Tri-Country Express
trip itinerary and details

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Tri-Country Express 12 days: $3285 Currency Converter Belize City to Cancun - contact us for help with flights.  Countries visited: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Rack up those passport stamps on our twelve-day Tri-Country Express through Belize, northern Guatemala, southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula.  We'll start out visiting the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker in Belize; take rainforest walks within the massive Mayan ruins of Tikal in Guatemala; visit the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas where we'll explore its cobblestone streets and visit Mayan villages where traditions have changed little in hundreds of years; and finally end up in the Yucatan Peninsula for visits to Uxmal, Chichen Itza and the colonial cities of Merida and Valladolid.  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 $1130 for your very own tour!

Day Location 1 Arrive Belize City, transfer to Caye Caulker 2 Caye Caulker 3 Fly to Tikal, Guatemala 4 Tikal, Guatemala 5 Travel to Palenque, visit Bonampak 6 Palenque 7-8 San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico 9 Flight to Merida, city tour 10 Uxmal, Valladolid cenote 11 Chichen Itza, Cancun 12 Departure Day - Cancun

 

Day	Activity/Location
1-2	Arrive into Belize City and transfer by water taxi to Caye Caulker.  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.  If you arrive in time, we've also included on day 1 an afternoon paddling around the island on sea kayaks, ending up with a spectacular Caribbean sunset!
3-4	A short plane ride lands us near Tikal, just over the border in neighboring Guatemala. Tikal is truly the granddaddy of all excavated Mayan sites, with five enormous pyramids towering over the jungle canopy and countless other palaces and temples jutting out of the lush green rainforest. Lose yourself amid this ancient splendor to the sounds of red howler and spider monkeys, toucans and macaws. The archaeological site is situated within the protected Tikal National Park, so exploring the miles and miles of jungle trails is an adventure of natural as well as historical discovery. Also, don’t miss the experience of sunset from atop one of the pyramids, as the sun disappears over the jungle expanse and the creatures of the forest come to life in a symphony of sounds.  We'll have two days to explore the ruins, staying in El Remate, an attractive town on the shores of Lake Peten Itza.
5	Today is an exciting day of travel as we make our way across the Peten rainforest of northern Guatemala, and then hop into a dugout canoe for a trip down the Usumacinta River to the Mexican border post. After border formalities, we'll visit the beautiful and well-preserved Mayan murals at Bonampak before continuing on to Palenque.
6	Palenque, though not the largest of Mayan sites, is many people’s favorite by far. Its architecture, particularly the ornate and well-preserved "bell tower", is highly advanced and its inscriptions, murals  and paintings are some of the best in the Maya world. Trace the rise and fall of Palenque's dynasty as you explore this ancient city, then trek past a series of beautiful riverine pools in the hills below the site.
7-8	Today we make our way into a whole new ecosystem as we twist and turn into the Chiapas highlands and arrive at the colonial city of San Cristobal. On the way we'll visit the spectacular waterfall sites of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha.  In the San Cristobal region, many ancient Maya ways are still vividly alive in the dress and customs of the region’s inhabitants, and we’ll spend days 12 and 13 getting to know the San Cristobal area and its people. We'll shop for textiles, jewelry, and weavings in the many indigenous markets, visit the well-known Casa de Bolom, former home of activists and researchers Gertrude and Frans Blom, and take walks and excursions to small villages in the nearby countryside. Compared by many to Cuzco in Peru and Antigua in Guatemala, San Cristobal is an extraordinarily special place that you won’t tire of spending time in.
9	We catch a flight this morning from nearby Tuxtla Gutierrez to Merida. Merida is a pleasant colonial city with great restaurants, cafes, museums, churches and shopping!  We'll have an included city tour, then you're free to go off and bargain for that sombrero, hammock or Panama hat!
10	This morning we head out to another stunning Mayan site, Uxmal.  Uxmal has some of the most ornate and complex architecture in all of the Mayan World, exemplifying what is known as the "Puuc style".  After our guided tour, we'll take a short bus ride to Valladolid, a pleasant, classically Yucatecan town in the heart of the peninsula.  In the afternoon we'll visit the city's Zaci cenote for a refreshing afternoon swim.
11	We saved the best for last: 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.  In the afternoon we'll head back by first-class bus to Cancun and, if you're up for it, a night on the Mayan Riviera!
12	Departure Day - transfer to Cancun airport

TRIP DETAILS

12 days: $3285 Currency Converter
Belize City to Cancun - contact us for help with flights
Countries visited: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala

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! 

What's included in the trip: 

• Airport pick up/drop off and transfer to/from hotel

• Southern Crossings bilingual guide

• Internal flights, Belize City-Tikal and Tuxtla Gutierrez-Cancun

• Five nights tourist class hotel accommodation

• Six nights comfortable, modern beach/jungle cabanas

• Entrance fee and guided tour of Tikal, Bonampak, Palenque, Uxmal, Chichen Itza ruins.  Two days entrance to Tikal.

• All day snorkeling excursion and afternoon sea kayaking on Caye Caulker

• Mayan villages excursion and San Cristobal city tour

• Valladolid cenote entrance

• 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.

Single Accommodation supplement: $680
Please add this amount to the payment if you wish to have private accommodation throughout the trip.


Diving?
Please add $200 for one two-tank dive (at Caye Caulker).

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 medical travel insurance. To get a policy, we recommend www.travelguard.com

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.  Some areas are technically a malaria zone, and travelers may wish to take a malaria prophylaxis.  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.

Our trip will be an active tour which includes rainforest walking, exploring ruins, snorkeling (or diving if certified), boat rides and day hiking.  Please note you are not required to snorkel. 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, 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.

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:

Belize: hot and humid with chance of rain.

Palenque: rainforest conditions. Humid, very hot days. Warm nights. Some rain likely.

Tikal (Guatemala): rainforest conditions. Humid, very hot days. Warm nights. Some rain likely.

San Cristobal: Warm when sunny, can be chilly at night or with clouds.  Good chance of some rain.

Yucatan Peninsula: Mostly dry and arid, extremely strong sun, afternoon storms possible.

Money guide

The unit of currency in Mexico is the peso. Currency Converter
 

The currency of Guatemala is the quetzal.  Currency Converter
 

The currency of Belize is the Belizean dollar. Currency Converter
 

Automatic cash points are available in all cities we will visit in Guatemala and Mexico (Belize City, Flores, Palenque, San Cristobal, Cancun). Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are your options on Caye Caulker.  Best to grab cash in Belize City beforehand - we'll make a stop.  Banks and exchange houses are available in all cities.  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 slightly lower in Guatemala and almost double in Belize.

info@southerncrossings.com

 Consultants and
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Are We There Yet?
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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

Doug was absolutely terrific. He made us feel comfortable, and the trip went off without a hitch....except for one time. A bus broke down when we were en route to Tikal, Guatemala. The bus stopped, Doug went up to talk to the driver, turned around and said, “Okay folks, no trip in Guatemala would be complete without a bus breakdown!” And after a bit he'd found us another bus.  He not only had his act together and taught us a lot about the Maya, but he was a lot of fun to be around. I've never heard a group of people laugh more that the ten of us did on this trip. - Richard Nisbet, USA, Mayan Adventure, March 2007

info@southerncrossings.com