100% customisable travel idea
From Yucatán to Belize Mayan heritage and Caribbean lifestyle
Mexico - Chichen Itza - Tulum - Belize - Altun Ha
100% customisable travel idea
Mexico - Chichen Itza - Tulum - Belize - Altun Ha
100% customisable for you
International flight to Cancún. Upon arrival, collect your rental car and spend the night in a contemporary hotel near the airport. Meeting international standards, it has everything you need to recover from a long flight: fully equipped rooms, extra-large comfortable beds, a swimming pool, a gym and a restaurant.
Drive to Valladolid (1 hour and 30 minutes), where you follow in the footsteps of a leading family of conquistadors, the Montejos. Valladolid, once off-limits to the Maya, is still steeped in Mexico’s colonial history. From its former splendour remain pastel-coloured houses, churches with beautifully carved façades, and the centuries-old trees on the zócalo, a popular place to stroll. Don’t miss the chance to take a dip in the Dzitnup cenote, a natural pool in the heart of the city. However, you will need to go down about fifty steps to reach this astonishing cave with its crystal-clear waters and twisted stalactites.
Two-night stay in a posada in the San Juan district. With fewer than ten rooms and an attentive team, this place welcomes travellers seeking peace and a charming atmosphere. The characterful building is set within a leafy garden, where a small pool offers welcome relief on the hottest days. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with a balcony where a hammock promises restful naps and moments of peaceful daydreaming.
Scheduled - Visit to the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. Its pyramid, El Castillo (Kukulkan), is one of the most emblematic in Mexico. This sacred city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was one of the main Maya centres in the region. Throughout its history, several Maya and Toltec peoples contributed to its splendour, etching their vision of the world and the universe into the very stones. Its location in this arid region is due to the presence of natural wells, known as cenotes. The underground water source gave it its name, Chi Chén, which literally means “near the well”. Itzá is the name of the people who founded the city around 450 AD, before leaving it a century later for reasons that remain a mystery.
Drive to Tankah Bay (1 hour and 40 minutes), where you settle in for three nights. If the hotel looks just like a traditional hacienda, it is because the reconstruction was carried out with great skill. In the heart of a 68-hectare (168-acre) estate, three relatively new buildings effectively reflect the style of old Mexico: the master’s house or “casa del patrón”, the people’s house, and the stables. The colours, materials, and decor were selected with great taste and ingenuity to perfectly recreate the atmosphere of a hacienda, while blending beautifully into the surrounding greenery. As an added bonus - and a significant one at that - the property has its own cenote, a lake and an underground river. Pedal boats and bicycles are there to let you enjoy it to the full. At the restaurant, set facing the lake, you can savour excellent traditional cuisine.
Scheduled - Visit to the Tulum site, the only Maya city built by the water. The remains of the fortress overlook the Caribbean Sea. Between turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, the ruins create a striking landscape best explored with a private guide.
Drive to Bacalar (2 hours and 40 minutes) and check in for two nights at a charming lodge overlooking the Lagoon of Seven Colours. There is a very special sense of tranquillity here, far from the bustle of the coastal resorts. The rooms are cosy, perfectly suited for a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature. Every moment feels suspended in time - breakfast is served under the palapa, and your well-being is nurtured at the in-house spa.
Far from the mass tourism of the ‘Riviera Maya’ lies the village of Bacalar, with its crystal-clear lagoon lapped by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. The laid-back pace of life, colourful houses, tranquillity, authenticity and natural beauty all suit this small town perfectly.
What to see and do - San Felipe Fort was built by the conquistadors in the 18th century to defend the town from pirates; to the south, Cenote Azul - an underground water chamber with collapsed roof - is 90 metres (295 feet) deep, much to the delight of divers and swimmers.
Take the highway to Chetumal, return your rental car and transfer to Belize City. Stay for two nights in a modest little hotel that is unpretentious and full of charm. Enjoy the tree-lined terrace surrounding the pool; the cool bedrooms, which are simple but equipped with all the essentials; and, most of all, the hotel's location, away from the frenzy of the coast. The restaurant serves ceviche, nachos, salads, grilled fish, seafood and more. A small spa is also available for guests who want to take relaxation to a deeper level.
Included - tour of Belize City. Belize City is known for its eclectic architecture and narrow streets where colonial buildings stand alongside modern structures. Get to know this charming, picturesque city as you discover some of its highlights, including the Fort George Area, Swing Bridge, Government House and St. John's Cathedral. Then head to Altun Ha archaeological site, once a Maya trading centre. In addition to several impressive temples, many jade objects have been discovered here, including a large sculpture of the sun god K’inich Ajaw, weighing over 4 kg (nearly 9 lbs).
Optional - Visit Lamanai Archeological Reserve and take a boat trip on the New River.
Private transfer to the port and water taxi crossing to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Stay three nights in one of the first hotels to be established on the island, which is still one of the most refined accomodation. Away from the crowds, across a 10-hectare (25-acre) estate of white sand and tropical gardens, the rooms and casitas combine wood, thatch and a few ethnic touches. Just a few steps from your room, the palm trees, beach, turquoise water, hammocks and coral reef are just waiting to be explored. At dinner time, you’ll find the catch of the day and local specialities on the menu. And to top it all off, there’s the swimming pool opposite the lagoon and dinners for two served on the jetty. A postcard-perfect setting for a top-notch environment.
Included - Head to Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Reserve to explore the coral reef, just 7 km (4 miles) south of San Pedro. These seabeds have built Belize’s maritime reputation for diversity and easy access. If you’re lucky, you might get to swim with rays, sharks and turtles.
What to see and do - Relax on the pontoons in the north of the island; watch turtles taking refuge in the seagrass beds beside certain beaches; discover the exceptional underwater world by snorkelling, or try scuba diving - experienced, more adventurous divers can head to the Blue Hole, a perfectly circular underwater sinkhole more than 120 metres (400 feet) deep.
Transfer to the airport and return flight via Belize City and Atlanta. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
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