31 Day itinerary in Mexico, North America
Embark on a thrilling adventure from Cancun to Mexico City with Bamba, exploring Belize and Guatemala along the way. Dive into vibrant coral reefs, discover ancient Mayan ruins, and hike through lush jungles. Delight in rich cultural experiences and stunning landscapes as you journey through iconic ... Read More
By Bamba Travel Inc
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Sail through the impressive Sumidero Canyon
Trek the Pacaya Volcano for stunning views
Stay the night with a local Maya family
Experience Chichen Itza and the pyramids of Teotihuacan
Sail through the impressive Sumidero Canyon
Trek the Pacaya Volcano for stunning views
Stay the night with a local Maya family
Experience Chichen Itza and the pyramids of Teotihuacan
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: Cancun, Mexico
Chichen Itza Day Trip (roundtrip from Cancun)
Departure Time: 4:00
Duration: 12 hrs
Embark on a thrilling adventure to the heart of ancient civilization with this breathtaking early morning tour of Chichen Itza. Rise with the sun and beat the crowds as you delve into the rich history of this renowned archaeological site.Meals: Lunch
Day 2: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Type: Bus
Time: Every 30-45 minutes from 06:30 to 21:30
Duration: 1.2 Hours
Transfer from Cancun to Playa del CarmenDay 3: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 4: Tulum, Mexico
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Type: Bus
Time: 09:16, 09:25, 09:51, 10:00, 10:36
Duration: 1 Hours
Transfer from Playa del Carmen to TulumDay 5: Tulum, Mexico
Tulum: Shared ATVs, Rappel, Ziplines, Cenote Tour with Lunch
Departure Time: 8:30, 12:00
Duration: 5 hrs
Take your adrenaline to new heights as you zip through the treetops on our exhilarating zip lines, providing breathtaking aerial views of the jungle landscape. Then, dive into the magic of the Yucatan Peninsula with a refreshing dip in a stunning cenote, a natural sinkhole with pristine, crystal-clear waters, creating a unique and invigorating swimming experience.
To ensure a stress-free journey, our package includes convenient transportation. After your thrilling activities, indulge in a delicious lunch featuring local flavors, providing a culinary delight that complements your day of adventure. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience in Tulum's jungle!
NOTE: If you choose a shared ATV and the number of travelers in your reservation is odd, the extra passenger will be automatically assigned an individual ATV, and extra 12USD will be charged at check-in.
Meals: Lunch
Day 6: Bacalar, Mexico
Tulum to Bacalar
Type: Bus
Time: 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 20:00
Duration: 3 Hours
Transfer from Tulum to BacalarDay 7: Chetumal, Mexico
Bacalar to Chetumal
Type: Bus
Time: 00:15, 05:29, 06:00, 06:14, 12:00, 13:00, 15:00, 15:45, 16:00, 16:10, 17:00, 18:00, 19:15, 20:00, 21:00, 23:00
Duration: 1 Hours
Transfer from Bacalar to ChetumalDay 8: Caye Caulker, Belize
Chetumal to Caye Caulker via San Pedro
Type: Boat
Time: 10:00
Duration: 3 Hours
Transfer from Chetumal to Caye Caulker
Please make your own way to the ferry terminal to catch your overwater transfer to Caye Caulker. Please keep in mind that check-in is 2 hours prior to Departure.
*Note: The Ferry departs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays.
Day 9: Caye Caulker, Belize
Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own
Day 10: Caye Caulker, Belize
Snorkel with Sharks & Rays
Departure Time: 10:30, 13:30
Duration: 3 hrs
Discover the unparalleled natural beauty of Belize's marine life with a snorkeling experience that you will never forget. On this half-day tour in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, you will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel along the reef in complete serenity. Navigate through mazes of pristine coral reef among schools of tropical fish, and even get the chance to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. See all this and more at three different snorkeling stops along the magnificent local reef of Caye Caulker.Meals: Snacks
Day 11: Belize City, Belize
Caye Caulker to Belize City
Type: Ferry
Time: 6:30 to 17:00
Duration: 45 min Hours
Transfer from Caye Caulker to Belize CityDay 12: San Ignacio, Belize
Belize City to San Ignacio
Type: Shuttle
Time: 13:30
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Transfer from Belize City to San IgnacioDay 13: Flores, Guatemala
San Ignacio to Flores
Type: Shuttle
Time: 15:00
Duration: 3 Hours
Transfer from San Ignacio to FloresDay 14: Flores, Guatemala
Tikal Early Morning Day Tour
Departure Time: 04:30, 06:00, 08:00
Duration: 8.5 hrs
Depart Flores at 4:30 am this morning for your early morning experience to Tikal archaeological site. Walk among giant pyramids towering over 200 feet at dawn to feel the magical vibration of Tikal and its historic splendor. Listen to the jungle sounds of exotic birds, monkeys and small mammals and feel the humid jungle air on your skin as the Maya inhabitants of this site felt it 2000 years ago. Immerse yourself in the jungle at dawn for an early morning tour through the archaeological site to experience the jungle come alive as it wakes up at sunrise, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get in touch with nature and marvel at the majestic pyramids hidden away in the jungle.Day 15: Rio Dulce, Guatemala
Flores to Rio Dulce
Type: Shuttle
Time: 08:00
Duration: 6 Hours
Transfer from Flores to Rio DulceDay 16: Lanquin, Guatemala
Rio Dulce to Lanquin
Type: Shuttle
Time: 13:00
Duration: 7 Hours
Transfer from Rio Dulce to LanquinDay 17: Lanquin, Guatemala
Semuc Champey & Kanba Caves Tour
Departure Time: 09:00
Duration: 10 hrs
Take a hike through the mysterious caves of Kanba (activity at your own risk) which are filled with extraordinary limestone formations distributed among an endless stretch of different chambers (so far, the end of the cave system has not yet been discovered) housing a sharp pointed rock altar where ancient Maya once performed sacred rituals. The Maya people of Guatemala continue holding spiritual ceremonies here and believe that the cave is the "heart of heaven" where the secrets of many centuries are held.Day 18: Antigua, Guatemala
Lanquin to Antigua
Type: Shuttle
Time: 06:00
Duration: 8 Hours
Transfer from Lanquin to Antigua
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to Antigua, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 19: Antigua, Guatemala
Pacaya Volcano Trek
Departure Time: 14:00
Duration: 8 hrs
Get up close and personal with an active volcano and brag to your friends about it. Hike up the Pacaya Volcano slope fo two hours and then trek onto dry lava that resembles a moon-like landscape. Look up to catch an eruption from the active volcano if you're lucky (depending on the activity of the volcano you may or may not see eruptions or lava). Take unforgettable photos in a landscape so surreal that you feel like you are walking on the moon. Admire the breathtaking landscape and views of neighbouring volcanoes peeking through the clouds around you. Take your time returning to the base of the mountain as you make your way down the slippery, muddy slopes. (Note: Horses can be rented for the trip up and back.)
We recommend wearing comfortable trekking shoes and bringing a flash light and a walking stick (or rent one for a few dollars from local kids before you start your hike). It gets dark and steep on the mountain if you are going up in the afternoon. If you are travelling during rainy season bring a raincoat or poncho... you will definitely need it! Bring bottled water for the trek and some extra cash to buy snacks afterwards or pack a few power bars in your day pack to take with you.
Day 20: Panajachel, Guatemala
Antigua to Panajachel
Type: Shuttle
Time: 12:00
Duration: 3 Hours
Transfer from Antigua to Panajachel
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to Panajachel, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 21: San Jorge La Laguna, Guatemala
Maya Homestay Experience 2D/1N with Maya Communities Lake Tour
Home Stay in San Jorge La Laguna (D)
Upon arrival at Avenida Santander Zona 2 (next to Hotel Dos Mundos), you will be given instructions on how to take a public bus from Panajachel to reach the village where your host family lives, San Jorge La Laguna.
The home stay will give you a genuine insight into the everyday lives of a local family during your trip by staying one or more more nights with a family from the Kakchiquel Indigenous group in San Jorge La Laguna. Maya Experience Home Stays has started this home stay program in the village to give something back to the communities around Lake Atitlan, and also to give you a very genuine experience of living with a Maya local family to experience their culture and customs. This experience is very new to the village and families who welcome foreigners into their homes. As a responsible traveler, we as guests must be aware of and sensitive to the culture by behaving respectfully during our time with the family and in the village.
Although shy at first, the villagers are very friendly and welcoming people. Make sure you ask permission to take photos of the people in the village since the Mayan community commonly believes a photograph will steal their soul. You will most likely find the housing situation in San Jorge La Laguna rather basic but the reason for partcipating in this home stay is to enjoy a real insight into Guatemala, so you can experience the culture firsthand and interact with the local community on a personal basis. We hope that you enjoy this very unique experience.
A small gift for the family would be a nice gesture of appreciation for the family welcoming you into their home. Cooking or kitchen materials such as pasta, rice, sugar, fruit, vegetables or kitchen utensils are very much appreciated ($3 USD per person approx). Other materials from your home country or children's books (coloring, basic English, workbooks, almanacs) would be a great addition to the family library.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation:
Day 22: Panajachel, Guatemala
Maya Homestay Experience 2D/1N with Maya Communities Lake Tour
Boat Tour of Lake Atitlan with visits to indigenous villages. Return to Panajachel (B)
You will have all the instructions on how to go from the Homestay to the meeting point. Then, you will hop in a boat for a tour of Lake Atitlan and a visit to its colorful indigenous villages.
The word "atitlan" is translated from Maya as "the place where the rainbow gets its colors" and accordingly you will understand why so many people have been drawn to this magical lake for hundreds of years. Panajachel alone is an 800 year old town home to mostly Cachikel Maya and an increasing number foreigners from every corner of the globe, all coming together to soak up a piece of that serenity and originality that this place provides.
You'll visit the following villages:
Meals: Breakfast
Day 23: San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Panajachel to San Cristobal de las Casas
Type: Shuttle
Time: 05:00
Duration: 12 Hours
Transfer from Panajachel to San Cristobal de las Casas
You will be picked up at your accommodation/meeting point for your shuttle transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas, where you’ll be dropped off at your next accommodation/meeting point.
Day 24: San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Local & Sustainable Foodie Experience
Departure Time: 13:00
Duration: 2 hrs
Mexican food is varied, as is the diversity of its culture. The best experiences are meaningful when the senses are nurtured. In Chiapas, traditional cuisine is recreated with the ingredients that walkers of history brought with them and mixed with local ingredients to create delicious gastronomic dishes. First we will give you an introduction to the meaning of party dishes in Chiapas and their special ingredients. You will be able to taste a dish from the Chiapas culinary options' menu. Then, you will taste a Posh Traditional tsotsil, and you will learn about the traditional food of Chiapas, being able to taste an authentic soup from San Cristóbal and a dish based on pork, chicken or vegetarian with the seasoning and secrets of the "Coletas" families. You can taste a Mayan drink to accompany your food. The place you will be taking part in the activity, is a pleasant and light-filled space where fair trade in handicrafts made by indigenous women is also promoted. In addition to providing the inputs with which the dishes are made, they also exhibit here their handicrafts. Language is not a problem, we love learning new words and making friends!Meals: Lunch
Day 25: Pochutla (Mazunte), Mexico
San Cristobal de las Casas to Pochutla (Mazunte)
Type: Bus
Time: 15:30, 18:15, 21:00
Duration: 11.5 Hours
Transfer from San Cristobal de las Casas to Pochutla (Mazunte)Day 26: Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Pochutla (Mazunte) to Puerto Escondido
Type: Bus
Time: 03:25, 05:50, 07:35, 08:45, 10:45, 12:00, 17:45
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Transfer from Pochutla (Mazunte) to Puerto EscondidoDay 27: Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Puerto Escondido Learn to Surf Experience (2 Hours)
Departure Time: 09:00, 15:30
Duration: 2 hrs
Test your surfing abilities in Mexico's number one surf spot!
Take a 2-hour lesson based on your experience level, our fully bilingual instructors will take you to specific beaches scattered around Puerto Escondido. If you are a begginer they might take you to La Punta located on the south-end of Zicatela, and if you are experienced and love challenges they could take you to the striking Mexican Pipeline.
Our surf instructors work with a maximum of 2 students per instructor, so that students can receive all the attention they need in order to have a quick progress, a personalised class and a safe instruction. We have experience in teaching all ages and levels. We guarantee that you will have a great and unforgettable surfing experience.
Puerto Escondido is characterized for its easy-going surfer vibe, so don't be afraid to share some pointers and tips while you sip some beers with fellow surfers after your lesson!
Day 28: Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
Type: Bus
Time: 03:00, 04:00, 09:00, 13:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00
Duration: 3 Hours
Transfer from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Oaxaca.
Day 29: Oaxaca, Mexico
Hike through Hierve el Agua
Departure Time: 7:00
Departure Days: Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday
Duration: 9 hrs
Join us on a tour of Hierve el Agua, a popular tourist destination in the Mexican state of Oaxaca known for its tall petrified waterfalls made of carbonated water and natural springs. During the tour, you'll have the chance to swim in the crystal-clear pools, take guided walks through the trails, and learn about the tradition of mezcal making while sampling different flavors. We'll also visit the Zapotec weavers town of Teotitlan del Valle, where skilled artisans use ancient techniques to create and paint stunning rugs inspired by famous artists. Hierve el Agua is located in the Sierra Madre mountain range and is about 50 kilometers from the city of Oaxaca.
Day 30: Mexico City, Mexico
Oaxaca to Mexico City
Type: Bus
Time: 08:00, 09:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:30, 15:30, 21:30, 22:00, 22:15, 22:30. 23:00, 23:15, 23:30, 23:59
Duration: 7 Hours
Transfer from Oaxaca to Mexico City
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Mexico City.
Day 31: Mexico City, Mexico
Teotihuacan Early Morning Tour
Departure Time: 6:20
Duration: 8 hrs
Embark on a mystical journey to the "City of the Gods," Teotihuacan, before the tour groups from Mexico City arrive. Explore the impressive archaeological site in peace and tranquility as you visit its different structures, squares, and murals, surrounded by a magical and mystical atmosphere.
Your experience is enhanced by a knowledgeable guide who shares stories, history, and updates on the latest discoveries at the site. Immerse yourself in the culture of ancient Mexico with a stop at a local Teotihuacan family's obsidian workshop, where you'll sample cactus-based liqueurs and traditional Mexican spirits like tequila, mezcal, and pulque.
Cap off your day with a delightful lunch experience (not included), where you can savor a variety of traditional Mexican dishes and flavors.
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