Explore Belize & Guatemala
Itinerary
Day 1-2 – Start your adventure in Antigua
Upon your arrival at Guatemala City airport in the late afternoon or evening, a dedicated driver will be awaiting your arrival to whisk you away to the charming colonial city of Antigua, just about an hour’s drive away. Your accommodation, a cozy posada, boasts a delightful interior garden adorned with fragrant flowers, while the rooftop terrace offers a breathtaking panorama of the city and its encircling volcanoes.
Your first day on the Belize and Guatemala tour is intentionally left free of planned activities, allowing you ample time to unwind and explore Antigua at your leisure. Once the capital of Guatemala, Antigua’s streets are lined with historic monasteries and churches, offering plenty of picturesque scenes for avid photographers. Wander through the central square, where language students from around the globe mingle with locals dressed in traditional attire, infusing Antigua with its unique and inviting ambiance.
Day 3 – Lake Atitlán and Panajachel
Following breakfast, you’ll be greeted at your hotel for an exciting day ahead. Today, you’ll journey to one of the world’s most stunning lakes. If you happen to be here on a Thursday or Sunday, we highly recommend a stop at the vibrant market in Chichicastenango, where approximately 20,000 Mayas from nearby mountain villages gather amidst the town’s 1,000 residents to showcase their wares, offering an array of souvenirs for you to peruse.
After exploring the market, your journey continues with a shuttle bus ride to the breath-taking Lake Atitlán in the afternoon. Renowned for its picturesque setting surrounded by towering volcanoes, this lake is truly a sight to behold. Numerous villages dot the lakeshore, each maintaining its own unique Mayan traditions. In the charming village of Panajachel, we’ve arranged cosy accommodation for you in the heart of the town, just a stone’s throw from the tranquil waters of the lake. You’ll spend the next two nights immersing yourself in the beauty and culture of this enchanting locale.
Day 4 – Guided excursion to the villages around Lake Atitlán
Early the next morning, your knowledgeable English-speaking guide will be waiting for you for today’s half-day excursion. Being a local to the region, he possesses an intimate knowledge of the lake and its surrounding villages. You’ll have the choice between two captivating experiences: embark on a scenic hike to soak in panoramic views of the lake, or delve into the vibrant local culture by visiting the nearby villages. Alternatively, you can opt for a combination of both, embarking on a leisurely hike through charming villages, with breath-taking vistas along the way, before immersing yourself in the ancient art of Mayan weaving at a local textile mill.
At around four o’clock, the sun begins its descent, casting a mesmerizing array of colours across the sky and reflecting its brilliance upon the tranquil waters of the lake. We highly recommend securing a prime viewing spot well in advance to witness this captivating spectacle unfold.
Day 5 – Journey back to Antigua
Today, you’ll take a shuttle bus back to Antigua which should take around 2.5 hours, where an abundance of sights and discoveries await. In addition to the historic monasteries and churches, you’ll encounter lots of art galleries, vibrant markets, and even a cosy wine bar nestled beneath the iconic Santa Catalina arch.
Antigua is a great base for volcano exploration. If you’re keen to climb one during your Belize and Guatemala tour, simply inform us, and we’ll arrange an additional night for you. As volcano accessibility is weather-dependent, we recommend booking your excursion with one of the many reputable local tour providers for an unforgettable adventure.
Days 6-7 – Rio Dulce
You continue your journey to Rio Dulce, a place named after the river that flows towards the Caribbean coast. Suddenly, you find yourself surrounded by nature, with tropical jungle lining both riverbanks. Your wooden bungalow sits right by the river, offering a serene retreat. The best way to explore the area is undoubtedly by boat. Should you wish, we can arrange a tour where you’ll encounter friendly locals living amongst the mangrove roots. Your journey will lead you to Livingston, a Creole village nestled at the point where the river meets the sea.
The next day you will enjoy a boat tour across the Rio Dulce for around three hours. Passing mangrove forests, numerous pelicans and small accommodations of the locals, you will see the mouth of the river into the Caribbean Sea – you have arrived in the town of Livingstone. There is already a Caribbean atmosphere here with many colourful houses, palm trees and the Garifuna. Be sure to try the local specialty “Tapado”, a fish soup with lots of fresh ingredients!
Day 8 – Head to Flores
After the relaxing days in the natural paradise of Rio Dulce, your Guatemala tour with Belize continues today to the north of the country. We organize a shuttle transfer that takes you to the north of the country.
You spend the next two nights in Flores, an island village in Lake Petén. You can watch a colorful sunset from the hotel terrace right on the lake. Although there are a lot of tourists drawn to Flores, it is noticeably quiet in the evening because (almost) everyone goes to Tikal early in the morning. You too can look forward to the next morning!
Day 9 – Jungle Temple & Howler Monkeys in Tikal
We will organise a transfer for around 5 a.m. that will take you to Tikal – taking around 2 hours. This means you’ll be there before most tour groups arrive.
As the fog slowly rises between the centuries-old ruins, you enter the park where howler monkeys and toucans guard the temples. In the following hours, explore the extensive grounds, climb the pyramids and take in the area! Entry is currently around £20.
The shuttle takes you back to Flores, where you arrive in time for sunset.
Tips: Take enough water and snacks with you on this excursion, as you will be in the jungle for several hours. If you would prefer to stay overnight directly at the entrance to the Mayan site in Tikal to get to the temples even earlier, we can reserve this accommodation for you.
Day 10 – Next stop…San Ignacio, Belize!
Today you will travel by shuttle bus from Guatemala to the Belize border. You will certainly notice the first difference between the two countries: English is not spoken in the former British Honduras. After the border formalities, it is best to take one of the taxis available to nearby San Ignacio. Your hotel is located on the outskirts of town on a hill with a view of the town. Just minutes away are the ruins of Cahal Pech, a temple complex where kings once lived. You will stay in small bungalows with your own terrace and hammock to relax.
Day 11 – Canoe trip to the Mayan caves
An English-speaking guide will pick you up after breakfast and drive you past orange plantations towards the mountains. You’ll pass through a region inhabited by Mennonites who grow fruits and vegetables, and eventually reach Barton Breek Cave, an ancient Mayan site. The grotto appears mystical and is only accessible by boat. As the canoe slowly glides through the grotto, you will see stalagmites and stalactites in all kinds of colors. Nothing can be heard except the dripping of water. When you turn off the lamp on your helmet, it seems as if Xibalba, the Mayan underworld, is coming back to life.
Day 12 – Carribean coast of Placencia
Villages and towns in Belize are conveniently reachable via local buses, which we believe offer the most charming mode of transportation. As you board the bus, you’ll be greeted warmly from all directions. With Caribbean music setting the tone, the journey takes you past orange and banana plantations to the picturesque fishing village of Placencia. Here, daily life revolves around fishing and unwinding on the stunning, expansive sandy beach. Your journey will take around five hours. From the bus station, a short walk leads you to a small, unassuming hotel right on the beach, where you’ll spend the next few nights of your Belize Guatemala tour.
Day 13 – Jaguar Reserve
In Belize, the perfect blend of sun, beach, and sea can effortlessly be complemented by the lush greenery of the inland. Today, you’ll embark on an excursion to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve alongside a knowledgeable guide and fellow travellers. As the name implies, this reserve is one of the few remaining habitats where jaguars still live in the wild today. While spotting one of these elusive creatures is rare, the opportunity to encounter their footprints is still a remarkable experience. Together with your guide, you’ll select from the numerous trails to explore. Even if you don’t spot a jaguar, you may still catch glimpses of exotic wildlife such as coatis, anteaters, and an array of tropical birds, ensuring a memorable adventure amidst Belize’s natural wonders.
Day 14 – Relax in Placencia
There are no set plans today, allowing you to spend the day as you please. Placencia’s Caribbean beach, renowned as the country’s most beautiful, beckons with its crescent-shaped bay lined with palm trees and white sand. To delve into the vibrant underwater world, consider a snorkelling or diving excursion to Laughing Bird Caye. This idyllic small island, surrounded by white sands and swaying palm trees, offers ideal conditions for swimming and snorkelling. Alongside tropical fish and rays, keep an eye out for playful dolphins, adding an extra touch of magic to your excursion.
Day 15 – Head to Caye Caulker
Off Belize’s coast lies the second largest coral reef in the world with many sun-drenched islands. One of these islands is the destination of today’s leg: From Placencia you take the bus to Belize City in the morning. After approximately four hours on the Hummingbird Highway, you arrive in Belize City. From the port, take a water taxi (about $30 return) to Caye Caulker: a long island lined with coconut palms and sandy dirt roads where most people walk barefoot or in flip flops.
Your accommodation for the next few nights of your Belize & Guatemala tour is almost directly by the sea. The cosy, colourfully furnished rooms are located in bungalows or in the main building and are equipped with a shower, toilet, TV and air conditioning. You can relax wonderfully on the terrace by the pool and by the sea.
Tip: Since the hotel is one of the few with its own pool and is therefore booked out quickly, we recommend booking early!
Day 16 – Sailing, swimming and snorkelling
Today you’ll have a relaxing tour where you’ll discover the underwater world of Belize. In a small group, you will take a sailing boat tour across the azure waters. You’ll make several stops along the way, where you can, among other things, swim and snorkel with rays and sharks. If you’re lucky, you might even see sea turtles or manatees.
The motto on board the boat is “go slow”: as you cruise from one snorkelling spot to another, you can relax and simply enjoy the sun and sea.
Day 17 – Relax on Caye Caulker
At the end of your tour through Guatemala and Belize, you can really relax again today: enjoy the sun, swim in the warm sea and refresh yourself with a cocktail at the popular spot “Split”. Numerous travelers meet here in the afternoon to relax and celebrate together.
If you are a passionate diver, you may have heard of the mysterious Blue Hole, a deeper ocean area in the Caribbean Sea. Follow in the footsteps of French underwater explorer Jacques Costeau and dive in this world-famous diving area!
Day 18 -Last day in Caye Caulker
Today is your last day on Caye Caulker. Use the remaining time, for example, to drive around the island in a golf cart or relax on the pier with a good book. If you prefer to be active, you can also paddle a kayak between the mangroves or go to one of the secluded beaches in the other, uninhabited part of Caye Caulker.
In the afternoon you take a water taxi back to Belize City, where your Belize and Guatemala tour ends. Your flight back to the UK leaves the next morning, which is why we reserve a room for you in a comfortable colonial-style hotel for your last night. End your last evening relaxing with a delicious dinner!
Day 19 – Departure from Belize City
The next morning you will begin your return journey. After breakfast, take a taxi to the airport, which will take around 45 minutes depending on traffic.
With many beautiful impressions from Guatemala and Belize, you travel back to the UK, where you arrive the next day.
Accommodation
