Ready to Use 3 Week Mexico Belize Guatemala Itinerary + Map
TL;DR
Our ready-to-use 21-day itinerary takes you through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala day by day, with all the stops, activities and transfer times planned out for you.
Planning a trip through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala sounds amazing – until you actually start figuring out how to fit everything together. There are Mayan ruins, cenotes, beaches, jungles, islands, volcanoes and some seriously tempting detours, and getting from one place to the next can take longer than you might expect.
That’s why we put together this 21-day Mexico, Belize and Guatemala itinerary. It’s not just a list of places we think you should visit. It’s a day-by-day itinerary you can actually use, including where to go, what to do and how long the transfers between destinations take.
The route takes you from Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula through Belize and into Guatemala, combining famous sights like Chichén Itzá and Tikal with cenotes, snorkelling, wildlife, beaches and some of our favourite less-obvious stops.
We’ve travelled this region twice ourselves and planned the itinerary around public transport wherever possible, while using tours when they make complicated logistics easier. So if you want to see a lot without spending weeks figuring out every bus, ferry and transfer yourself, you can pretty much take this itinerary and go.
21 Days Mexico Belize Guatemala Itinerary
Mexico Belize Guatemala Backpacking Itinerary Map
8 Days in Mexico
3 Days in Valladolid, Mexico
Day 1 – Travel to Valladolid & Historic Centre
You'll most likely be arriving from Cancún Airport today, so after checking into your accommodation, spend the rest of the day exploring the charming colonial town of Valladolid. You’ll fall in love with the colourful houses and the old-timer Volkswagen cars in a heartbeat.
Start at Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado, the town's main square, and visit the Iglesia de San Servacio before wandering down the colourful Calzada de los Frailes to the Ex-Convent of San Bernardino de Siena. If you have time, pop into one of the museums like Casa de los Venados.
For lunch, grab some authentic Yucatán food at Mercado Gastronómico or Mercado Municipal Donato Bates Herrera.
Afterwards, cool off at Cenote Zací, a beautiful semi-open cenote located right in the city centre.
If you're still feeling energetic, end your first day catching a traditional Jarana dance performance in the main square or with the video mapping show at the Ex-Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
Here’s our full Valladolid Itinerary:
Day 2 – Day Trip to Chichen Itza
Of course, one of the seven new wonders of the world is a must-see in this region, and it really is worth a visit. In contrast to what you see online (we’re guilty of that too, I guess), it’s not only the famous pyramid but also a huge archaeological complex with many ruins and even a Cenote. The Mayan site includes highlights like the observatory and the ballcourt, so schedule a couple of hours for the visit.
How to get to Chichén Itzá on a budget |
How to get to Chichén Itzá with more comfort |
| We took a colectivo from Valladolid and found it to be the easiest and cheapest way to get there. They leave from in front of the ADO bus station, the journey takes around 45 minutes, and we barely had to wait in either direction when travelling early in the morning. Alternatively, you can also take the ADO bus. |
This Chichén Itzá and 3 Cenotes Tour is an excellent option if you don’t want to worry about transport and a certified guide.
The time you safe on transfers can be used to cool off with swims in the beautiful cave cenotes Ik Kil, Samulá, and Xkekén. |
Day 3 – Day Trip Las Coloradas, Rio Lagartos, and Ek Balam
If you're looking for a day trip that combines wildlife, nature, and ancient history, this was one of our favourites. Las Coloradas' famous pink lakes really are as vibrant as they look in photos (at least some of them), making them one of the most unique places we've visited in Mexico. Since you can no longer swim in the lakes, a visit doesn't take very long.
We recommend combining them with a visit to nearby Río Lagartos, where a boat tour takes you through the mangroves in search of flamingos and crocodiles. Our favourite part was covering ourselves in mineral-rich Mayan mud before washing it off in the Gulf of Mexico.
On the way back to Valladolid, don't miss Ek Balam, one of the Yucatán's most underrated Mayan sites. Unlike Chichén Itzá, you can still climb the main pyramid here, rewarding you with fantastic views over the surrounding jungle.
How to get to Río Lagartos on a budget |
How to get to Río Lagartos with more comfort |
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Reaching Río Lagartos by public transport is possible but takes some planning and time. Plan with around 3 hours because you usually have to change buses in Tizimín.
To get to Las Coloradas, continue the final 20 km (12 mi) by taxi. If you also want to visit Ek Balam on the way, the logistics can quickly become too time-consuming. |
We opted for a Las Coloradas, Río Lagartos & Ek Balam tour as it takes care of the complicated logistics for you. You can book them on platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide – we recommend to check out both and compare prices. |
3 Days in Tulum, Mexico
Day 4 – Travel to Tulum & Tulum Ruins
Tulum nowadays is a love it or hate it kind of situation. But even if you’re not into the whole Instagram scene, the town is still worth a visit in our opinion. It’s the perfect base to explore the surrounding cenotes and beaches.
Of course, the Tulum ruins are a must-see. The buildings themselves are nowhere near as impressive as Chichen Itza, but the stunning location at the sea makes up for it. You can even enter the beach below the ruins for a swim. Where else in the world can history be as easily combined with a beach trip as here?
End your day at the beach or in one of Tulum’s incredibly Instagrammable beach bars. Don’t dismiss it before you try it!
Here’s our full Tulum Itinerary:
Day 5 – Cenote Hopping & Akumal Turtles
Cenotes are natural limestone holes filled with groundwater, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, or simply relaxing. There are over 6000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, so it’s easy to find the perfect cenote for you.
One thing that surprised us about Tulum was just how different each cenote feels. Some are little more than a hole in the ground inviting you to jump in, while others are huge open pools with underwater caves, turtles, restaurants, and even zip lines. Spending a day exploring several of them ended up being one of our favourite days around Tulum.
Rather than trying to visit every famous cenote, we recommend choosing three or four that are close together along the highway northwest of town, e.g. Cenote Calavera, Gran Cenote, Cenote Zacil-Ha, and Cenote Zemwayc.
How to get to the cenotes on a budget |
How to get to the cenotes with more comfort |
| The most affordable way to go cenote hopping in Tulum is by renting a bicycle. Beware that the highway can be busy with traffic. |
This Cenote Triple Adventure Tour brings you to three amazing centoes:
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You can easily spend your afternoon relaxing away at the beach – or you can tick off another bucket-list experience: Make the short trip to Akumal, where you can snorkel with wild green sea turtles. Although the water is usually clearest in the morning, we still think it's well worth the visit if swimming with turtles is on your wish list.
We’ve snorkelled with turtles in many places before, and we can say we had a great experience in Akumal, easily seeing several turtles. Just head towards the seaweed areas, and you’ll probably spot a turtle quickly. Be respectful, leave some space, and of course, never touch it.
Afterwards, you can relax and dry off at the beautiful beach, or you can grab lunch at Lol-Ha Restaurant.
Day 6 – Day trip to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
If we had to choose just one day trip from Tulum, it would probably be the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. It features tropical forests, fresh and saltwater lagoons, mangroves, and even a section of coral reef in the sea. Additionally, you can find 23 Mayan archaeological sites, including Muyil.
Most visits begin at Muyil, one of the region's least-visited Mayan ruins. Hidden amongst dense jungle, the partially overgrown temples gave us serious Indiana Jones vibes, and we were surprised by how few other visitors were there. After exploring the ruins, follow the wooden boardwalk through the wetlands to the observation tower for fantastic views across the reserve.
The highlight of the day, however, is the boat tour through Sian Ka'an. Cruising through the lagoons surrounded by mangroves is beautiful, and you might even spot tropical birds or manatees if you're lucky.
Our favourite part, though, was floating down the crystal-clear natural lazy river. It sounds incredibly simple, but drifting silently through pristine nature with nothing but birdsong around us ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of our entire Yucatán trip.
How to get to Sian Ka'an on a budget |
How to get to Sian Ka'an with more comfort |
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Buses from Tulum to Muyil run about every 30-60 minutes, so there’s no real need to plan in advance. The buses leave from the ADO bus station and take around 20 minutes.
We decided to take a colectivo from the ADO bus station to Muyil which was equally easy and cheap. |
This Sian Ka'an Reserve Tour combines a boat tour through canals and lagoons, a natural lazy river, Mayan ruins and Mayan cuisine – and a chance to spot manatees. |
2 Days in Laguna Bacalar, Mexico
Day 7 – Travel to Bacalar & Boat Tour
Today, travel south to Bacalar, home to the famous Lagoon of Seven Colours. Unlike Tulum, Bacalar isn't a beach destination – instead, it's all about crystal-clear freshwater, wooden piers, floating hammocks, and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Here’s our full list of things to do in Bacalar:
After checking into your accommodation, head out on a boat tour of the lagoon. Most tours visit highlights such as Pirates' Channel, several small islands, lagoon cenotes, and even include a Mayan mud treatment. It's the perfect introduction to one of Mexico's most beautiful places.
Day 8 – Los Rápidos & Way to Belize
Spend your final morning at Los Rápidos, one of Bacalar's most unique attractions. Float down the natural lazy river, relax in the crystal-clear water, and keep an eye out for the ancient stromatolites, some of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
If you have extra time before your onward journey, enjoy one last swim from a public pier or beach club, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or simply soak up the peaceful lagoon views before heading to Belize.
A cheaper but more time-consuming alternative is to cross the border into Belize and continue by public bus to Belize City .
Once you arrive in Belize City , head to the ferry pier. Two ferry companies ( Caribbean Sprinter and Belize Express Water Taxi ) operate to Caye Caulker, and the boat ride takes around 45 minutes .
6 Days in Belize
2 Days in Caye Caulker, Belize
Day 9 – Go Slow
Caye Caulker is tiny, so you can easily walk around the main village. There are no cars, and the laid-back atmosphere is exactly what makes the island special.
Breakfast and/or yoga at Namaste Cafe is a great way to start your slow day.
Afterwards, head to The Split for your first taste of the “Go Slow” lifestyle. You can relax by the water, grab a drink, or simply watch the boats go by.
If you want even more peace and quiet, head over to the North Island.
End your day with a sunset on the western side of the island or on a Tiki Bar Pontoon Sunset Boat Cruise.
Here’s our full Caye Caulker travel guide:
Day 10 – Snorkelling at Caye Caulker
If there is one thing you should do on Caye Caulker, it’s snorkelling. The island sits right next to the Belize Barrier Reef, so you don’t have to go far to find colourful coral and plenty of marine life.
You have two main options depending on how much time and money you want to spend:
- Marine Reserve 3-Hour Tour: A shorter and more affordable option with stops at South Channel, Stingray Alley, and Coral Gardens. You can spot nurse sharks, rays, barracudas, moray eels, and colourful reef fish.
- 7-Stop Belize Barrier Reef Tour: A full-day adventure with more snorkelling stops and the chance to see turtles, manatees, sharks, rays, and even seahorses. It also includes lunch.
We personally compared both tours and found the Marine Reserve tour to be the better option if you’re short on time or travelling on a budget, while the 7-stop tour is the one to choose if you want to make snorkelling the main event of your Caye Caulker stay.
Here’s our full Caye Caulker snorkelling tour comparison:
2 Days in Hopkins, Belize
Day 11 – Travel to Hopkins and Relax
Hopkins is our favourite place in all of Belize. The beach is long, clean and beautiful. You can also experience Garifuna culture – how about a drum circle or a cooking class?
The food options here are delightful as well. From Garifuna dishes at Queen Bean to Western cuisine at Peer’s Place, there’s everything your stomach could desire – including coconuts on the beach.
Here’s our full Hopkins travel guide:
Day 12 – Day Trip to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's only Jaguar Preserve. You probably won’t find a Jaguar. What you will find is plenty of hiking trails. The tiger fern trail is probably the prettiest, as it ends at a beautiful waterfall. Make sure to explore the second pool as it’s more secluded and nicer for a dip. The trail is around 6 km (3.7 mi) round trip and is mostly uphill on the way to the waterfall and mostly downhill on the way back. You can also go tubing.
Of course, you can also book a tour .
2 Days in San Ignacio, Belize
Day 13 – Travel to San Ignacio & Explore
San Ignacio is the adventure hub in western Belize. Here, you can visit waterfalls, Belize’s biggest Mayan ruin Caracol, and caves. If you ask us, the ATM Cave is a must on your Belize trip!
San Ignacio is also the town in Belize where we found the cheapest and most abundant street food. Don’t miss the market! Burns Avenue offers a lot of nice bars and restaurants – give Ko-Ox Han Nah a try.
If you still have time and energy, you can also head to Macal River, visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project, or Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve.
Here’s our full San Ignacio travel guide:
Day 14 – ATM Cave Day Trip
Our favourite thing to do in Belize was visiting Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, one of the most sacred caves in the world. The cave is an important Mayan site, believed to be a portal to the underworld. Inside, you’ll see the skeleton of the Crystal Maiden and remains of other sacrifices, along with stunning calcified formations.
The tour is quite intense with up to 3 hours of walking, swimming, climbing, and squeezing through tight spaces.
You need a guide to enter the cave, so it’s easiest to book a tour.
We have written an ATM Cave tour review. Spoiler: The experience is totally worth it.
7 Days in Guatemala
2 Days in Flores, Guatemala
Day 15 – Travel to Flores & Explore
Today, travel from San Ignacio, Belize, to Flores, Guatemala.
If you leave early in the morning, you’ll have half a day enjoying Flores. You can swim in Lake Peten, take a lancha out, or feast in one of the amazing restaurants.
We have written a complete Flores travel guide:
Day 16 – Tikal Day Trip
The Tikal Mayan ruins are amazing. You can easily spend a whole day or even more there. The city covered an area greater than 16 square kilometres (6.2 sq mi) and included about 3,000 structures. Even if You’re not the biggest history buff, the Great Plaza with its two great pyramids as well as the North and Central Acropolis will impress you. Don’t miss the Star Wars Temple: Temple IV was featured in (you guessed it) Star Wars Episode IV. And the view is impressive even if you’re not a Star Wars nerd. Our second favourite viewpoint is the pyramid in the Mundo Perdido. This is also the second area we recommend you not miss.
The easiest way to get from Flores to Tikal is to take a shuttle or a tour. We have written a blogpost about the best Tikal tours from Flores:
1 Day in Antigua, Guatemala
Day 17 – Travel to Antigua & Explore
Antigua is a gem of a colonial town. Wander the streets; if you have time, take a (free) walking tour, settle in and relax after a potentially long travel day.
Antigua offers amazing food and drinks – from craft beer and artisanal coffee to traditional cuisine and street food. Here are some of our favourite food and drinks options:
- Best coffee: Fat Cat
- Best local food: The market
- Best bar: Antigua Brewing Company
We have written a complete Antigua travel guide:
2 Days Hike Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala
Day 18 – Summit Acatenango Volcano (& Maybe Fuego)
This will be one of the highlights of your trip! The hike up takes around 6 hours (depending on your fitness) with an extra 5-hour hike to Fuego (only go there if you’re incredibly fit). It’s a 1500 m (1 mi) elevation gain on very gravelly, slippery ground. The reward of your struggles? An amazing view from Acatenango to Fuego, which normally erupts around every 15 minutes. At night, you can see lava flowing if you’re lucky.
We have written a comparison of the best Acatenango tours:
Day 19 – Descent Acatenango Volcano & Travel to Lake Atitlan
Depending on your tour, you may have the option to climb to the summit of Acatenango Volcano for sunrise. After breakfast, you hike back down, and afterwards you make your way back to Antigua.
We were knackered at this point and ready to do nothing for the rest of the day.
2 Days at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Day 20 – Relax at Lake Atitlan
You need at least two days to appreciate the beauty of Lake Atitlan.
We strongly recommend you set up your base somewhere nice. We have explored several towns and can personally recommend:
- San Pedro for a backpacker scene, parties, and language schools.
- San Marcos for spirituality, yoga, vegan food, and rock climbing.
- Santa Cruz for great views, nice hostels, and scuba diving.
We have written a complete Lake Atitlan travel guide:
Day 21 – Choose Your Own Lake Atitlan Adventure
Depending on your base, these are the best things to do on Lake Atitlan:
- San Pedro: Hike to the Indian Nose.
- San Marcos: Take a yoga class at Eagle’s Nest and grab some lunch at the many cute (plant-based) cafes in town.
- Santa Cruz: Hike the Lower Mayan Trail to Jaibalito and Tzununa.
Here’s our full Lake Atitlan itinerary:
Itinerary
Lake Atitlan Itinerary + Map (1 – 7 Days)
Lake Atitlan Itineraries for 1 to 7 days at Lake Attilan.
Carina
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