Hotels & Resort Deals
Select a destination...
View All Hotels & Resort Deals
Vacation Interests
Miscellaneous
Tours By Type
Tour Deals
Select a destination...
View All Tour Deals
Cruises From
Vacation Interests
Career Discounts
Featured Destinations
Select a destination for info and deals...
Destination Ports
Cruises sailing in each region...
- Transfer Your Booking To Us
- Book Shore Excursions
- Book Land Tours
- Save on Passport & Visa Services
-
![Arrow]()
View All Customer Service Resources
Saving Tools
- Access Reservation (web-made bookings only)
- Make a Payment
- Add Travel Insurance
- Pre-Cruise Registration
For Existing Reservations
- Land Vacation FAQs
- Cruise FAQs
- Cruise Port Directions
- Contact Us
Useful Links
Ultimate Central America
-
Length
18 Days
-
Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)
-
Ends in
Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala)
-
Available Tour Start Dates
FEB 2, 2026 to DEC 7, 2026
-
Activity Level
No Rating Provided
-
Language
English
-
Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
-
Special Interest(s)
18-to-Thirtysomethings
Contiki tours are only available for 18- to 35-year olds.
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$4,230.84
Overview
This sizzling circuit of Central America takes you to some stunning hotspots in Mexico, Belize & Guatemala. There'll be plenty of surfing, snorkelling and sipping something sweet under the shade of a palm tree - but this trip isn't just about the beaches. You'll get stuck into Central America's rich culture as you taste tequila at a distillery, explore the ruins of ancient civilisations and eat food that will guac your world.
Visited During Tour
Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala) | Belize City (Belize) | Cancun (Mexico) | Caye Caulker (Belize) | Chichen Itza (Mexico) | Flores Island (Guatemala) | Guadalajara (Mexico) | Guanajuato (Mexico) | Mexico City (Mexico) | Playa del Carmen (Mexico) | Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) | San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) | Teotihuacan (Mexico) | Tequila (Mexico) | Tikal (Guatemala)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Ultimate Central America tour dates available from Contiki. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
Contiki Tour Code 128-583
-
Day
1Puerto Vallarta
Welcome to one of the most popular beach towns in Mexico, also known as the 'Mexican Riviera'. Spa, pool, relax, repeat are all high on the agenda today or you can take a day trip to remote beaches on a sailing trip – and that's before we top it all off with a beachfront dinner, with the water and twinkling lights setting an unforgettable scene.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta (or similar) -
Day
2Puerto Vallarta
Today you’re free to explore Puerto Vallarta however you like. You can surf, or, take on an optional zipline adventure. Then, in the evening, catch a Pirate show! Expect the unexpected in Puerto Vallarta.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta (or similar) -
Day
3Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara
Bye bye beach hangs, but don't worry, this isn't your last taste of Mexican beach life - we'll see you soon, sea. Nothing screams ‘Mexico’ like tequila, so why not head to a genuine distillery where you can learn how this fiery spirit is made and taste some for yourself? Afterwards, take a stroll around the streets to get a feel for the old and new world architecture this place is known for – and then sample some seriously electric nightlife. It's time to learn about the city known as the 'Pearl of the West', Guadalajara, with its four main squares and glorious cathedral. Then you could go and find a spot to watch one of the city's famous live Mariachi bands do its thing.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel de Mendoza Guadalajara (or similar) -
Day
4Guadalajara to Guanajuato
We leave Guadalajara and hit the road. Here at the old colonial city of Guanajuato (now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City), you’ll learn about the history of the famous silver mining town and how the economy has shaped much of its culture. Discover the lovers at the 'Alley of Kisses' and the Hidalgo Market, designed by Gustave Eiffel himself.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Gran Plaza Guanajuato (or similar) -
Day
5Guanajuato to Mexico City via San Miguel de Allende
Thanks to the bright facades of Guanajuato, your eyes should be wide open by now. Just in time too, because there is so much to see in Mexico City.Quick pitstop! We'll check out this colourful UNESCO World Heritage City, known for its baroque architecture and vibrant art scene. Stroll through the charming plazas. Explore local artisan shops. Admire the iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. And then we'll be on our way. Mexico City is the largest city in the country and impressively, the oldest capital in Central America. Known for its Aztec temple, its surprising altitude at 2200m, and mountainous landscape, this place is busy, bustling and oh-so-wonderful.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Royal Reforma (or similar) -
Day
6Mexico City & Teotihuacan
It’s a busy one today, travellers. Today, we'll get stuck into the local flavours by tasting some Mexican delicacies at a local market before heading to the archaeological city of Teotihuacan. Pyramids and Aztec temples are the focus for this leg of your journey. As you go, local guides will kindly impart their extensive knowledge on many interesting topics so you're in the know on anything and everything. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead, admire the grandeur of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon from ground level, and explore beautifully preserved murals and temples. Back in the capital, it's time to look back on all the mesmerising history & architecture you've seen today (and catch a good night's sleep).
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Royal Reforma (or similar) -
Day
7Mexico City
The theme 'getting out there' will take on a whole new meaning today. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are the focus for this leg of your journey in this bustling city. Do some shopping in Coyoacan. Then, tonight, re-fuel with city eats, like enchiladas, tamales and tacos. Even head out and get a little loco, if the mood takes you...
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Royal Reforma (or similar) -
Day
8Mexico City to Cancun
Goodbye Mexico City. Señoras y señores, let's hit the road!Welcome to Mexico’s super resort - Cancun. With its high energy vibes, this stop is a no brainer when it comes to getting your fiesta on.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Ocean View Arenas Cancun (or similar) -
Day
9Cancun
Yes, Yes. We just arrived. But we're saying goodbye to bright & buzzing Cancun (only for a bit!) to check out an epic historical hotspot.The most famous ancient ruins in Mayan history. With our Local Guide leading the charge, we’ll learn all about the Mayan calendar, the positioning of the sun, the connections of the ruins around the country, and the worlds that came before us. Afterwards, we’ll take a dip in a cenote – which is the best way to beat the Mexican heat.You've got the entire day tomorrow to spend soaking up the Cancun sun. So, rest up!
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodations: Ocean View Arenas Cancun (or similar) -
Day
10Cancun
Cancun is a hub of fiery entertainment… known for way more than party vibes. Powdery beaches, endlessly swimmable waters and laid-back taco joints (basically all you need, no matter your mood.) Your Trip Manager knows this place like the back of their hand too, so you're guaranteed to be in the know on all the best spots to head for the evening.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Ocean View Arenas Cancun (or similar) -
Day
11Cancun to Playa Del Carmen
Get ready for your next adventure this morning as we're heading to the beautiful shores of Playa del Carmen. A bit of retail therapy never hurt anyone, so how about a stroll down Paseo del Carmen shopping centre to spend some pesos? You'll fall head over heels for this sun-kissed seashore town. For the food addicts amongst you, a plethora of seaside bars and restaurants are here to blow your mind with their delicious cocktails and local recipes.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Wyndham Garden Playa del Carmen (or similar) -
Day
12Playa Del Carmen to Caye Caulker
Mexico, you've stolen a slice of our hearts forever but with Belize & the Caribbean Island of Caye Caulker on the horizon, we're not feeling too sad... Hello heaven. Rub your eyes, blink and blink again - yes this pinch-yourself tropical paradise truly is real, This evening is all about enjoying the last dregs of sunshine, sampling fresh seafood and getting down to some reggae rhythms... **PLEASE NOTE: this day may be replaced with another night in Playa del Carmen when the Belize Ferry is not operating as scheduled. Caye Caulker activities will be rescheduled so all inclusions and optional experiences are still offered as per itinerary. A Free Time Add On Activity of ATV riding may also be offered by the Trip Manager when the itinerary has 2 nights in Playa del Carmen.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Tropical Paradise Hotel (or similar) -
Day
13Caye Caulker
You’ll need a big breakfast today because you're free to do whatever you want, which could mean a whole lot of exploring. Belize has a spectacular Barrier Reef that's just begging to be discovered, so grab a snorkel and get out there. Back on land, it's all about sandy streets flanked by palm trees and dotted with cafes and bars lined with colourful hammocks, painted tables and the most laid-back vibes we know. You'll be begging to stay longer. And your wish is our command.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Tropical Paradise Hotel (or similar) -
Day
14Caye Caulker
Another free day to soak up the vibes of this beautiful city, and spend some more time in the water. Snorkel, siesta, or sip something sweet as you watch the golden sunset over the shimmering waters. Bliss.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Tropical Paradise Hotel (or similar) -
Day
15Caye Caulker to Tikal
Water taxis will whizz us back to the mainland across the glorious underwater playground you've become so well acquainted with over the last few days, landing us back in the arms of Belize City. It’s a super swift passing by of the beloved Belize City before we take to the road to journey across the border into yet another stunning country: Guatemala. This leg of the trip will see you travel overland through Guatemala’s Peten forests. We'll drop anchor at our hotel and doze off to the tranquil sounds of the nature all around, but in a comfy bed with all the amenities you need.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Tikal Inn (or similar) -
Day
16Tikal to Antigua
Rise early today and take in the sounds of the jungle awakening around you on a guided tour of the Mayan ruin, Templo IV. Not a bad way to start the day, hey? End the morning with an optional zoom around the treetops like a monkey but securely attached on a zipline of course! We'll then take a trip to the island of Flores, where we'll have lunch before flying this afternoon to Guatemala's capital city and then on to beautiful Antigua. This place isn't just about the dreamy scenery - there's plenty of history to soak up too. You'll notice colorful rooftop gardens dotted amongst the crumbling colonial buildings and you'll hear the clip clop of the horse drawn carriages that are still a favoured form of transport today. You'll be glad to know there are two peaceful nights planned here in the old colonial town set right beneath two massive volcanoes.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel Las Farolas -
Day
17Antigua Guatemala
Start with a tour with our guide to learn about the local architecture, tiny squares, and fountains. Don your explorers cap this afternoon and head off for some ME time. Being able to choose your own adventure could take you up Pacaya Volcano on a guided hike. If you’d rather produce those endorphins by making (and eating) your own chocolate, then that is also a rather delicious option where you'll learn about the process from start to end and take home the results of your efforts. Guatemalan delights tonight? Yes please. We'll get local over chiles rellenos (or peppers stuffed to the brim with vegetables, meat and sauces). You're sure to hear a collective mmmm.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Las Farolas -
Day
18Antigua
Morning global roamers, we came, we saw, we sizzled. We'll fuel up on one last breakfast together, then it's time to wipe away the tears and do those final friend requests because today you're homeward bound with firm plans in full steam for a Contiki 2.0 reunion in Asia. See you next time!
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Contiki is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Ultimate Central America tour:
Travelers Notes
* START/END TIMES: Trip starts in Puerto Vallarta at 8:00am and ends in Antigua/Guatemala City at 11:00am. It is not recommended to book flights arriving on the first day of the trip. Please note that you should fly out of Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) which is approximately 30 minutes from Antigua. The best way to get from the hotel in Antigua to Guatemala City is by taxi and costs between $25-$40USD. Please join your trip at the start accommodation outlined in your trip documents. Hotels are subject to change. Check your travel documents for How To Get There & Kick-Start Meeting information.* TRANSFERS: Both complimentary and chargeable transfers are not offered through Contiki. Guests should make their own way from/to the airport at their own expense.* PASSPORT: A passport is needed to enter Mexico, Belize, Guatemala for all passengers unless they are residents or citizens of these countries. Passport details are required for all Latin America trips. The clients name as it appears on their passport, date of birth, gender, passport number, expiry date with 6 months validity, and nationality is required.* VISAS: Visas may be required for this trip. It is the client's responsibility to obtain the necessary documentation.* BORDER FEES: The following Border Fees will need to be paid locally while on trip: departing Mexico US$50, port tax Belize US$2.50, departure fee Belize to Guatemala US$20 and entry fee for Guatemala US$3. Fees are subject to change and are approximate based on exchange rates.* GROUND HANDLER: This trip is operated on behalf of Contiki by our trusted third party supplier Journey Mexico and led by one of our own wonderful Contiki Trip Managers.* INTERNAL FLIGHTS: Luggage allowance is limited to 1 suitcase per guest (maximum of 44lbs/20Kg) and 1 piece of hand luggage per guest 12"x11"x6" (30x28x14cm). Refer to trip documents for any exceptions.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Contiki. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Contiki (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.