Your journey will begin as you depart from your selected airport, flying towards Guatemala’s capital, Guatemala City.

Once you have collected your luggage and passed through immigration, you’ll be greeted by your driver, ready to whisk you away to your hotel in Antigua. The transfer takes approximately one hour.

Today you’ll embark on a fascinating city tour of Antigua, uncovering Guatemala’s history during the colonial era.

Antigua once served as the capital of Central America. Following a devastating earthquake that damaged over 3,000 buildings, the capital was relocated to Guatemala City. Today, Antigua is a charming, welcoming town, renowned for its cobbled streets and old, colourful colonial buildings. The city is perfectly situated, offering beautiful views of the surrounding volcanoes.

During your tour, you’ll pass by the impressive cathedral, visit the Capuchinas Convent—a wonderful example of colonial architecture—and see San Francisco el Grande Church, one of Antigua’s best-preserved churches and the resting place of Hermano Pedro, Central America’s first saint. From the town hall, you’ll enjoy wonderful views across the town’s squares and the Agua volcano. The tour concludes at a jade workshop, offering you insight into both ancient Mayan techniques and how jade is crafted today.

You’ll then have the remainder of the day free to explore Antigua at your leisure.

Today, you will have the day free to discover the city on your own, after yesterday’s guided city tour of Antigua, where you gained insight into the city’s rich history and colonial charm.

Start your morning with a leisurely stroll along the cobbled streets, admiring the colourful buildings that lend the city its unique character. Wander past Parque Central, the main square, where you can pause for a coffee at one of the many cafés overlooking the magnificent cathedral. This is the perfect spot to soak up the city’s laid-back atmosphere and watch the world go by.

In the afternoon, why not head to Cerro de la Cruz, a viewpoint offering spectacular panoramic vistas across the city and the surrounding volcanoes.

Round off your day with dinner at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Guatemalan specialities such as pepián (a classic Guatemalan stew) or kak’ik (a traditional soup with roots in Mayan culture). Both dishes are among the most popular in Guatemala.

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to Panajachel – a journey of around 2-3 hours.

Panajachel, often affectionately referred to as “Pana”, is a laid-back and charming town set on the shores of the spectacular Lake Atitlán, which is encircled by the volcanoes San Pedro, Atitlán, and Tolimán. The town offers endless opportunities for both relaxation and adventure.

Today’s itinerary features an exciting half-day excursion, giving you an ideal chance to discover more of Guatemala’s beautiful highlands.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning, then travel by boat to Santiago de Atitlán – the largest town situated on the lake’s edge. The boat journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into local life and culture, meeting the people who are descendants of the Tz’utujiil Maya, dressed in their colourful traditional clothing. You’ll also visit one of the country’s oldest churches, where Christian beliefs blend seamlessly with Maya culture.

The day is entirely yours to enjoy as you wish, at whatever pace suits you best.

In the morning, you might like to stroll down Calle Santander, the town’s main street, where vibrant textiles, handmade jewellery, and artisan crafts line the markets and little shops. You’ll also find cosy cafes and bakeries, perfect for savouring a cup of Guatemalan coffee while watching local life unfold around you.

Round off your day with a delicious dinner at a restaurant boasting views of the surrounding volcanoes and breathtaking scenery.

However you choose to spend your time, today offers a wonderful chance to soak up the magical atmosphere of the lake and experience the rhythms of local life at your own pace.

In the morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport in Guatemala City – a journey of around 3 hours. From here, you’ll take a flight to Flores in northern Guatemala. Flores is not only a charming town set on an island connected by a causeway in Lake Petén Itzá; it’s also the ideal base for visiting Tikal National Park.

Upon arrival at Flores airport, you’ll be met and transferred almost to the doorstep of your hotel. Only tuk-tuks are permitted on Flores island, which adds to its cosy and intimate atmosphere. You’ll be dropped at the entrance to the island, from where you can either stroll the roughly 300 metres to your hotel or hop into a tuk-tuk (at your own expense).

Flores is an idyllic, laid-back island, where the colourful houses and atmospheric streets still showcase the charm of its colonial past.

Today, together with a local guide, you’ll set off to explore Tikal National Park, which is located about an hour’s drive from Flores. You will be picked up at the entrance to the island, at the same spot where you were dropped off yesterday.

Tikal was once one of the most powerful kingdoms of the Mayan era. The National Park sits in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by kapok, cedar, and mahogany trees. It is the largest Mayan archaeological site in Guatemala and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Your guide will lead you to the many fascinating pyramids, some soaring up to 60 metres high, sharing insights into the site’s history and significance. With a bit of luck, you might spot monkeys and other wildlife up amongst the treetops.

After exploring the impressive Mayan ruins, you’ll return to Flores – perhaps just in time to witness a stunning sunset as the day draws to a close.

It’s time to bid farewell to Guatemala as a minibus collects you from the island’s pick-up point. Today is a long day of travel, lasting around 8–9 hours, so settle in and enjoy the ever-changing scenery. Leaving Flores, you’ll head north through the lush Petén region. Along the way, you’ll pass rural villages and farmland before reaching the Guatemalan-Belizean border after approximately 2.5 hours.

Once you’ve cleared border formalities, your journey will continue through Belize, where the landscape transforms into lowland forests, rivers, and scattered settlements. You’ll travel through part of western Belize before reaching the northern border crossing into Mexico at Chetumal.

From the border, it’s just a short drive of about 45 minutes to Bacalar. Upon arrival, you’ll be dropped off at a central bus stop. Your hotel is roughly 500 metres from here, and you can either walk or opt for a taxi (at your own expense). If you’ve upgraded your hotel or have a lot of luggage with you, we recommend taking a taxi, as the hotel is about 1 km from the bus stop.

Look forward to spending a few days in one of Mexico’s most beautiful and tranquil natural surroundings.

Bacalar is a small, charming town set along the famous Laguna de los Siete Colores—the Lagoon of Seven Colours—named for its many blue and turquoise hues.

Today you’re in for an exciting boat trip. After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and taken to a small harbour, where a boat awaits to whisk you away onto this magnificent lagoon.

Enjoy gliding across the clear, calm waters, witnessing the colours shift from pale azure to deep cobalt blue—the result of the lagoon’s depths, the nature of its bed, and the play of sunlight. It’s truly a painter’s palette in motion, and you’ll quickly see why it’s called the “Lagoon of Seven Colours.”

Your guide will share fascinating insights into the area’s nature, history, and how the lagoon shapes local life. Along the way, there’ll be stops at various spots, giving you the chance to take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water. Light snacks and a drink are served aboard the boat.

You’ll be back at your hotel by midday and have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish.

Today is yours to spend as you wish. You might decide to while away the hours by the pool, plunge into the lagoon’s crystal-clear waters, or head out to explore the charming little town.

If you fancy starting your day in almost magical fashion, why not opt for our optional sunrise kayak tour? It’s quite the experience – gliding across the lagoon’s glassy surface in a transparent kayak as the dawn light gently awakens the landscape.

In the afternoon, set off to discover the town for yourself. Make sure to visit Fuerte de San Felipe, an old fort built in 1733 to defend Bacalar from the many pirate raids of its day. As well as fascinating tales of swashbucklers and colonial times, the fort offers truly stunning views overlooking both the town and the lagoon.

The pedestrian street is well worth a stroll too – the perfect spot to pick up colourful souvenirs and local crafts. Here, you’ll also find welcoming cafés and small restaurants serving regional specialities. Along the lagoon’s edge, several swimming spots, known as ‘balnearios’, provide the ideal place to cool off from the warmth of the day. One of the most popular is Balneario Municipal, offering facilities such as toilets, changing rooms, shaded tables and chairs, and a small café. It’s a lovely place to while away a few hours, take a refreshing dip in the limpid waters, or simply soak up the beautiful views across the lagoon.

As evening settles in, you can enjoy dinner by the lagoon and soak up the tranquil atmosphere as the lights shimmer on the water’s surface.

After a relaxing stay by the tranquil Bacalar Lagoon, it’s time to set off in search of new adventures along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the bus station in Bacalar. From here, you’ll journey north to Playa del Carmen—a trip that takes around 4 hours.

Upon arrival at the bus station in Playa del Carmen, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel.

Here, you’ll discover a vibrant coastal town with a welcoming atmosphere, powdery white beaches, and the sparkling azure sea—the perfect setting to round off your day with a stroll along the promenade or dinner at a local restaurant.

You can also opt for a ‘sightseeing transfer’, so instead of heading straight to Playa del Carmen, you’ll stop off in Tulum on the way and experience its popular Maya ruins, uniquely located high on a cliff with stunning views of the azure sea.

The last days of your tour are yours to spend as you wish, giving you the chance to unwind by the pool or on the beach and reflect on the incredible experiences of the recent days.

The wide, white sandy beach is ideal for pure relaxation beneath the swaying palms, but if you’re still feeling energetic, there’s a wealth of water sports on offer, including windsurfing and jet skiing.
You could also venture on a snorkelling or diving trip to the island of Cozumel, which is world-famous for its coral reefs and underwater caves. The ferry to Cozumel departs directly from the beach and takes only 30–45 minutes.

At the heart of Playa del Carmen lies Plaza Mayor, the city’s central square just by the beach. From here, you can set off to explore Avenida 5, the lively main street lined with everything from chic modern shops and small handicraft stalls to inviting cafés, restaurants, and bars.

As the sun begins to set, there’s no better way to round off your day than with a refreshing juice or a cocktail at one of the laid-back beach bars, where the atmosphere is much more relaxed than on the main street – the ideal spot to soak up the final moments by the Caribbean Sea before your journey home beckons.

You also have the option to extend your tour to the paradise islands of Isla Holbox or Isla Mujeres.

Today it’s time to bid farewell to Mexico. You’ll be transferred to Cancún airport, where your return journey begins.

You will arrive at your selected airport after an exciting tour of Guatemala and Mexico.