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7
days:
US$1965 / GB£985
Cancun to Belize City -
contact us for help with flights
Countries visited: Mexico and Belize
Please see
departure dates below
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Reef Madness
is a 7-day adventure which follows the world's second longest barrier
reef, taking in the highlights of the Yucatan Peninsula as well
as a
Caribbean Island in
Belize. We'll visit the beach
resort of Cancun; swim or dive in the sacred sinkholes
of the Yucatan Peninsula; explore the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
and Tulum, and snorkel
or dive off the
world's second largest barrier reef.
And as on all
Southern Crossings tours, you're taken care of from beginning to
end: airport
transfers are included!
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Day |
Location |
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1 |
Arrival
Day Cancun |
|
2 |
Chichen
Itza, Tulum |
|
3 |
Tulum |
|
4 |
Travel
to Caye Caulker, Belize |
|
5-6 |
Caye
Caulker |
|
7 |
Departure Day, Belize City |
|
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Departure Dates
2008: Sep 6, Sep 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Nov
29, Dec 13,
Dec 27
2009: Jan
10, Jan 24, Feb 7, Feb 21, Mar 8, Mar 21, Apr 4, Apr 18, May 2, May
16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug 8, Aug 22, Sep
5, Sep 19, Oct 3, Oct 17, Oct 31, Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 12, Dec 26
|
 |
REEF MADNESS
TRIP
ITINERARY
|
Day |
Activity/Location |
|
1 |
Arrival Day,
Cancun. Our adventure begins at the tip of the Yucatan
Peninsula in the beach resort of Cancun. We'll transfer
from the airport to our hotel on Cancun's Maya Riviera where we can
hit the beach or relax in one of the hotel's great pools.
Or come a day early and
enjoy Isla Mujeres, a beautiful island just a short boat ride
from downtown. You can chill out for the day on one of the island's white sand
beaches, go snorkeling, swim with dolphins, or go exploring on a rented motorcycle, scooter or golf
cart! Only $150.00
more
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|
2 |
This morning we head out to Chichen Itza, one of the "new seven
wonders of the world". Chichen Itza is
the most well-known of the many Mayan sites and also one of the
largest. Rising to prominence at the end of the Mayan Classic era
and then reborn under Toltec influence just before the Spanish
arrived, Chichen Itza boasts several large temples and pyramids, an
astronomical observatory, a sacrificial well, many excellently
carved stelae, and the largest ball court of any Mayan ruin.
It is a great introduction to pre-Columbian civilization. We'll take
a guided tour and then spend some time exploring this fascinating
site on our own, or you have the included option of visiting nearby Dzitnup
cenote (sinkhole). In the early evening we'll continue on to our
beachside cabanas at Tulum.
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|
3 |
Tulum is a
pretty special place, with stunning beaches, a coral reef and its
famous seaside ruins. A snorkeling excursion off the reef or
to an ancient cenote and a guided
visit to the ruins are both included activities today.
Overnight in Tulum.
|
|
4 |
And now for
something completely different... Welcome to Belize mon!
Belize is a laid-back yet orderly slice of
English-speaking Caribbean plopped down on the coast of Central America.
We'll travel down the Yucatan Peninsula into Belize and then take the water taxi from Belize City out to Caye
Caulker, our home for the next two days.
|
|
5-6 |
Caye Caulker is a heavenly Caribbean island within sight of
the world's second longest barrier reef. Many are content to
relax and enjoy the island’s delicious seafood and plentiful rum
punch, but really it's the snorkeling and diving we're here for,
with an all-day included excursion by sailboat to Shark and Stingray
Alley, the Coral Gardens and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
We've also included an afternoon paddling around the island on sea
kayaks, ending up with a spectacular Caribbean sunset!
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7 |
Departure Day
from Belize City. Transfer from Caye Caulker to Belize City
international airport is included.
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TRIP
DETAILS
7
days:
US$1965 / GB£985
Cancun to Belize City
Countries visited: Mexico and Belize
Please see departure dates at the top of
the page
Joining the tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one
of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will
accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being ripped
off by airport taxis!
Trip briefing
Upon purchase of this trip, we will send you via email, fax, or regular
mail (your choice) a trip briefing, which includes your travel voucher, a list of things to bring, and a
climate/currency/visa guide.
What's included in the trip:
-
Airport pick up/drop off and
transfer to/from hotel
-
Southern
Crossings bilingual guide
-
Seven nights
tourist-class hotel accommodation or beach house on Caye Caulker
-
Entrance fee and
guided tour
of
Chichen Itza and
Tulum ruins
-
Entrance fee
to cenotes of Valladolid
-
Snorkeling
or diving excursion to Tulum cenote or Tulum barrier reef
-
Snorkeling
excursions from Tulum and Caye Caulker
-
Kayaking excursion
at Caye Caulker
-
All internal
transport
-
Southern Crossings
T-shirt and Cap
What's not included
International flights,
international airport departure taxes, pre-
& post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance,
meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, optional
excursions, tips and other items of a personal nature. Travel insurance is
not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you
have a policy. Check
www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.
Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation
for you in Cancun before or after your trip, at a cost of $40 per single,
$60 per double room.
Single Accommodation
supplement: $240
Please add this amount to the payment
if you wish to have private accommodation throughout the trip.
PRE-TRIP PLANNER
Required documents
All travelers to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize are required to have a
passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not
required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport
holders. Other nationalities, visit www.mexicanconsulate.org.uk/visas/AVISA_WEB.htm
for Mexico and consult the nearest embassy or consulate for Belize and
Guatemala. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required
at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s
checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the
internet, is sufficient for proof of funds.
Before you can confirm your booking through Southern Crossings, we need
proof that you have Travel Insurance. To get a policy, we recommend
www.travelguard.com
Health and Required immunizations
No immunizations are required of travelers except a yellow fever
vaccination if coming directly from a yellow-fever infected area such as
sub-Sahara Africa or South America. Travelers may wish to
receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard
vaccinations. Please consult your
physician or local health department.
Travelers should expect some mild, temporary discomfort such as
diarrhea from the change of diet. For more serious intestinal
illnesses, medicines such as ciprofloxacin and metronidazole are available
over the counter from pharmacies. We will not reach any elevations
above 2400m on this trip.
Things to bring
Our trip
will be a backpacker-style adventure which includes exploring ruins, snorkeling (or diving if certified), boat rides and day hiking. One should come well prepared for
outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius,
and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A suggested list of
things to bring would include:
•Passport and, if necessary, visa
•Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
•Airline ticket
•Photocopies of airline ticket, documents
•Wearable pouch for documents and money
•Large, sturdy backpack (much preferable to a suitcase)
•trekking boots or tennis shoes, comfortable and worn-in
•Sandals or flip-flops for beaches, showers
•Rain poncho or jacket
•Hat for sun
•Warm clothing for moderately cold weather
•T-shirts, shorts, for hot weather
•Socks, undergarments
•Towel
•Torch (head torches are very handy)
•Sunscreen lotion
•Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
•Sleeping bag
•Lip balm
•Earplugs
•Camera and film
•Alarm clock or watch
•Sanitizing hand wipes or lotion
•Camera and film
•Camera batteries
•Playing cards, games, reading material
•Prescription medications
•Toiletries
Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such
toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine
hygiene items are available in the Maya World. Best to bring from home
such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, shoes, unusual film and
camera batteries.
Climate
Rain
is possible at any time of year, especially in the rainforest and in high
mountains, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will
visit is as follows:
Yucatan Peninsula: Mostly dry and arid, extremely strong sun,
chance of thunderstorms.
Belize: hot and humid with chance of rain.
Money guide
The unit of currency in
Mexico is the peso. Approximate currency conversion:
1 U.S. dollar = 10.98 pesos
The
currency of Belize is the Belizean dollar. Fixed currency conversion:
1 U.S. dollar = 1.96 Belize dollars
Automatic cash points are available in Cancun, Tulum and Belize City. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most
common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks are also an option -
please bring American Express. Banks and exchange
houses are available in all cities. For Caye Caulker, best to grab
cash beforehand - we'll make a stop. For currency, U.S. dollars are
recommended and most easily exchanged.
Expect to
spend about US$5 on a meal, US$1 on a beer or soft drink in Mexico.
Prices are almost double in
Belize.
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