
Back by popular demand!
Our "week 1" in Ambergris Caye has become so popular that we've had to add another week! It's got such a good flow that we do not want to add more people to week 1 and lose the one big family feel, so we decided to just add a second week and do it all again for back to back weeks with "week 2- the do-over" before moving on in the expedition!
This is the correct order form for the second week on Ambergris Caye Belize also if you plan to continue further with the expedition for week 3.
MEETING OF THE MAYANS WEEK TWO (the do-over):
SATURDAY JANUARY 27 - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024
Central America just sounds exotic doesn't it?
We've put together a trip you'll be telling folks about for the rest of your life and we're inviting you to escape the everyday and join us on the adventure of a lifetime! Join Mike n Melissa and host of other explorers for a once in a lifetime vacation through the exotic lands of Central America. This is truly and expedition of epic proportions that's a lot cheaper than you might think. The tour starts in one of the most amazing countries of all of Central America, Belize! Week 1 includes eight nights and nine days in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker Belize full of fun in the Caribbean sun. Week 1 is the "main event" and has become so popular that we repeat it two weeks in a row before continuing onward to week 3. If you are continuing to from San Pedro for week 3 (inland Belize and Guatemala), you'll want to book "week 2" as opposed to "week 1" in order to tie it directly to week 3. Week 3 takes us into the jungle mountains of the interior of Belize to visit San Ignacio with your own private bungalow in the rain forest and day trips to explore the the area as well as a second passport stamp to the visit the ancient Mayan city of Tikal Guatemala. We'll finish off week 3 on Thursday in Belize city where you can fly home or continue with us to Costa Rica the following week. We begin week 4 in the Northwest corner of Costa Rica in the Pacific side village of Playas Del Coco. From this home base, we'll spend the week exploring volcanoes and jungles, waterfalls, wildlife, zip lines, volcanic river rafting and enjoy a day sail on the Pacific Ocean. We end the trip with three more days in the Colonial city of Granada Nicaragua for your final passport stamp of the adventure. Here we'll have a kayak tour on Lake Nicaragua along with a boat trip to Omatempe Island to visit the twin volcanos Concepcion and Madera, but we've saved the best for last. We take trip right up to the crater's edge of Masaya Volcano where you can safely view the magma lake boiling up a thousand feet below. One of only three places on Earth where this is possible. At the end of week 4, you'll fly home from Managua Airport.
You can choose your favorite week, come back and take a different leg each year, or join us for the entire expedition at once. Whatever you choose, I promise you will return home with a completely new outlook on one of the most incredible places on earth and the people who call it home. Put Meeting of the Mayans on your yearly vacation list and let us blow your mind!
WEEK 2 Saturday January 27, 2024 ARRIVAL
You'll need to book your round trip flight to Belize City International (BZE) and we'll take care of the rest. *If you are continuing beyond week 2, you'll book a one way into Belize and exit the expedition later in the trip. All major US carriers fly here and most flights arrive within a couple hours of each other around noon. BZE is a very small airport and easy to navigate, you'll be guided to the domestic waiting area where you can grab a drink or meal while you wait for your Tropic Air hop flight to the island where we will be waiting for you. We recommend booking with Southwest Airlines if possible as they do not charge for international baggage and most of our group would be on the same flight arriving at the same time, but you are free to book whichever US carrier you'd like.
TIP: If you don't already have a Southwest Rewards credit card you can enough free points from their signup bonuses to cover round trip for two on any of these flights for our event. We use ours all the time and in our opinion, it's one of the best points cards on the market. If you're thinking about signing up, please use this link and we'll get some bonus points for referring you. Thanks!
Your hop flight from BZE to Ambergris Caye (San Pedro-SPR) is included in the package and we will take care of booking this for you. It includes one check bag and one carry on. You'll take the short 15 minute hop over to the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye and we will be there waiting on your arrival.
WEEK #2 RESORT: SUNBREEZE SAN PEDRO BELIZE
Location location location! Our gorgeous accommodations at Sunbreeze Resort in San Pedro couldn't be more convenient, affordable and luxurious! We are literally right in the heart of everything and directly across the street from the airport. There are a ton of restaurants, bars and shopping within walking distance including delicious dining and drink options right on property at BlueWater Grill owned by our good friends Donald and Cathrine! There's a spacious pool and lots of outdoor seating, on-site spa, sofa lounge courtyard and so much more! They have an on-site PADI dive operation and can book any snorkeling, diving or other excursions you need. Our standard rooms that come with your MOTM package are very spacious, clean, have cold AC, two double beds, in room mini fridge, hairdryer, spacious bathroom with rain shower,coffee every day in the lobby and more. It's the perfect home base for our fantastic week in paradise and the best part is with 43 rooms, we usually own the entire hotel!!
GOLF CART
The best and most common way to get around in San Pedro is with a golf cart. However, depending on your specific plans, you might not need a cart every single day of your trip and the only drawback to our hotel's location is that parking can sometimes be hard to find close by. In the past, we have had some couples decide to split a cart with friends and others who only rented on the days that they felt they needed it. We have made it an option this year so you can decide for yourself. If you would like your own cart for the Saturday to Saturday week, please add this option. If you would like to just wait until you get to the island and rent as needed, please just let us know. And if you would like to be put on our list to be paired with another guest who wishes to share a cart, please check this box.
SATURDAY to SATURDAY $315
WEEK 2 MOTM ITINERARY
Saturday January 27- Arrival Day
After arriving at San Pedro airport (hop flight included), we will have stewards to handle your luggage to the resort directly across the street from the airport. There you will have your first night to relax and get into vacation mode after the long travel day. Hit the pool or hit the on site restaurant for a bite and a welcome drink and get ready for Saturday night's kickoff welcome party at the hotel restaurant and stumbling distance from your room!
Sunday January 28- Free Day & Mike Nash Palapa Bar show
Sunday is yours! Your golf cart (included) will be waiting for you at the resort on arrival and Sunday is a perfect day to go exploring and start getting acquainted with the island! You might also decide to book a snorkel or diving trip or other excursion (available on site), or just lay by the pool sipping umbrella drinks all day. It's your vacation, you get to decide!
Sunday evening we will take the golf carts up the street to one of the coolest bars you'll see all week, and Mike's very first music venue on the island- Palapa Bar Belize for Mike's show and dinner (dinner not included). Palapa has been a staple of Ambergris for years and there's plenty of space to dance the night away!
Monday January 29- Group Field Trip to Secret Beach
Monday we'll load the carts up with beer and bathing suits and spend the day chilling in knee deep water in paradise! Secret Beach is one of the most beautiful hidden gems on the island and it makes for an incredible day of doing absolutely nothing! We'll return to the resort Monday evening for a fun night of "sing or shot karaoke"- always a crowd favorite!
Tuesday January 30- Open Day
Tuesday is the perfect day to take a vacation from your vacation! There are lots of great hidden little gems on the island, and by this point you will have a good feel for things and feel comfortable to go explore. Maybe have a romantic dinner at Frenchy's, enjoy a night of bingo with our friends at Nauti Crab, hit Truck Stop for some live music, take a long day trip up to Tranquility Bay...the choices are endless!
Wednesday January 31- Free Day & Mike Nash Stella's Sunset Show
Wednesday is yours! You might decide to book a snorkel or scuba trip or other excursion (available on site), hop on your golf cart and go exploring or lay by the pool sipping umbrella drinks all day. It's your vacation, you get to decide!
Wednesday evening we will head up to Stella's Sunset for Mike's show and dinner (dinner not included). Stella's is a beautiful little hideaway with great food and atmosphere and you'll love our friends Boyd and Kelly the owners. It's guaranteed to be a fun night on the lagoon side of the island and this will be a private show for our group.
Thursday February 1- Group Field Trip to Caye Caulker & Mike Nash Show
Now that you'll have a good feel for what Ambergris Caye and San Pedro are all about, it's time to go island hopping! We'll head out Thursday late morning by water taxi to visit San Pedro's much more laid back neighbor island of Caye Caulker! Picture a much slower vibe than San Pedro. Very few golf carts here...in fact, you can walk the entire 5 blocks long/2 blocks wide island in a few minutes; but there's plenty to do here on our day trip though. You can hand feed the tarpon, search for sea horses at the sea horse preserve and even hand feed stingray's; or just park up at "Sip n Dip" and drink the day away with another Mike Nash show! Grab a fresh grilled street lobster for $10, get in some souvenir shopping. After the show, we will take the return water taxi to San Pedro for a free night in town.
Friday February 2- Free Day & Mike Nash's final show
Friday is yours! You might decide to book a snorkel or scuba trip or other excursion (available on site), hop on your golf cart and go exploring or lay by the pool sipping umbrella drinks all day. It's your vacation, you get to decide!
Friday evening we will head up to Nauti Crab for Mike's final show. It's guaranteed to be a fun final night on the island and this will be a private show for our group.
Saturday February 3: End of week 2, what's next?
Returning home: If you are leaving the expedition Saturday, you will cross the street to the airport where you'll take the quick 15 minute hop flight (included) back to Belize City for your return flight to the U.S.. Most US flights don't leave until at least 1pm or later, so you'll have plenty of time to grab lunch or a few more vacation drinks at the airport. You do have an option to stay longer at our group hotel rate if you find a cheaper U.S. flight later in the week, in which case we will book your hop flight whenever needed. Just let us know!
Continuing on with the expedition for week 3 : If you are continuing onward with the expedition for week 3 (inland Belize, Guatemala) you will also be flying out of San Pedro but we'll be going to Belize Metro Airport and catching our shuttle vans for the 1:45hr drive to San Ignacio. Please click the link below to book your week 3 package.
Please click here for more info on week 3 booking
ALL IN ONE PRICING: WEEK 2
As with all of our trips, we like to package everything together to make your vacation planning a lot easier. This out the door price includes your room for San Pedro Saturday to Saturday, your round trip hop flight from BZE to San Pedro, your Caye Caulker round trip water taxi, seating at all of the shows, admittance to all group activities and event tee shirt for each person in your booking. Your expenses beyond this will be your US flight to/from BZE, and all meals and drinks, tips and shopping you do on your own. All taxes and fees are included. Please note that all of our pricing is in US dollars. Prices based on double occupancy, the hotel charges $20 per night for extra people in a room.
Premier SOLD OUT
Deluxe SOLD OUT
*Economy room package total $1900 ($1650 for one) 1 LEFT!
*note: economy is a standard room with no ocean views (street facing). They are good rooms and identical to the standard rooms, just not with much view.
*extra nights for all room types are available to stay longer (no early arrivals), please email us at Tropications@Gmail.com with your requests and we will put a custom package together for you.
Please email us at Tropications@gmail.com with any questions
THINGS TO BRING
PACK LIGHT: It's 85 degrees and sunny just about every day of the year in these destinations! You don't need to bring nearly as much as you think. We recommend packing as light as possible (a smaller suitcase is even better) not only for ease of carrying your luggage around (especially for the WEEK 3 folks as we are moving around quite a bit) but it will also leave room to take home souvenirs. There are cheap laundry services at every location as well if you have the need.
SNACKS: If you're like me and love your American snacks, I recommend packing them in your suitcase or carry on (yes you can bring food on to a plane, just not liquids). They have grocery stores in these countries(not exactly like a Wal Mart mind you) but most American things are tourist priced accordingly as the locals don't eat what we eat. Also I like to bring my own coffee just cause I'm a coffee snob like that....feel free to bring anything you think you can't live without for a week. There are plenty of food trucks, restaurants and grocery stores around with pretty much the same selection you'll find back home.
BUG SPRAY: It's expensive here for a reason. Bring it...you'll thank me on a breezeless day!
(by the way, it's better if it has deet in it)
SUNSCREEN: (see bug spray above..bring it!)
SLEEP: Eye blinders can be a big plus when traveling to these destinations. The sun goes down at 6pm and comes up at 6am every day of the year and some of the rooms don't have much in the way of black out drapes. You'll thank me!
LIQUOR: Duty Free on your way is is the cheapest place you'll find top shelf brands. We personally drink the local rum and vodka as well as beers and rum, and they are cheap. If you drink anything else you'll want to hit duty free on the way in and bring it as it can be pricey in town at these places.
BACKPACK COOLER OR SMALL COLLAPSIBLE COOLER YOU CAN FIT IN YOUR SUITCASE: This one pretty much explains itself!
MONEY: The exchange rate is pinned at 2 Belizean dollars for 1 US for cash and Costa Rica is around 550:1 (don't get too excited though, they price things accordingly). There isn't much need to exchange your US dollars as they are accepted right along side of the local currency everywhere we will go. They might give you change in the local currency, and of course they won't always be able to break a hundred, so I'd recommend bringing smaller bills if you're going the cash route. $20's and below are fine. US credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere (with the exception of street vendors and some souvenir shops) but keep in mind you'll want to bring cash for tips and things you cannot buy with credit card. You can usually add a tip to the credit card bill as well but it's always good to have a little cash on hand. Do check your bill before tipping though as many bars and restaurants will add a 10% gratuity automatically which is a fair amount for this trip. Don't forget to make sure you have "no foreign transaction fees" on the card you'll be using and call to let your cc company know you'll be traveling abroad. Credit cards in Belize actually run a bit less than 2:1 but it's not a big issue unless you're making a large purchase. Roatan and the other countries run concurrently with the daily exchange rate at the bank.
SNORKEL GEAR: If you've got room, feel free to bring it. You can of course rent it at the places we go, but if you have your own you can just jump in the water and swim out a bit to the reef...it's not that far from shore.
WATER SHOES/HIKING GEAR: You will want to bring comfortable walking shoes for our group excursions and Maya ruins exploring. Bring water shoes if you plan to zip-line and river raft. For the Costa Rica week, these are a must.
STAYING CONNECTED: The arrival airports do have free wi-fi (though it can be spotty) so you shouldn't need to turn your phone off of airplane mode the entire trip unless you just want to. Most US carriers will work in all of the countries we will visit (Verizon for $10, AT&T and T-mobile are free) but we've found we rarely need the actual phone and there's free high speed wi-fi everywhere so (as much as it sucks not to take off that electronic leash) you won't have to worry about being un-connected very often.
There will be no cancellations allowed after September 1, 2023. If you anticipate any issues, we recommend purchasing travel insurance from an independent source.