Aztecs, Beaches and Volcanoes

From Mexico to Costa Rica and everything in between. Compare the greatest of the ancient Aztec, Zapotec and Mayan ruins including Palenque and one of the new seven wonders of the world; Chichen Itza. It?s your chance to get familiar with ancient civilisations and indigenous people whilst enjoying amazing Mexican cuisine. Then onto the turquoise Caribbean coastline for a week of fun on those white sandy beaches, including the tranquil island of Isla Mujeres, the party town of Playa del Carmen, and the unforgettable Afro-Caribbean island of Caye Caulker in Belize where you can swim with sharks if you dare. Then we cross into Guatemala and visit the great Mayan city of Tikal, hidden deep in the Guatemalan jungle where howler monkeys hang out in the tree tops. Go caving, horse-riding and clamber through waterfalls at Finca Ixobel. Watch the sun set behind Lake Atitlan's volcanoes, and stroll the cobble-stone streets of colonial Antigua. Slowly opening up to tourism are Honduras and Nicaragua where you can marvel at the ruins of Copan, swim in remote freshwater lakes, hike up active volcanoes, and relax on stunning isolated beaches. Costa Rica, land of coffee and eco-tourism. Visit Cahuita National Park and watch Green Sea Turtles nesting in Tortuguero National Park, and end the tour in San Jose.