We originally wanted to go to Tikal, Guatemala. But we realized that from Guatemala City, it’s about a ten hour drive to get all the way up the country to the ancient city. After some research, I also realized there wasn’t a ton to do on the way either. So, we flew into Merida instead–which was about $100 dollars a person cheaper. We rented a car and road tripped it through the Yucatan. I HIGHLY recommend this way of travel in this part of the world! There are so many small off-the-beaten-path places to visit. Cenotes (caves with crystal blue water for swimming) and mysterious ancient ruins dot the countryside. The journey really did become the destination.
Tip: Research your car rental company ahead of time! Not all of them will let you cross the country borders. We ended up going with America Car Rental who allowed us to go into Belize but not Guatemala. So we just parked our car on the Belize side of the border, walked across, and caught a taxi to Tikal for the day. You just pay the drive to wait for you there and bring you back. This method worked pretty smoothly, if a bit adventurous.
Tip: Speed bumps in this part of the world are CRAZY! They come up out of nowhere without any sort of sign. And they are bigger than any speed bump you have ever seen. Make sure to keep your eye out for these sniper bumps.
Road Trip through Central America with Kids
Tip: A road trip is absolutely the way to go with kids! If you need to pull over or run to the store, it’s no problem. You can also tailor your timing to fit your individual needs.
Tip: Belize is a GREAT option to road trip through! The national language is English and there’s a lot to see with relatively few crowds.
Tip: Walking across the border to Guatemala was pretty hectic and there was a lot going on. I wouldn’t recommend this approach with kids, as it was a bit of a confusing time. Also, the Guatemala side of the border doesn’t have a restroom! That’s a problem.
Walkabout 