Self-Launched Central America Intro: Playa del Carmen to Antigua

Fly into Cancún International Airport and take the ADO bus direct to Playa del Carmen (around 1 hour, ~£5). Check into a hostel on or near 5th Avenue. Spend the evening exploring the pedestrianised strip, grab street tacos and get an early night ahead of a big Day 2.

🚌ADO bus from Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen, ~£5

🛏Hostel on 5th Avenue area — e.g. Selina Playa del Carmen or equivalent (~£15–18/night dorm)

• →Arrive Cancún airport
• →ADO bus to Playa del Carmen (~£5)
• →Check in and explore 5th Avenue

Join a day trip to Chichén Itzá bookable via GetYourGuide or directly through local agencies on 5th Avenue. Most tours include a stop at a cenote (e.g. Ik Kil or Hubiku) and transport from Playa del Carmen. Book in advance for the best rates. Return to Playa del Carmen in the evening.

🚌Included in day-trip package from Playa del Carmen (~£45–55 total via GetYourGuide)

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or equivalent (~£15–18/night dorm)

• →Guided tour of Chichén Itzá with local guide (Temple of Kukulkan, Platform of the Skulls, Plaza of a Thousand Columns)
• →Cenote swimming

Take the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel (~£12 return, 45 mins). Head to one of the public beaches or a low-cost beach club (Playa Palancar or Paradise Beach have affordable entry). Snorkel straight from the beach in crystal-clear Caribbean water. Return ferry in the late afternoon.

🚌UltraMar ferry, Playa del Carmen → Cozumel → Playa del Carmen, ~£12 return

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or equivalent (~£15–18/night dorm)

• →Ferry to Cozumel and back (~£12 return)
• →Beach club visit or public beach
• →Snorkelling from the beach
• →Swimming in crystal-clear water

Take an ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Bacalar (~4 hours, ~£12). Check into a hostel on the lagoon. In the afternoon, join a shared boat tour of Bacalar Lagoon — book directly at the lagoon dock or via local agencies (~£15–20). Swim in the famous cenote near the fort.

🚌ADO bus, Playa del Carmen → Bacalar, ~£12

🛏Hostel or guesthouse by the lagoon — e.g. Yak Hostel Bacalar or equivalent (~£12–15/night dorm)

• →ADO bus to Bacalar (~£12)
• →Shared boat trip on Bacalar Lagoon (~£18)
• →Swim in the lagoon

An epic travel day crossing into Belize. Take a colectivo or ADO bus to Chetumal (~1.5 hours, ~£5), then a shared shuttle or bus to the Belizean border at Santa Elena/Subteniente López. Cross into Belize and take a local bus or shared taxi to Belize City (~3–4 hours, ~£8), then the San Pedro Belize Express water taxi to Caye Caulker (~£10, 45 mins). Arrive in time for sunset. No tourist visa required for most nationalities, but check your passport requirements.

🚌Colectivo + bus + water taxi chain, total ~£23

🛏Hostel on Caye Caulker — e.g. Bella's Hostel or Lazy Lizard area guesthouses (~£12–15/night dorm)

• →Colectivo to Chetumal (~£5)
• →Cross Belize border
• →Bus/taxi to Belize City (~£8)
• →Water taxi to Caye Caulker (~£10)

Book a snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley directly through one of Caye Caulker's many local operators on the main strip — prices are competitive and trips typically run twice daily (~£25–30). Seasonal manatee spotting is often included. In the evening, enjoy fresh Caribbean fish at a local restaurant — try the Happy Lobster or Wish Willy's.

🚌Included in snorkelling boat trip

🛏Bella's Hostel or equivalent (~£12–15/night dorm)

• →Snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve (~£28)
• →Barrier reef snorkelling
• →Manatee spotting (seasonal)
• →Caribbean fish dinner at a local restaurant (~£10)

A relaxed day on this car-free island. Walk to the Split (the famous channel at the north end of the island) for a swim and a cold Belikin beer. Rent a paddleboard (~£10/hour) or join another cheap snorkelling trip. The island is tiny — everything is walkable and the vibe is famously 'go slow'.

🚌On foot — the island is tiny

🛏Bella's Hostel or equivalent (~£12–15/night dorm)

• →Visit the Split for swimming (~free)
• →Paddleboarding (~£10/hr optional)
• →Beach relaxation
• →Optional extra snorkelling trip

Take the water taxi back to Belize City (~£10), then a shared shuttle to the Guatemalan border at Benque Viejo/Melchor de Mencos (~£8). Cross into Guatemala and continue via shared shuttle to Flores (~4–5 hours total from border, ~£12). En route or in Flores, seek out a community tourism cooking experience with a local Mayan family — ask at your hostel in Flores or pre-book via Quetzal Trekkers. Flores is a beautiful island town on Lake Petén Itzá.

🚌Water taxi + shared shuttle chain, total ~£30

🛏Hostel in Flores — e.g. Los Amigos Hostel or equivalent (~£10–13/night dorm)

• →Water taxi to Belize City (~£10)
• →Shared shuttle to Guatemala border + Flores (~£20)
• →Mayan cooking class with local family (~£15–20)

Rise early for the best experience. Take a shared minibus from Flores to Tikal (~1 hour, ~£5 return). Buy your entrance ticket at the gate (~£15) and hire a local guide at the park entrance for a 2–3 hour tour (~£10–15 split across a small group). Explore the Lost World Pyramid, Temple of the Grand Jaguar, and climb for jaw-dropping jungle canopy views. Return to Flores by mid-afternoon.

🚌Shared minibus, Flores ↔ Tikal, ~£5 return

🛏Los Amigos Hostel, Flores or equivalent (~£10–13/night dorm)

• →Shared minibus to Tikal (~£5 return)
• →Tikal entrance ticket (~£15)
• →Local guide tour (~£12)
• →Explore Lost World Pyramid & Temple of the Grand Jaguar

A long but rewarding travel day through highland Guatemala. Take a shared shuttle from Flores towards Cobán (~7–8 hours, ~£18). En route, stop at the Candelaria Caves — an extraordinary network of riverside caves sacred to the Maya. Entry and basic guided torch tour costs around £5–8 at the community-run entrance. Arrive in Cobán in the evening.

🚌Shared shuttle, Flores → Cobán via Candelaria, ~£18

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Cobán — e.g. Hostal de Doña Victoria or equivalent (~£10–13/night)

• →Shared shuttle from Flores to Cobán (~£18)
• →Candelaria Caves exploration (~£7)
• →Arrive and rest in Cobán

One of Guatemala's most spectacular sites. From Cobán, take a local 4x4 truck or shuttle (~1.5 hours, ~£8) to Semuc Champey. Pay the entrance fee (~£5), then hike up to the El Mirador viewpoint (20–30 mins, worth every step). Swim in the series of natural turquoise limestone pools on the Cahabón River. Many local guesthouses in the area arrange a traditional Mayan lunch with local families for ~£5–8. Return to Cobán in the evening.

🚌Local 4x4 truck/shuttle, Cobán ↔ Semuc Champey, ~£8 return

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Cobán (~£10–13/night)

• →4x4 truck/shuttle to Semuc Champey (~£8 return)
• →Entrance fee (~£5)
• →Jungle hike to El Mirador viewpoint
• →Swim in the natural river pools
• →Traditional Mayan lunch with local family (~£6)

Take a shared shuttle from Cobán towards Chichicastenango (~4–5 hours, ~£15). On market days (Thursday and Sunday), the famous indigenous market is an unmissable explosion of colour, textiles, and local produce — free to explore. Continue by chicken bus or shared shuttle to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán (~1.5 hours, ~£5). Cross by public lancha (water taxi) to your village of choice on the lake.

🚌Shared shuttle + chicken bus + public lancha, total ~£22

🛏Hostel on Lake Atitlán — e.g. Posada del Viajero or Casa Linda, San Pedro or San Marcos (~£10–14/night dorm)

• →Shared shuttle, Cobán to Chichicastenango (~£15)
• →Explore Chichicastenango market (free, check market days)
• →Chicken bus or shuttle to Panajachel (~£5)
• →Lancha water taxi to lakeside village (~£2)

Hop between villages by public lancha (~£1–2 per leg). Visit San Marcos la Laguna, known for its yoga retreats and meditation centres set in lush jungle. Continue to San Juan la Laguna, famous for its women's weaving cooperatives and natural dye workshops. Many cooperatives offer free or low-cost tours. In the evening, arrange a traditional dinner with a local Mayan family through your hostel or a community tourism initiative (~£8–12 including a language lesson in Tz'utujil Mayan phrases).

🚌Public lanchas around the lake, ~£2–4

🛏Guesthouse in San Juan or San Pedro la Laguna (~£10–14/night)

• →Public lanchas between villages (~£2–4 total)
• →Explore San Marcos la Laguna
• →Visit San Juan women's weaving cooperatives (free or small donation)
• →Traditional dinner with Mayan family including Mayan phrases (~£10)

Wake before dawn for the Mayan Face Mountain (Cara Maya/Nariz Maya) sunrise hike — depart around 4am with a local guide arranged through your hostel (~£8–12 including guide). The views at sunrise over the lake are extraordinary. Return for breakfast, then take the public lancha back to Panajachel and a direct shuttle to Antigua (~3 hours, ~£10). Check into your hostel and explore the cobblestone streets in the afternoon.

🚌Lancha + shuttle, Panajachel → Antigua, ~£12

🛏Hostel in Antigua — e.g. Tropicana Hostel or Selina Antigua or equivalent (~£13–17/night dorm)

• →Pre-dawn Mayan Face Mountain sunrise hike with local guide (~£10)
• →Breakfast at the homestay or local café
• →Lancha back to Panajachel (~£2)
• →Shuttle to Antigua (~£10)

Antigua's UNESCO-listed colonial centre is endlessly walkable and free to explore. Wander the cobblestone streets, visit the ruined convent of La Recolección (entrance ~£1), climb the Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views over the city and Agua Volcano (free), and browse the Central Park. Grab coffee at one of Antigua's excellent cafés — Guatemala produces some of the world's best. In the evening, choose from dozens of excellent restaurants.

🚌On foot around Antigua

🛏Tropicana Hostel or equivalent (~£13–17/night dorm)

• →Explore Spanish colonial architecture (free)
• →Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint (free)
• →La Recolección ruins (~£1)
• →Antigua Central Park
• →Café-hopping and restaurant dinner

For the adventure option: book the Acatenango 2-day/1-night trek directly with OX Expeditions or Wicho & Clark in Antigua (~£45–55 including guide, gear rental, and basic meals at basecamp). The hike to basecamp takes 4–6 hours through cloud forest and is tough but enormously rewarding — basecamp overlooks the active Volcán Fuego, which erupts continuously. For those skipping the volcano: join a traditional chocolate making workshop in Antigua (~£20–25 via GetYourGuide or local operators like ChocoMuseo).

🚌Shuttle from Antigua to Acatenango trailhead included in trek price

🛏Basecamp tent on Acatenango (included in trek price) OR Tropicana Hostel, Antigua (~£13–17)

• →Acatenango 2-day trek with local operator (~£50 including overnight) OR
• →Traditional chocolate making workshop in Antigua (~£22)

Volcano trekkers: summit Acatenango at sunrise for breathtaking views of Fuego's eruptions, then descend and shuttle back to Antigua by early afternoon. Everyone reconvenes for a self-launched walking tour of Antigua's colonial highlights — the Cathedral, Arch of Santa Catalina, Central Park, and vibrant markets. Grab a final group dinner together at one of Antigua's rooftop restaurants.

🚌Shuttle back from Acatenango trailhead (included in trek price)

🛏Tropicana Hostel or equivalent (~£13–17/night dorm)

• →Acatenango summit at sunrise (included in trek)
• →Descent and shuttle back to Antigua
• →Self-launched walking tour of Antigua colonial town (free)
• →Optional visit to Antigua Cathedral and Arch of Santa Catalina
• →Farewell dinner

Final morning in Antigua. Grab a last Guatemalan coffee and breakfast before heading onwards. Take a shuttle to Guatemala City airport (~1 hour, ~£8–12) for onward flights. Alternatively, continue independently to other Central American destinations — shared shuttles run to all major regional hubs from Antigua.

🚌Shuttle, Antigua → Guatemala City airport, ~£10

🛏Checkout

• →Final breakfast in Antigua
• →Shuttle to Guatemala City airport (~£10)
• →Onward travel