Mexico & Belize: Tropical Adventure

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 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.

  Chichén Itza ruins tour (extra cost)

  Experience the grandeur of Chichen Itza, home to many Maya temples including the iconic El Castillo.

• 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 the laid-back vibes of Tulum before finishing the day in the southern Quintana Roo region.

  Today's highlights:

  • Snorkel and swim your heart out at El Cenote Abierto.
  • Take in views of the Caribbean Sea on a quick bus ride to Tulum.
  • Absorb all the history on a spin through the city with your Tour Director.
  • 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?