See Mexico, Belize & Guatemala with 22-day tour

If you want more from a vacation than a daily collapse into a poolside cabana, but would like some help in the adventure-planning department, consider Intrepid Travel. This company runs tours for small groups all over the world, including Latin America. One that particularly caught my eye was its Mayan Highlights trip.

Over 22 days, which begin in Cancun, Mexico, and end in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, you get a real taste of the region with an active, yet not too demanding, schedule. The trip takes in not only Mexico’s Yucatan, but also Belize and Guatemala. Mexico sites include the Chichen Itza pyramids and the beaches of Tulum. In Belize, you’ll snorkel off Caye Caulker and in Guatemala, you can hike (or even paraglide) along Lake Atitlan and explore the ruins of Tikal. This is just a small sampling from the rich itinerary.

Check out the site to learn more about this trip as well as Intrepid Travel’s touring style (e.g., flexibility to do your own thing, group sizes that average about 10 travelers).

When: Six Mayan Highlights trips are scheduled this summer, starting in Cancun on June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9, 2008.

Cost: The trip costs $1,260 per person (including tax), plus a local payment of $500 cash to be paid to your guide to cover trip incidentals. All transportation (mini-bus, local bus and boat) during the trip is included, but food and your flight to/from Mexico are excluded.

Tip: If you have the flexibility to book a last-minute trip, note this statement on the site: “We regularly offer 20% off the remaining places on a trip when the departure date is coming up soon.” Call to find out how soon is soon enough.

Contact: Intrepid Travel, (800) 970-7299

— Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Photo: Pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico; Marte Rebollar AFP/Getty Images]

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This entry was posted on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 2:11 pm by Susan Derby and is filed under Cancun, Latin America & Caribbean, Mexico, Summer, Tours & Cruises. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a comment. Pinging is currently not allowed.