Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:

From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team at: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in Central America:

Trek Tracks: 045 998 16 38 440 or 0052 1998 16 38 440

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team at: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Mexican BLT

Trek Tips® 2019

TREK INCLUDES

Chichén Itza’s El Castillo pyramid, Great Ball Court & Temple of Kukulkan

Uxmal’s intricately carved ruins & Pyramid of the Magician

Jungle tour in Palenque Boat cruise on Bacalar’s ‘Lagoon of Seven Colours’ & visit to Cenote Azul

Walking tour of Mérida, capital of the Yucatan province

Explore the only coastal walled city of the ‘New World’ in Campeche

Visit the beautiful Misol Ha Waterfall in the jungle of Palenque

Sugar white Caribbean beaches of Mahahual & Playa del Carmen

PLUS...

• Professional bilingual tour leader & private transportation

• All accommodation: See website for specific accommodation information.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

• Group Size: Max 11

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally)

There are loads of exciting optional activities for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don’t. Below are the main optional activities for this trip, these can be arranged once you are on tour via your tour leader and are paid for locally. Please note, all costs are subject to change.

ORIGINAL

DEPARTS:CANCUN to CANCUN

TOUR CODE:

MDB

PACIFIC OCEAN

CARIBBEAN SEA

M E X I C O

C O L O M B I A

V E N E Z U E L A

B R A Z I L

P A N A M A

COSTARICA

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR

GUATEMALA

BELIZE

C U B A

HAITI

JAMAICA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PUERTO

RICO

BAHAMA ISLANDS

U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A

CAYMAN

ISLANDS

TURKS & CAICOS

ISLANDS

Ca

r on

i

Br a

nc

o

Me

t a

G u a v i a r e

Ca u c a

Ap u r e

Co l o

r a d o

C a n a d i a n

Ri o G

r a n de

R e d

Wh i t e

Br a

zo

s

P e c o s

B a l s a s

Mi s

si s

sip

pi

Ma

gd

ale

na

O r i no c o

U r a r i c u e r a

Mérida Cancun

Playa del Carmen

Bacalar

Palenque

Campeche

Chichén Itzá

TulumUxmal

Mahahaul

Chichén Itza• Cenotes visit US$5 Campeche• Bike rental US$15 Palenque• Eco Park US$10• Guided nocturnal jungle tour US$65

Bacalar• Kayak tour US$35 Playa Del Carmen• Whale shark boat trip US$160-$200

5 nights 3 nights

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 START 07.30 � DAY 1 CANCUN - CHICHÉN ITZA -

MÉRIDA ( )

� DAY 2 UXMAL - CAMPECHE ( )

� DAY 3/4 PALENQUE ( )

� DAY 5 BACALAR ( )

� DAY 6/7 MAHAHUAL ( )

� DAY 8 TULUM - PLAYA DEL CARMEN ( )

� DAY 9 PLAYA DEL CARMEN - CANCUN

DAY 9 FINISH 17.00

>> View a detailed day-by-day itinerary at: www.trekamerica.co.uk/mdb

Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in Central America:

Trek Tracks: 045 998 16 38 440 or 0052 1998 16 38 440

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team at: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

JOINING YOUR TREK

Trek Joining Instructions Your tour will begin at 7.30am at the ‘Joining point’ hotel below. Make sure

you have packed your bags, eaten breakfast and checked out of your room

before meeting your tour leader in the hotel lobby. You will spend a while

filling out paperwork and meeting your fellow trekkers before getting on

the road.

Finishing up All good things must come to an end, and your trek will usually finish

at 17:00 on the final day at the ‘finishing point’ hotel. If you need

accommodation for after your tour, you must book this in advance. Do not

book a departure flight that leaves before 21:00 on the final day of your tour.

You will be responsible for any transportation costs if you have to arrive for

an earlier flight.

PACKING

Packing Tips You know what the Scouts say... BE PREPARED! Mexico is huge, and you’re

likely to encounter lots of different climates during your trip. Check the

weather averages for the time of year you’re travelling and pack accordingly.

Here are some of the things that should be in your case as well as your

general clothes:

• Towel

• Casual clothes and a few ‘evening out’ options

• Waterproof jacket

• Comfortable day shoes / sandals or flip-flops

• Sensible footwear for walking, ideally walking boots with ankle support,

but trainers with good grip will suffice

• Warm sweater / fleece

• Swimwear

• Sun hat / sunglasses

• Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% DEET)

• Water bottle

• Toiletries / personal medicine

• Camera & charger

• Travel power adaptor / USB car charger and cord

WeatherWeather can be changeable so it’s wise to pack something to cover all

seasons! Here’s a guide to the average high and low temperatures in some

of the places you’ll visit to help you decide what to pack.

Arrival Complications The unexpected can happen. Your plane may be delayed or you may

even miss it! If you have missed your trek departure, first check with the

hotel to see if your tour leader left you a message. If not, call the relevant

TrekAmerica emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to

help you catch up with the group. You are responsible for any extra travelling

expenses incurred because of a missed trek, so please be on time.

JOINING POINT:

CANCUN HOTELRamada Cancun City

Av. Yaxchilan #41 sm 22

Cancun, Q. Roo.,

Mexico C.P. 77500

Tel: +52 998 881 7870

Fax: +52 998 884 1324

Transfer: The local Taxi Union operates a “shared taxi” or “collectivo” shuttle from the airport to the hotel for approx. MP $70 (US$15-20). Purchase a taxi voucher at the desk just outside the main terminal. Do not pay the taxi driver directly. Transfer takes approx. 45 minutes.

FINISHING POINT

CANCUN HOTELRamada Cancun City

Av. Yaxchilan #41 sm 22

Cancun, Q. Roo.,

Mexico C.P. 77500

Tel: +52 998 881 7870

Fax: +52 998 884 1324

Transfer: Please arrange a transfer/taxi to the airport with the hotel reception.

To book nights in hotels before or after your trip, contact our sales team on: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

These Trek Tips were last updated on 03/01/2019

EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS

In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour, please contact us on the number below.

For all departures in Central America:

Trek Tracks: 045 998 16 38 440 or 0052 1998 16 38 440

READY TO GO? DON’T FORGET!

R Pre & post hotel confirmation

R Spending money

R Flight booking confirmation

R Visa / ESTA for entry via the USA

R Travel Insurance

High/Low TemperaturesJAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Cancun HIGH 27 28 29 29 31 32 32 32 32 31 29 28

LOW 19 20 22 23 25 26 26 25 24 23 22 21

Merida HIGH 29 30 33 35 36 35 34 34 33 32 31 29

LOW 18 18 20 21 23 23 23 23 23 21 19 18

Campeche HIGH 29 31 33 35 35 35 34 34 33 32 30 30

LOW 18 19 20 22 23 24 23 23 23 22 20 19

Playa Del Carmen

HIGH 28 29 30 31 32 32 32 32 32 31 30 28

LOW 19 20 21 23 25 25 24 24 24 22 21 19

Palenque HIGH 29 31 33 35 34 32 31 31 31 30 30 29

LOW 15 15 17 19 20 20 20 19 19 19 17 15

Bacalar HIGH 30 31 32 33 34 33 34 34 34 33 31 30

LOW 19 20 21 23 25 25 25 24 24 23 21 19

Tulum HIGH 27 27 28 29 31 31 31 32 31 30 28 27

LOW 21 21 22 23 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 21

C / F Conversions:-10ºC = 14ºF • 0ºC = 32ºF • 10ºC = 50ºF • 20ºC = 68ºF • 30ºC = 86ºF • 40ºC = 104ºF

Anyone that has not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the US port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the United States. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. We keep the above visa information as up to date as much as possible, but it is important that you check this for yourself.

Immigration & customs On entering a country you will need to proceed through customs. As long as you have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s you should have no problems. You may be asked how you intend to support yourself during your visit, if this happens please present your return airline ticket and tour documentation.

Health requirements If you have any medical condition such as diabetes, epilepsy or asthma, please take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the Trek, you must tell us or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor’s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. Please bring your own medical supplies, such as, pain relievers, antibiotic cream, upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent.

Vaccinations We recommend that you contact your doctor or travel medicine clinic at least two months before travel in order to allow enough time for any immunisations that may be required. A health professional will be able to assess your individual need for immunisations or preventative medication depending on your health situation, previous immunisation history and your travel itinerary. More information can be obtained from the ‘Fit for Travel’ website http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/

Luggage allowance & storageThe baggage allowance for your tour is one suitcase, soft holdall or rucksack (23kg maximum) per person, plus a sleeping bag. A small daypack and camera can also be carried in the van. Before you travel, please check the baggage allowance with the airline you’re flying with as this may be less than 23kg.

TrekAmerica is unable to offer luggage storage facilities however some of the pre and post tour hotels we use can provide this service. Please contact them directly.

Before you go Pre & post tour hotels

Tours usually start early and finish after 17:00 hrs, so it’s a good idea to book hotel accommodation before and after your tour. Please see page one of this document for your exact start time. Hotels are conveniently located in each of our departure and arrival cities and room rates are usually based on twin share, as most people prefer to stay with other travellers at an affordable price. It’s also a great opportunity to make friends with fellow travellers! We can also offer a private room rate for single or double occupancy for people on the same booking. Make sure you book your hotel well in advance as availability is limited.

Flight arrangements We can book flights departing from most UK airports, but cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations or changes to your flights. We recommend you book your flight to arrive into the gateway city at least one day prior to your Trek’s departure, allowing you some adjustment time and opportunities for sightseeing. If possible, book your return flight for at least one day after your Trek finishes. If you do have to return home earlier than the tour finishes, we are unable to finish a tour early to match your flight times.

Travel insurance It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance, and helicopter rescue service). Our insurance policy is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our holidays-particularly the optional activities offered, and covers those residing in the EU. Contact us for more information or to get yourself covered or visit www.trekamerica.co.uk/insurance.

Passports, visas & rules for entry to MexicoIt is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for your tour. As a general rule you will need a passport with at least six months validity following the end of your trip. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going, and where you are from. It is important that you check which visas you will need, and apply for each of the necessary visas whilst in your home country.

Visas for entry to Mexico are not required by holders of UK, EU, Australian, New Zealand or US passports. Other nationalities should consult the relevant embassy.

If you are planning to transit, or intend to stopover in the USA on your way to Central America you will still need to follow the rules for entry to the USA.

Rules for entry to the USAHolders of UK, Australian, New Zealand and most EU country passports are eligible to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver program is open to people for travel in the USA for up to a 90 day stay, and is still a requirement even if you are planning to transit in the USA or intend to stopover on the way to your destination.

All eligible travellers who wish to travel under the Visa Waiver Program must apply for electronic travel authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at least 72 hours before arrival. You can apply for an ESTA at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. You will require your passport details and your address in the US (you can use the starting point hotel address).

At the time of compilation there is a US$14 fee for the electronic approval (ESTA.) Your ESTA will be valid for a period of two years, or until your passport expires. We recommend you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel.

All travellers wishing to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport). New rules also exclude most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 1 March 2011, and those who have dual nationality of these countries. This means that existing ESTAs could be revoked, and you will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate

Residents from countries who cannot travel under the Visa Waiver Programme must consult their relevant embassy. For more information about who is eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, and the eligibility requirements please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/

Making the most of your trip

CURRENCY CARD Get a FREE FairFX currency card and top up in advance for the best rates available and no fees.

fairfx.com/refer/trekamerica

KEEP IN TOUCH As a TrekAmerica customer receive a FREE 4G SIM card when you purchase an inclusive data plan including unlimited domestic calls and texts.

trekamerica.co.uk/ekit

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit us at www.trekamerica.com/travelaware

The advice can change so check regularly for updates.

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Emergency Contact Details: Trek Tracks: 045 998 16 38 440 or 0052 1998 16 38 440

Responsible travel You and your fellow Trekkers are sure to be really excited for your trip, but please be considerate to those around you.

Please also be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas should and MUST be treated with respect. TrekAmerica strives to operate tours with minimum impact on the land. So, if you see a notice to ‘stay on the path’ or ‘pick up litter’, please be a responsible traveller and understand that there is a good reason for the notice.

And the rest... Itinerary changes

We endeavour to run all tours as they are published; however, it’s sometimes necessary to alter itineraries to adapt to local conditions and park entrance regulations. We will do our best to keep you posted if this happens and your tour leader will provide a more detailed trip outline at the beginning of your particular tour.

Please note: Hurricane season is between June to November when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to services can occur. We monitor any situations that arise and may need to change itineraries or services in response to these natural weather occurrences.

Departure taxTypically Mexico includes departure tax in the price of the ticket, although this is subject to change.

Your tour leaderYour tour leader will take care of all the planning and organisation throughout your tour, they will drive the van taking you from A to B and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour; organising activities, providing information and answering any questions you may have as well as sorting out any queries or problems you may encounter. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on your tour, then please let your tour leader know at the beginning of the tour and they will do their best to help you. We will also use specialist tour guides in certain locations, to provide in depth information.

Whilst you’re away Accommodation on Trek

Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi share basis. Please note, there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than en suite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different trips than your own. The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

Please note, some hotels may require a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible.

Keeping in touch In Mexico some accommodation offers free Wi-Fi within the rooms or common areas.

TrekAmerica has partnered with e-kit to provide some of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with family and friends while on tour. E-kit can provide international calling cards, prepaid SIMs or international mobile handsets.

For discounted data and calls in Central America, we recommend purchasing an International SIM prior to departure. See www.trekamerica.com/ekit for more details.

Spending money We recommend you take at least US$15 per day for drinks, snacks, tips and other incidentals, plus US$35 per day for meals in restaurants in Mexico. We recommend you take US$35 per day for meals in restaurants. You should also budget for the optional activities that you would like to do. Guideline prices for the most popular optional activities are listed on page one and on the tour pages on our website. We suggest you bring US$150 with you in cash.

With ATMs being widely available in major towns and cities, credit and debit cards are the most convenient way to access money in Mexico. Please alert your bank prior to travel to avoid blockage, check if charges apply, and ensure your card is accepted in the country. It is advisable to carry some cash in small denominations notes, for those times when ATMs may not be available.

IMPORTANT: US dollars (US$) is the most readily changeable currency but ensure bills are unmarked and unblemished, otherwise can be difficult to exchange at banks.

Pre-paid credit cards can be a cost effective and safe way to take funds overseas. See: www.fairfx.com/trekamerica

Tipping Although it may not be customary in your country, it’s normal and expected in Mexico to tip waiters, bar staff, guides, taxi drivers and anyone who offers you a service. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on their tips for their livelihood. A standard tip of 10% is expected in restaurants and US$1-2 per bag for porters. Your driver and tour leader work long and hard for you and although they may well become your close friend during the Trek, they also need to pay their bills. If your leader or driver’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations we recommend a tip of US$5 per person, per day.

Clothes washing You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes while on Trek. This can often be done at the hotels, or in a nearby town. Ask your tour leader for local information.

Battery charging Most of our Trekkers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. We recommend bringing a charger with travel adaptor.

Drinking ages / drugs The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. If you are under the legal drinking age you will be refused entry to bars and most nightclubs. Proof of age (ID) is your passport, so never forget to take your passport on nights out. These restrictions are not within TrekAmerica’s control.

Possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated. If anyone is found with an illegal drug, they will be instantly removed from the Trek.

Security No matter where you find yourself in the world you need to look after your valuables. Use your common sense! While in cities, do not leave valuables in the vehicle. Always use a lockable safe where available, either in your room or at the budget lodging accommodation’s reception. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe, where available. When in doubt consult your tour leader.

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Emergency Contact Details: Trek Tracks: 045 998 16 38 440 or 0052 1998 16 38 440