Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Mexico – Belize – Valladolid – Tankah Bay – Bacalar – Belize City – Ambergris Caye
100% customisable for you
With your bags full to the brim with your finest beach attire, head to the airport to await your direct flight to Mexico. Whizz through security and head to the airport lounge, where you can enjoy some pre-holiday nibbles as you get ready to board.
The flight time to Cancun is 11 hours, which gives you plenty of time to kick-start your holiday read. On arrival, pick up your trusty rental car and drive to your contemporary hotel near the airport, where you can spend the rest of the evening relaxing after your flight.
Your Mexican adventure properly kicks into gear today. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to hit the road to Valladolid, a beautiful colonial city just one-and-a-half hours away. Once you arrive, check in to your charming central hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.
The rest of today is yours to spend discovering the city. Valladolid’s historic centre is steeped in colonial history, and you can admire row upon row of pastel-coloured houses, as well as intricately carved churches.
Valladolid is also a great base for visiting cenotes. Cenote Dzitnup is conveniently located right in the heart of the city, and there are just 50-odd steps to descend before you reach its beautifully lit turquoise waters and dramatic stalactites.
Today, you’ll be treated to a bucket-list experience as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Chichen Itza. This sacred ancient city is home to the Temple of Kukulcan, one of the most emblematic pyramids in Mexico. The UNESCO-listed complex became one of the most important Mayan centres in the region, with both the Mayan and Toltec peoples contributing to its construction and administration.
Its location in such a hot, humid part of Yucatan is closely linked to its proximity to cenotes, which acted as natural wells. In fact, this is what gave Chichen Itza its name: ‘Chi Chen’ translates as ‘near the well’, and ‘Itza’ is the name of the people who founded the city around 450 AD, before abandoning it a century later for reasons we still don’t understand.
After a few days of cultural immersion, it’s time to head to the beach. Enjoy a leisurely morning in your hotel before hopping back into your hire car and driving to Tankah Bay, less than two hours away. Once you arrive, drop your bags and settle into your hotel, where you’ll be spending the next three nights.
The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure, whether you’d rather relax in your new home, take a stroll along the bay or head to the beautiful beach to catch the sunset over the Caribbean.
Tankah Bay is an oasis of peace and tranquillity on the Mayan Riviera, and we’ve left the next two days free for some good beachside relaxation. Sunbathe in cabanas, swim and snorkel in translucent waters and snooze in hammocks suspended between palm trees.
Ready for some action? Jump back in your hire car and drive 20 minutes to Tulum for a private tour around its famous archaeological site. One of our knowledgeable local guides will show you around the ruins of this ancient Mayan city, explaining the history of its iconic fortress, which overlooks the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. And, while you’re here, why not check out Tulum’s swanky restaurants and beach clubs, too?
After one last delicious breakfast, jump back into your hire car and journey two-and-a-half hours down the Mayan Riviera towards the Belize border. Your next destination is Bacalar, a town famous for the beautiful ‘Lagoon of Seven Colours’, nicknamed for its incredible shades of blue, green and turquoise.
Spend the rest of today settling into your lovely new environment before enjoying a delicious meal in the hotel’s restaurant in the evening.
Today is yours to explore Bacalar. Relax in a cabana jutting out over the water, rent kayaks and head out for an adventure or discover one of the many beautiful cenotes nearby. Cenote Azul (one of the deepest cenotes in the area) is just a 10-minute drive away, with clear waters perfect for a dip or dive.
The town itself is also oozing with charm. Wander along the streets and marvel at the colourful buildings, whimsical souvenir stores and traditional restaurants. History buffs can also visit Fort San Felipe to discover how the town battled against pirate attacks in the 18th century.
After one last morning enjoying breakfast with a view across the lagoon, jump 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 set back from the hustle and bustle of the coast. Spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up the sun before enjoying a delightfully fresh dinner in the hotel restaurant.
This morning, you’ll be met by one of our local guides for a day of sightseeing in beautiful Belize City. To begin with, you’ll discover the eclectic architecture of the city’s narrow streets, where colonial properties stand side by side with modern buildings.
Then it’s time to hit some must-see sights in historic downtown: the Fort George neighbourhood, the Swing Bridge, Government House and St John's Cathedral. Together, these sites help to tell the story of Belize’s heritage and journey to independence.
In the afternoon, 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.
If that’s not quite enough history for you, we can also arrange a visit to the Lamani Archaeological Reserve, another ancient Mayan city famed for its sacred temples and location on the picturesque New River.
It’s time to bid farewell to the city and journey to your final destination: the idyllic island of Ambergris Caye. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to Belize City’s 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. 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 diving. Brave (and experienced) divers can head out to the iconic Blue Hole, a perfectly circular underwater chasm over 120 metres deep.
You’ll also have the opportunity to dive along 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, and rays, sharks and turtles are just some of the magnificent creatures that call this sliver of ocean home.
Sadly, the time has come to leave the Caribbean behind and begin the journey home. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to back to Belize City, where you’ll board your flight back to the UK via the USA. The overnight flight will take around fourteen hours, and you’ll touch down the next morning, armed with a golden tan and a camera roll full of photos.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
