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14 Day itinerary in Guatemala, Central America & Caribbean

Guatemala & Belize: From the Mayan Highlands to the Carib...

An exceptional tour combining Guatemala and Belize for travelers looking for a change of scenery. The itinerary first covers the highlands of Guatemala, between lakes and volcanoes. Then it heads to the Peten and its Mayan sites hidden in the jungle. We then cross the border of Belize to discover th... Read More

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By Tristan and Tristan

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish, French, German

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Guatemala City

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Indigenous culture

Skiing/Snowboarding

Visit markets

Meet local people

Hiking

Kayak & Canoe

Rafting

Rural home stays

Snorkeling/Diving

Cycling

Nature & Wildlife

Culture & Heritage

Explorer Trips

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Embark on a city tour of Antigua and admire in the distance the volcanoes Fuego, Agua and Acatenango

2

Discover the Mayan Underworld in the Candelaria Caves one of the largest networks in Latin America

3

Explore the impressive city of Tikal, built in the 4th century BC

4

Snorkel in Hol Chan, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, known as one of the world’s best dive sites

Itinerary

High-end Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Guatemala City Airport Transfer to Antigua

Bienvenidos a Guatemala! Arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, meet your driver and transfer to Antigua.

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: El Meson de Maria
Day 2

place Antigua Walking Tour

Surrounded by 3 majestic volcanoes, the ancient capital of Central America has suffered throughout its history many natural hazards: earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. But Antigua is now one of the most beautiful cities in Guatemala. This morning, take a guided tour of the city which is host to more than thirty monasteries and convents and a grand cathedral in the central square. The cobblestone streets adjoin the colorful patios of the colonial houses. Stroll along the arcades of Parque Central, admiring in the distance the volcanoes Fuego, Agua and Acatenango. Spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure in Antigua.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: El Meson de Maria
Day 3

place Visit to Iximché, Lake Atitlan and transfer to Panajachel

Departure for the Mayan site of Iximché, capital of the Mayas Kaqchikel who allied themselves with the Spanish settlers facing the Maya Quiché. The conquistadors established the first Spanish city of the country, but the Kaqchikels revolted and burned the city in 1562. The site is sometimes the place of Mayan rituals practiced by shamans and locals. Emblematic Lake Atitlan: We continue for Lake Atitlan, a true symbol of Guatemala. This beautiful lake is nestled between 3 volcanoes at 1600 meters above sea level - the panoramas are magnificent. There are many small villages that sit on the shores of the lake, often only accessible by boat. Here they celebrate local festivals and host markets rooted in tradition. Arrive in Panajachel at the end of the day.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Hotel Dos Mundos
Day 4

place Explore the surroundings of Panajachel

Early in the morning, departure by boat for Santa Cruz la Laguna. Walk to the village of Jaibalito with beautiful views of the volcanoes Toliman, San Pedro and Cerro de Oro. The walk allows you to appreciate the local life: the farmers work in the corn or coffee plantations, we meet villagers on the paths along the lake. Afterwards, discover the small Mayan village of San Juan La Laguna. Here the weavers' cooperative will open its doors to teach you about the techniques of natural coloring and traditional weaving. Appreciate the naive paintings that represent scenes of daily life in the region. Return by boat to Panajachel at the end of the afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Hotel Dos Mundos
Day 5

place Market day in Chichicastenango and transfer to Guatemala City

Departure for Chichicastenango and its famous market (Thursday and Sunday). The Kaqchikel Indigenous descend twice a week from surrounding villages to sell their wares. Women wear the traditional huipil representing the seasons of the Mayan calendar. The city is transformed into a real kaleidoscope of colors and smells. In the center of the village, shamans purify the stairs of the church with incense and practice Mayan rituals. Transfer to Guatemala City.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: La Inmaculada Hotel
Day 6

place Highlands in the Verapaces

Today, depart for the region of Alta Verapaz whose mountainous landscapes are covered with mist, waterfalls and lush forests. Visit a coffee cooperative made up of small producers of the Q'eqchi ethnic group in the highlands of Cobán. A community member accompanies visitors to the plantation, explaining the history of coffee in Guatemala, the processes of production and roasting. Continue to Cobán, capital of Alta Verapaz located at 1300 meters altitude. The name of the city comes from the Indian Quek'chi "between the clouds".

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Hotel y Restaurante Casa Gaia
Day 7

place Mayan Underworld in the Candelaria Caves

Today, head north of Alta Verapaz to explore the Caves of Candelaria. The main gallery is nearly 22 kilometers long, plus 60 kilometers of additional networks, making up one of the largest underground networks in Latin America. Take an excursion of approximately 1.5 hours to discover a part of the network that the Mayas regarded as an entrance to the underworld of Xibalba. In the afternoon, continue to Flores in the heart of Petén.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Hotel Isla de Flores
Day 8

place Tikal: Jewel of the Mayan World

Today is dedicated to the exploration of the impressive city of Tikal, built in the 4th century BC. The city reached its peak between the 3rd and 9th century AD. Some 3,000 structures emerge from the rainforest in a mystical atmosphere. The Temple of the Great Jaguar faces that of the masks on the main square, in the center of the city. At a height of 65 meters, the Serpent Temple was the tallest building in the New World until the 19th century. Nature very much still present at Tikal, engulfing every traveler who enters the reserve. Spider monkeys, pheasants, coatis, toucans and other multicolored parrots are on display. The screams of the howler monkeys can be heard for miles around. Odors of lianas and roots surprise you as you explore the site. In 2017, new research techniques have uncovered temples still buried in the jungle. Tikal has not finished revealing all its mysteries. Transfer to Flores on a peninsula of Lake Peten Itza.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Hotel Isla de Flores
Day 9

place Departure for the community of Nuevo Horizonte and transfer to Belize

The cooperative was founded by former guerrillas in 1996 at the end of the Guatemalan armed conflict. 130 families settled in Nuevo Horizonte to develop various projects, particularly in the agricultural sector and solidarity tourism. Discover the history of the community, the daily life of the families, their reforestation project. A rich experience of sharing. Pick up from the Belize side of the border. After about twenty minutes, you enter via a track into the forest of Mountain Pine Ridge, one of the green lungs of the country. The reserve covers 430 km2 and is home to nearly 400 species of birds, numerous waterfalls and natural pools in a green setting. The setting is ideal for hikers and ornithologists. Installation at your hotel, a charming lodge on the edge of the Makal River.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Black Rock Lodge
Day 10

place Mountain Pine Ridge National Park

The reserve attracts travelers for its exceptional flora and fauna. You can observe a multitude of birds, including some rare specimens such as the solitary eagle. The 5 big cats of Belize have taken up residence in the reserve but are more discreet: puma, jaguar, ocelot, tiger margay and jaguarondi. Possibility to walk alone or with a guide ten kilometers of marked trails on the private reserve. These trails lead to little corners of paradise for swimming in rivers and waterfalls. Many activities are also offered on site to travelers: guided hikes, bird watching with specialist guides, Yoga, mountain biking, Canoeing or even Tubing (aboard a large buoy carried by the current).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Ramons Village Resort
Day 11

place From the jungle to the Caribbean - Transfer to San Pedro

Transfer from your hotel to Belize City water taxi station. Water taxi from Belize City to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (not included - to pay on site).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Ramons Village Resort
Day 12

place Dat at leisure in San Pedro on Ambergris paradisiacal Caye

Ambergris Caye is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Belize with dream beaches, lagoons and exceptional seabed. Enjoy the sea a cocktail in hand. Possibility of organizing many fishing trips, snorkeling, diving or inland tours (not included).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Ramons Village Resort
Day 13

place Hol Chan - Snorkeling Tour

Hol Chan is our most popular Snorkel Adventure. As a matter of fact, it is the second most popular dive/snorkel site in Belize. Thousands of large and small fish inhabit this magnificent underwater National Park. The reef system that borders Belize was recognized as a World Heritage Site, by UNESCO, several years ago. Hol Chan or “Little Channel,” which cuts all the way through the reef, lives up to its reputation among some of the world’s best dive sites. Hol Chan is safe for beginners, and breathtaking for advanced divers. Don’t miss it! Trips depart your hotel's dock at 9:00Am or 2:00PM and lasts about 2 1/2 Hours.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • High-end Accommodation: Ramons Village Resort
Day 14

place Transfer to Belize City and Airport transfer

Free transfer from your hotel to the San Pedro taxi boat station. Taxi boat from San Pedro to Belize City. Private transfer to Belize International Airport.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • El Meson de Maria
  • Hotel Dos Mundos
  • La Inmaculada Hotel
  • Hotel y Restaurante Casa Gaia
  • Hotel Isla de Flores
  • Black Rock Lodge
  • Ramons Village Resort

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (13)

Transport expand_less

  • Private transportation as per itinerary (vehicle with air conditioning with Spanish speaking driver)
  • Boat ticket on day 4
  • Taxi boat from San Pedro to Belize City

Activities expand_less

  • Guided Antigua City Tour
  • Guided visit to Santa Cruz la Laguna- Jaibalito- San Juan la Laguna
  • Guided visit to Tikal
  • Guided visit to Nuevo Horizonte
  • Hol Chan - Snorkeling Tour
  • All visits as per itinerary

Extras expand_less

  • Hotel and touristic prestation taxes
  • English speaking assistance 24h during the trip
  • All breakfasts (not guaranteed if leaving early the hotel)
  • Entrance fees to the coffee cooperative
  • Entrance fees to Iximché
  • Entrance fees to the Candelaria Caves
  • Entrance fees to Tikal

Not Included expand_less

  • International flight & airport taxes
  • Hospitalization / medical repatriation insurance (mandatory)
  • Lunch and dinners not mentioned as included
  • Beverages
  • Tips (restaurants, guides and drivers)
  • Non mentioned visits or activities

About Tristan

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