If the changes in the following conditions have been clearly communicated in writing to the client before the conclusion of the contract and they are properly provided for in the program;
Any changes subsequent to the conclusion of the contract are subject to prior agreement of both the agency and the client, except as provided in the "impossibility of comply" clause.
These general conditions comply with the provisions of Decree-Law 61/2011 of May 6th, as amended by Decree-Law 199/2012 of August 24th.
The general conditions, which refer to an organized trip described in this program, along with the specific conditions provided to the client in the travel documentation at the time of booking, constitute the travel contract that binds the agency and the client.
The technical organization and sale of the activities included on this website are the responsibility of Papa-Léguas, a travel and tourism agency, with home office at Rua Manuel Assunção Mestre, nº22, 7780-199 Castro Verde, registered in the Commercial Registry Office of Lisbon with Taxpayer Identification Number 504163590. It has a share capital of €99,759.60 (ninety-nine thousand, seven hundred and fifty-nine euros and sixty cents). Papa-Léguas is also registered with the National Registry of Travel Agents and Tourism Operators (RNAVT) nº2275 and the National Registry of Tourist Animation Agents (RNAT) nº67/2014.
At the time of registration the client must deposit 30% of the service price, paying the remaining 70% up to 21 days before the service begins. If the registration takes place 21 days or less before the service begins, the total price of the service must be paid at the time of registration. Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. reserves the right to cancel any booking that has not been paid for under the conditions mentioned above. Reservations are subject to the obtaining of a confirmation from suppliers for all services.
The prices of tours are presented per person and based on the occupation in a room shared by two people. The organizing agency will group clients who sign up individually for the same tour in pairs, by gender, and in chronological order of registration. Clients who are singled out must pay the respective individual supplement, when required by the service provider.
INFORMATION UNDER LAW N.º 144/2015 OF SEPTEMBER 8:
According to Law No. 144/2015 of September 8th, we inform that the customer may resort to the following Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution Entities:
i) Customer Authority of Travel and Tourism Agencies at provedorapavt.com;
ii) Arbitration Commission of Tourism in Portugal at turismodeportugal.pt;
iii) Or any of the entities indicated in the list provided by the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt, which we recommend consulting.
Complaints will only be considered if submitted in writing to the agency within a maximum period of 30 days after the completion of the services.
In the event of a complaint regarding non-compliance with contracted services, the customer may activate the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund provided for in DL 61/2011 of May 6, in its current wording, by submitting the respective complaint:
i) To the Customer Authority, as Papa-Léguas, Travel and Tourism Agency Ltd., is a member of the Customer Ombudsman for Travel and Tourism Agencies at www.provedorapavt.com. To benefit from this service, you must submit your written complaint within 20 business days after the end of the trip. Agencies are bound to comply promptly with any decisions issued by this entity.
ii) To Tourism of Portugal I.P. at www.turismodeportugal.pt within 30 days after: (i) the end of the trip; (ii) the cancellation of the trip attributable to the agency; (iii) the date of knowledge of the impossibility of its realization due to the agency; (iv) the closure of the establishment.
iii) To any of the entities listed on the website of the General Directorate for Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt.
1) The agency is responsible for the luggage in the legal terms;
2) The Client has the obligation to complain to the service provider at the moment of subtraction, deterioration or destruction of luggage.
3) In international transport, if the luggage is damaged, the complaint must be made in writing to the carrier immediately after the damage is verified, and no later than 7 days after delivery. If the luggage is merely late in delivery, the claim must be made within 21 days from the date of delivery.
4) The presentation of such a claim will be an essential basis for Papa-Léguas, Agência de Viagens e Turismo Lda. to hold responsible the entity providing the service.
The responsibility of the agency will be limited to the maximum amount that can be demanded from the service providers, in accordance with the Montreal Convention of May 28, 1999, on International Air Transport, and the Bern Convention of 1961, on Rail Transport.
Regarding maritime transport, the liability of travel agencies, concerning their clients, for the provision of transport services or accommodation, when applicable, by maritime transport companies, in the event of damages resulting from their willful misconduct or negligence, will be limited to the following amounts:
a) € 441,436, in case of death or physical injury;
b) € 7,881, in case of total or partial loss of baggage or its damage;
c) € 31,424, in case of loss of a motor vehicle, including the baggage contained therein;
d) € 10,375, in case of loss of baggage, whether accompanied or not, contained in a motor vehicle;
e) € 1,097, for damages to baggage resulting from the damage to the motor vehicle.
Where applicable, the liability of travel agencies and tourism for the deterioration, destruction, and theft of baggage or other items in tourist accommodation establishments, while the client is staying there, is limited as follows:
a) € 1,397, in total;
b) € 449 per item;
c) The value declared by the client regarding the items deposited under the custody of the tourist accommodation establishment.
The agency's liability for non-bodily damages may be contractually limited to an amount corresponding to five times the price of the service sold.
For each reservation the following will be charged:
Reservation Expenses:
Alteration Expenses:
For each alteration (names, dates, type of apartment or room, travel, etc) : 50€ (fifty euros). Please note that the acceptance of such changes depends on the acceptance by the respective suppliers.
The client must have their personal or family documentation in good order (identity card, military documentation, authorization for minors, visas, vaccination certificates, and any other documents that may be required). The agency disclaims any responsibility for visa refusal or the client's denial of entry into a foreign country. The client is solely responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such a situation.
Travel in European Union:
Travel outside the European Union:
If the travel suppliers involved allow it, whenever a customer who is registered for a particular trip wishes to change their registration to another trip or the same trip with a different departure date, or any other changes, they must pay a fee as alteration expenses. However, if the change takes place 21 days or less before the departure date of the trip for which the customer is registered, or if the service providers do not accept the change, the customer will be subject to the expenses and charges specified under the “cancellation (termination)” section.
Once the trip has started, if a request is made to change the contracted services for reasons not related to the agency (e.g., extending the number of nights of stay, changing the flight), the prices of the touristic services may not correspond to those published on the website that prompted the contract.
The customer may transfer their registration by being replaced by another person who meets all the required conditions for the trip, provided that they inform the selling agency at least seven days in advance and such transfer is possible under the applicable air transport regulations. In the case of cruises and air travel, the prescribed period will be fifteen days in advance.
The transfer of the registration makes both the transferor and the transferee jointly responsible for the payment of the trip price and any additional charges incurred.
Whenever there are external reasons that justify it, the organizing agency may change the order of the itineraries, modify the departure times, or substitute any of the planned hotels with others of similar category and location. The agency must inform the client of such changes as soon as they become aware of them.
When the tour is dependent on a minimum number of participants the Agency reserves the right to cancel the organized tour if the number of participants reached is less than the minimum. In such cases, the Client will be informed in writing of the cancellation within 15 (fifteen) days.
The prices in the program are based on the costs of services and exchange rates in effect on the date of printing of the program, and are therefore subject to change resulting from variations in the cost of transportation or fuel, duties, taxes, fees, and exchange rate fluctuations up to 20 days prior to the date of departure.
Once the tour has begun, no refund is due for services not used by the client due to unforeseeable circumstances or for reasons attributable to the client, except for refunds by the respective suppliers. Failure to provide services foreseen in the travel program for reasons attributable to the organizing agency and if it is not possible to replace them with equivalent ones, entitles the client receive a refund for the price difference between the originally anticipated services and the services actually provided.
If, prior to the start of the journey and due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency, it becomes unable to fulfill any essential service included in the travel program, the client has the right to cancel the trip and immediately receive a refund of all amounts paid, or alternatively, accept a modification and possible price variation.
If the aforementioned circumstances beyond the control of the organizing agency result in the cancellation of the trip, the client may choose to participate in another organized trip of equivalent price. If the proposed replacement organized trip is of a lower price, the client will be refunded the price difference accordingly.
The client or their companions are free to cancel the trip at any time.
i) Such cancellation implies that the client is responsible for the payment of all charges arising from the beginning of the fulfillment of the contract and their withdrawal, as well as a percentage that can go up to 15% of the price of the trip.
ii) If applicable, the client will be refunded the difference between the amount paid and the aforementioned amounts.
iii) The cancellation of travel services/organized trips whose reservation has been made using the voucher issued under Decree-Law No. 17/2020 of April 23rd is subject to a cancellation fee equal to the price of the service, in order to prevent simulated or fraudulent reservations made solely with the intention of anticipating the receipt of the voucher-entitled values.
If for reasons not attributable to the client, the agency has to cancel the organized tour before the departure date, the client can choose to:
i) Being immediately refunded all amounts paid;
ii) Optionally, choose to participate in another organized tour and be refunded for any difference in price.
The liability of the travel agency organizing the trips included in this program and arising from the assumed obligations is covered by a civil liability insurance policy with Fidelidade Insurance Company, under policy number 9257343, for an amount of 75,000€ (Seventy-five thousand euros), in accordance with the applicable legislation.
The prices mentioned in this program already include the Value Added Tax at the current rate of 23%
This program is valid from 01/01/2022 to 12/31/2022
Arrival or departure times:
Departure and arrival times are stated in the local time of the respective country of destination and according to respective airline schedules at the time of printing this program, and may therefore be subject to change.
Hotels / Apartments:
Apartments - In case the accommodation is contracted in apartments, the client is responsible for informing the number of people that will occupy the apartment. If there are more people than booked, the apartments may refuse admittance.
Hotels - The prices shown are per person and are based on double occupancy. Not all hotels have triple rooms and usually an extra bed is placed in the room, which may not be of equal quality. In rooms equipped with two beds or a double bed, the triple may consist only of those beds.
The list of hotels and apartments in the program is indicative, as is their category, which is based on local criteria and classifications that are sometimes different from those used in Portugal.
Meals:
Unless otherwise indicated, the prices shown for the Half Board and Full Board supplements do not include drinks.
On arrivals at the hotel after 7PM the first meal service will be breakfast the next day, on the last day and except for the possibility of late check-out, the last service of the hotel will be breakfast.
Check-in and check-out times:
The check-in and check-out times on the first and last day, will be defined according to the first and last service. As a rule, without binding character, the rooms can be used from 2PM on the day of arrival and should be left free by noon (12PM) on the day of departure.
In the apartments, the entry takes place generally at 5PM on the day of arrival and must be left free by 10AM on the day of departure.
Special conditions for children:
Given the conditions applied for children (destination and provider) it is recommended to always question the special conditions that may apply to the tour in question.
Insurande:
The agency offers the sale of insurance that can be purchased depending on the tour to guarantee assistance situations and cancellation expenses.
The maximum age limit, for the insurance, is 75 years-old.
See our full Data Protection and Privacy Policy here.
Documentation
The necessary documentation may vary, depending on your nationality, the country of origin and the places you will travel to. For further information, consult the relevant embassy websites or contact Papa-Léguas.
Transfers
Travelers who do not purchase flights from Papa-Léguas may not be assured of arrival and departure transfers if their flights are not exactly the same as the flights booked for the group.
If the traveller chooses to book the transfers Papa-Léguas for the flights they have bought on their own, there is an additional fee, which varies according to the destination country and the program.
Tour Leader
This is a trip of adventure and cultural discovery. The tour leader is a person with experience in the country to be visited, having a network of contacts and knowledge that facilitates interaction and a unique cultural experience. Their mission is to lead the group during the whole trip facilitating the interaction and integration of the group with the places to be visited.
The tour leader’s role should never be confused with that of a tour guide. No specific knowledge about monuments, museums, or other places of tourist interest is required of the tour leader.
If your trip includes places that, due to their historical, geological, biological or artistic complexity, need a guide, this will be hired in advance and there will be an explicit reference to his existence in the trip program.
I am a traveler who enjoys exploring the planet and sharing it with other travellers. I breathe in pure landscapes and feed myself on stories (and on the cuisine I savor). And I never travel without duct tape.
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Witness the splendor of the Great Maya Route: a tribute to the Maya Civilization!
The journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize is a thrilling adventure where the unexpected is always expected. From Mexico to Belize, crossing Guatemala, this adventure challenges even the most intrepid travelers, inviting them to discover the ancient Maya civilizations and the natural beauty of Latin America.
We will wander through the jungle and the Pueblos Mágicos. We will explore the pyramids of Palenque and the ancient Maya cities, as well as the diversity of wildlife. From the chaotic yet mesmerizing markets to the vibrant marine life in Belize’s waters, we will be captivated by the peace of Río Dulce and the bustle of Antigua.
From the traditions and cultural fusion of San Cristóbal de las Casas to the power and drama of Guatemalan volcanoes, not forgetting the magnificent Lake Atitlán. From the sunrise in Tikal to the adventure in the Sumidero Canyon. This is a journey of emotions, flavors, knowledge, history, vibrant and serene moments, tranquility, and excitement. Welcome to the Great Maya Route!
It is an adventure of contrasts, and once you embark on this journey – led by Jorge Duarte Estevão – you will never forget it.
This day is dedicated to the flight to Villahermosa, which should arrive at the end of the night. Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification. Upon arrival, we will spend the night in a hotel in the city.
Note: If the traveler wants to buy the flights by himself, they must have the same schedule (or previous schedule) as the group flights indicated by Papa-Léguas, since the tour leader will be at the airport waiting for the group and, preferably, must all leave the airport together. Whenever this is not possible, all instructions will be given so that the participant can arrange the transport on their own to the hotel.
Today we start in the morning with a trip that will take around 1h30 to reach our next destination. It's a good time to recover energy and admire the Mexican landscape until we reach the city of Palenque, the gateway to one of the most beautiful ruins of the Mayan civilization.
This is a mythical place, because it has several temples to explore and is still, in part, hidden by the dense jungle. A visit to Palenque is a journey through time that allows us to assimilate all the mysticism of the Mayan culture. We will spend a few hours discovering the Archaeological Zone of Palenque, listening to stories and legends from times gone by.
The city is surrounded by rainforest and it is not uncommon to find howler-monkeys on the streets.
The Ruins of Palenque are a mythical place in Mexico. Within the archaeological zone, there are several temples to explore, although a large part of it is still hidden by the dense jungle. A visit to Palenque is a journey back in time that allows us to embrace the mysticism of the Mayan culture. We will spend a few hours discovering the Archaeological Zone of Palenque, listening to stories and legends from ancient times, and understanding how the Maya used their knowledge to dominate populations.
Afterwards, dressed appropriately and well protected with sunscreen, we will visit two special places. First, Misol-Ha. This beautiful vertical waterfall is fabulous. Not only can you walk behind the waterfall, but you can also bathe in the lagoon it forms.
Then we move on to the fantastic Agua Azul waterfalls. It is a series of waterfalls found in the Xanil River, where the indigo blue of the water, the lush greenery of the jungle, and the sound of the cascades make this place one of the most spectacular and unforgettable in Mexico.
After these relaxing moments, we have a long journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas - one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico.
We will arrive late, but with a hearty appetite to explore the city and enjoy dinner, which promises to be delightful.
The Cañón del Sumidero is an icon of Chiapas. The landscape is breathtaking and we will see it on a boat trip that slides through the waters of the canyon and where we will find several species of animals, including crocodiles.
This place began to form about 136 million years ago from sediments and calcium minerals like limestone, which means that this area would have already been submerged by a sea. When navigating the current fresh waters, however, we will not stop feeling small in the face of such a grandiose natural work.
The second highlight of the day is the visit to Chiapa del Corzo. Founded in 1528, Chiapa de Corzo, in addition to being the first capital of the state, is considered one of the oldest cities in Latin America. The first inhabitants of this territory were of the Soctona ethnic group, and were called “chiapas”, also giving the name to the current Mexican state.
We also cannot fail to taste the local drink, the pozol, a fresh drink still original from the pre-Hispanic era based on water, corn and cocoa. They even say it cures some diseases.
After a refreshing drink, we return to San Cristóbal de las Casas to continue exploring this beautiful town.
San Cristóbal de las Casas is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. The most remarkable building is the imposing cathedral, although there are others such as the Church of Guadalupe and El Zócalo, the historic center. The fusion of cultures, faces, and people in the city is phenomenal, and there we will discover a relevant part of the "real Mexican life."
This is a colonial-style city that is part of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos or Magical Towns, with an incredible historic center, a captivating atmosphere, and a place where we will feel like staying forever. Unlike other cities, San Cristóbal de las Casas seems to never sleep, and there is always something to entertain us.
Today, we are heading straight to one of the most sublime places in Guatemala: Lake Atitlán.
The journey entails a tiring day of travel by private van, including crossing the border and brief stops, totaling approximately 10 hours.
It is an inevitable sacrifice that will undoubtedly be worth the effort because as soon as we enter the fantastic Guatemala - the land of Eternal Spring - we will be rewarded with stunning landscapes and a rich, vibrant culture. The border crossing itself is part of the Mayan Route adventure.
Lake Atitlán - at an altitude of 1500 meters - will take us to the clouds. We leave Panajachel on a speedboat and visit some of the most interesting villages that inhabit the shores of the beautiful volcanic lake in the Guatemalan Highlands.
The hills and volcanoes around the lake offer dense forests, where you can go hiking, allowing the observation of a wide variety of birds, from the shy woodpeckers to, if we are lucky, the Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.
Among other activities, we will visit Santiago Atitlán, San Marcos or San Juan de La Laguna and discover local traditions and cultures and what motivated a group of women to form a textile cooperative.
At the end of the day, we return to Panajachel to watch a beautiful sunset on the lake shores, while enjoying a tasty local beer.
We embark with a heart full of excitement towards the most exquisite Guatemalan town: Antigua. Upon arrival, we will immediately be captivated by the undeniable beauty of this charming city.
We will walk through the beautiful streets of the city, pay attention to the colonial architecture, in colorful tones and climb Cerro de La Cruz for a panoramic view of the city. And - through the Arco de Santa Catalina, in the historic center - you can see the various volcanoes such as Acatenango, Agua, Fuego in the distance.
This is another day to explore the city of Antigua. It is a city where there is so much to absorb and discover, from architecture to local markets and culinary delights.
The afternoon is free, but the tour leader can recommend some activities, such as hiking up the Pacaya Volcano or engaging in other cultural experiences. This is an active volcano that first erupted 23,000 years ago and continues to have recurring eruptions.
During this several-hour hike, accompanied by a local guide, you will encounter a desolate yet captivating landscape. One of the traditions for those who climb the volcano is to cook something using the heat of the lava.
At the end of the day, we will gather for a dinner where we can indulge in more local delicacies from Guatemala, along with a famous digestive drink, rum.
We leave Antigua and continue our journey to a distinctly beautiful place: Dulce River. Urbanism, architecture and hustle are left behind and we embrace a stupendous natural setting.
The trip will take a few hours, so only at the end of the day will we be able to enjoy the peace and tranquility that this area gives us. The wait, however, will be worth it.
We wake up in a setting so beautiful that it will seem unreal. The gorge at the mouth of the river in the bay offers a unique scenic beauty, due to its vegetation, in addition to being a refuge for several native and migratory birds.
To travel the 16 kilometers between “Golfete” and the ocean, the waters of the river enter a huge gorge that separates the limestone rock walls and heads towards the Caribbean Sea.
And we are going on an aquatic adventure, because it is on a boat that we're going to explore this whole area. During the tour we will see islands and islets of different sizes.
It is with a lot of emotions that we leave the moorings of Dulce River.
However, what awaits us will not be more or less inferior. In fact, it is one of the many highlights of this entire trip. We'll have to prepare ourselves mentally for the entry into Tikal. The trip will take a few hours and entry to the archaeological zone will take the next day - and for a good reason. Tikal was one of the largest metropolises of the Mayan civilization and one of the largest in the world.
Along the way, we will see the magnificent Lake Petén and the colors that anticipate the next days in Belize.
But for today, it's time to relax and sleep early, because the next day promises to need all the energy.
We rise from our beds in the darkness of the night, determined to embark on our first hike of the day. Our goal is to reach the top of the Mayan temple in Tikal before the sun emerges on the horizon and long before the jungle awakens.
It will be a unique moment, one that we will recount countless times when we return home. In silence, amidst the chill of the early morning, we will feel shivers running down our spines. We will have the urge to pinch ourselves to ensure that what we see, hear, and feel is real.
Tikal is much more than a Mayan ruin, more than a World Heritage site. Tikal is another world, and for a brief moment, we cease to belong to our own world.
After this early morning adventure and a well-deserved breakfast, we hit the road once again, heading towards Belize. The remainder of the day will be spent on the journey and necessary formalities until we reach the paradise of Caye Caulker or San Pedro, in Belize.
The official motto of Caye Caulker or San Pedro is "Go slow." And we are going to embrace this motto, to savor every minute in this paradise with calmness and relaxation.
Here, there are no scheduled activities, but there is plenty to choose from, such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, or taking a trip on a sailboat. The beautiful waters are teeming with marine life, and we can swim with turtles, stingrays, and even sharks.
There is also the possibility of visiting the famous Blue Hole - either by boat or on a scenic helicopter flight. Alternatively, it's always possible to stay close to the coast, swimming at the beach or simply relaxing with a cocktail and reading a book.
Today we wake up again to the turquoise colors of Belize.
The day is free to explore San Pedro or Caye Caulker. You can take the time to stroll around the island or simply relax on one of Belize's beautiful beaches.
At the end of the day, we catch the ferry to Belize City. Upon arrival, we head to the hotel and later gather for a farewell dinner, marking the end of an intense adventure in Latin America.
They were intense days of strong emotions and many images will last forever in our memory.
It's time to say goodbye to the Great Mayan Route and take the flight at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport.
This is the day that marks the return to the Origin city.
We have come to the end of an unforgettable trip. In the luggage will come, for sure, memories of an incredible adventure and the will to explore other destinations with us.
Note: the arrival/departure dates may vary, depending on your origin city. If you have any doubts, contact Papa-Léguas for further clarification.
