Custom Itinerary
Emery’s 30th Birthday Adventure
Here are some more detailed ideas for your trip. Final pricing will depend on which hotels you like and when you are going. I’ve listed a few as examples but availability isn’t guaranteed.
Belize City is only 2.5 hours from Houston, which is super convenient. From there head into the jungle towards Guatemala. Here you can explore Mayan ruins and go on night safaris looking for wildlife such as amphibians, tapirs, and ocelots. There are even jaguars, but they are rarely seen. Chan Chich is my favorite because it’s on a private reserve, but it’s also the most expensive. Blancaneux Lodge is also a great option.
From the jungle, drive to Placencia on the beach for relaxation and snorkeling excursions. My favorite spots here are Turtle Inn and It’Zana.
The best time to visit is January to May, before the summer storm season begins.
Ballpark Costs:
Flight to Belize City: $415 x 2 = $830
Snorkeling Trip: $175-215 x 2 = $400
Turtle Inn 550/nt x 4 = $2200 (It’zana Could be a bit cheaper)
Blancaneaux Lodge: $450/nt x 3 = $1350
Night hike: $125 x 2 = $250
Tikal Ruins: $600 x 2 = $1200
Car Transfers: $600
Total: $6,830
Baja has some amazing nature adventures that are often overshadowed by all of the big resorts. Isla Espiritu Santo and the Gulf of California have some of the best whale watching and snorkeling around. You can swim with whale sharks and sea lions, among other things.
Camp Cecil is a remote camp on the island that you can start at and then finish with a few days at a nice hotel in Todos Santos. Which hotel depends on budget, but I like Los Colibris and Hotel San Cristobal for a mid-range. There are also some really cool cruises in the Gulf of California. I just had clients come back from a whales trip where they saw blue whales.
The best time to visit is January to May, before the summer storm season begins.
Ballpark Costs:
Flight to Cabo: $335 x2 = $670
Camp Cecil Island: $550/nt x 2 = $1100
Magdalena Bay Excursion + Hotel: $1200
Hotel in Todos Santos: $200-500/nt x 4 = $1200
Car Transfers: $500
Total: $4670
Other Options:
Camp Cecil de la Sierra: $1100
Acre Hotel and Fine Dining: $500
The Yucatan makes an excellent quick getaway. Tulum is more developed than it used to be, but it’s still a fun beach stop with good food and restaurants. Take a few days there and explore some centotes and Mayan ruins before heading further south the the ultra clear Bacalar lagoon. This freshwater lake is an incredible place to swim, SUP, and relax – the new place to be in the Yucatan. I like to combo the Habitas properties here, which are really cool but not super expensive.
The best time to visit is January to May, before the summer storm season begins.
Ballpark Costs:
Habitas Tulum: $450/nt x 3 = $1350
Coba Ruins & Cenote Tour: $200 x 2 = $400?
Habitas Bacalar: $540/nt x 4 = $2160
Lagoon Boat Ride: $200 x 2 = $400?
SUP Tour: $100 x 2 = $200?
Car Transfers: $800
Flight to Cancun: $300 x2 = $600
Total: $5910