Mexico, Belize & Guatemala Self-Launch Adventure

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN). Skip the pricey operator transfer — take the ADO bus from the airport directly to Playa del Carmen for around £5 (runs every 30 mins, ~1hr journey). Check into your hostel on or near 5th Avenue, then wander the beach, grab a margarita at sunset and get an early night before the adventure begins.

🚌ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen, ~£5

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or Hostel 3B — dorm ~£12–16/night

• →ADO bus from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen (~£5)
• →Stroll Playa del Carmen's famous 5th Avenue
• →Sunset drinks on the beach

A free day to explore at your own pace. Head to Tulum Ruins independently — take a colectivo (shared minibus) from the corner of Av Juárez for around £2 each way, then pay the ~£4 entrance fee. Alternatively, book a cenote tour via GetYourGuide (~£25–35), visit Akumal Beach for free turtle snorkelling, or take a ferry to Cozumel Island (~£12 return). Tonight explore the nightlife on 5th Avenue.

🚌Colectivos and local taxis

🛏Selina Playa del Carmen or Hostel 3B — dorm ~£12–16/night

• →Colectivo to Tulum Ruins (~£2 each way + £4 entry)
• →Cenote swimming (book via GetYourGuide, ~£25–35)
• →Akumal Beach turtle snorkelling (free beach, ~£8 snorkel hire)
• →Cozumel Island day trip by ferry (~£12 return)

An epic travel day crossing into Belize. Take the ADO first-class bus from Playa del Carmen to Chetumal (~£12, ~4hrs), cross the border on foot into Belize, then jump on a local Belizean bus (retired US school buses — pure adventure) to Belize City (~£6, ~3hrs). From the Marine Terminal, hop on the San Pedro/Caye Caulker water taxi (~£12, 45 mins). Check into your hostel and grab a rum punch at The Split.

🚌ADO bus + local bus + water taxi, total ~£30

🛏Ignacio's Beach Cabins or Bella's Hostel, Caye Caulker — dorm ~£10–15/night

• →ADO bus Playa del Carmen → Chetumal (~£12)
• →Border crossing into Belize on foot
• →Local Belizean bus to Belize City (~£6)
• →Water taxi to Caye Caulker (~£12)
• →Sunset drinks at The Split

Caye Caulker is car-free, reggae-soundtracked paradise. Book a snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley directly with one of the local operators on Front Street (~£25–30) — you'll snorkel with nurse sharks, rays, moray eels and manatees. Rent a bike to explore the island (~£5/day). In the evening, grab fresh grilled fish from a beach shack and watch the sunset from The Split.

🚌On foot or by bike

🛏Ignacio's Beach Cabins or Bella's Hostel, Caye Caulker — dorm ~£10–15/night

• →Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley snorkel tour (~£25–30, book locally)
• →Rent a bike and explore the island (~£5/day)
• →Fresh fish dinner at a local beach shack (~£6–8)
• →Sunset at The Split

Today go big or go slow. For the adventurous, book a Blue Hole dive trip (~£150–180 for certified divers) or a scenic flight over the Blue Hole (~£80–100) with one of the island's dive operators. For a budget option, join a sunset boat tour with rum punch (~£15–20). Alternatively, book a fishing excursion (~£25–35) and take your catch to a local restaurant to cook. The pace is blissfully slow here — embrace it.

🚌On foot or by bike

🛏Ignacio's Beach Cabins or Bella's Hostel, Caye Caulker — dorm ~£10–15/night

• →Blue Hole dive trip (~£150–180) or scenic flight (~£80–100) — optional splurge
• →Sunset boat tour with rum punch (~£15–20)
• →Fishing excursion (~£25–35, book locally)
• →Hammock time and reggae on the beach

Take the morning water taxi back to Belize City Marine Terminal (~£12), then catch a local Novelo's or Westline bus heading west towards San Ignacio (~£5, ~2.5hrs). En route, consider a short stop at the San Antonio women's pottery cooperative — ask your bus driver to let you off. Arrive in San Ignacio mid-afternoon and explore the market town on foot. Head to the Blue Hole National Park pools if time allows, or visit Xunantunich Mayan ruins (~£5 entry, short hand-cranked ferry crossing included).

🚌Water taxi + local bus, ~£17

🛏Casa Blanca Guesthouse or Cahal Pech Village Resort dorm, San Ignacio — ~£12–18/night

• →Water taxi Caye Caulker → Belize City (~£12)
• →Local bus to San Ignacio (~£5)
• →Optional stop at San Antonio pottery cooperative
• →Xunantunich Mayan ruins (~£5 entry)
• →Explore San Ignacio market

San Ignacio is one of Central America's best activity hubs. Top pick: the ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) — one of the world's great adventure experiences. Book directly with a local guide (~£55–65 including transport and guide). Alternatively, cave tubing through the Caves Branch river system is superb (~£30–40 with transport). Budget option: self-guided walk in Blue Hole National Park (~£5 entry) or horse riding to Xunantunich (~£35). Tonight grab a Belikin beer and local stew in town.

🚌Tours include transport; local taxis for town

🛏Casa Blanca Guesthouse or Cahal Pech Village Resort dorm, San Ignacio — ~£12–18/night

• →ATM Cave tour (~£55–65, book locally or via GetYourGuide)
• →Cave tubing at Caves Branch (~£30–40) — budget alternative
• →Caracol Mayan ruins day trip (~£40 with transport)
• →Barton River Cave canoe tour (~£35)

Cross into Guatemala at the Benque Viejo/Melchor de Mencos border. Take a shared shuttle (bookable at any San Ignacio hostel, ~£20–25pp) that stops at Tikal National Park — the largest Mayan site in existence. Entrance is ~£17; allow 3–4 hours to explore and climb Temple IV for jungle canopy views. Howler monkeys and toucans are everywhere. Continue to the island town of Flores (~30 mins from Tikal). Settle in and find a lakeside terrace for rum as the sun sets over Lake Petén Itzá.

🚌Shared shuttle San Ignacio → Tikal → Flores, ~£22

🛏Hotel Isla de Flores or Los Amigos Hostel, Flores — dorm ~£8–12/night

• →Border crossing San Ignacio → Melchor de Mencos
• →Tikal National Park entrance (~£17)
• →Climb Temple IV for panoramic jungle views
• →Wildlife spotting: howler monkeys, toucans, parrots
• →Explore cobbled Flores island by foot

Take a shared shuttle or local bus from Flores to Río Dulce (~£8–12, ~3hrs through jungle scenery). The town sits on the shores of Lake Izabal and is a lively backpacker hub. Check into your hostel, explore the waterfront, and plan tomorrow's boat trip to Livingston. Plenty of good cheap restaurants and bars by the river — grab a Gallo Cerveza and swap stories with fellow travellers.

🚌Shared shuttle or local bus, ~£10

🛏Hacienda Tijax Jungle Lodge dorm or Tortugal backpacker rooms — ~£10–15/night

• →Shared shuttle Flores → Río Dulce (~£8–12)
• →Explore Río Dulce waterfront and market
• →Plan ahead: book Livingston boat tour for tomorrow

Don't miss the boat trip to Livingston — one of the highlights of the whole trip. Book at your hostel or the dock (~£10–15 return), cruising past the dramatic Boqueron Canyon limestone cliffs, mangroves and lily pads to the Garifuna fishing village of Livingston. Try gifiti (the local rum herb brew) and seafood on the waterfront. For more adventure: kayak the Río Dulce at sunrise with a local operator (~£15–20), visit the natural hot waterfall at Finca El Paraíso (~£5 entry + £8 transport), or explore Hacienda Tijax on horseback (~£25).

🚌Local boat to Livingston, ~£12 return

🛏Hacienda Tijax Jungle Lodge dorm or Tortugal backpacker rooms — ~£10–15/night

• →Boat trip to Livingston and back (~£12 return)
• →Garifuna seafood lunch in Livingston (~£6–8)
• →Try gifiti homebrew rum
• →Hot waterfall at Finca El Paraíso (~£5 entry)
• →Sunrise kayak on the Río Dulce (~£15–20)

A long but scenic travel day. Book a shared shuttle from Río Dulce to Antigua (~£18–22, ~5–6hrs) — these run daily from most hostels and are the standard backpacker option. You'll pass through impressive highland scenery, red-roofed villages and traditional clothing markets. Arrive in Antigua in the afternoon, check into your hostel and take a self-guided stroll through the cobbled colonial streets. Pop into Santo Domingo del Cerro sculpture park (free). Tonight, book a group salsa lesson at one of the many dance schools (~£8–12).

🚌Shared shuttle, ~£20

🛏Selina Antigua, The Terrace Hostel or Tropicana Hostel — dorm ~£10–15/night

• →Shared shuttle Río Dulce → Antigua (~£18–22)
• →Self-guided walk through Antigua's UNESCO colonial centre
• →Santo Domingo del Cerro sculpture park (free)
• →Group salsa lesson (~£8–12, book at hostel or La Casbah dance school)

A free day in one of Latin America's most beautiful cities. Top pick: hike Acatenango Volcano (overnight guided trek ~£35–45 via local operators like OX Expeditions — stunning views of active Volcán de Fuego). For a shorter option, hike Pacaya Volcano (~£12 guided day hike via local operators or GetYourGuide). Culture lovers: visit a chocolate workshop and museum (~£12), or take a guided coffee or macadamia plantation tour (~£10–15). Rent a bike for a cycling tour of the surrounding area (~£8/day). Nightlife on La Sala is excellent.

🚌On foot or by bike

🛏Selina Antigua, The Terrace Hostel or Tropicana Hostel — dorm ~£10–15/night

• →Acatenango volcano overnight hike (~£35–45 with guide)
• →Pacaya volcano day hike (~£12 including guide)
• →Chocolate workshop (~£12, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Coffee plantation tour (~£10–15)
• →Mountain bike rental (~£8/day)

Take a shared shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán (~£8–10, ~2.5hrs). Lake Atitlán is jaw-droppingly beautiful — ringed by three volcanoes and twelve indigenous villages. Check in to your guesthouse, explore Panajachel's market-filled streets (no street signs — just wander!) and take a public lancha (local boat) to one of the lakeside villages like San Juan or Santiago (~£2–4 return). Swimming, kayaking and windsurfing are all available cheaply at the waterfront.

🚌Shared shuttle + public lancha, ~£12

🛏Mario's Rooms or Hostel El Gaucho, Panajachel — dorm/private ~£10–15/night

• →Shared shuttle Antigua → Panajachel (~£8–10)
• →Explore Panajachel's market streets on foot
• →Public lancha boat to nearby lake villages (~£2–4 return)
• →Swimming and kayaking on Lake Atitlán (~£5–8 kayak hire)
• →Nariz del Indio hike for panoramic lake views

Spend the morning exploring Panajachel's markets and picking up textiles. After lunch, take a public lancha across the lake to San Juan La Laguna (~£3, ~30 mins). This beautiful village is famous for its natural dye weaving cooperatives — walk around the markets, watch weavers using traditional backstrap looms and pick up handmade textiles directly from the makers. Tonight, stay with a local family homestay arranged through one of the village cooperatives or via a local operator (~£15–20 including dinner). A genuinely unforgettable experience.

🚌Public lancha Panajachel → San Juan La Laguna, ~£3

🛏Local family homestay, San Juan La Laguna — ~£15–20 including dinner

• →Morning shopping in Panajachel market
• →Public lancha to San Juan La Laguna (~£3)
• →Visit traditional weaving cooperatives
• →Browse natural dye textile market
• →Homestay dinner with local family (~£15–20 including accommodation and dinner)

Take the public lancha back across the lake to Panajachel (~£3), then a shared shuttle back to Antigua (~£8–10). Arrive early afternoon for a final free afternoon in the city. Hang out in Parque Central, admire the ruins of the Cathedral, sip famous Guatemalan coffee at a local café, and browse the jade and textile shops. Tonight is your last on this adventure — head to Reilly's or La Sala for a proper send-off with fellow travellers.

🚌Public lancha + shared shuttle, ~£13

🛏Selina Antigua, The Terrace Hostel or Tropicana Hostel — dorm ~£10–15/night

• →Public lancha San Juan → Panajachel (~£3)
• →Shared shuttle back to Antigua (~£8–10)
• →Final wander through Parque Central and the Cathedral ruins
• →Guatemalan coffee in a local café
• →Farewell drinks at La Sala or Reilly's Irish Tavern

Pack up and say your goodbyes. For the airport, book a shared shuttle from Antigua to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City (~£8–10, ~1hr). Shuttles run frequently from most hostels — book the evening before. If continuing your travels, shared shuttles also run onward to Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. Check out late if your hostel allows, grab one last coffee, and head home with an epic adventure under your belt.

🚌Shared shuttle to Guatemala City Airport (GUA), ~£9

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Shared shuttle Antigua → Guatemala City Airport (~£8–10)
• →Or book onward shuttle to Honduras, El Salvador or Mexico