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Mayan Encounter

Experience
Tour
Destination
Guatemala
Duration
12 days
Ages
18+
Operated by
G Adventures
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Shop for treasures along colonial Antigua's cobblestone streets and get to know the locals from communities where life sometimes moves at a reggae pace. Explore the ruins of Tikal, snorkel with stingrays, lounge in gorgeous Caye Caulker, and finish up in bustling Playa del Carmen. With accommodation and transport arranged by a Chief Experience Officer, this trip offers the perfect way to discover this region’s unique vibe.

Inclusions

Tour

  • Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker, El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program, Playa del Carmen
  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio, Caye Caulker
  • Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen. Scenic boat ride to Livingston. Tikal guided tour. Free time in San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and Playa del Carmen.
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Meals

1 dinner

Transport

Public bus, private vehicle, boat, walking.

Accommodation

Hotels (10 nts), jungle lodge (1 nt).

Global Emergency Line

Feel confident knowing we have a worldwide emergency team on standby, 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday. 

gWorld access

Stay organised with your personalised portal where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global.

Global Academy

Gain access to an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn before & whilst you travel.

Marketplace Deals

Get exclusive access to deals and discounts through our online Marketplace. Save big on a huge range of products and services from our brand partners worldwide.

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Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mo-Fr.

Trip itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.

Day 2

Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.

Day 3

Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy free time to check out the town before continuing on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.

Day 4

Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.

Day 5

Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Day 6

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.

Day 7

Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise. Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.

Day 8

Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.

Day 9

Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!

Day 10

Say farewell to Belize, and travel to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, by speed boat and private vehicle. With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.

Day 11

Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.

Day 12

Depart at any time.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. Global support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

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Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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Mayan Encounter