Reef and Ruins
[mexico + belize]
trip itinerary and details

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Reef and Ruins
7
days: US$1965 Currency Converter
Cancun to Belize City -
contact us for help with flights.  Countries visited: Mexico and Belize

Reef and Ruins is a 7-day Caribbean 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!

Depart any day
you wish!

If traveling alone, please add a single supplement of $770 for your very own tour!

 

Day

Location

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

 

 

REEF AND RUINS 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
 

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.
 

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!
 

7

Departure Day from Belize City.  Transfer from Caye Caulker to Belize City international airport is included.
 

 

TRIP DETAILS

7
days: US$1965 Currency Converter
Cancun to Belize City
Countries visited: Mexico and Belize

 

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

  • 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


 

What's not included
International flights, international airport departure taxes, pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, optional excursions, tips and other items of a personal nature. Medical 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 $100 per single, $150 per double room.

Single Accommodation supplement: $340
Please add this amount to the payment if you wish to have private accommodation throughout the trip.

Diving?
Please add $350 for two two-tank dives (in Cancun and Tulum).

 

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
•Beach towel
•Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
•Sunscreen lotion
•Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
•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. Currency Converter
 

The currency of Belize is the Belizean dollar. Currency Converter
 

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$8-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer or soft drink in Mexico.  Prices are almost double in Belize.

 

 

 




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"Southern Crossings arranged for us to see so many wonderful things, to enjoy so many activities and to meet so many interesting and wonderful people.  There  is no way that we could have organized such a complex and interesting itinerary ourselves and no way that we would have known which of the many sites to visits.  On top of this, the local guides are all impressively knowledgeable and present this information so clearly - it makes the locations come alive."

- Bishop Family, UK, Mayan World Custom Tour, August 2008
 

 





 


"It was a great pleasure working with Doug Newton and Southern Crossings on our National Geographic family travel TV series ‘Are We There Yet?’.  Doug showed a great flair for coming up with fun things for kids to do at Machu Picchu, and put a lot of thought and time into working with our specific needs.  He was reliable, organized and thorough, plus he was so friendly and calm that he was a pleasure to work with!  Thanks again, Doug!"

- Stacey Jenkins, Associate Producer, Sinking Ship Entertainment
 

 

 








 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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