Details may vary depending on departure date. Please choose
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
There is an entry tax to Honduras 5US$.
There is an entry tax to Mexico of 24US$.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Guatemala |
Honduras |
Mexico |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
$1.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
$3.00 |
$1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$14.00 |
$10.00 |
$11.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$25.00 |
$15.00 |
$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$14.00 |
$15.00 |
$15.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
$10.00 |
$8.00 |
$7.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Mexico: Mexican Tourist Card required for UK, USA, AUS and NZ and CAN citizens. Obtained from consular offices or at check-in desk of airline to Mexico and kept until exit (US$10 charge to retain tourist card). MXY: US$23 airport tax. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Guatemala: Entry visas are not required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN citizens.
Honduras: UK, USA and CAN citizens do not need a visa.
Mexico: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers may have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
From 12 January 2009 all passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
N.B. from the 8th September 2010 anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP). As long as you know your flight details you can apply for ESTA at any time before travel and it will be valid for 2 years. If you wish to avoid the administration costs you may wish to apply before the 8th September.
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter). At present, US authorities do not propose to levy a charge for this service, although they have reserved the right to consider doing so in the future.
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Guatemala: In the high plains (1524m- 1981m) the climate is temperate all year round. In lower areas the climate is semitropical. The mountains can be cool especially at night. In general, the dry season in Guatemala lasts from Nov – April. From May to October there are often fine mornings and clear evenings but afternoon rains tend to be heavy. The Peten lowlands tend to be rainy all year round though less so from February to April.
Honduras: Climate change varies depending upon altitude. Mid range temperatures reach about 28°C. Rainfall is low to moderate with May to October being the wettest season. Temperature ranges in the lower reaches of the slopes and along the coast are more constant, with less rainfall.
Mexico: The best time to travel is between October and April, when rainfall is at a minimum, but be aware that temperatures can be cold in the mountains. Much of Mexico’s climate is determined by the nature of its terrain, so coastal and inland areas can have marked changes in temperature and climate.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember not to overload yourself.
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Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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Clothing
Lightweight clothing is essential though a warmer sweater is advisable for cooler evenings in the highlands. A waterproof is essential. The jungle lowlands are hot and muggy, and it can rain at any time of year. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are recommended on jungle walks. Don’t forget swimwear.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking boots or shoes and trainers or sandals.
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Equipment
A torch, water bottle, insect repellent, high factor sunscreen and , camera film., waterproof bag for camera and motion sickness tablets/patches for the boat. Binoculars are very useful for bird and animal spotting. An umbrella can be useful in short downpours.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Country info
Area: Gua: 108,890 sq km, Hon: 112,090 sq km, Mex: 1,972,000 sq km.
Population: Gua: 13.9 million, Hon: 6.7 million, Mex: 97 million.
Language: Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Carib.
Religion: Predominantly Catholic, some other Christian & indigenous.
Local Time: GMT -6.
Electric Supply & Plugs: Guatemala: 120v 60Hz. Honduras: 110/220V 60Hz, Mex: 127V, 60hz. Type A and B plugs.
Recharging Batteries: Bring an adaptor for recharging cameras etc.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: ITMB: Travellers Reference Map of Central America.
Recommended Books: Hector Perez-Brignoli: A Brief History of Central America, John L. Stephens: Incidents of Travel in Central America, Michael D. Coe: The Maya, Footprint Guide: Mexico & Central America, C. Bruce Hunter: A Guide to Ancient Mayan Ruins, Ronald Wright: Time Among the Maya, David Drew: The Lost Chronicles of the Maya Kings.
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the UK and European website
