Mexico and Belize

This is an incredible adventure through the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico overland and Belize.

This experiences starts with Isla Holbox, a white sand island where you can only move on foot, bicycle or a golf cart taxis. You have time to explore the area by boat, relax in a hammock or enjoy the beautiful beach. If you happen to visit in the right season, you can see whale sharks (late May to mid-September). You will then head inland and stay in Valladolid, a pretty colonial town which is very close to one of the main attractions of the region, Chichen Itza. There are also museums, markets, churches and cenotes you can explore.

Head back to the coastal town of Akumal, popular for its beaches, snorkelling with sea turtles and the Sian Ka'an Reserve. You will wrap up your adventure in Mexico at Laguna Bacalar with its Lagoon of Seven Colors due to its aqua blue and turquoise hues. Perfect to relax, swim in the lagoon or explore by kayak. You will then head along the coast and cross the border into Belize, renowned for its wildlife, birds and access to the second largest barrier reef in the world.

You will visit Lamanai Outpost Lodge an amazing rainforest lodge on the edge of a lagoon. Enjoy boat tours and walks with naturalist guides and spot a variety of wildlife and birds, from howler monkeys, crocodiles, toucans and kingfishers. Your stay includes a guided tour of the nearby Lamanai Mayan Ruins. Then head inland and west to the Cayo Region. With rainforest, rivers, mountains and mayan ruins this area is perfect for adventure including river activities, visiting ancient Mayan Sites and caves once uses by the mayans and a variety of wildlife and birds.

End this fabulous trip on the secluded island of South Water Caye which sits atop the barrier reef. You can snorkel from the beach, and also enjoy guided snorkel trips by boat to nearby patch reefs. View a variety of hard corals here including magnificent stag and brain corals, and swim among spotted eagle rays and parrotfish.

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Met on arrival at Cancun International Airport and transferred to Hotel Adhara Cancun.

Day 2

Today you will transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle to Chiquila (approx. 2 hours) and then a public ferry to Isla Holbox (approx. 20 mins). Overnight at Villa Paraiso Del Mar (B)

Day 3

Enjoy a boat trip to 3 different destinations from Isla Holbox. First, you will visit Isla Pajaros to admire a large variety of birds in their natural habitat. Then the boat takes you to the Yalahau Lagoon where you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the natural spring. At the Lagoon you will find a small restaurant where you can have lunch. Finally, you will visit Isla Pasion, where you will see sandy beaches, with tranquil clear water, palm trees, and a chance to see flamingoes and other water birds. Overnight Villa Paraiso Del Mar (B)

Day 4

Day at leisure to relax on the beach. Optional activities could include kayaking through the mangroves to see flamingos or a boat trip to see the bioluminescence. Overnight Villa Paraiso Del Mar (B)

Day 5

Today you will transfer to Valladolid, a beautiful colonial city with lovely markets, museums and churches. Overnight Le Muuch (B)

Day 6

This day trip starts with a guided visit to the well known site of Chichen Itza, this site was one of the largest cities of the classic Maya period and has the tallest known pyramid and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guided tour starts early to beat the crowds and you will spend several hours exploring this site. The next stop is a remote open cenote, where you can take a refreshing dip and use a swing rope to jump into the cenote. Overnight Le Muuch (B)

Day 7

Today you will transfer to Akumal, a nice and quiet sleepy town near Tulum. Overnight Las Villas Akumal (B)

Day 8

Day at leisure. Optional activities could include a snorkel with green turtles which are attracted to the abundant sea grass in the area. Alternatively, you could visit the Mayan Ruins of Tulum or explore Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve. Overnight Las Villas Akumal (B)

Day 9

Day at leisure. Overnight Las Villas Akumal (B)

Day 10

Your next stop will be the Bacalar Lagoon with it's incredible blue colours and is home to unique mangroves and a variety of wildlife and birds. This afternoon take a swim in the lagoon, relax by the pool or take the complimentary kayaks out onto the lagoon. Overnight Rancho Encantado (B)

Day 11

Enjoy a shared boat trip on the Bacalar Lagoon and discover the different cenotes in the lagoon, such as the Esmeralda cenote or the Cocalitos cenote. You will encounter various bird species, particularly notable are the vibrant kingfishers. Lastly, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in the Pirates' Canal. Overnight Rancho Encantado Bacalar (B)

Day 12

Today you will cross the border in an air-conditioned vehicle and onto the New River where you will take an open river boat to the Lamanai Outpost Lodge on the New River Lagoon (approx. 4 hours). Overnight Lamanai Outpost Lodge (BD)

Day 13

Choose from 2 activities a day that include a guided visit to Lamanai Mayan ruins, sunrise kayaking on lagoon, guided medicine walk and then cooking lunch at the local women's cooperative, night spotlight river safari, early morning bird walks, cocktail river cruise, night walks. Overnight Lamanai Outpost Lodge (BLD)

Day 14

Transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle to the Cayo region in western Belize. Enjoy the onsite activities at the lodge that could include night walks, river tubing or canoeing on the Macal River. Overnight Black Rock Lodge (BLD)

Day 15

Canoeing trip to the Botanical Gardens, beginning just down river from the lodge. The trip meanders along 6 miles of the Macal River through moderate rapids and rainforest. You may see large green female iguanas, even bigger orange male iguanas, toucans, kingfishers and hummingbirds. Guests dock at Sweet Songs Lodge to visit the botanical gardens. You will then be driven back to the lodge by vehicle. Overnight Black Rock Lodge (BLD)

Day 16

Day at leisure. Overnight Black Rock Lodge (BLD)

Day 17

Transferred by vehicle down the Hummingbird highway which passes through the jungle clad mayan mountains to the southern coastal town of Dangriga where you will take a boat to the island of South Water Caye. Overnight at Pelican's Pouch (BD)

Day 18

Enjoy a guided snorkel to nearby patch reef and snorkel at your own leisure from the southern beach at Pelican's Pouch where you will see many fish as well as hard and soft corals. Overnight Pelican's Pouch (BLD)

Day 19

Day at leisure to relax in your natural surroundings, snorkelling on your own from the beach. Overnight Pelican's Pouch (BLD)

Day 20

Depart the island early by boat and transfer to Dangriga airstrip where you will fly in a 14 seater propeller plane back to Belize International Airport in time for your international flight back to UK via the US.