Belize and Northern Guatemala

This fascinating itinerary showcases the best Belize has to offer. This tiny gem of a country is one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth. It’s compact size makes for easy and efficient travel. Belize is a natural paradise and you will gain a deep understanding into the ecological wonders here as you visit animal sanctuaries, the fascinating rainforest, enjoying easy hikes along well maintained jungle trails, butterfly ranches, horseback rides and a lazy canoe trip down a stunningly beautiful jungle river surrounded by nature.

Snorkeling or diving on the spectacular barrier reef, surrounded by tropical fish and coral is an experience not to be missed, and a few days spent on the delightful Caribbean coast are included for this purpose, or simply to relax in a hammock if you prefer. A 2-day excursion to the jungles of northern Guatemala to visit the awe inspiring Maya ruins of Tikal rounds out this tour. As soon as you cross the border into Guatemala you will notice a complete change in culture, language and people, a wonderful introduction to this beautiful, safe and welcoming country.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Belize (-)

Upon arrival at Belize City’s International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by one of our representatives and escorted to your luxurious jungle lodge, approximately one and a half to two hours drive away, depending on the particular lodge. Enjoy your first evening in Belize with a refreshing drink while listening to the sounds of the tropical forest around you.

Day 2 – Jungle Trail, Butterfly Farm (B)

This morning you will awaken to the sounds of the tropical jungle surrounding your cabana, a far cry from where you were this time yesterday. The grounds of the hotel are a natural paradise and will give you a taste of the jungle you will visit over the next few days. After breakfast enjoy a short hike along well-maintained trails following the Macal River upstream through the lush jungle looking out for Howler Monkeys and other forest fauna. Hike back or float downstream to the hotel in an inner tube or a canoe. After lunch you will visit the wonderful Green Hills Butterfly Farm where around 30 species of butterfly are raised in a 3,000 square foot butterfly house. There is also a lovely hummingbird garden here, as well as an impressive mahogany reforestation project and an interesting tropical garden.

Day 3 – Blue Hole, Guanacaste National Park (B)

This morning you will visit the Blue Hole National Park. Covering 575 acres of jungle and rich with wildlife including jaguar, toucan, tapir, peccary, ocelot and hundreds of bird species, it’s a fascinating place to spend a few hours while you enjoy a refreshing swim in the Blue Hole – a 300 foot wide collapsed Karst sinkhole filled with beautiful blue water. This afternoon you will enjoy a visit to the lovely Guanacaste National Park, one of the most overlooked but most enjoyable destinations in the country. Managed by the Belize Audubon Society, this small park is filled with a great variety of tropical wildlife and vegetation and contains three easy jungle trails leading to a swimming deck on a tributary of the Belize River as well as a raised birding deck.

Day 4 – Xunantunich Ruins (B)

This morning you will enjoy a private guided tour of Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most significant Maya sites. This is one of the most impressive Maya ceremonial centers in Central America, resting atop a natural limestone ridge with a great view of the jungle and Guatemala in the distance. Xunantunich is believed to have been constructed around 400B.C. and was deserted around A.D.1000. At its peak, it was home to a population of 7000-10000 Maya. Although it’s not the highest Maya structure, El Castillo, the main pyramid here at 135 feet, is the second highest structure of any kind in Belize. This afternoon you will visit the Tropical Wings Nature Center, one of the best and most diverse butterfly ranches in the country.

Day 5 – Drive to Flores, Guatemala, Lake Petén Itzá (B)

This morning an early start will be required as you have a full day ahead. An easy drive from your hotel will take you to the Guatemalan border. Following the easy border formalities, you will immediately notice that you are in a different country. The culture, the customs, the people, the language, the cuisine all scream ‘Latin America’. You will find Guatemala to be a fascinating, safe and welcoming country. After a drive of approximately two hours you will reach the town of Flores. Here will be enjoy a private boat tour of Lake Petén Itzá, surrounded by deep green jungles and characterized by its turquoise-blue waters where you will visit the very friendly and laidback lakeside villages of San Andrés and San José and have the opportunity to purchase some of the colorful Guatemalan handicrafts, if desired. You will then proceed to your hotel to check in for a two-night stay.

Day 6 – Tikal (B)

Tikal is one of the most impressive ancient ruins cities in the world. It was the Mayan civilization’s greatest city and is located in a spectacular, remote jungle setting with pyramids rising above the forest canopy. Settled around 800 BC and occupied continuously until records ended in AD 869, it once covered an area of 12 square miles and had a population of at least 100,000 people. The jungle reclaimed Tikal after it was abandoned and the city remained unknown to the western world until its rediscovery in the 17th century. Tikal boasts an amazing variety of flora and fauna, with abundant wildlife viewable early and late in the day. Over 400 bird species have been recorded here. The pyramids here are some of the few in the Americas that you can climb from where you can marvel in the spell bounding scenery and spectacular views from over 200 feet above the floor of the jungle. Today you will be given a private tour of the ruins while you learn about the ancient Maya. This is a real highlight of any trip to Central America and an experience you will remember forever.

Day 7 – Fly to Placencia (B)

This morning you say goodbye to the jungle and head for the coast for a complete change of scenery. After an early breakfast you will transfer to Flores airport for a very scenic flight across the Guatemalan and Belizean jungle to Belize City where you will connect to your flight to Placencia. Checking in to your hotel around lunchtime for a four-night stay, you will have the rest of the day to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 8 – Placencia, Kayaking (B)

Placencia is a relaxed, tranquil, ramshackle village on Belize’s Caribbean coast. It doesn’t get much more laid back than this. The town’s main north-south street is actually a 3-foot wide concrete footpath. There’s a small but growing international presence, which has created some great dining options and some excellent boutique hotels. The town’s palm-lined beach is fine for swimming, as is your luxury hotel’s pool, however a short boat ride will bring you to the barrier reef and some stunning underwater scenery. Today you will experience the enjoyment of paddling the near shore islands, mangroves, rivers and creeks in a kayak, before returning to your hotel. This evening, explore the small town at your leisure, perhaps sampling some of the town’s local restaurants ranging from simple Belizean cuisine to fine dining.

Day 9 – Barrier Reef (B)

This morning you will enjoy a boat tour to the Mesoamerican Reef, which at 185 miles long, is the second longest barrier reef in the world after Australia’s. Here you will find deserted islands of beautiful beaches, swaying palms, amazing snorkeling and swimming with the many varieties of tropical fish in the warm Caribbean waters, including trumpet fish, angelfish, damselfish, rays and beautiful parrotfish. Watch them dart in and out of the abundant and colorful coral reefs. For certified SCUBA divers, the area affords some spectacular dives to vibrant and spectacular coral reefs teeming with colorful fish and coral in one of the most biologically diverse underwater habitats on earth. Returning to Placencia, you will be able to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 10 – Monkey River (B)

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you will take an easy 35-minute private boat ride to the mouth of the Monkey River and the sleepy village of the same name. Your boat will travel through a maze of mangrove channels and tunnels, before heading upstream to spot howler monkeys and possibly even crocodiles along the river shore from the safety of your boat. After a visit to the protected area of Payne’s Creek National Park, you will turn around, heading back downstream for lunch in the village before returning to Placencia to enjoy the rest of the day as you please.

Day 11 – Farewell to Belize (B)

After enjoying a final leisurely breakfast in your hotel, you will transfer by private car to Placencia’s airstrip for your short flight to Belize City, connecting to your international flight home.

Hotels listed below are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Jungle Lodge - Luxury - Mystic River

On a steep bank of the beautiful Macal River, eco-friendly Mystic River Resort Jungle Lodge offers the best of all worlds to those who travel to Belize. In this oasis of privacy, serenity and rejuvenation, there are no crowds, just the soothing sound of birds, rustling trees and soft breezes. Beautifully furnished by some of the finest local carpenters, all eight luxurious suites feature private patios overlooking the beautiful Macal River, and are some of the most stylish accommodations to be found in Belize’s jungle region.

 

Jungle Lodge - Deluxe - Dream Valley

Newly opened in February of 2012, this luxury designer resort offers opulence, comfort and a perfect equilibrium between nature and luxury, which makes it one the best jungle lodges in the country. Dream Valley is beautifully located in the forests of western Belize and elegantly sits on the bank of the majestic Belize River under the canopy of the lush tropical jungles. The remote jungle setting of Dream Valley makes it a perfect place to relax. Chalets elegantly sit along raised platforms emphasizing the panoramic view of the silent Belize River and rich jungle in a truly breathtaking setting.

 

Flores, Guatemala - Luxury - Camino Real

The Camino Real is located between two indigenous villages and the national reserve of Cerro Cahuí on the shores of Lake Peten Itza. It offers private access to the second largest lake in Guatemala and the nature that surrounds it. The hotel is a tropical retreat located in the heart of the Petén jungle, with excellent facilities and comfort that will ensure an unforgettable experience. Air-conditioning, cable tv, internet and fine linens are standard amenities for all rooms, while the Nakún restaurant serves a delicious selection of Guatemalan and International cuisine.

 

Flores, Guatemala - Deluxe - Las Lagunas

Minutes away from the magnificent Maya ruins of Tikal, Las Lagunas is situated on a 200 acre private reserve, with 16 luxurious suites overlooking a jungle lagoon. Accommodations are of the highest standard, featuring satellite TV, iPod docks, rainfall showers, 420 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, feather duvets and air conditioning. The suites are accessed via raised wooden platform walkways and offer total privacy. All feature a private, in-room Jacuzzi, as well as a comfortable seating area overlooking the lagoon.

 

Placencia - Luxury - Robert's Grove Beach Resort

Robert’s Grove is a beautifully appointed Hacienda-style Belize beach resort nestled on 22 acres of the finest white sand beach in Placencia. Its ideal location allows guests to be close to the Barrier Reef. Luxurious air-conditioned guest rooms and villas, amongst the finest and most diverse in Belize all feature spacious interiors and huge terraces, each of which is only steps from the two infinity pools and the beach and provide all the comforts and amenities you would expect from a top Caribbean resort. This great beach resort also makes the perfect setting for a memorable Belize wedding or for a romantic honeymoon vacation.

 

Placencia - Deluxe - Chabil Mar

Just twenty luxury villas and suites grace this beautiful beachfront property, assuring a superior level of privacy, intimacy and personal attention. This luxury boutique resort appeals to the discerning traveler looking to combine adventure and cultural experience with stylish, upscale and exclusive accommodations close to the cultural attractions of Placencia village. The hotel has won Trip Advisor awards for the past seven consecutive years for Best Family, Luxury, Romance and Service categories and is one of the finest beach properties in the entire country.

 

Pricing

From $4195 per person (Luxury Hotels) or $4995 per person (Deluxe Hotels), for a private tour based on two people traveling in low season sharing a room.

Hotels listed on the Hotels Tab are given as suggestions only to illustrate the standard of hotels used. 

Price Includes:

All hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journeys’s representatives while in Belize
All transportation as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Private sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers 

Price Excludes:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals other than those listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Sightseeing other than described in the itinerary
Additional room charges of a personal nature in hotels (eg: room service, laundry, phone calls, etc.).