Central America in Depth



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Overview
Highlights
- This overland adventure allows you to see some of the best of central america in one trip, covering big parts of mexico, belize and guatemala.
- Eat your way through arty oaxaca. mole, mezcal and chocolate for dinner? delicioso!
- Escape the mexican heat in san cristobal de las casas. this old-world town is surrounded by ancient tribal villages that still have their traditional customs and roots.
- Chichen itza is one the new seven wonders of the world and it's not hard to see why – strolling around these ancient mayan ruins feels pretty amazing.
- Extended time in caye caulker and antigua offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy laid-back island vibes as well as buzzing colonial city life.
- There's nothing quite like staying with a local family to really experience a place. you'll be feasting at breakfast and dinner, and improving your spanish with the locals in san jorge la laguna in no time.
What's this trip about?
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Itinerary

Bienvenidos! Where better to start a Mexico exploration than in Mexico City. Modern meets ancient here in one of the world's largest urban centres. Forget about the crowds and the smog, D.F. (Distrito Federal) has got museums, galleries and great architecture for you,...
Maybe grab some chilaquiles for breakfast this morning, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the city, followed by a free afternoon. There’s so much to do here in the city – if you like art, the Frida Kahlo Museum is a must-see, and for all museum love...
This morning and most of the afternoon are free to continue exploring Mexico City. Some of the most vibrant (not to mention most delicious) places in the city are its streets markets – from food, to handicrafts, to magic potions, these markets are a riot of colours, s...
Today is free to discover Puebla at your leisure. Although a rapidly growing city, Puebla's got an amazingly well preserved centre with loads of colonial buildings. There are over 70 different churches alone. Two top ones to check out are Santa Domingo Church and Rosa...
Get cosy with the locals as you travel by local bus to Oaxaca (approximately 5 hours). You'll have two full free days here. Your leader will provide ideas for activities and help you to make the most of your time. A beautiful old colonial town, Oaxaca is full of grace...
Spend the next two days exploring Oaxaca. Maybe get out to the spectacular mountain top temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. Monte Alban was inhabited for 1,500 years by the Olmec, Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, and is an outstanding example of a pre-Columbian c...
Spend your final day in Oaxaca shopping in the artisan stores around town, otherwise why not whip up something delicious at a cooking class. In the evening, take a first-class overnight bus to San Cristóbal del las Casas (approx 13 hours in total). First-class buses ...
Say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Arrive early in the morning – check-in at the hotel isn't usually until midday, so leave your luggage and start exploring the city. Today and tomorrow are at your leisure. As always, yo...
Today there is an option to take a day trip to Sumidero Canyon, where you can take a boat down the mighty Rio Grijalva. Back in town, wander to a local cafe and try an ‘elote’, a traditional highland corn snack, or check out the local museums. For something more adven...
Today travel along a windy road by private minivan to Palenque (approx 6 hours). Once you've arrived, the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore. Situated in hot jungle, Palenque is the jumping off point to the nearby Mayan ruins of the same name. You'll have t...
Today you have the chance to visit the ruins of Palenque. Sitting on a hilltop surrounded by thick trees, the ruins date back to 600 AD and are some of the most impressive Mayan relics in Mexico. As you walk among the temples, listen out for the eerie calls of howler ...
Early this morning arrive into the historic town of Merida. Founded in 1542, Merida still has much of its old-world charm. Wander through the Old Town, check out some museums and stroll the city streets, which are alive with art and culture. Hang out in the green and ...
Chichen Itza is your first stop today (approx 2 hours). This is possibly the most famous Mayan site in Mexico. Recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza has both Toltec and Mayan ruins lying alongside each other. The famous El Castillo (Te...
Today is a free day in Playa del Carmen. Maybe join some optional activities like snorkeling among mangroves and cycling, or just stroll along the beaches.
Today you'll hop on a local bus along the Caribbean coast to Tulum (approx 1.5 hours), where it's all about laid-back life and the broad, white beach. Once you're settled, there's the chance to visit one of the best-looking Maya sites around. The impressive pre-Colum...
Today is free to relax, join some optional activities and generally do what you feel. Two wheels are a good way to start the day, so rent a bike, cruise around the area and cover a lot of ground in a short time. There's also the option of heading to Akumal Bay for a snorkeling tour of the reef.
New day, new country. Adios Mexico, hello Belize. Much of today will be taken up with travel, driving by local bus to the border, then on to Belize City (approx 8 hours in total). Let the wind and spray wash the bus out of your face with a speedboat to Caye Caulker (approx 1 hour). If your idea of paradise is white sand, blue waters and palm trees then you’re going to dig Caye Caulker.
Your time in Caye Caulker is all about talking it easy. The pace of life is so deliciously slow it's almost backwards. If being underwater is your thing then head out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to Shark Ray Alley and the world's second longest barrier reef. Snor...
Today you'll leave the island behind and return to Belize City by boat (approx 1 hour), before taking a local bus to San Ignacio (approx 3 hours). The local buses in Belize are a little more basic than in Mexico but this is a great opportunity to mix with Belizeans an...
There are a heap of optional activities to take part in today around San Ignacio. The cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal is a living museum of Maya relics, and you can wade through its waters until you reach a whole bunch of 1,400-year-old crystallised skeletons. Or take a...
Today you go jungle. Guatemala-style. Leave San Ignacio, cross the border, and get dropped at Tikal National Park by private minibus (approx 4 hours). You'll set up camp (all equipment provided) by the park entrance before exploring the super-huge and crazy-cool Maya ...
From the jungle to the lake this morning, as you drive (approx 1 hour) to the lakeside town of Flores. Here there's time to grab some lunch and have a quick explore around the town. Then it's back on the private minibus to Rio Dulce (approx 5 hours). On arrival in R...
There are a load of kick-ass activities on offer today. Take a scenic boat trip down the river to Livingston, a laid-back town on the Caribbean coast that offers a unique experience of local Garifuna culture. Go boating on the lake, relax in the thermal hot springs or explore the nearby San Felipe fort.
Travel by private minibus to the city of Antigua (approx 8 hours). You'll spend the night here, before heading to Lake Atitlan tomorrow. You won't spend too much time in Antigua today but you'll be coming back here at the end of the trip, so don't stress. Still, tak...
Today you'll get a seriously authentic and up-close Guatemalan experience. Start the day by travelling by private minibus to the famous market in Chichicastenango (approx 2.5 hours). This is the most colourful market in the country, where on Thursdays and Sundays loca...
Say bye to your host family this morning and push on to neighbouring Panajachel, a cool little town on Lake Atitlan with distant volcanoes looming in the background. Pana has got a thriving market, loads of good places to eat and many water-based activities to enjoy...
Hit the road back to Antigua by private minibus today (approx 3 hours). With three nearby volcanoes dominating the horizon, you won't have been to many places quite like Antigua. The World Heritage-listed city is a cobblestoned maze of colonial buildings, leafy town s...
Enjoy a free day exploring the city. The number one stop for chocoholics should be the ChocoMuseo, where there's info all about its history and, more excitingly, a chocolate-making workshop. For those more interested in the other famous Central American bean, you can ...
Your adventure comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Geckos Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Geckos Adventures Reviews & Ratings
Other Geckos Adventures Reviews
FANTASTIC
FANTASTIC. Start to finish it is such a fantastic taste of Central America, all t...
we had a exceptional experience!
This was an amazing trip and a wonderful option for a single female traveller. I learnt so much and got to visit and experience diverse aspects of modern Mexico and ...
I really enjoyed having a small group
Real Mexico was my first intrepid tour. I really enjoyed having a small group and being able to embrace in local culture. I would highly recommend my trip manager, J...
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