Journey Guatemala & Mexico

21 days - from € 5,600 per person

ancient civilizations - primeval forests - driving - beach

  • Visit Mayan highlight Chichén Itzá before the complex is opened to other tourists
  • Taste the richness of Guatemalan cuisine on a culinary walk through the colonial city of Antigua
  • Dive into the indigenous culture of Chichicastanango near the dreamy Lake of Atitlán
  • Go museum hopping in the cultural hotspot Mexico City
  • Combine Mayan ruins on rock formations with tropical beaches in Tulum

Travel description

Day 1: Amsterdam - Guatemala - Antigua

Today, you are boarding an intercontinental flight to Guatemala City. Once there, you will be welcomed by one of our local staff and taken to your accommodation in Antigua. Antigua is a magical and fascinating town where you will have the feeling that time has stood still here. Around this town, there are three volcanoes that provide a beautiful view at any time of the day. Another characteristic image of Antigua is its cobbled streets.
Accommodation: Meson de Maria | bed & breakfast

Day 2: Antigua

This day you will be introduced to typical Guatemalan dishes as you stroll through the colonial centre. Walking through the picturesque streets, your guide will tell you more about the history of some of the beautiful sights of this city. You will visit the cathedral and monastery of La Merced. You will stop at some of the most popular and beloved eateries of the locals. Here you will taste the delicious, authentic Guatemalan cuisine. For example, taste the chuchitos; a tamale in Guatemalan style, pupusas; cheese-filled corn tortillas, rellenitos; fried dough filled with beans and pork legs for the truly adventurous gourmets. You bring a visit to the local market. Here you will see, smell and taste various ingredients used in the preparation of typical dishes.
Accommodation: Meson de Maria | bed & breakfast

Day 3: Antigua

Go and explore Antigua. Many things can be seen, all within walking distance. TIP: Bring a visit to Bakery Doña Luisa Xicotencatl (4a Calle Oriente #12) for their banana bread. It is highly recommended and loved by both locals and tourists. Every day around 2 p.m. the freshly baked bread, which is more like cake, is being sold. If you are there on time, you can take the bread while it is still warm and eat it in the park! In the evening there is a lot going on around the central square, there are many bars open where you can have a drink or maybe dance salsa.
Accommodation: Meson de Maria | bed & breakfast

Day 4: Antigua - Atitlán

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private driver and taken to Lake Atitlán. The route takes you through a beautiful landscape. You will drive on mountain roads and you will see the daily life of the Guatemalan countryside. At the lake of Atitlán, you will get on a boat that will take you to your accommodation. The fairytale-like Lake Atitlán was created in a volcanic way and is surrounded by three volcanoes on the southern shore. On the northern shore, you will see a mountain range of 1,000 metres high. Around the lake, there are several small villages where the inhabitants still live in the traditional way and walk around in traditional clothing.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlán | bed & breakfast

Day 5 and 6: Atitlán

These days are at your leisure, on which you can enjoy the fairytale surroundings of Lake Atitlán. You can visit the town of Chichicastenango, popularly known as 'Chichi'. The town has been known for centuries for its large colourful market. Your guide will take you on a voyage of discovery of this immense and extensive market. 

It is also special to get to know more of the Mayan culture by looking for the house where the Mayan God Maximón lives at that time. Every year a different member of the religious brotherhoods takes care of this God, who is shaped like a doll. You can see the local shaman performing their rituals for the local people. This saint is honoured with liqueur and tobacco and this whole scene with candles is a very special sensation to see.
Accommodation: Hotel Atitlán | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Atitlán - Guatemala City - Flores

Today you will be taken to the airport of Guatemala City, where you will board your domestic flight to Flores. Upon arrival in Flores, you will be welcomed and brought to your hotel. You will immediately notice that you have traded the highlands of Guatemala for the dense tropical lowland jungle. The temperature and humidity are much higher here. You will stay in La Lancha, which is beautifully situated at Lake Peten and in the rainforest. The casitas have views over the lake or look out over the beautiful greenery. Don't be surprised if you hear the loud roaring of howler monkeys in a nearby tree during your stay.
Accommodation: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 8: Flores 

Tikal or Tik'al was one of the largest cities of the Maya at the time of the Classical Period. It was not until 1848 that it was rediscovered by a team of Guatemalan explorers. First large-scale archaeological excavations began in the 1950s. In 1979 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will go with your guide to the ancient Maya city and learn a lot about the history of the Maya people of Guatemala. Although Tikal is considered to be one of the most famous Maya temples of Guatemala, you will still feel as if you are the only one walking around here. The large buildings and the beautiful views from the temples are very impressive. You will have lunch in a restaurant in the park. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your hotel.
Accommodation: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 9: Flores

You will be picked up for a visit to the National Park of Yaxhá, the third-largest Maya town in Guatemala, located in the jungle. In this park, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, where you will see monkeys and tropical birds along the way. Of course, you will also visit the ancient Maya temples of Yaxhá, which has 500 buildings, including nine temples and one of the few double pyramid complexes outside Tikal. By nightfall, you will visit the largest pyramid of the complex. From here you have spectacular views over the jungle and Lake Yaxhá. The setting sun is right in front of you and slowly but surely disappears on the horizon. A very special place for an unforgettable sunset. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your accommodation.
Accommodation: La Lancha | bed & breakfast

Day 10: Flores - Guatemala City - Mexico City

In the morning you will be taken to the airport of Flores, from where a domestic flight will take you back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival here you will transfer to your international flight to Mexico City. Once you have arrived in Mexico City, one of our local staff will welcome you and take you to your accommodation. Mexico City is located in a volcanic belt, on the plateau of South Central Mexico. Between the two large snowy volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. As much as 2,240 metres above sea level. Due to the altitude at which Mexico City is located, the city has a pleasant climate all year round, without extremely low or extremely high temperatures.
Accommodation: Pug Seal Allan Poe - Quetzalcoeatl | bed & breakfast

Day 11: Mexico City

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to some of the most important sights in Mexico City. Your guide will take you to the Metropolitan Cathedral, which is the largest cathedral in North and South America and to the ruins of the Templo Mayor. This was before the arrival of the Spaniards, the largest and most important temple of the Aztecs. You will also visit the presidential palace. In this presidential palace, the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera created a huge mural depicting the history of Mexico. After this, you will be brought via Reforma Avenue to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, located in the beautiful city park Chapultepec. The museum is housed in a beautiful modern building, in which the anthropological history of Mexico is told from the very beginning. There are also many works of art and utensils from the various pre-Columbian cultures that have flourished in Mexico, such as the cultures of the Aztecs, Zapotecs and Mayans. Afterwards, you will be brought back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Pug Seal Allan Poe - Quetzalcoeatl | bed & breakfast

Day 12 and 13: Mexico City

These days you can get to know Mexico City on your own. The city has a lot of interesting sights and attractive neighbourhoods. It is a must to take a look in the artistic district Roma or the chic districts Polanco and Condesa. In the south of the city, you will find the characteristic districts of San Angel, with its cobbled streets and Coyoacán, where you can visit Casa Azul, the former residence of the famous artist couple Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Accommodation: Pug Seal Allan Poe - Quetzalcoeatl | bed & breakfast

Day 14: Mexico City - Cancún - Chichén Itzá

You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Mexico City Airport, where you will board a domestic flight to Cancún. Once here, you can pick up your rental car and drive to your accommodation in Chichén Itzá on your own (approx. 200 km / 2.5 hours drive). You will stay near the special archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. The hotel has a beautiful peaceful garden and features an outdoor swimming pool and relaxing spa. Furthermore, the hotel offers various activities such as the Maya nature tour or bird watching. After just a few minutes of driving, you will find the small village of Piste where you will find some Mexican eateries and nice souvenir shops.
Accommodation: Hacienda Chichen Resort & Yaxkin Spa | bed & breakfast

Day 15: Chichén Itzá - Tulum

Today you can visit the amazing archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, the most famous temple town of the Maya, which was considered a very important political and economic centre of Maya civilisation in this region. The advantage of your hotel is that it has its own entrance to the Maya city, where you can enter before the official opening of the Maya city, and admire the impressive historic buildings in peace and quiet. In the afternoon you drive further to your accommodation in Tulum (approx. 150 km / 2.5-hour drive). On the way, you can visit Valladolid. This is the oldest city of Yucatán and has a beautiful central square surrounded by cosy pastel-coloured colonial houses. Stroll through the small streets here with small Mexican eateries and nice souvenir shops. You will also find some of the famous cenotes near the centre where you can take a refreshing dip.
Accommodation: Maria del Mar Tulum | bed & breakfast

Day 16 to 19: Tulum

These days are at your leisure. Near Tulum, you have several activities you can participate in, but you can also enjoy one of the beautiful beaches. An absolute must see these days is the Maya city of Tulum, situated on a 14-metre-high cliff at the Caribbean Sea. The city is completely walled in and there are several temples. One of the buildings served as a kind of lighthouse. A fire was lit here at night, shining through an opening in a wall. This allowed the sailors to navigate between the reefs. Tulum was founded by the Mayans in the year 1000. It is the only Mayan city by the sea. Enjoy the rest of the days under the sun and the delicious Mexican dishes you can get here.
Accommodation: Maria del Mar Tulum | bed & breakfast

Day 20: Tulum - Cancun - Amsterdam

In the morning you drive with your rental car to Cancun airport (approx. 120 km / 1.5-hour drive) where you drop it off. You will then board your flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21: Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.

Travel sum

From € 5,600 per person

  • Based on 2 persons travelling together
  • Depending on the time of booking, availability of local flights and accommodation, and the period of travel

Included:

  • domestic and local flights, economy class
  • 19 nights at a hotel, meals as stated
  • 7 days rental car (Cat. Chevrolet Aveo or similar alternative) incl. all-risk insurance, from Cancun
  • all transfers and excursions as mentioned
  • 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
  • Comprehensive travel document package with small attention

Not included:

  • international flights, if desired we can reserve these for you
  • early check-in / late check-out, based on availability this is sometimes given by the hotel. If you want to be sure you have this, please enquire about the surcharge. 
  • (Dutch) public contribution Calamity fund; € 2.50,- per booking
  • SGR contribution of € 5,- per person per booking
  • travel and cancellation insurance

Request travel proposal

Do you also want to make this trip? We can naturally arrange the above trip for you, but we are also happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nlor request a tailor-made offer below. We are happy to help.

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