Mexico & Belize: Tropical Adventure

10 days, 5 cities |

Trip type

Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
11

Activity level

Which trip type is right for you?

Essential: Room with 3+ other travelers in conveniently located hostels. For budget-conscious extroverts who love a group moment.

Plus: Room with just one other person in 3- or 4-star hotels. Perfect for people who value privacy and recharging in their own space.

Why go?

Pick your vibe: rest and rum punch? Non-stop doing stuff? Geeking out over ancient ruins? From beach days to jungle action, this trip’s got it all. Pack your SPF, your sneakers, and your spontaneity—you’re in for one gran aventura.

What you'll get

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)
9 nights in handpicked accommodations
9 breakfasts
2 lunches
3 dinners
An expert Tour Director
24/7 support
Entrance to Tikal National Park

Picture yourself

Sunning like a mermaid on white-sand beaches
Marveling at the majesty of ancient Maya ruins
Snorkeling at the world’s second largest barrier reef
Canoeing through soaring underground caves
Gorging on tamales, fry jacks, and ceviche

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Playa del Carmen + Welcome Dinner

¡Bienvenido a México! Paradise—sorry, Playa del Carmen—is a coastal Caribbean haven on the Yucatán Peninsula dripping with palm-lined beaches, ancient Maya ruins, nightlife for days, and traditional Mexican culture.

Today’s highlights

Meet an EF representative and fellow travelers as they arrive at the airport.
Transfer to your hotel to check in and check out your room.
Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot.

Day 2: Tour of Playa del Carmen + beach day

Stroll through Playa (as the locals call it) with your Tour Director. Then bask in el sol on one of the area’s beautiful beaches for the afternoon.

Today’s highlights

Join your Tour Director for a local tour of Playa del Carmen.
Check out the shops, bars, street vendors, and performers on La Quinta Avenida, the city’s pedestrian-only main street.
Laze the rest of the day away on the sand—and slather on the SPF, pls!

Day 3: Free day or optional Chichén Itzá ruins tour

Rise and shine, time to ruin the day! If you’re up for it, you’ll set out for a full day tour to Chichén Itzá, where some of Mexico’s most well-preserved Maya ruins date back well over 1,500 years. If you wanna hang back, you’ve got yourself a free day in Playa del Carmen.

Day 4: Cenote Abierto + travel to southern Quintana Roo region via Tulum

Put on your adventure pants (i.e. bathing suit) for a morning visit to El Cenote Abierto, a beautiful natural swimming hole near Playa del Carmen. Then it’s on to Tulum’s Mayan ruins before finishing the day in the southern Quintana Roo region.

Today’s highlights

Snorkel and swim your heart out at El Cenote Abierto.
Marvel at one of the most famous archaeological zones in Mexico.
Continue on to the southern Quintana Roo region for an overnight.

Day 5: Los Rapidos lazy river + ferry to Caye Caulker, Belize

Remember the lazy water-park rivers of your childhood? Yeah, this is not that. Spend the AM floating through the turquoise waters of Los Rapidos. Then cross another country off your bucket list—you’re headed to Belize, a.k.a the Jewel.

Today’s highlights

Laze the morning away at Los Rapidos, a narrow freshwater channel of Bacalar Lagoon that’s flanked by rare mangroves.
Wave goodbye to Mexico as you board a water taxi bound for the isle of Caye Caulker off the coast of Belize.
Breathe in the salty air as you approach the island’s brightly painted buildings. Tomorrow, we snorkel.
Enjoy an included dinner with your group.

Day 6: Morning snorkel at Hol Chan Marine reserve

Make an expedition to the warm waters of Hol Chan off Ambergris Caye for an AM snorkel sesh with a local guide. And don’t worry, everyone looks funny in goggles.

Today’s highlights

Glide by the colorful coral formations Belize is known for as you snorkel through the world’s second largest barrier reef.
See turtles, nurse sharks, sting rays, jacks, tarpon, and many other marine species you've prob only seen on the Discovery Channel.

Free time suggestions

The Split: Formed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, this quirky geological accident is a popular spot to people watch, paddleboard, or play cornhole at the Lazy Lizard.

Beach it: “Ugh, more beaches” said no one ever. Grab a book, download a podcast, order a rum punch, and plop yourself down on the golden sand.

Day 7: Travel to the Cayo district

Trade easy, breezy island life for the inner-Belize region of Cayo, the country’s largest district, known for wildlife, national parks, and—oh look, more spectacular Maya ruins!

Today’s highlights

Get one last look at Caye Caulker from your ferry to Belize City, where you’ll board a westbound bus.
Watch from the window as the landscape shifts from coast to rainforest. Welcome to the jungle.

Free time suggestions

Belizean cuisine: The food in Belize is kinda like Mexican, with a unique twist from Mayan, Garifuna, Kriol, and other cultures. Try ceviche, conch fritters, fry jacks, whatever looks tasty!

Day 8: Visit the Maya ruins of Guatemala

Tikal, Guatemala, once rivaled ancient Rome in size and splendor. Today you’ll explore its impressive Maya temples, ball courts, and the many excavated buildings that housed over 100,000 people.

Today’s highlights

Wake up to the sounds of the Belizean rainforest.
Collect another passport stamp as you enter Guatemala.
Join a local guide for a tour of Tikal’s six magnificent ancient pyramids.
Fuel up with an included lunch—much needed after climbing 221 feet to the top of Temple IV.

Day 9: Canoeing at Barton Creek Cave + waterfall hike

Your last day in Belize is an epic one. If exploring the cathedral-esque splendor of Barton Creek Cave isn’t enough, you’ll also hike to a massive waterfall in the middle of the jungle. Casual.

Today’s highlights

Catch a power nap on a quick bus ride to Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
Canoe through Barton Creek Cave, a subterranean wonder once used for ceremonial Maya rituals.
After an included lunch, hike through the rainforest to the magnificent 150-foot flume of Big Rock Falls.
Share some laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included Farewell Dinner with your group.

Day 10: Fly home

¡Adiós amigos!
Translation: Goodbye, friends! Your next destination awaits—home. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?

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Accommodations

We handpick every accommodation and focus on locations and properties where local culture is at your doorstep. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used properties for this tour.

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Fiesta Inn Playa del Carmen

This stylish hotel is located by the waterfront in Playa del Carmen. Guests will enjoy a gym, two swimming pools, and a terrace bar. Nearby, you’ll find beaches, seaside restaurants, and the Frida Kahlo Museum.

Fiesta Inn Chetumal

This modern hotel is located in the heart of Chetumal. Guests will enjoy a gym, pool, and garden area. Nearby, you’ll find Museo de la Cultura Maya, parks, and walking paths along the water.

The Caye Hotel at Caye Caulker

This beachfront hotel is located on Caye Caulker, an island in Belize. Guests will enjoy air conditioning, high-speed internet, and ocean views. Nearby, you’ll find beaches and waterfront restaurants.

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Customize with excursions

Enhance your experience with hand-picked optional excursions—designed to add adventure, culture, and unforgettable moments to your journey.

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Weather

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Flights

When you include flights with your trip, our dedicated team of experts will handle all the details, so your travel experience is as seamless as possible. Just select your dates and airport to see pricing.