Real Central America | 16 Days Playa del Carmen to Antigua | iFlyGo
18–35s

Real Central America

Mexico · Belize · Guatemala · 16 Days / 15 Nights · From $2,023 AUD

Duration
16 Days / 15 Nights
Start → End
Playa del Carmen → Antigua
Group
Max 16 · 18–35
Countries
Mexico · Belize · Guatemala

Overview

Traverse lakes, volcanoes and jungles on this Central American adventure. On this 16-day overland trip, you'll explore the vast lakes, steaming volcanos and dense jungles of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. Chill on the Caribbean coast at Caye Caulker, explore the ancient Maya ruins of Tikal National Park, meander colourful Chichi markets and immerse yourself in Maya village life at Lake Atitlan. Finishing in UNESCO-listed Antigua. Designed for 18 to 35 year olds.

Trip Highlights

Tikal National Park — ancient Maya ruins
3 nights chilling on Caye Caulker
Lake Atitlan & Maya village workshop
Chichicastenango market visit
UNESCO-listed Antigua
Tulum beach town walking tour
Home-cooked Guatemalan lunch
Informal Spanish lesson

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1Playa del Carmen

Welcome meeting. Free time to settle in on the Caribbean coast.

Travel down the coast to Tulum. Leader-led walking tour of the beach town.

Free day. Optional Tulum archaeological site, bike rental or jungle cenote adventure.

Cross into Belize and ferry to the laid-back island of Caye Caulker. Leader-led orientation walk.

Free day. Optional snorkelling with tropical fish, kayaking or paddleboarding.

Another free day to chill on the island — or book snorkelling, diving or boat trips on the Belize Barrier Reef.

Ferry back to mainland and overland to San Ignacio in western Belize. Leader-led orientation walk.

Free day. Optional Mayan cave exploration, rainforest hikes or canoeing.

Cross into Guatemala. Guided archaeological site tour of Tikal — the largest ancient Maya city within the vast Maya Forest. Optional canopy zipline.

Travel to Rio Dulce. Lodge accommodation on the river. Welcome dinner with the group.

Meals: Dinner

Free day to explore the jungle waterways. Optional boat trips, hot springs, birdwatching.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to UNESCO-listed Antigua. Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson — with some salsa too.

Meals: Breakfast

Visit the colourful Chichi markets — jade jewellery, pottery and traditional huipils. Continue to Lake Atitlan.

Immerse yourself in Maya village life — meet a local midwife, visit a medicinal garden, join a weaving and dyeing workshop. Home-cooked Guatemalan lunch.

Meals: Lunch

Return to Antigua. Free day for cobblestone streets and colonial squares. Optional volcano hike.

Trip ends. Fly out of Guatemala City (GUA) Airport.

What's Included

Included

  • 11 nights hotel, 2 nights multishare lodge, 2 nights multishare hotel
  • Private vehicle, public bus, local bus, taxi, shared boat & ferry
  • Tulum leader-led walking tour
  • Caye Caulker & San Ignacio orientation walks
  • Tikal National Park guided tour (entry & transport)
  • Antigua leader-led Informal Spanish lesson
  • Chichi market visit
  • San Juan La Laguna workshop & home-cooked lunch
  • English-speaking group leader
  • 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Most meals & drinks
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

Departure Dates

Weekly Tuesday departures available from May 2026 through December 2028. Prices vary by departure date from $2,023 AUD. See the live calendar for all available dates.
From
$2,023 AUD
Per person · Twin share
Duration16 Days / 15 Nights
DepartsWeekly from May 2026
Start → EndPlaya del Carmen → Antigua
CountriesMexico · Belize · Guatemala
Group SizeMax 16 · 18–35
Meals2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Book This Trip Enquire Now Or call 1800 242 373

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about this trip.

Three — Mexico (Playa del Carmen, Tulum), Belize (Caye Caulker, San Ignacio), and Guatemala (Tikal, Rio Dulce, Antigua, Lake Atitlan). Border crossings are overland and managed by your group leader.

Australian passport holders don't need pre-applied tourist visas for Mexico, Belize or Guatemala — entry is granted at the border for stays under 90 days. Check passport validity (6 months beyond travel) and any current entry rules before flying.

Yes — designed specifically for 18 to 35 year olds, with a max group size of 16, so you'll meet plenty of like-minded travellers. Solo bookings are common and you'll be paired in twin-share rooms unless you book a single supplement.

Moderate — there's some walking on cobblestones, optional volcano hikes near Antigua, jungle ruins exploration at Tikal, and snorkelling at Caye Caulker. Pace is comfortable with plenty of free time built in.

The trip begins in Playa del Carmen (Mexico's Caribbean coast) because it's a major international gateway — most travellers fly into Cancun. From there you head south through Belize and into Central America proper.

No — Real Central America is land-only. You fly into Cancun (CUN) for the start and out of Guatemala City (GUA) at the end. iFlyGo can book your international flights separately.

Ready to Book?

Your Real Central America Adventure Awaits

16 days from Playa del Carmen to Antigua across Mexico, Belize & Guatemala — Tikal ruins, Caye Caulker, Lake Atitlan and more, from just $2,023 AUD per person. For 18–35s.

$2,023 AUD
per person · 16 days
Book Now