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Multi-Country Landmark Tours Holidays

Mayan ruins, markets, culture and colonial splendour

Dulce Tour - 30 Night Itinerary

Explore magnificent Mayan temples, beautiful Lake Atitlan, colonial Merida, famous markets, the pine forests of Belize and relax on the beach at the Riviera Maya.

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Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • Enjoy the relaxed ambiance of colonial Antigua and visit a local weaver
  • Take a boat ride on scenic Lake Atitlan and meet local Mayan villagers
  • Visit the famous market at Chichicastenango.
  • Travel to the Mayan site of Copan in Honduras
  • Cruise on the Rio Dulce on the Guatemalan coast
  • Spend a few days exploring the protected pine forest in Belize
  • Visit the extra-ordinary Mayan ruins at Tikal, lost in the jungle
  • Explore the Yucatan, from colonial Merida to Uxmal and Chichen Itza
  • Spend 4 nights on the beach at Tulum on the Riviera Maya

This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, hotels, transport and excursions.

Tour Itinerary

Colonial Antigua

Fly to Antigua, Guatemala - 3 Nights

Day 1 - Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Guatemala

Day 2 - Transfer to Antigua 

Day 3 - Colonial Antigua 

Day 4 - At leisure in Antigua 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Fly to Guatemala

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Guatemala City.


Sunday, 15 December 2024

Transfer to Antigua

On arrival in Guatemala City, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your chosen hotel in Antigua for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Your guide will give you a short orientation tour to help you settle in. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Monday, 16 December 2024

Walking tour of Antigua

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Antigua today, visiting the architectural and historical highlights of this colonial city including ruined churches, convents, and cathedrals. Your guide can personalise your tour depending on your interests.


Tuesday, 17 December 2024

At leisure in Antigua

Enjoy the charming ambience of this historic city at your leisure.

Casa Encantada

Antigua - First Hotel

Casa Encantada is one of the most intimate and relaxing boutique hotels in Antigua. Once you enter the hotel from the cobbled street enjoy the tranquility, calm and warmth of a private residence. Rustic but elegant architecture and charming decoration create a deep sense of tranquility and peace. 

The cozy interior patio and garden has a small pool and sun loungers. There is also an excellent restaurant and rooftop bar.

There are 3 types of room: standard, studio and rooftop suite. Each room has a private bathroom, minibar, safe flat screen TV and luxury linens.

The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis. 

Character Pool

El Convento

Antigua - Luxury Hotel

Situated in one of Antigua's famed cobblestone streets, in front of the superb 18th century Capuchin convent, El Convento is a sanctuary from which you can discover the city's magnificent sites.

The all-suite El Convento gracefully marries the ancient with the modern. Combining artisanal brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and hand-crafted doors with the simple elegance of contemporary design. Whether unwinding in the deep-set living room sofas or stopping by for a glass of wine beneath the domed cupula of the bar, staying in can be just as tempting. Fine dining is available at the hotel's restaurant.

Serene and private, each of the nineteen suites flows from a central courtyard graced by a hundred year old Tempixque tree. There are two grand suites, six suites and eleven junior suites. All offer cedar-beamed ceilings, sumptuous linens, some of them have a private garden. In each suite, the soothing décor combines eye-pleasing neutrals with vibrant accents from local, hand-woven textiles and fine pieces of art and sculpture.

The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

Interior Courtyard
Lake Atitlan

Panajachel and Lake Atitlan - 2 Nights

Day 5 - Travel to Panajachel

Day 6 - Santiago village and Lake Atitlan 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Travel to Panajachel

This morning we drive to Panajachel, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Atitlán. The word "atitlan" is a Mayan word that translates as "the place where the rainbow gets its colours". In the highlands of Guatemala, especially around Lake Atitlan, the Maya culture thrives. On arrival, check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. There will then be time to visit the street market and surrounding indigenous villages, famous for their weavers.


Thursday, 19 December 2024

Santiago village and Lake Atitlan

This morning we cross scenic Lake Atitlan and visit the village of Santiago. Here, we visit the house of the Maya God Maximon where you may see local shaman performing rituals for local people. We also visit the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive art that is famous from this area. Lunch is included today. 

Hotel Atitlan

Lake Atitlan - Tourist Hotel

The Hotel Atitlan is nestled within an ancient coffee plantation and has large, beautifully landscaped gardens. All 65 rooms are individually decorated and contain furniture designed and crafted in the hotels own workshops. There is a pool with spectacular views over the lake & volcanoes. One of the highlights of this hotel are the well kept gardens with plants & exotic flowers.

Hotel Atitlan
Chichicastenango

Chichicastenango - 1 Night

Day 7 - Travel to Chichicastenango

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 20 December 2024

Travel to Chichicastenango

This morning we travel to Chichicastenango, known for its traditional K'iche' Maya culture. Chichicastenango is a small and stucco-white town, lying on the crests of mountaintops at an altitude of 1,965 meters. The town is home to perhaps the most colourful native market in North and Central America, perhaps in all the Americas.

The famous handicraft market of Chichicastenango draws not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala. They represent many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of colour, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells. 

Transfer to your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Santo Tomas Hotel

Chichicastenango - First Hotel

The Hotel Santo Tomas is a colonial hotel situated in the marketplace in central Chichicastenango. There are 43 well decorated rooms and also a swimming pool, sauna, bar and restaurant. The staff all wear traditional costume. Accommodation includes room and American breakfast.

Santo Tomas Hotel
Easter in Antigua: street decorations

Antigua - 2 Nights

Day 8 - Chichicastenango market and Antigua 

Day 9 - San Antonio 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Saturday, 21 December 2024

Chichicastenango Market

This morning, experience the famous Chichicastenango market, with its wide variety of fruit and vegetables and most notably the endless beautiful textiles, wooden and ceramic works. We also visit Saint Tomas Church where local Maya people come to perform rituals within the Catholic church - demonstrating the interesting way the two faiths have combined in recent times. 

We then travel back to Antigua and transfer to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Sunday, 22 December 2024

San Antonio

Enjoy a half-day guided visit to the village of San Antonio where you will meet a local family as well as local weavers who will explain the textiles and traditions of their village.

Casa Encantada

Antigua - First Hotel

Casa Encantada is one of the most intimate and relaxing boutique hotels in Antigua. Once you enter the hotel from the cobbled street enjoy the tranquility, calm and warmth of a private residence. Rustic but elegant architecture and charming decoration create a deep sense of tranquility and peace. 

The cozy interior patio and garden has a small pool and sun loungers. There is also an excellent restaurant and rooftop bar.

There are 3 types of room: standard, studio and rooftop suite. Each room has a private bathroom, minibar, safe flat screen TV and luxury linens.

The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis. 

Character Pool

El Convento

Antigua - Luxury Hotel

Situated in one of Antigua's famed cobblestone streets, in front of the superb 18th century Capuchin convent, El Convento is a sanctuary from which you can discover the city's magnificent sites.

The all-suite El Convento gracefully marries the ancient with the modern. Combining artisanal brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and hand-crafted doors with the simple elegance of contemporary design. Whether unwinding in the deep-set living room sofas or stopping by for a glass of wine beneath the domed cupula of the bar, staying in can be just as tempting. Fine dining is available at the hotel's restaurant.

Serene and private, each of the nineteen suites flows from a central courtyard graced by a hundred year old Tempixque tree. There are two grand suites, six suites and eleven junior suites. All offer cedar-beamed ceilings, sumptuous linens, some of them have a private garden. In each suite, the soothing décor combines eye-pleasing neutrals with vibrant accents from local, hand-woven textiles and fine pieces of art and sculpture.

The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

Interior Courtyard
Copan

Copan, Honduras - 1 Night

Day 10 - Copan

  • Full Description

Monday, 23 December 2024

Travel to Copan, Honduras

Early in the morning we cross into Honduras and travel to the ancient ruins at Copan. Here, enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful site, famous for its intricately carved stelea and amazing hieroglyphic stairway as well as its comprehensive museum. We overnight at a hotel in Copan on a bed and breakfast basis.

Estela En Quiriguá2

Quirigua - 1 Night

Day 11 - Quirigua 

  • Full Description

Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Quirigua to Rio Dolce

Today we visit Quirigua, a small Mayan site situated in the middle of a banana plantation and famous for the tallest and well preserved stelaes from the Mayan culture. The site was protected by UNESCO in 1981. Then continue to Rio Dulce where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

Rio Dulce

Rio Dulce - 1 Night

Day 12 - Rio Dulce

  • Full Description

Wednesday, 25 December 2024

Rio Dolce boat tour & Guatemala City

This morning explore the Rio Dolce on a boat tour. Visit bird island, cruise through the impressive Rio Dulce canyon, visit the Ak ́ Tenamit development project providing education for local Maya Queq'chi children, and Castillo of San Felipe. We then drive to Guatemala City for an overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Smiling face framed by typical local flower

Livingston - 1 Night

Day 13 - Travel to Livingston

  • Full Description

Thursday, 26 December 2024

Travel to Livingston

This morning drive to Livingston, located at the mouth of the Rio Dulce. Check-in to your chosen hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Livingston is a laid-back town, with an interesting variety of cultures to enjoy.

Belize 2015 IMG 5509

Punta Gorda - 2 Nights

Day 14 - Drive to Punta Gorda

Day 15 - Punta Gorda

  • Full Description

Friday, 27 December 2024

Drive to Punta Gorda

Depart Livingston and cross the border into Belize. Continue to Punta Gorda and check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Saturday, 28 December 2024

Exploring Punta Gorda

Today explore Punta Gorda. Although the town bears a Spanish name, its inhabitants are mostly Garifuna, East Indian, Kriol, and Maya descent, giving it a lovely multi-cultural feel. Enjoy traditional markets, a swim in the sea or perhaps a visit to the Maya archaeological sites of Lubaantun & Nim Li Punit.

 

Chaa Creek

Mountain Pine Ridge - 3 Nights

Day 16 - Drive to Mountain Pine Ridge

Day 17 - Explore the reserve 

Day 18 - Explore the reserve

  • Full Description

Sunday, 29 December 2024

Travel to Mountain Pine Ridge

Drive to Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and check-in to your chosen hotel for a 3-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.


Monday, 30 December 2024

Explore the reserve

Today explore Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, established in 1944 to manage the native pine forests. This broad upland area of multiple ridges and valleys was also a ritual site for the Mayan Culture, as well as being home to  abundant wildlife from the lowlands; acorn woodpeckers, rufous-capped warblers, crossbill and eastern bluebirds. Explore rivers, pools, waterfalls, caves and limestone caverns. The most spectacular cave is the Rio Frio caves, considered the largest accessible cave in the country.


Tuesday, 31 December 2024

Explore the reserve

A further day to explore the forest with its fascinating birdlife.

Tikal Site

Tikal - 2 Nights

Day 19 - Drive to Tikal

Day 20 - Guided tour of Tikal

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Wednesday, 01 January 2025

Drive to Tikal

This morning we visit Xunantunich ruins and the cross back into Guatemala and continue to Tikal, where we check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.

 

 


Thursday, 02 January 2025

Guided tour to Tikal

The ruins at Tikal are spectacular, set in dense forest. For many, Tikal is the most impressive of all the Mayan ruins. Appreciate the Mayan architecture, and the many species of wildlife, particularly spider monkeys, toucans and parrots.

Camino Real Tikal Hotel

Tikal - First Hotel

In the lush Peten jungle, the Camino Real Tikal provides guests with a unique opportunity to explore one of the world's most spectacular archaeological sites and relax in an unspoiled natural paradise.

Public areas include the Ceibal Restaurant, bar, a Mayan sauna, jacuzzi, swimming pool, shop travel agency, jacuzzi and lounge. 

All rooms at the Camino Real Tikal are housed in thatched-roof bungalows and offer modern comforts including air-conditioning, private bathrooms, direct-dial phones, cable TV and private balconies. Every balcony enjoys magnificent views of Lake Petén Itzá. 

There are many activities on offer including kayaking on Lake Peten Itza, excursions to Tikal National Park and Yaxha and Topoxte National Parks, zip wire adventures and catamaran boat ride on the lake.

The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

Camino Real Tikal Hotel
Palenque

Palenque - 2 Nights

Day 21 - Drive to Palenque

Day 22 - Palenque archeological site

  • Full Description

Friday, 03 January 2025

Drive to Palenque

We depart Tikal today, and travel by boat and road crossing the border into Mexico. From here, we drive the the city of Palenque, famous for its Mayan Archeological site. On arrival in Palenque, check-in to your chosen hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.


Saturday, 04 January 2025

Palenque archeological site

Enjoy a half day guided tour of the Mayan archaeological site of Palenque. The site is hidden in the lush jungle surrounded by howler monkeys, streams and waterfalls. The temples are well preserved; the main complex containing a tomb is one of the most beautiful of all pre-Hispanic Maya sites. We also visit the temple of inscriptions, the observatory, and governor's palace.

Historic Merida

Merida - 4 Nights

Day 23 - Fly to Merida

Day 24 - Guided City tour

Day 25 - Haciendas, cenotes & Izamal

Day 26 - Uxmal and Kabah

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Sunday, 05 January 2025

Fly to Merida

Transfer to Villahermosa airport and fly to Merida. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel for a 4-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Throughout the colonial period, Mérida was by far the most important city in the Yucatan, known as the "Paris of the New World". At the turn of the last century, the city became very rich from the profits from henequen. The colonial centre is ideal for watching the world go by, and it is impossible to resist buying a beautiful hammock the city is also well-known for.

 


Monday, 06 January 2025

Guided tour of Merida

Explore an elegant mixture of colonial and neoclassical architecture characterise the city on a half-day guided tour. Visit the main square with the cathedral, government palace, town hall and house of Montejo. Enjoy local life and markets with their modern Mayan influence.


Tuesday, 07 January 2025

Haciendas, cenotes and Izamal

Today we drive to Chunkanan where we visit a former natural Sisal fibre production plantation, now a hacienda. Take a horse pulled ride to a Cenote. We continue to Homún to see also cenotes of Tza Ujun Kat and Santa Rosa, where you can have a refreshing jump into its crystal clear and refreshing water! We then visit Hacienda Ednakán, famous for its neogothic church, and Hacienda Tepich, where we stop for lunch (not included). In the afternoon we explore Izamal, with its golden yellow buildings. Discover picturesque lanes flanked by elegant houses and the monastery of San Antonio de Padua with its elegant archways.


Wednesday, 08 January 2025

Uxmal and Kabah

Today enjoy a full day guided excursion to the ancient ruins at Uxmal and Kabah. At Uxmal, the buildings are in a Puuc style from the Classic period. Kabah is an ancient Mayan town not far from Uxmal and its name means "the chiselling hand". The most impressive monument here is Codz Poop (literally "furled mat") a grandiose, multi-storey building dedicated to Chac, the Rain God, its façade adorned with many masks.

Casa del Balam

Merida - Tourist Hotel

El Hotel Casa del Balam is one of the oldest and most distinguished hotels in Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula, but also one of the few original Mexican Art Deco houses left in the colonial city. Newly renovated, this historic mansion has been carefully outfitted with today's modern comforts and conveniences. The Casa del Balam has an advantageous location, situated only two blocks from the Main Square or Plaza Grande in the heart of the Historic Centre, near the Jose peon Contreras Theatre and the Yucatan University. 

The air-conditioned rooms are elegantly decorated with colonial antiques, wrought iron accessories and marble floors. 

Public facilities include a garden cafe-bar, "Las Palomas" Bistro featuring Mexican and International Cuisine and a swimming pool. 

G6
Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza - 1 Night

Day 27 - Chichen Itza

  • Full Description

Thursday, 09 January 2025

Chichen Itza

Drive to Chichen Itza and check-into your hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

Chichen Itza is the most visited of all the Mayan sites, and is probably the best preserved with a variety of architectural styles from different influences. The main pyramid 'El Castillo' (The Castle), also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, dominates the centre of the site. Nearby you can visit and swim in the sacred Ik-Kil Cenote. A sunken lake with lianas and vegetation all around the stone walls. 

 

Tulum

Caribbean Beach and Tulum - 4 Nights

Day 28 - Transfer to the Mexican Caribbean

Day 29 - Explore the ruins at Tulum

Day 30 - At leisure 

Day 31 - At leisure 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 10 January 2025

Transfer to the Mexican Caribbean

Today drive to Riviera Maya and check-in to the Hip Hotel, set on a beautiful, white, sandy beach just 9km from the Tulum archeological site, for a 4-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis The rest of the day is at leisure. 


Saturday, 11 January 2025

Explore the ruins at Tulum

Today, take an optional tour to the nearby ruins at Tulum, once one of a set of Mayan forts along this stretch of coastline. The 'castle' area stands 12 metres above the Caribbean Sea, and nestled at the foot of the cliffs is a small cove ideal for a refreshing swim.

 


Sunday, 12 January 2025

At leisure

Today is at leisure at your hotel. Or perhaps take a trip to the nearby Sian-Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, where you can explore rainforests and coral reefs.


Monday, 13 January 2025

At leisure

The last day of your Central American adventure. Relax on the beach and enjoy the facilities of your hotel. 

Hip Hotel Tulum

Riviera Maya - Tourist Hotel

The Hip Hotel Tulum is the perfect choice for travellers seeking a base to explore the ruins of Tulum, which are only 0.6km from the hotel. Located on the edge of Tulum on its own gorgeous Caribbean beach, the chic Hip Hotel Tulum offers peace, tranquility and a certain infectious style. The staff have a passion for providing excellent service, as evidenced from our reviews.

The hotel has a restaurant serving Mexican fusion cuisine, a spa, beach bar and stunning white powdery beach.

There is a choice of garden view, ocean view and ocean front rooms. All rooms have an air of casual elegance, are air-conditioned, with a king size bed, hammock, storage space, a ceiling fan and private bathroom.

The rates are on a room and breakfast basis.

hip-ocean-front-tulum-hotel.jpg
Yucatan

Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights

Day 32 - Transfer to Cancun Airport and fly back to the UK

Day 33 - Arrive in the UK

  • Full Description

Tuesday, 14 January 2025

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to Cancun Airport and fly back to the UK


Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.

Price Guidelines

Season Low Season
Travel Dates Year round
Room Arrangement Tourist First Deluxe
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room £8,432 £9,842 £12,715

Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.


What's Included

  • 33 Days / 30 Nights
  • International flights (2 overnights)
  • Internal flight
  • Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
  • Breakfast everyday and 2 lunches 
  • Transfers to and from airports
  • Transport throughout the itinerary
  • Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
  • Prices are per person
  • Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request

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