Mexico, Belize, Guatemala & Costa Rica

This self-launched itinerary replicates Gap360's "Best of Central America" 30-day group tour across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Costa Rica — at a fraction of the price. Swap the group tour leader for local guided day trips booked via GetYourGuide or Klook, twin-share hostel dorms or budget guesthouses for the tour accommodation, and local buses/shuttles/ferries for private group transport. All cost estimates are approximate and per person, based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,050

Experience the very best of Central America — from Mexico City's vibrant streets and ancient Mayan ruins to Belize's coral reefs, Guatemala's volcanic highlands, and Costa Rica's jungle wildlife — entirely on your own terms. This self-launched itinerary follows the same 40-day route as Gap360's Epic Central America programme, swapping guided group transport for local buses, shuttles and budget flights, and replacing included accommodation with top-rated hostels and guesthouses. The result? The same unforgettable adventure at a fraction of the price. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,620

Experience the very best of Belize independently — snorkelling the Great Blue Hole, camping on Half Moon Caye, and exploring ancient Maya caves and temples deep in the rainforest. This self-launched version follows the same spectacular route as the Much Better Adventures group tour, swapping guided group logistics for independent bookings via local operators. You'll travel by shared shuttle, local boat and hired transfer, staying in budget hotels and booking reef and cave tours directly — saving a significant chunk without missing a single highlight. Costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£570

Same three-country Central American adventure — beaches, ruins and jungle — done independently at a fraction of the cost. You'll island-hop to Caye Caulker, explore Tikal and the Belizean interior, homestay on Lake Atitlán and salsa your way through Antigua. All transport is local bus, water taxi or shared shuttle; accommodation is hand-picked hostels and guesthouses. These costs are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£480

Snorkel the Great Blue Hole, sleep on a remote island sanctuary, and explore ancient Maya temples and jungle caves — all independently. This self-launched version of Much Better Adventures' flagship Belize itinerary follows the same incredible route (Belize City → Half Moon Caye/Lighthouse Reef Atoll → San Ignacio → ATM Cave → Caracol) but replaces group tour pricing with budget accommodation, self-booked tours, and local transport. Expect comparable experiences at a fraction of the guided group cost.

Travel Crew

~£625

A self-guided 29-day adventure through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala — from the buzzing streets of Mexico City and the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, to Caribbean island life on Caye Caulker and the volcanic shores of Lake Atitlán. This itinerary mirrors the Intrepid Travel 'Epic Mexico, Belize & Guatemala' route but replaces guided group travel with independently bookable transport, self-guided activities and budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. All costs are approximate estimates per person based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,285

Traverse lakes, volcanoes and jungles across Mexico, Belize and Guatemala entirely on your own terms. This self-launched version of Intrepid's popular Real Central America route follows the same trail — from the Caribbean beaches of Playa del Carmen and Tulum, through island paradise at Caye Caulker, into the Maya ruins of San Ignacio and Tikal, down the river to Rio Dulce, and up into the highland colour of Lake Atitlan and UNESCO-listed Antigua — at a fraction of the group tour price. Local buses, shared shuttles and public ferries replace private vehicles, while well-rated hostels and guesthouses keep costs down without sacrificing the experience. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£705

Follow the ancient Mayan trail independently across three countries — Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize — for a fraction of the group tour price. Starting and ending in Playa del Carmen, this self-launched route takes you through Chichén Itzá, Mérida, Palenque, Tikal, San Ignacio, and the turquoise waters of Caye Caulker. Replace pricey guided group transport with ADO buses, shared shuttles, and local ferries, and book ruins entry and snorkelling trips directly or via GetYourGuide. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£810

A self-launched 29-day adventure through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala — from the buzzing streets of Mexico City and the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, to Caribbean island life on Caye Caulker and the volcanic shores of Lake Atitlán. This itinerary mirrors the Intrepid Travel 'Epic Mexico, Belize & Guatemala' route but replaces guided group travel with independently bookable transport, self-launched activities and budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. All costs are approximate estimates per person based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£1,285

Skip the guided group tour and launch this 22-day Mayan adventure on your own terms — same jaw-dropping ruins, Caribbean islands, and colonial towns, at a fraction of the price. Travel from Playa del Carmen through the Yucatán, into the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala, then loop through Belize's islands before heading back. This self-launched route connects Chichén Itzá, Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Lake Atitlán, Antigua, Tikal, and Caye Caulker using local buses, shared shuttles, and second-class chicken buses — the real way to experience Central America. All costs are approximate estimates per person.

Travel Crew

~£1,150

Experience the very best of Belize independently — from the turquoise waters of Ambergris Caye and the world-famous Great Blue Hole, to jaguar-territory jungle hikes, waterfall rappelling, and ziplining in the Bocawina rainforest. This self-launched version follows the same route as Bucket List Group Travel's guided tour, swapping pricey operator markups for direct bookings, local water taxis, shared shuttles, and budget-friendly guesthouses. All estimated costs are approximate and per person.

Travel Crew

~£545

Trek through jungle backdrops to Mayan ruins, wander colonial cobblestone streets, and chill out on white-sand Caribbean beaches — all without the group tour price tag. This self-launched version of G Adventures' popular Mayan Sun Northbound route takes you through Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico using public buses, shared boats, and budget-friendly hostels. From volcanic hikes above Antigua to snorkelling in Belize's marine reserves and island-hopping to Playa del Carmen, you'll hit every highlight independently and keep far more cash in your pocket. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current backpacker rates.

Travel Crew

~£700