Culture and Nature in Yucatán & Belize: From Chichén Itzá to the Barrier Reef

Your Mexican adventure properly kicks into gear today. After fuelling up on a hearty breakfast at your hotel, head off to Valladolid, a beautiful colonial city just one-and-a-half hours away. Settle in for two nights in a charming posada (guesthouse) in the San Juan district. The rest of today is yours to send discovering the historic centre of the city. Valladolid, once forbidden to the indigenous Mayan peoples, is still steeped in colonial history. You can admire row upon row of pastel-coloured houses, as well as a collection of beautifully-carved churches. Valladolid is also well-located for visiting cenotes (natural springs). Dzitnup is located right in the heart of the city centre, you just have to descend the 50-odd steps to reach the beautifully-lit turquoise waters and dramatic stalactites.

Wake up bright and early this morning as today you have the opportunity to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Chichén Itzá. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the Temple of Kukulcán, one of the most emblematic pyramids in Mexico. This sacred city became one of the most important Mayan centres in the region, with Mayan and Toltec peoples contributing to its construction and administration. Its location in such a hot, humid part of Yucatan is explained by its proximity to cenotes, which acted as natural wells. In fact, the underground water source gave it its name, Chi Chén, which translates as ‘near the well’. Itzá is the name of the people who founded the city around 450, before abandoning it a century later for reasons still unknown to this day.

After a few days of cultural immersion, it’s time to head to the beach. After a leisurely morning in your hotel, hop back into your hire car and drive to Tankah Bay, less than two-hours away. Settle in for three nights in a traditional hacienda (farmhouse) in the heart of nature. The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. You can relax in your new home or head to the beautiful beach to catch sunset over the Caribbean.

You have the next two days to enjoy some good beachside relaxation. Tankah Bay is an oasis of peace and tranquility on the Mayan Riviera. Sunbathe in cabanas, swim and snorkel in translucent waters and snooze in hammocks suspended between palm trees. When you’re ready for a bit of action, make use of your hire car to explore the Mayan Riviera. Bohemian-chic Tulum, with its endless swanky restaurants and beach clubs, is just a 20-minute drive away. Here you can also visit the only Mayan city built on the waterfront with one of our knowledgeable local guides. The star of the show is the iconic fortress overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

After one last delicious breakfast in your hacienda, jump back into your hire car and journey two-and-half-hours down the Mayan Riviera towards the Belize border. Your next destination is a beautiful lodge overlooking the seven-coloured lagoon of Bacalar. Spend the rest of today settling into your lovely new environment before enjoying a delicious meal in the hotel’s restaurant this evening.

Nicknamed the seven-coloured lagoon for its incredible shades of blue, green and turquoise, Bacalar feels like a sliver of the Maldives in Mexico. You have all of today to discover this oasis. Relax in a water-fronted cabana jutting into the water, rent kayaks and head out for an adventure or discover one of the many beautiful cenotes perfect for diving. The town itself is also oozing with charm. Colourful properties filled with souvenir stores and traditional restaurants line the streets of the atmospheric centre.

After one last morning enjoying a hearty breakfast with a view across the lagoon, hump back into your hire car and drive one hour to Chetumal, the last major town before hitting the Belize border. Here, you’ll swap your rental car for a private driver and make your way to Belize City, two-and-a-half hours away. Your home for the next two nights is a lovely hotel in a quiet neighbourhood, away from all the hustle and bustle of the coast. When it’s time for dinner, head to the hotel’s restaurant to tuck into a traditional dinner. Ceviche, nachos, salads, grilled fish and seafood are just a few of the local delicacies.

This morning you’ll be met by one of our know-how local guides for a day of sightseeing in beautiful Belize City. To begin with, you’ll discover the eclectic architecture of the city’s criss-crossing narrow streets, where colonial properties stand side by side with modern buildings. Then it’s be time to hit some must-see sights: the Fort George Area, the Swing Bridge, Government House and St John's Cathedral. In the afternoon you’ll head to the archaeological site of Altun Ha, an ancient Mayan trading centre. As well as a number of impressive temples, many jade artefacts have been discovered here, including an imposing sculpture weighing over 4kg and depicting the sun god K'inich Ajaw. We can also arrange for you to visit the Lamanai site and sail on the New River.

It’s time to bid farewell to the city and journey to your final destination: the paradisal island of Ambergris Caye. This morning you’ll be privately transferred to the port where you’ll hop on a water taxi and travel one-and-a-half hours across the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. Spend the rest of today settling into your charming hotel in the small coastal town of San Pedro, where you’ll be staying for the last three nights of your holiday. For dinner, tuck into some local fare at the hotel’s restaurant (hint: there’s lots of fresh fish).

The next two days are all about having fun in paradise. You can head out on traditional pontoon boats in the north of the island, snorkel and observe turtles in the sea-grass beds of nearby beaches and try your hand at scuba diving. Brave (and experienced) divers can head for the Blue Hole, a perfectly circular underwater chasm almost 400-feet deep. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the beautiful coral reefs of Shark Ray Alley and the Hol Chan marine reserve, four miles south of San Pedro. The sheer diversity of these seabeds has garnered Belize quite the maritime reputation. Rays, sharks and turtles are just some of the magnificent creatures that call this sliver of ocean home.