Semuc champey el mirador

The Ultimate Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Travel Itinerary

Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala are the gateway to an amazing trip through Central America. It’s easy to travel through these three connected countries and along the way, you’ll stop by quaint seaside towns and islands, eating some of the most delicious food known to man, diving in some of the world’s best locations, and soaking up Mayan ruins.

Note that this itinerary will have a lot of scuba diving because that is one of my favorite things to do, but there’s no need to do exactly what I did either! I have also added a second itinerary without much emphasis on diving.

Bacalar water color lagoon
Look at that water! The Bacalar Lagoon in Mexico

Where I went in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala


I have visited Mexico numerous times and Belize once. This itinerary is how I would combine the two into one trip. These places are hot year round but July to November is hurricane season and weather can get volatile during this period.

In total, this itinerary is for anyone that has 21-25 days to spend in Mexico and Belize. This post is essentially combining my two week Mexico, Belize itinerary with my Guatemala itinerary.  The highlights of this trip are:

Mexico Belize guatemala Travel Itinerary
The route for my Itinerary

If these places ring a bell and sound like the places you want to visit, this is the perfect itinerary for you! Also, Mexico and Belize are the very common starting points for those looking to do the entire Central American route. I met loads of travelers spending months to travel all of Central America. These countries are small, well connected by bus transport, and safe to travel through.

Visa Fees for Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize

As of the time of writing this in 2023, there are no visa fees for travelers from most Western countries to these countries. You will be able to obtain a visa on arrival with no charge for all citizens of US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, EU, etc.

This is bound to change at any point however as more and more countries start to charge for visa on arrivals to add a bit more money to their budgets.

Detailed Posts

Full Itinerary


This itinerary starts in Cancun as numerous international airlines fly into this airport, and ends in Guatemala City. This of course can also be done the other way around but it’s likely that there will be significantly more flight options arriving in Cancun, Mexico.

Cancun itself is primarily a resort town for all inclusive vacationers and Spring breakers. In fact, the town of Cancun was actually created by the Mexican Government with the sole purpose of attracting tourists from America. I’m not a fan of the place at all so I would recommend just skipping it altogether and taking a bus straight to Playa Del Carmen.

This itinerary more or less combines my two week Mexico, Belize itinerary with my two week Guatemala travel itinerary.

If you have even more time, and want to see Central Mexico as well (which is a great starting point before the Yucatan), make sure to read my Central Mexican travel itinerary.

Day 1-4: Cancun to Cozumel


The trip begins in Cancun. Upon arrival, the first thing to do is take the ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen. Taxis in Cancun are extremely expensive and will rip off tourists without hesitation. A cab fare from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen is $60-70 USD one way.  There is no Uber here either which is frustrating so the only option is to take a charter bus.

ado bus mexico
ADO Buses in Mexico. Top class bus system

Thankfully, ADO is a highly reputable and reliable Mexican bus company that will take you everywhere you want to go in the country. The cost on the ADO bus is around 200 pesos for a one way transfer.

Buses to Playa Del Carmen pick up right past the Margaritaville kiosk once you exit the airport at Terminal 3 and leave every 30 min. For the most part, I would recommend taking the ADO bus from Cancun down to Chetumal near the Mexico-Belize border. Depending on your guesthouse, they may also offer you group van transfers for a slightly higher price between towns so it’s up to you and your budget.

Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel

From Playa Del Carmen, there are two ferry companies that make the 45 minutes journey to Cozumel. The ferry costs around 150 pesos for a one way journey and runs every hour. I would opt for the yellow Ultramar tourist ferry as it is more comfortable. It is slightly more expensive but worth it for the views. Alternatively, the local ferry is totally fine too and their departure schedules alternate normally.

cozumel ferry ultramar
Cozumel Ultramar Ferry

Spending time in Cozumel

The diving around Cozumel is some of the best in the Caribbean. Home to the Mesoamerican barrier reef, Cozumel is a divers paradise with many species of fish, coral, sharks, and crustaceans. Cozumel itself is a laid back island with tons of great bars and delicious food to offer. Avoid all the touristy chains, and venture straight to the many local taquerias. This is where the best food is at and at the absolute cheapest prices. Tacos can be had for 12-15 pesos each and the Al Pastor is absolutely on point here.

scuba life cozumel open water course
Open water course being taught by Carlos in Cozumel

The diving here is also fantastic. It is the perfect place to get certified as the waters are warm, and the conditions are perhaps some of the most effortless in the world. Cozumel is known for its drift diving and I’ve not been anywhere else in the world where the dives are so effortless, as you’re literally drifting the entire dive site.

schooling fish cozumel
Schooling fish in Cozumel
cozumel airbnb
Relaxing on my Cozumel Airbnb condo with a gorgeous sunset view

Day 4: Cozumel to Tulum


From Cozumel, head back to the mainland by taking the ferry. From here, you can do a day trip to Chichen Itza, one of Mexico’s most famous Mayan ruins. However, as Guatemala is in the itinerary, I think the ruins at Tikal are more impressive and would save my ruins experience for Tikal. Of course, if you have the time, I would do both but for the sake of this itinerary, I will give it a skip. Once at Playa Del Carmen, take the ADO bus to Tulum

chichen itza mexico visit
Chichen Itza in its wondrous glory

Once you arrive, you’re usually free to explore on your own. There isn’t a whole lot else to do around the temple besides witness the massive temple. Expect to see a lot of tourists here but I still think it is well worth doing, and is architecturally much more impressive the the Mayan ruins in Tulum.

When you get back from the day trip, take a ride to Tulum.

Getting from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum

The first option is the trusty ADO bus. The bus station is located on 5th Ave. and Benito Juarez. The buses to Tulum depart from Playa del Carmen every day all throughout the day. If you miss one bus, the next one is always less than an hour away. The cost for this ride is roughly 80 pesos and takes 1 hour.

Alternatively, the taxi collectivos used by the locals are even cheaper but it’s likely they’ll deny you entry if you have luggage or make you pay for an extra seat. I would just stick with the ADO bus for this trip.

Finally, a private taxi can also be hired for this journey for the price of 600-800 pesos depending on your bargaining skills.

Day 4-7: Tulum and the Cenotes


The town of Tulum is my favorite town in the Yucatan region. It’s filled with local culture, delicious food, ruins, fantastic beaches, and less all inclusive resort madness of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. If you have to choose only one place to visit in the region, it would be Tulum in my opinion. It has everything.

tulum town mexico
Tulum town.

There are a number of amazing guesthouses and Airbnbs to choose from. The options are much better than Playa in my opinion as it focuses more on rustic, back to nature type accommodations vs the concrete jungle near the beach of Playa. I would recommend something closer to the town center as accommodation near the beach can be far away from all the bars and restaurants of the town. Biking is my preferred method to get around town and many of the guesthouses will have bikes for use.

Cenotes In and Around Tulum

A cenote is a naturally formed sinkhole in the Earth’s surface made up of limestone. Millions of years of rainfalls ate away the limestone, creating underground cave pools. The water that fills the cenotes can be either fresh water, salt water or both. These naturally forming cave pools vary in structure. They can be completely open, similar to a lake, almost completely close with just a small opening at the top or somewhere in between.

The Gran Cenote in Mexico

No matter where you go during your trip to Tulum, it is an absolute must to visit at least one cenote while in Mexico. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico has about 7,000 cenotes. So, there is no reason why you shouldn’t visit at least one. Trust me, after going to a cenote, you will never be able to look at beaches or pools the same way again.

Along the way to Tulum from Cancun or Playa del Carmen you will find a large amount of cenotes. Below is a list of the best cenotes along the way that we believe are worth the price.

  1. Cenote Azul  (Entrance fee: $70 pesos)
  2. Chaak Tun (Entrance fee: $240 pesos)
  3. Dos Ojos (Entrance fee: $150 pesos )
  4. Gran Cenote (Entrance fee: $120 pesos)

Tulum Ruins

The Tulum Ruins are considered one of the most preserved ruins in Mexico, though not as impressive as Tikal, Chichen Itza or other popular ruins, they are worth a visit. There is also a beautiful beach right by the ruins, so don’t forget your bathing suit. I found the Tulum ruins to be a bit of a let down. Perhaps it’s because it’s completely swarmed by tourists, but I just wasn’t as impressed by the architecture. I will say that the views of the beach are absolutely stunning however!

Tulum Ruins Cozumel
Overlooking the beach and ruins at Tulum.

You can also choose to hire a guide here for 500 pesos or so but I didn’t find it necessary.

Admission fee: $59 pesos

Tulum Ruins in Mexico

Day 7-8: Bacalar


Continuing south towards Belize, the next stop after Tulum is the town of Bacalar. The lagoon is the village’s main attraction. It is referred to as the Lagoon of the Seven Colors due to the contrasts in its ground soils, its varying depths and intensity with which it absorbs the sun’s rays, all of which cause its waters to reflect seven different shades of blue.

bacalar swings mexico
The famous water side swings in the Bacalar Lagoon

Enjoy the incomparable landscape by boat, kayak, sailboat or jet ski. Admire the contrast of the lush vegetation surrounding the waters and let yourself be lulled by the singing of the birds, making this a magical experience. Bacalar has some of the bluest waters of anywhere I’ve seen in the world. It is incredible that it is actually a lake but has more shades of blue and turquoise than even the Maldives.

Bacalar water color lagoon
Look at that water!
Bacalar lagoon mexico
Bacalar Lagoon

I stayed at the Green Monkey Backpackers near the lagoon for a very cheap price. From Tulum, it is a three hour bus ride on the ADO and these buses run all throughout the day.

Bacalar Lagoon is the place to go if you just want to chill out and relax. Rather than write at length, I think these photos should sum up all the fun things to do there – most of which revolve around the lake – be it swimming, snorkelling, boat trips, cliff jumping, kayaking, lazying in hammocks, camping or stand up paddle boarding at sunrise. Perhaps the best move to see a little bit of everything is to take the guided boat tour around the lagoon.

Bacalar Lagoon
Bacalar Lagoon

Day 8-11: Caye Caulker, Belize


After Bacalar, make your way down to the southern most port town of the Yucatan in Chetumal. From Chetumal, there is a once a day ferry that goes to Belize, stopping at the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Both options are fantastic. San Pedro is much bigger, more developed, and has all the resorts and restaurants you can think of. Caye Caulker is the much smaller, laid back cousin. Its motto is “Go Slow” after all. I spent 5 days in Caye Caulker and absolutely loved it.

Caye caulker belize island
Caye caulker, one of my favorite islands!

It’s famous for the Great Blue Hole which is the largest cavernous ocean formation in the world. The diving in the area is fantastic, and perhaps the best in the Caribbean after Little Cayman. A visit to the Blue Hole is a must as this is perhaps Belize’s most famous attraction. One thing to note is that the Blue Hole day trip is not offered every day so make sure to check this beforehand.

lazy lizard sunset belize caye caulker
I love Caye Caulker and watching the sunset daily from the Lazy Lizard.

The diving in Caye Caulker is not cheap however as there aren’t many shops. The dive trip to the Blue Hole is especially expensive cost around $300 USD.

Aside from the fantastic diving, I absolutely just loved the vibe in Caye Caulker. It was so chilled and relaxing. Many backpackers either start or end their journeys around Caye Caulker and everyone is down to have a good time. There are only a few bars here and it seems like the entire island is visiting certain bars at certain times making it a great place to meet new people and grab a cold one. I actively particited in this and the amount of rum punches I drank at the Split was bordering on alcoholism.

Half Moon caye diving belize
Colorful corals at Half Moon Caye
A beautiful view of the Belize Barrier Reef with the blue hole in the middle of it

Ferry to Caye Caulker

The ferry ride from Chetumal to Caye Caulker is quite a mission. There is a lot to know about this ferry ride including entry/exit taxes and immigration. The boat ride itself is about 2.5 hours with a stop in San Pedro to drop off passengers and clear immigration. The ferry is on the pricier side costing roughly $55-60 USD one way. Nevertheless, this is the best way to get to the islands of Belize without having to cross the land border between Mexico and Belize, and driving towards Belize City.

Chetumal immigration office mexico belize ferry
Chetumal Border Crossing

Day 12-14: San Ignacio and ATM Caves


From Caye Caulker, I took the ferry to the capital of Belize City via the Belize Water Taxi. This is the same company that does the ferry from Chetumal, Mexico to Caye caulker. This ferry rruns multiple times a day but because of the tight schedule, I would take this ferry in the morning.

From the ferry station, there are multiple buses that will drive towards the town of San Ignacio on the Guatemala-Belize border. This drive is just over 2 hours. The town of San Ignacio is actually very interesting but due to time constraints, this trip is primarily to see the ATM Caves.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Tour

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is one of the most famous archaeological sites containing skeletal remains of Maya human sacrifices. Many of these skeletons are still in tact and they literally sparkle. Yes you heard me right. Something to do with science and aging of the bones but it’s true.

Entrance to the Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves
Entrance to the Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves

I wouldn’t call myself a cave connoseur but any means, but this is probably the most amazing cave I’ve ever visited. It’s immense size and natural beauty make this a must visit for anyone coming to Belize. It is not easy by any means. There is plenty of hiking, swimming, walking in darkness, and everything in between. However, once you’ve overcome your basic fears, this place will for sure go down as one of the more epic things you’ve done. Certainly is for me!

Cave hike actun tunichil muknal swimming
A swim through to start the cave hike!

One downside is that you cannot take ANY cameras inside the cave. A few years back, some idiot tourist dropped his camera ON an ancient skeleton and destroyed the remains. It’s always that one person that ruins it for everyone!

skeleton actun tunichil muknal
Skeleton remains inside the cave
ATM cave belize actun munichil muknal

This is a day tour and lasts for roughly 8-9 hours leaving from San Ignacio. It’s possible to take the bus back to Belize City when you return into the city around 5pm. Otherwise, I would spend a second night in this town and return to Belize City the following morning. San Ignacio is much cooler than Belize City.

Day 14-15: Tikal Ruins


From San Ignacio, it’s time to cross the border into Guatemala. There are no buses that do this route that I know of that can operate in Belize and Guatemala.

From San Ignacio, I took a taxi to the border which was about 5 BZD. After crossing the border which wasn’t much of an issue as Guatemala has no visa requirements for Western passports, there were mini buses and taxis waiting to take people to either Flores or Tikal. I didn’t have enough time to stay in Flores and only wanted to check out Tikal so I was looking for direct transport there.

I met some people at the border and we were both going to Tikal. We ended up sharing a taxi for 500Q straight to Tikal! For the time saved and comfort of a decent car, I found this to be of great value as this is almost 2 hours.

If you have more time, I would recommend spending some time in Flores as well. Most travelers stay in Flores and use that as a base to visit Tikal (1 hour away) so from the Belize-Guatemala border, take a bus to Flores instead!

Read my detailed recount of visiting Tikal

I opted to stay inside the park. There are just a handful of lodges that are in the park. They are more expensive than the accommodation options in Flores but overall it’s still very reasonable with a private room with 2 twin beds at 400Q. It’s quite rustic (although not super rustic) and you’re exposed to the elements. I heard howler monkeys all night!

grand plaza tikal
The Grand Plaza of Tikal

If you want to explore Tikal in the morning before the crowds come, staying in the jungle is a must.

Day 15-17: Semuc Champey


From Tikal, I took the shuttle back to Flores and boarded a bus to Lanquin, the gateway city to Semuc Champey. Hidden in the lush mountainous jungle just 11kms of the nearby town, Lanquin, Semuc Champey, is a 300 m long natural forming limestone bridge that has six turquoise blue water pools. People visit Semuc not only to enjoy swimming in the pools but also to explore the nearby water cave, or tube down the Cahabon River which disappears under the limestone bridge only to reappear miles later.

Semuc champey el mirador
Semuc Champey from the beautiful El Mirador viewpoint

Semuc Champey is easy to do on your own. No tours or guides are really necessary. You can just rock up to the pools and take a swim, which I highly recommend. Also be sure to go to the El Mirador viewpoint to really take in all of the beauty. Semuc Champey really is one of the most beautiful natural wonders I’ve seen!

Semuc champey swimming pool
One of many swimming pools in Semuc Champey. Expect a crowd however.

There are many options to stay in the area. Electing to stay in the park will be similar to staying in Tikal in that you’re subjugated to the food being offered at your hotel at much higher prices. Staying in Lanquin is a much better option as it is much closer than Flores is to Tikal.

From Lanquin, take a bus to Antigua. These buses run regularly as Antigua to Lanquin is a popular route (8 hours). The hostel or hotel will be able to arrange everything.

Day 17-20: Antigua


The next stop on the itinerary is Antigua, Guatemala’s colonial but also cosmopolitan gem of a town. It’s renowned for its beautiful Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets, history, and panoramic views of the towering volcanoes. I really really enjoyed my stay in Antigua and found it to be one of the most picturesque cities I’ve ever visited.

Antigua
The famous Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua

The town is quite small but is full of fantastic restaurants, bars, and local markets. It’s surrounded by Volcan De Agua, Volcan De Fuego, and Volcan Acatenengo with Volcan de Fuego regularly experiencing eruptions. There’s no better place to put it all together than standing in front of the iconic Santa Catalina arch on Avenida 5a with Volcan de Agua in the distance.

Antigua market square
Antigua Market Square

Antigua is also the place to take tours to hike the numerous volcanoes in the area. Volcan Pacaya is the popular day trip option for the less committed, while Acatenengo is a more serious (overnight) but much more rewarding hike. I only did Pacaya with my limited time here but everyone I spoke to unanimously said that Acatenengo was the highlight of their trip. It is right next to the active Volcan de Fuego and you can see the eruptions up close and personal. If I had more time, I would elect for the overnight Acatenengo hike instead.

Day 20-24: Lake Atitlan


From Antigua, there are multiple shuttles and private transfer options available to Lake Atitlan. From Antigua, the drive is 3-4 hours depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can request an Uber for 500-700Q which I would recommend if you are more than 2 people as the bus ride can be quite uncomfortable.

Read my full experience on Lake Atitlan

Casa ven aca infinity pool jaibalito lake atitlan
Sunset views from the Casa Ven Aca infinity pool in Jaibalito

Lake Atitlan is hands down my favorite part of the country. There isn’t much like it that I’ve seen in the world: impossibly calm and untouched lakes surrounded by dramatic volcanoes. It’s like Lake Como but with volcanoes, no super yachts, and a fraction of the cost. There are numerous little villages along the lake. Some are all locals, while others are well suited to host backpackers and expats.

hammock lake atitlan views
Sipping some wine on the hammock on our private porch as we enjoy the sunset views.
anzan atitlan balcony view
View from the balcony

We stayed at a guesthouse here near San Marcos La Laguna called Anzan Atitlan. This is definitely one of the most amazing places I’ve ever stayed in. The views are completely unrivaled and the rooms were pure luxury (at a non luxury price). I would highly recommend a stay here as it really made our experience that much more amazing.

Day 25: Fly out of Guatemala City


I stayed a night in Guatemala City because my flight was leaving in the early morning. There are plenty of hotels nearby to the airport so it doesn’t really matter where you stay. I didn’t explore much of the town but I did stop by and eat at Donde Joselito, an absolute gem of a steakhouse.

Donde Joselito steak guatemala city
Asado area of Donde Joselito
Donde Joselito steak guatemala city

Like the Argentines, Guatemalans love their meat and they have numerous Asado style steakhouses in the city. These places range from family hangouts to higher end steak dining. Donde Joselito is more of the former and came highly recommended by a friend.

I absolutely LOVED this place. The steak was to die for. It was incredibly tender and juicy, almost reminding me of my Kobe beef experience in Japan. Make sure to eat the house specialty along with some chorizo to get the full experience. When I return to Guatemala, Guatemala City will always be a stop I make just to eat this steak!

Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala Day by Day breakdown


Day 1 – Land in Cancun, transfer to Playa Del Carmen, and ferry to Cozumel
Day 2 – Diving in Cozumel
Day 3 – Diving in Cozumel
Day 4 – Cozumel to Tulum
Day 5 – Tulum
Day 6 – Tulum
Day 7 – Bacalar
Day 8 – Bacalar to Chetumal to Caye Caulker
Day 9 – Caye Caulker
Day 10 – Caye Caulker
Day 11 –  Caye Caulker to Belize City to San Ignacio
Day 12 – ATM Cave Tour
Day 13 – San Ignacio to Tikal
Day 14 – Tikal
Day 15 – Flores to Lanquin: Early morning bus from Flores to Lanquin
Day 16 – Semuc Champey: Explore Semuc Champey
Day 17 – Semuc Champey: Explore Semuc Champey
Day 18 – Semuc Champey to Antigua: Bus to Antigua
Day 19 – Antigua: Full day to explore Antigua
Day 20 – Antigua: Day to explore Antigua, Pacaya Volcano hike
Day 21 – Antigua to Lake Atitlan: Morning bus to Panajachel, taxi boat to Casa Rosada/Anzan Atitlan
Day 22 – Lake Atitlan: Hike to Jaibalito and Santa Cruz La Laguna
Day 23 – Lake Atitlan: Hike Volcan San Pedro
Day 24 – Lake Atitlan: Explore other towns (San Pedro, San Juan etc.)
Day 25 – Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City: Lake Atitlan back to Guatemala City, stay overnight and dine at Donde Joselito Steakhouse

Mexico and Belize Itinerary for Non-Divers


Obviously this itinerary has a lot of diving because I’m an avid diver, and well? The area has some fantastic diving. However, I know many people are not divers so if you’re not, this is how I would change the itinerary with more focus on Mayan ruins, and replacing a lot of diving with just a bit of snorkeling. You have to go to the cenotes after all even if you’re just snorkeling!

For non-divers, I would completely skip Cozumel. The island is cool, but if you’re not diving, I think there are better places to go in the area. Caye Caulker will more than provide for the rustic small island experience. For most of Mexico, I will use Tulum as the main hub as I prefer it to Playa Del Carmen and Cancun.

Day 1: Land in Cancun, transfer to Tulum
Day 2: Tulum – Explore the ruins
Day 3: Tulum – Chichen Itza Day Trip
Day 4: Tulum – Cenotes Snorkeling
Day 5: Tulum – Free day to explore
Day 6: Bacalar
Day 7: Bacalar to Chetumal to Caye Caulker
Day 8: Caye Caulker
Day 9: Caye Caulker
Day 10: Caye Caulker to Belize City to San Ignacio
Day 11: Explore the Xunantunich Mayan ruins
Day 12: ATM Cave tour
Day 13 – San Ignacio to Tikal
Day 14 – Tikal
Day 15 – Flores to Lanquin: Early morning bus from Flores to Lanquin
Day 16 – Semuc Champey: Explore Semuc Champey
Day 17 – Semuc Champey: Explore Semuc Champey
Day 18 – Semuc Champey to Antigua: Bus to Antigua
Day 19 – Antigua: Full day to explore Antigua
Day 20 – Antigua: Day to explore Antigua, Pacaya Volcano hike
Day 21 – Antigua to Lake Atitlan: Morning bus to Panajachel, taxi boat to Casa Rosada/Anzan Atitlan
Day 22 – Lake Atitlan: Hike to Jaibalito and Santa Cruz La Laguna
Day 23 – Lake Atitlan: Hike Volcan San Pedro
Day 24 – Lake Atitlan: Explore other towns (San Pedro, San Juan etc.)
Day 25 – Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City: Lake Atitlan back to Guatemala City, stay overnight and dine at Donde Joselito Steakhouse

22 Comments

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  1. Hi Jhonny, what an epic trip!
    I would like to go and do some part of your itinerary in August.
    What do you think about landing in Cancun, going to Holbox and Isla Mujeres, then to Tulum and straight to Belize (san pedro, blue hole (skydive there?), caye caulker), then Guatemala (Tikal and lake atitlan and Antigua)? Is it possible do it by car? 15 days are enough? Is it safe? Thanks a lot

    • Hi matteo, are you renting your own car? I’m not sure what the rules are for going through those countries if so. However, I think 15 days is probably too short to see everything unless you really speed through the different destinations (possible, but will be rushed). Totally safe for all of the trip. Enjoy!

      • Yes i’ll rent the car only in Mexico, then i’ll take some flights in Belize and Guatemala. Thanks a lot for the info

  2. Thanks for the itinerary. We are planning a family trip next year with our two children. We have 4 weeks. Do you think this trip is ok for children? How easy are her border crossings and is transport easy to find.

    • Hi Steve, depending on how old your kids are. Transport can be a bit rough in Guatemala if you’re not going with private cars. Mexico and Belize are quite okay in my opinion. Border crossings are relatively easy and straight forward. Just make sure to have cash on hand for the pesky exit fee between Mexico and Belize.

  3. Hi Johnny
    This trip looks epic.
    Think about doing this in the week in Columbia at the moment.
    Just wondering roughly how it cost you?
    Cheers brad

  4. Hello mate! Thanks for your great itinerary, photos and descriptions. We are looking at doing the exact trip with some USA at the start and finish. Super helpful! One question was how you found having so many big (8hr+) travel days in there? And moving ever 2 or 3 days. Eg. We really love the look of Lanquin but are concerned those bus trips will just kill us! Any thoughts on the pace of travel?

    • Hi Joel! I didn’t think the travel days were all that bad to be honest. The flores to lanquin bus was probably the longest but the bus stops a few times for you to get a break in. I mean it passes through some towns so you could ask the driver to drop you off and Im sure he’d oblige ha. But then you’d have to sort out your transfer the next day somehow. I think you should be fine though!

  5. HI Johnny,

    Thanks for the guide, it looks very interesting. We are planning our honeymoon and wanted to visit exactly these 3 countries in December 2019 (in about 3-3.5weeks).

    However we were thinking of starting off with Guatemala and ending in Mexico, since it looks like Belize and Mexico are more relaxed and easy destinations, which would be ideal for a honeymoon (since we want adventure, culture and relaxation). Guatemala seems to be quite raw.

    Do you think that it would still be possible to use your guide but alternating the routes?

    Regards,
    Philip & Lara

    • Hi Philip! Yes it is definitely possible to plan your trip backwards. I would just literally do everything I did in reverse a by starting at the bottom of the itinerary. So land in Guatemala city, go to Antigua, lake atitlan, sumec champey, tikal etc. Lake atitlan is also incredibly relaxing FYI!

  6. Hello! This guide is SO helpful. Myself and a friend are planning a trip for next year but will have 14/15 days max – what would you recommend cutting out of the 25 day non divers itinerary to fit with time constraints?

  7. I have looked around a lot online for a central America itineraries and this by far was the most clear and concise – thankyou! very helpful. Will be doing this exact itinerary next year.