dulce/Flores

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.

Meals included: Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: 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.Accommodation - Hotel Petén
4

Day 4: Flores

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.


Exclusive inclusions: 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.Accommodation - Hotel Petén
5

Day 5: Flores/San Ignacio

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.


Exclusive inclusions: 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 - Head out to start exploring this fun town. There's a full free day tomorrow for anything you can't get to this afternoon.Accommodation - Midas Resort
6

Day 6: San Ignacio

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


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a full day to head out and explore.Accommodation - Midas Resort
7

Day 7: San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

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.


Exclusive inclusions: 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.Accommodation - Enjoy Hotel
8

Day 8: Caye Caulker

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.


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.Accommodation - Enjoy Hotel
9

Day 9: Caye Caulker

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!


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Spend two full days exploring this area any way you like.Accommodation - Enjoy Hotel
10

Day 10: Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen

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.


Exclusive inclusions: 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.Accommodation - Hotel Nautilus
11

Day 11: Playa del Carmen

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.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - 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.Accommodation - Hotel Nautilus
12

Day 12: Playa del Carmen

Depart at any time.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $2539

AUD $2,285
(Tour only)
Offer ends 01 Apr, 2026 Per Person Standard
10% Off

Duration: 12 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 03 Jun 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
3.0
Sara R
Traveled, December 2023

12/31/2023

Is I good way to travel if you don't have time and energy to plan everything by yourself. And you feel very safe on the tour. The minus is that you don't know what type of people the rest of the group is, and what age.

5.0
Yael B
Traveled, December 2022

12/31/2022

Great prices, itineraries and small groups

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990