Central America tour -Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Costa Rica

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Hi, I am starting to plan our family holiday for next summer July 2017.
We'd like to visit some of the countries in Central America starting from Mexico. We have approximately 3 weeks for this trip. I would love to visit Guatemala, Belize and Costa Rica (spending 4-5 days in each?). Do you think this is doable for the time period?
How would you suggest we move from one place to another with as little flying as possible? I have seen on different fora people suggesting Yucatan, Guatemala and Belize as an easy option travelling on buses, but ideally I'd like to include Costa Rica too. Any suggestions are most welcome. Also suggestions for must see and must do things in these countries. I would be happy if we could visit 1-2 places in each. Many thanks

I did a big trip round Mexico, Belize, Guatemala a long time ago. I had 6 weeks and only saw a teeny bit of Mexico (Yucatan and San Cristobal).

I definitely wouldn't try to squeeze in Costa Rica as welll. If you want to do Costa Rica then go there for most of the 3 weeks and have a little time in Mexico at the end.

Here are the highlights I remember 10+ years later:

• Beaches near Tulum - my first sight of the Caribbean
• Swimming in off the beaten track cenotes in the Yucatan
• Tikal
• Early morning journeys across Guatemalan mountains in their painted "chicken buses" - not comfy but so memorable, amazing views
• Snorkelling off the Belize Cayes - wish I'd had my divers licence then
• Todos Santos Sunday market (Guatemala)
• Antigua (Guatemala)

Some of these will now be much more touristy I guess.

Lots of other places that were good too - Merida, Uxmal (much less touristed than Tikal), caves and waterfalls in the Belize hills, Lake Atitlan

I would not try to do 1-2 places in each country. You will spend the entire time on a bus/plane. Internal travel is pretty arduous and long due to the state of the roads and the mountainous country (in Guatemala anyway).

As an "edited highlights" trip I think I would spend 8/9 days in Guatemala, then head to the Belize Cayes for a few days beach/snorkelling/diving time, then spend the rest in the Yucatan (Mayan ruins, beaches, cenotes)

Thank you minipie I wish I had longer. I may try and squeeze in another week perhaps. Then I'll have a week in each. As a last resort if all this fails, I'll just do Mexico and Costa Rica on this trip and Guatemala and Belize on another. So, would you recommend we do the PADI course before we go? I don't fancy doing it in the cold English waters, although I know the course is stellar here and will be a superb preparation for this holiday. Might actually think about this for my daughter and hubby. I am too scared to do it myself (not really a water person but would snorkel when there).

I'd say better for your DD to get her PADI in mexico - it will be cheaper and warmer!

I don't think I'd bother getting the PADI just for this trip, unless you're planning other trips to good diving locations for future years. You can see a lot snorkelling.

I don't think you need visas for any of the country, just make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity.

*countries

Also, the choice of places might well depend on what time of year that you are going. I think you said July? The precise trip that we did around Costa Rica was wonderful early in the year but would not be as nice/easy right now as the weather is much rainier and some of the smaller places/transport we used aren't running at this time. We spent quite a lot of time on the Osa Peninsular and that was definitely a highlight for us but it might not be as much fun now. Having said that, there are other areas that we didn't go to which are better at this time of year and the green season rates are much lower so it might work to your advantage. We also had some pretty spectacular hurricanes in the Yucatan in September but not sure about July.

If you are constrained on dates then the likely weather might help you to narrow things down.

On PADI, my husband did it on hols a couple of years ago and I think he did all of the book work via an online course before he went and did the practical side there. I can't remember the details but could ask him if you are interested.

God yes yes to checking the weather when making plans. We got soaked - a LOT - in Guatemala. This was in summer time, can't remember when. Still a great trip but I would have packed different clothes if I'd known, and maybe gone for more time in Mexico which was drier!

I went to Yucatan for a fortnight over 20 years ago. We didn't see everything I wanted to see so I went back the following year for another 10 days. Fast forward to now and I still keep going back (lucky to be able to go there with work) and there is still so much more to see. I've done:

Ruins tours (8 different ruins, all different and amazing, and still want to see more)
mangrove swamp boat rides to see flamingoes
cenote swimming
fishing trips
snorkelling/scuba
eco-parks
zipwiring
cave swimming
turtle hatcheries
city centres - San Cristobal and Merida are absolute musts
markets and shopping
trips to the islands

All of this is just within one small part of one of the countries you are suggesting! (I still haven't managed to see a whale shark yet - that is on my list.)

We've just started flying into Coast Rica with work. Aside from the fact that the training is frankly fucking terrifying (and I will be in charge of the plane!) I'm rather looking forward to going there. There seems to be loads to see and do there too.

Guys, you are brilliant, thank you so much for all your suggestions and advice! Yes, we need to go in July (summer holiday post GCSE exams), no other time possible next year. I'll make sure I check the weather.

Re PADI qualification - it is included in the volunteering programme my DD will be doing, so perhaps shall not bother doing it here then. I am not keen as not so good in water, but my DH might be interested. If they like it, they might take it up as something to do together in the future, which will be great.
I am happy to just snorkel (just about, nearly drowned in Thailand due to forgetting I am not a swimmer and not putting a life jacket on while jumping bravely in the deepest lagoon off the boat)

Definitely check re the weather (said as someone currently in sweltering 40 degrees in Vietnam!), but we have always found that the rain in the wet seasons is shortlived (if daily!) and don't let that put you off too much.

Milky, Caye Caulker was where I went! The snorkelling was amazing.

Have a great time in Vietnam big Tilly! Snorkelling it will be for me too

This thread is giving me huge travel envy

haha minipie call it a wish list thread. How old are you DC? There are so many places to go with younger DC too. I was an around the world theme park master when my DD was younger.

social they are only 3 and 1.5 so we are still dealing with naps, nappies, buggies - and they're not "easy" kids tbh (3yo doesn't sleep and has mobility issues and 1.5yo is a kamikaze climber). However we have great plans for when they are let's say 6 and 4 and up !

minipie don't worry, the time will pass quickly. A friend of mine has been travelling with her boy (now 6) since he was a toddler and is loving it. In the beginning of the year she took him on a round the world cruise for 4 months. We've never done such big travels with our DD, just the usual 2-3 weeks here and there and loved it.

Just bear in mind that it's rainy season in July! The first 2 weeks in August in Costa Rica are typically dryer (warm mornings with a thunderstorm in the afternoon/evening) but can't speak for the other countries. Personally having seen the completely mad way Costa Ricans drive, I don't think my nerves would handle a road trip, particularly in a tropical rainstorm!