Mayan Sun Northbound: Self-Launched Cobblestones & Caribbean Culture

Fly into Guatemala City (GUA) and take a shared shuttle to Antigua — a straightforward 1-hour ride bookable at the airport for around £8-10. Check into a hostel in the colonial centre, then head to El Barrio or the central market area for drinks and street food. Antigua is walkable and very safe for solo travellers.

🚌Shared airport shuttle Guatemala City → Antigua (~£8-10, book at airport or via hostel)

🛏Yellow House Hostel or Tropicana Hostel, Antigua — dorm from ~£10/night

• →Arrive Guatemala City, take shared shuttle to Antigua (~£8-10)
• →Check in to hostel in Antigua city centre
• →Explore El Barrio neighbourhood — street food, local bars, and getting your bearings

Spend a free day exploring Antigua's stunning colonial streets, colourful buildings, and ruined churches. Optionally, book a half-day Pacaya Volcano hike independently via GetYourGuide or directly through a local agency on the main square — expect to pay around £18-22 including transport and guide. This is one of Central America's most accessible active volcanoes.

🚌Walking / local tuk-tuk (~£1)

🛏Yellow House Hostel or Tropicana Hostel, Antigua — dorm from ~£10/night

• →Explore Antigua's UNESCO colonial streets, ruined churches (Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced Church)
• →Optional: Pacaya Volcano hike — book via GetYourGuide or local agency (~£18-22 incl. transport)
• →Browse artisan markets and jade shops
• →Evening: rooftop bars on 5a Avenida

Take a shared tourist shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán (around 2.5 hours, ~£10). From Panajachel, hop on a public lanchas (local boat) across the lake to San Juan La Laguna (~£2). San Juan is a beautiful Tz'utujil Maya village famous for its weaving cooperatives and natural dyes. Stay in a local guesthouse for an authentic community experience.

🚌Shared shuttle + public lancha boat (~£12 total)

🛏Hostal Uxlabil or local guesthouse in San Juan La Laguna — from ~£10-12/night

• →Shared shuttle Antigua → Panajachel (~£10, ~2.5hrs)
• →Public lancha boat Panajachel → San Juan La Laguna (~£2)
• →Visit weaving cooperatives and natural dye workshops in San Juan
• →Stunning views of Volcán San Pedro and Volcán Atitlán

Spend the day exploring the lake villages by public lancha — each boat costs £1-2 per leg. San Marcos La Laguna is known for its yoga retreats and spiritual vibe; Santiago Atitlán is a larger town with a famous cofradía (indigenous brotherhood) and the Maximón shrine. Or attempt the San Pedro Volcano hike (~£15 with guide, highly recommended) for panoramic lake views.

🚌Public lanchas between villages (~£1-2 per leg)

🛏Hostal Uxlabil or local guesthouse in San Juan La Laguna — from ~£10-12/night

• →Explore San Marcos La Laguna by public lancha (~£2)
• →Visit Santiago Atitlán and see the Maximón shrine
• →Optional: San Pedro Volcano hike (~£15 with local guide)
• →Sunset swimming at the lake

Take a shared shuttle from Panajachel to Guatemala City, then connect onward to Flores (El Petén) — a long travel day of around 8-10 hours in total, but well worth it for the jungle-island town of Flores. Shuttles run daily and are bookable through your hostel. Flores is a charming island town on Lake Petén Itzá, perfect for an evening stroll and dinner.

🚌Shared shuttle Panajachel → Flores (~£18-22)

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel, Flores — dorm from ~£8-10/night

• →Morning lancha back to Panajachel
• →Shared shuttle Panajachel → Flores via Guatemala City (~£18-22, ~8-10hrs)
• →Evening stroll around Flores island — sunset views over Lake Petén Itzá
• →Dinner at a lakeside restaurant

Use this day to rest up and explore Flores town, or take an optional day trip to the Yaxhá ruins (~£20-25 with transport), a lesser-visited but spectacular Mayan site on a lagoon — famously the filming location for Survivor: Guatemala. Alternatively, kayak on Lake Petén Itzá or take a boat to the village of San Andrés.

🚌Local boat/taxi (~£3-5)

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel, Flores — dorm from ~£8-10/night

• →Relax and explore Flores island town
• →Optional: Day trip to Yaxhá Mayan ruins (~£20-25 incl. transport and entry)
• →Optional: Kayaking on Lake Petén Itzá (~£5-8 hire)
• →Boat trip to San Miguel or San Andrés village

Rise early for the early-morning Tikal ruins tour — the most atmospheric time to visit, with howler monkeys, toucans, and mist rising through the jungle. Book a guided tour from Flores via GetYourGuide or directly at your hostel (~£25-30 incl. transport, guide, and park entry). Climb Temple IV for the iconic above-the-canopy view. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Mayan sites in the world.

🚌Return minibus from Flores to Tikal included in tour

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel, Flores — dorm from ~£8-10/night

• →Early morning guided tour of Tikal ruins from Flores (~£25-30 incl. transport, guide, entry fee)
• →Climb Temple IV for panoramic jungle canopy views
• →Spot howler monkeys, toucans, and jungle wildlife
• →Explore the Gran Plaza, Lost World complex, and Temple of the Jaguar

Cross the border from Guatemala into Belize by shared shuttle — book through your hostel for around £20-25. The route goes Flores → Benque Viejo → San Ignacio. San Ignacio is a laid-back town in the Cayo District, perfect as a Belizean base with great access to jungle ruins and caves. Settle in, grab a Belikin beer, and explore the town.

🚌Shared shuttle Flores → San Ignacio (~£20-25)

🛏Cahal Pech Village Resort or Bella's Backpackers, San Ignacio — dorm from ~£10-12/night

• →Shared shuttle Flores → San Ignacio, Belize (~£20-25, ~4-5hrs incl. border crossing)
• →Explore San Ignacio town — Burns Avenue market, local restaurants
• →Optional: Visit Cahal Pech Mayan ruins (walking distance, ~£5 entry)
• →Belikin beer on the river at a local bar

The ATM Cave is one of the most extraordinary archaeological experiences in Central America — a guided jungle hike and swim through a vast cave system filled with ancient Mayan ceramics and skeletal remains. Tours must be booked with a licensed guide (required by law) and cost around £60-70 including transport and guide. Book in advance through your hostel or GetYourGuide — spots fill up fast.

🚌Transport included in ATM Cave tour

🛏Cahal Pech Village Resort or Bella's Backpackers, San Ignacio — dorm from ~£10-12/night

• →Full-day ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) Cave tour (~£60-70 incl. licensed guide, transport, park entry)
• →Jungle hike and river crossings to cave entrance
• →Swim through the cave system and see ancient Mayan offerings and skeletal remains
• →Evening: rest and local dinner in San Ignacio

Head east to Belize City by public bus from San Ignacio (~£4, 2 hours), then take the water taxi from the Marine Terminal to Caye Caulker (~£15, 45 minutes). Caye Caulker is a tiny Caribbean island with a laid-back vibe ('Go slow' is the motto), white sand, turquoise water, and excellent snorkelling. No cars, no stress — just flip-flops and hammocks.

🚌Public bus + water taxi (~£19 total)

🛏Bella's Hostel or Tina's Backpacker Hostel, Caye Caulker — dorm from ~£12-15/night

• →Public bus San Ignacio → Belize City (~£4, ~2hrs)
• →Water taxi Belize City → Caye Caulker (~£15, ~45 mins — book at Marine Terminal)
• →Explore Caye Caulker on foot or bicycle (~£4/day hire)
• →Sunset at The Split — the island's famous swimming spot

Book a snorkelling day tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley directly with a local operator on the island (around £30-35 per person) — the same experience offered as an optional add-on by G Adventures, but at a fraction of the cost. Expect angelfish, spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, and sea turtles in Belize's world-class barrier reef waters.

🚌Boat included in snorkel tour

🛏Bella's Hostel or Tina's Backpacker Hostel, Caye Caulker — dorm from ~£12-15/night

• →Hol Chan Marine Reserve snorkelling day tour (~£30-35 — book directly with local operators on the island)
• →Snorkel Shark Ray Alley — swim with nurse sharks and stingrays
• →Afternoon: relax at The Split or paddle boarding (~£10/hr)
• →Fresh seafood dinner — lobster if in season (~£10-15)

A free day to soak up island life at your own pace. Rent a bike and explore the whole island in under an hour, take a kayak out to the reef, or book an optional night snorkelling trip to see bioluminescence. The island is tiny, social, and perfect for meeting other travellers — hostels here are some of the most social in Central America.

🚌Walking / bicycle

🛏Bella's Hostel or Tina's Backpacker Hostel, Caye Caulker — dorm from ~£12-15/night

• →Rent a bicycle and explore the full island (~£4/day)
• →Kayak rental (~£8/half day)
• →Optional: night snorkelling / bioluminescence tour (~£20-25)
• →Hammock time, reading, and local rum punch

Take the morning water taxi from Caye Caulker to Belize City (~£15), then a shared shuttle northbound to Chetumal, Mexico (~£25, ~3hrs including border crossing at Santa Elena). From Chetumal, take a local colectivo or taxi to Bacalar (~£4, 40 mins). Bacalar's Lagoon of Seven Colours is a stunning turquoise freshwater lagoon — one of Mexico's most beautiful and underrated destinations.

🚌Water taxi + shared shuttle + colectivo (~£44 total)

🛏Akal Ki Hostel or Yak Hostel, Bacalar — dorm from ~£10-13/night

• →Water taxi Caye Caulker → Belize City (~£15)
• →Shared shuttle Belize City → Chetumal, Mexico (~£25, ~3hrs incl. border crossing)
• →Colectivo Chetumal → Bacalar (~£4, ~40 mins)
• →Evening swim in the Lagoon of Seven Colours

Spend a full day on the Lagoon of Seven Colours. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from your hostel, or join a sailboat tour (~£20-25) that takes you to the pirate channel, cenotes, and the stromatolites — ancient living rock formations in the lagoon. Swim in the crystal-clear blue water and watch the colours shift from turquoise to deep blue. Visit the colonial fort overlooking the lagoon in the afternoon.

🚌Walking / bicycle (~£2)

🛏Akal Ki Hostel or Yak Hostel, Bacalar — dorm from ~£10-13/night

• →Sailboat lagoon tour visiting pirate channel, cenotes, and stromatolites (~£20-25)
• →Kayak or paddleboard rental (~£8-10/half day)
• →Visit Fuerte de San Felipe colonial fort (free entry)
• →Sunset at the lagoon — one of Mexico's most beautiful views

Take a colectivo from Bacalar to Chetumal (~£4), then an ADO bus northbound to Tulum (~£8, ~3hrs). Check into a hostel in Tulum pueblo (town) — much cheaper than the beach strip. In the afternoon, book an optional Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve canal float tour (~£45-55) via GetYourGuide or local operators near the Tulum ruins — an unforgettable journey through bird-filled mangroves and Mayan canals.

🚌Colectivo + ADO bus (~£12 total)

🛏Mama's Home Hostel or El Jardin del Eden, Tulum — dorm from ~£12-15/night

• →Colectivo Bacalar → Chetumal (~£4), ADO bus Chetumal → Tulum (~£8, ~3hrs)
• →Optional: Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve canal float tour (~£45-55 — book via GetYourGuide or local operators)
• →Spot flamingos, manatees, crocodiles, and tropical birds
• →Evening in Tulum town — tacos al pastor and mezcal

Start with a morning visit to the Tulum ruins — clifftop Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea (~£4 entry, no guide needed but audio guides available). Then take a colectivo north to Playa del Carmen (~£3, 1 hour). Playa del Carmen is a vibrant beach town with a famous pedestrian strip (5a Avenida). Celebrate the end of your adventure with a swim on the beach, a final Mexican meal, and a look at flights or ferry connections to Cozumel if you're extending.

🚌Colectivo Tulum → Playa del Carmen (~£3)

🛏Hostel Che or Selina Playa del Carmen — dorm from ~£12-15/night (or depart)

• →Visit Tulum Mayan ruins — clifftop coastal views (~£4 entry)
• →Swim at the beach below the ruins (Playa Ruinas)
• →Colectivo Tulum → Playa del Carmen (~£3, ~1hr)
• →Explore 5a Avenida, beach clubs, and final celebratory dinner