Tikal Self Drive Explorer

How it works: the package includes a rented four wheel drive vehicle with unlimited mileage and accommodation in good quality hotels and lodges. We provide you with a map and detailed itinerary with mileages between destinations. You avoid rigid shuttle timetables and have100% liberty to drive at your own pace, to dawdle or rush as you like, and explore whatever you want as you go along.

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City - Altun Ha - Cayo District
After arrival at Belize International Airport, head across to the Crystal Car Rental offices and pick up your reserved 4x4 Chevy Tracker. Once you have your car, and time permitting, we suggest you drive along the Northern Highway to the Maya site of Altun Ha, about 1 hour away on mostly good roads.

Then as you head towards Cayo along the Western Highway, stop if you have time at the Belize Zoo. Started in 1983 when 17 animals were abandoned after filming a natural history documentary, it now features over 100 endangered animals indigenous to Belize. Enjoy the interpretive graphics of this very unusual zoo. Then continue to the Cayo District, past San Ignacio, and on to Duplooy Jungle Lodge.

Days 2 - 5 Cayo District - Xunantunich - Cahal Pech Mayan
There are plenty of great things to do and see in Cayo. We strongly recommend driving to Caracol, about 1 1/2 hours away, and visiting the Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools on the way back. Other sites and activities we recommend exploring are:-
- Canoeing on the Macal River
- Belize Botanical Garden
- Big Rock Falls
- Green Hills Butterfly Farm
- Garcia sisters and Magana brothers handicrafts
- Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Mayan ruins
- Barton Creek cave
- Actun Tunichill Muknal or locally known as ATM
- San Ignacio farmers market on Saturdays.

Day 6: Cayo District - Tikal
After breakfast, continue your driving adventure back on the Western highway towards the border town of Benque Viejo, and cross over to Guatemala for another 1½ - 2 hours until reaching Tikal. You can then visit Tikal in the afternoon. Overnight in the Jungle Lodge, Tikal.

Day 7: Tikal - Lake Peten Itza - Cayo District
This morning there is time for another visit to Tikal, and we also reccommend that you look at the historic island of  Flores found on Lake Peten Itza. Then start the trip back to Cayo District and Duplooy Jungle Lodge.

Day 8: Cayo District - San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
After breakfast, drive back via Western Highway to Belize City, under 90 minutes away. Return your car at the Crystal Car rental airport office and take a Tropic Air flight to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), 20 minutes away. In San Pedro you will be met and driven to the Villas at Banyan Bay, where you have reservations for the next 3 nights in a 2 bedroom beachfront unit. Banyan Bay is only 10 minutes from the landing strip.

Days 9 - 10: San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
During your stay in San Pedro, you can select what you want to do and when, whether diving, snorkeling, renting a hobie cat, or just relaxing and taking it easy. The town is a picture postcard setting - small colorfully painted houses set alongside sand streets nestled beside the turquoise sea. Golf carts and bicycles are the principal mode of transportation, but you will also see some regular size vehicles such as taxis along the way. The streets are home to strollers casually making their way through the shops and restaurants or just relaxing and chatting. Daily breakfast.

Day 11 San Pedro - Fly out from Belize International
Today you fly back from San Pedro in time to meet your flight back home. All Maya Air flights conveniently fly into the International airport, making checkin easy. Have a great flight home!