Mayan Discovery: Self-Launched Yucatán, Guatemala & Belize

Fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN) and take the ADO bus directly to Playa del Carmen — tickets cost around £7 and buses run every 30 minutes. Check into a hostel on or near 5th Avenue (La Quinta). Spend the afternoon getting oriented: stroll the pedestrianised strip, grab tacos from a street vendor, and enjoy a beer on the beach. Tonight is yours — meet fellow travellers at your hostel or explore the lively bar scene.

🚌ADO bus from Cancún Airport to Playa del Carmen (~45 mins, ~£7)

🛏Hostel on or near 5th Avenue, e.g. Selina Playa del Carmen or The Reef Hostel (~£14–18/night in dorm)

• →Arrive at Cancún Airport and take ADO bus to Playa del Carmen (~£7)
• →Check into hostel on 5th Avenue
• →Explore the beach and pedestrian strip
• →Street food dinner — tacos al pastor from local vendors

Join a self-booked guided tour of Chichén Itzá via GetYourGuide or Klook — many include transport from Playa del Carmen, making this super straightforward. Arrive early to beat the crowds and the heat. Your local guide will walk you through the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Great Ball Court, and the Temple of Warriors. After the ruins, most tours stop at a cenote for a swim. Return to Playa del Carmen by late afternoon. Alternatively, take an ADO bus to Pisté (£12) and hire a local guide at the entrance (~£10).

🚌Shared tour bus included in GetYourGuide booking, or ADO bus to Pisté (~£12 each way)

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or The Reef Hostel (~£14–18/night in dorm)

• →Guided tour of Chichén Itzá ruins — book via GetYourGuide (~£35–45 including transport)
• →Visit the Pyramid of Kukulcan, Ball Court, and Temple of Warriors
• →Cenote swim stop (often included in tour packages)
• →Return to Playa del Carmen by evening

Today is a long travel day — but an authentic one. Take the ADO overnight bus from Playa del Carmen to Palenque (approximately 10–12 hours, ~£25–30). This is a well-trodden backpacker route and the ADO buses are comfortable with reclining seats and air conditioning. Book your ticket in advance at the ADO terminal or online. Arrive in Palenque in the morning, check in, rest up, and explore the small town centre. El Panchan, a jungle compound just outside town, is a favourite among budget travellers.

🚌ADO overnight bus Playa del Carmen → Palenque (~10–12 hrs, ~£25–30)

🛏El Panchan Jungle Guesthouse or Hostel Chablis Palenque (~£10–15/night)

• →Board overnight ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Palenque
• →Arrive in Palenque, check in and rest
• →Explore Palenque town centre
• →Dinner at a local comedor — try the regional Chiapan cuisine

Use today to recover from the overnight bus and explore the area at your leisure. Visit the Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls, both accessible via shared colectivo from town (~£8 return). These stunning turquoise cascades are a highlight of the Chiapas region. Alternatively, visit the local market, try a temazcal (traditional Mayan steam bath), or simply relax in El Panchan's jungle setting. Prepare for tomorrow's ruin visit by booking a local guide at the entrance or via GetYourGuide.

🚌Shared colectivo to Agua Azul/Misol-Ha (~£8 return)

🛏El Panchan Jungle Guesthouse or Hostel Chablis Palenque (~£10–15/night)

• →Day trip to Agua Azul & Misol-Ha waterfalls by shared colectivo (~£8)
• →Explore Palenque town market
• →Optional: Temazcal (traditional steam bath) experience
• →Evening at El Panchan — open-air bar and live music

Head to the Palenque Archaeological Zone early (opens 8am) for a guided tour of one of the most elegant jungle ruin sites in the world. Book a local guide at the entrance (~£12–15) or pre-book via GetYourGuide. Explore the Temple of the Cross Group, the Temple of Inscriptions (where the tomb of Pakal the Great was discovered), and the Grand Palace. Listen out for howler monkeys echoing through the jungle canopy. The site is genuinely magical in the morning mist. Colectivos run frequently from town to the ruins (~£1.50).

🚌Shared colectivo from town to ruins (~£1.50 each way)

🛏El Panchan Jungle Guesthouse or Hostel Chablis Palenque (~£10–15/night)

• →Guided tour of Palenque ruins — hire guide at entrance (~£12–15) or book via GetYourGuide
• →Visit Temple of Inscriptions, Temple of the Cross Group, and Grand Palace
• →Spot howler monkeys in the jungle canopy
• →Return to town by early afternoon — pack bags for tomorrow

Today you cross into Guatemala. The classic backpacker route is to take a shared shuttle from Palenque to Flores, crossing the border at La Palma/El Ceibo. Book through your hostel or a local operator (~£25–35 per person, door-to-door). The journey takes around 7–9 hours including the border crossing — bring your passport, a small amount of USD for the border fee (~£3), and snacks. Arrive in Flores, a charming island town on Lake Petén Itzá, by evening. Check into a lakeside guesthouse and enjoy a cold Gallo beer.

🚌Shared shuttle Palenque → Flores (~7–9 hrs, ~£25–35 per person)

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel (~£10–14/night in dorm)

• →Shared shuttle from Palenque to Flores via La Palma border crossing (~£25–35)
• →Border crossing into Guatemala (bring USD ~£3 for fees)
• →Arrive in Flores, check in to lakeside guesthouse
• →Evening walk around Flores island and dinner by the lake

Take the day to explore Flores and its surroundings before the big Tikal day tomorrow. Flores is a tiny, colourful island connected to the mainland by a causeway — perfect for wandering. Hire a kayak on Lake Petén Itzá (~£5/hr), visit the nearby ruins of Yaxhá (accessible by shuttle, ~£8 each way), or take a boat to the traditional village of San Andrés. Stock up on snacks and water for the Tikal trek tomorrow. Book your Tikal entry ticket (around £15) and arrange an early shuttle from Flores (~£5–8 return).

🚌Local boat taxi around lake (~£2–4)

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel (~£10–14/night in dorm)

• →Kayak on Lake Petén Itzá (~£5/hr)
• →Optional: day trip to Yaxhá ruins (~£8 shuttle + £10 entry)
• →Walk around Flores island — visit the colourful colonial church
• →Book Tikal shuttle and entry tickets for tomorrow
• →Dinner at a local comedor — try pepián stew

Rise before dawn and catch the early shuttle to Tikal National Park (~1 hour from Flores). Arrive as the park opens at 6am to experience the jungle waking up — howler monkeys, toucans, and coatis are all regularly spotted. Book a local guide at the park entrance (~£15–20) for a 2–3 hour tour. Climb Temple IV — the tallest structure in the park — for panoramic views over the jungle canopy. This is one of the most unforgettable experiences in all of Central America. Spend the rest of the morning exploring at your own pace before the shuttle returns to Flores in the afternoon.

🚌Shared shuttle Flores ↔ Tikal (~1 hr each way, ~£5–8 return)

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel (~£10–14/night in dorm)

• →Early shuttle from Flores to Tikal (~£5–8 return)
• →Tikal National Park entry ticket (~£15)
• →Hire a local guide at the entrance (~£15–20 for 2–3 hr tour)
• →Climb Temple IV for jungle canopy views
• →Spot wildlife: howler monkeys, toucans, coatis
• →Return shuttle to Flores by early afternoon

Cross from Guatemala into Belize today. Take a shared shuttle or public bus from Flores/Santa Elena to the Melchor de Mencos/Benque Viejo border crossing (~£8–12). Cross on foot, clear Belize customs, and hop on a local bus or shared taxi to San Ignacio (~£3–5). San Ignacio is a lively, laid-back town on the Macal River and a great base for exploring Belize's western highlands. Check in, grab a Belikin beer, and enjoy the slower Caribbean pace of life.

🚌Shared shuttle to border (~£10) + local bus to San Ignacio (~£4)

🛏Cahal Pech Village Resort dorm or Pacz Inn Hostel (~£12–16/night)

• →Shared shuttle from Flores to Guatemala–Belize border (~£8–12)
• →Border crossing at Melchor de Mencos/Benque Viejo
• →Local bus or shared taxi to San Ignacio (~£3–5)
• →Explore San Ignacio market and riverside
• →Evening at local bars — try a Belikin beer

Take a local bus or taxi to the Xunantunich archaeological site (~30 mins, ~£3 each way), cross the hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River (free), and explore this impressive Mayan ceremonial centre. The El Castillo pyramid rises 40 metres above the jungle — climb to the top for sweeping views into Guatemala. Entry is just £5. Afterwards, explore the Green Iguana Conservation Project in San Ignacio town, or take a self-guided cave tour at Barton Creek Cave (~£20 with local guide). The ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) is a world-class caving experience also bookable from here (~£55–65 via local tour operators).

🚌Local bus/taxi to Xunantunich (~£3 each way)

🛏Cahal Pech Village Resort dorm or Pacz Inn Hostel (~£12–16/night)

• →Local bus/taxi to Xunantunich ruins (~£3 each way)
• →Hand-cranked ferry crossing (free)
• →Xunantunich entry and climb El Castillo pyramid (~£5)
• →Optional: ATM Cave tour — book with a local operator (~£55–65)
• →Green Iguana Conservation Project visit (~£4)
• →Dinner at Guava Limb Café — local Belizean cuisine

Head east to the Caribbean coast. Take the local Novelo's bus from San Ignacio to Belize City (~£5–7, 2.5 hrs), then a water taxi from the Marine Terminal to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (~£15, 75 mins). San Pedro is a relaxed island town — think golf carts, pastel buildings, and the second-largest barrier reef in the world just offshore. Check into a guesthouse near the beach and spend the evening on the split — the famous sandbar where the island is divided in two, popular for sunset drinks.

🚌Novelo's bus to Belize City (~£6) + water taxi to San Pedro (~£15)

🛏Pedro's Inn or Ruby's Hotel, San Pedro (~£15–20/night in dorm or budget room)

• →Local Novelo's bus from San Ignacio to Belize City (~£5–7)
• →Water taxi from Belize City Marine Terminal to San Pedro (~£15)
• →Check into guesthouse in San Pedro
• →Evening at The Split — sunset drinks on the sandbar

Today, explore the oldest marine reserve in Belize on a snorkelling tour — easily booked directly with local operators in San Pedro or via GetYourGuide (~£30–40 for a half-day tour including equipment). Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, teeming with angelfish, blue-stripped grunts, and snappers, then head to Shark Ray Alley where nurse sharks and stingrays gather in the shallows. It's completely safe and utterly thrilling. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, hiring a bicycle to explore the island (~£6/day), or diving (PADI dives available from ~£40).

🚌Boat included in snorkel tour; bicycle hire for island (~£6/day)

🛏Pedro's Inn or Ruby's Hotel, San Pedro (~£15–20/night in dorm or budget room)

• →Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley snorkelling tour (~£30–40, book direct or via GetYourGuide)
• →Snorkel with nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley
• →Afternoon beach time or bicycle hire to explore the island (~£6/day)
• →Optional: PADI fun dive (~£40)
• →Sunset drinks and fresh seafood dinner in San Pedro

Today you return to Mexico. Take the water taxi from San Pedro back to Belize City (~£15), then catch the ADO international bus from Belize City to Playa del Carmen (~£25–30, ~5 hrs) — this crosses the Mexico border at Chetumal. Alternatively, take the Chetumal water taxi directly from San Pedro to Chetumal (~£35, 3.5 hrs) and then a local bus to Playa del Carmen (~£5). Arrive back at your Playa del Carmen hostel by evening, ready for a couple of final days on the Yucatán coast.

🚌Water taxi to Belize City (~£15) + ADO bus to Playa del Carmen (~£25–30)

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or The Reef Hostel (~£14–18/night in dorm)

• →Water taxi from San Pedro to Belize City (~£15)
• →ADO bus from Belize City to Playa del Carmen via Chetumal (~£25–30)
• →Alternatively: Chetumal water taxi from San Pedro (~£35) + local bus to PDC (~£5)
• →Arrive Playa del Carmen — recheck into a hostel on 5th Avenue
• →Dinner on the beach — celebrate nearly two weeks of adventure!

Pack in a memorable final full day. Head south by ADO bus or colectivo to Tulum (~45 mins, ~£2–3) and explore the stunning clifftop ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea (entry ~£4). Swim at the beach below — one of the most iconic spots in all of Mexico. Book a Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve canal float tour via a local Tulum operator or GetYourGuide (~£40–55) for an extraordinary ecotourism experience drifting through ancient Mayan canals. In the evening, make your way to El Hongo community restaurant in the 'real' Playa del Carmen for a home-style meal supporting a local youth art programme — ask your hostel for directions to this local gem.

🚌Colectivo Playa del Carmen ↔ Tulum (~£2–3 each way)

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or The Reef Hostel (~£14–18/night in dorm)

• →Colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum (~£2–3 each way)
• →Tulum ruins visit and beach swim (entry ~£4)
• →Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve canal float — book via local Tulum operator or GetYourGuide (~£40–55)
• →Dinner at El Hongo community restaurant — support local youth art programme

Savour your final morning with a last swim in the Caribbean Sea, a leisurely breakfast of chilaquiles on 5th Avenue, and some last-minute souvenir shopping. When you're ready, catch the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen back to Cancún International Airport (~45 mins, ~£7). Allow at least 3 hours before your flight. Safe travels — you've just done the Mayan world on your own terms.

🚌ADO bus Playa del Carmen → Cancún Airport (~45 mins, ~£7)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final morning swim and breakfast on 5th Avenue
• →Last-minute shopping for souvenirs — hammocks, local crafts, Mayan chocolate
• →ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancún Airport (~£7)
• →Depart from Cancún International Airport