Cultural Guatemala and Tropical Belize

This is our most popular 2 week tour, combining the unique culture and stunning landscapes of Guatemala with the lush jungles and barrier reef of Belize. Starting in one of Latin America’s most beautiful colonial cities, you will have the opportunity to climb an active volcano. You will then visit one of the most spectacular highland lakes anywhere in the world, surrounded by friendly, indigenous villages. The most colorful and vibrant market in the Americas is next, followed by the amazing Mayan ruins of Tikal. A few days of jungle adventure follows, ending with a relaxing three days spent on one of Belize’s loveliest beaches.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Guatemala

You will be met upon arrival at Guatemala City airport by one of our representatives and escorted to your boutique hotel in the historic center of the city of Antigua, approximately 45 minutes drive away where you will stay for the next four nights. Evening will be at your leisure to stroll around the lovely city center and perhaps sample some of Guatemala’s delicious cuisine.

Day 2 - Morning City Tour, Afternoon at Leisure

Antigua is undoubtedly the most impressive colonial city in Central America and boasts a huge variety of architectural riches. Following a leisurely breakfast in your hotel, you will be given a private walking tour through this delightful city, visiting its finest attractions including the Church and ex-convent of Las Capuchinas, the lovely, shaded main plaza, the Arco de Santa Catalina, a beautiful 17th century arch perfectly framing Volcán Agua, one of the three volcanoes encircling the town.

Day 3 - Pacaya Volcano, Cacao Tour

Guatemala is one of the few places in the world where you can have the amazing experience of climbing an active volcano with relative ease. An early start is required for this half-day guided tour. You will drive to the town of San Francisco de Salas, from where a well-maintained trail leads to the summit and the most spectacular view you’ve ever seen after 2-3 hours. No technical climbing is involved and although you don’t have to be super fit to make the summit you must be in good health and have an adventurous spirit.

Alternatively, if volcano climbing isn’t quite your thing, you can enjoy a tour to the Choco Museo farm, where you will discover the rich ecosystem of a cacao plantation, while farmers will teach you everything they know about organic farming of cacao. You will also get to experience making different kinds of chocolate for yourself using the methods taught by the farmers. Enjoy your final evening in Antigua at your leisure.

Day 4 - Drive to Lake Atitán, Hike or Horseback Ride

This morning you will awaken to a surprise vista of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world directly outside your hotel room window. After checking into your lakeside hotel, you will begin a boat tour around some of the thirteen indigenous villages that encircle Atitlán. From the boat you will gain a wonderful perspective of the three conical Tolimán, San Pedro and Atitlán volcanoes that encircle this lake, called ‘the closest thing to Eden on Earth’ by Lonely Planet guidebooks. Mayan villagers, many of whom still dress in a riot of technicolored traditional clothing, populate the friendly and welcoming indigenous villages around the lake. You will hear the Mayan languages of Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel spoken here more than you will hear Spanish. Each village has its own feel and the local markets are great places to shop for the colorful textiles and handicrafts produced locally. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the delights of this beautiful region at your leisure, or simply relax by your hotel’s pool.

Day 5 - Lake Atitán Boat Tour, Indigenous Villages

After enjoying a delicious Guatemalan breakfast overlooking the idyllic shores of this impossibly blue lake, you will begin a private boat tour around some of the thirteen indigenous villages that encircle Atitlán. From the boat you will gain a wonderful perspective of the three conical Tolimán, San Pedro and Atitlán volcanoes that encircle this lake, called ‘the closest thing to Eden on Earth’ by Lonely Planet guidebooks. Mayan villagers, many of whom still dress in a riot of technicolored traditional clothing, populate the friendly and welcoming indigenous villages around the lake. You will hear the Mayan languages of Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel spoken here more than you will hear Spanish. Each village has its own feel and the local markets are great places to shop for the colorful textiles and handicrafts produced locally. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the delights of this beautiful region at your leisure, or simply relaxing by your hotel’s pool at the edge of the lake.

Day 6 - Visit Chichicastenango Market, Fly to Flores

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the lake you will drive approximately 90 minutes to the delightfully named Maya K’iche town of Chichicastenango. This is a magical town of cobbled streets and red tiled rooftops, with traditional spiritual and shamanistic tones, set in a valley and surrounded by mountains frequently enveloped in highland mists, however the main reason for visiting is the twice-weekly market. This is Guatemala’s finest highland market experience, where traders from a dozen surrounding outlying Mayan villages come to sell their goods. The result is one of the most colorful, vibrant and most enchanting outdoor market experiences anywhere in the world. The market sprawls over the whole town center and is a delight to experience as your senses are bombarded with colors, smells and the sound of indigenous languages in a scene that has been going on for hundreds of years. This afternoon you will return to Guatemala City in time to catch the evening flight to Flores in the heart of the northern jungles.

Day 7 - Tikal

Tikal is one of the most impressive ancient ruins 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 before returning to your hotel to enjoy an al-fresco dinner overlooking the beautiful Lake Petén Itzá.

Day 8 - Farewell Guatemala, Hello Belize!

Welcome to Belize! After breakfast this morning you will drive to the airport at Flores for your flight to Belize City. You will be welcomed upon arrival at Philip Goldson International Airport and escorted by private vehicle to your luxurious jungle lodge, approximately an hour and a half away. The drive will give you a great introduction to Belize, passing by small villages and driving through the beautiful rain forested scenery of central Belize.

Days 9 and 10 - Jungle Activities

Your jungle lodge is one of the most unique hotels you will ever visit. Located deep in Belize’s central jungle, you are surrounded by the sights, sounds of the lush, tropical jungle. There’s plenty to do here for your three night stay and you will have a choice of activities that interest you. There are many jungle trails you can hike to spot wildlife and flora, as well as lazy river rafting and other unique activities such as following the course of a river while hiking through a cave system as you climb up no fewer than six underground waterfalls. Zip lining through the jungle canopy is a fun and enjoyable activity, as is floating on an inflatable inner tube down a beautiful tributary of the Caves Branch river surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Day 11 - Drive to Placencia

This morning you will leave the jungle behind as you enjoy a delightful drive through central Belize’s lush interior towards the coast. The drive takes about three hours and you will pass by many small villages where you can stop and meet local people for a fascinating insight into the lives of the modern day Maya that inhabit the country.

Your destination is the town of Placencia, a relaxed, tranquil, ramshackle Garifuna 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. This afternoon, 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 12 - Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour

This morning you will be met at your hotel by your guide and enjoy a boat tour to Belize’s stunning Barrier Reef, for some unforgettable 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 reef 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 free to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 13 - Your Day, Your Way in Placencia

Today is your ‘day off’ - you’ve certainly earned it after such an adventure filled vacation so far. Choose to spend it as you please - enjoy some quality time at one of Robert’s Grove’s three pools, take a stroll down the beach, or borrow a bicycle from the hotel and ride 15 minutes into town to explore further the delightful and friendly village of Placencia.

Day 14 - Farewell to Belize

This morning you will be my by your guide for the short drive to Placencia’s airstrip where you will catch your scenic flight to Belize City to connect with your international flight home.

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

Antigua, Guatemala Luxury Hotel - Camino Real

The Camino Real is a beautiful hotel located within Antigua’s historic center. Recently updated and refurbished, the hotel features 97 luxurious rooms and suites designed around five colonial-style courtyards. Each room has two queen size beds, presented with fine linens and a menu of pillows. The hotel’s restaurant serves a delicious selection of Guatemalan and International gourmet cuisine and the gardens are lush and tropical. This is a highly recommended luxury hotel that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

 

Antigua, Guatemala Deluxe Hotel -El Convento

Awarded the ‘Most Excellent Hotel in Mexico and Central America’ award by Conde Nast Johansens in 2013, El Convento welcomes visitors to an oasis of stunning elegance and unparalleled comfort. The hotel is the perfect base from which to discover La Antigua, with its intriguing architecture and countless cultural landmarks. Many suites feature fireplaces, and some offer romantic outdoor terraces and Jacuzzis. Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit with a spa service, or sample delicious food at the hotel’s Elu Restaurant with its imaginative cuisine, impressive wine list, and awe-inspiring outdoor terrace.

 

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Luxury Hotel - Hotel Atitlan

This stylish, historic hotel graces the shores of Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. High quality local fabrics are used for bed covers, curtains and cushions, made specifically to echo the ambience of the lake, while modern amenities such as high quality sheets, pillows, blankets, and hypoallergenic down comforters make your stay as pleasant as possible. Bathrooms at Hotel Atitlan feature high quality cotton towels as well as fine soaps, shampoo and conditioners. The hotel’s beautiful Botanical Gardens, filled with hundreds of varieties of plants as well as countless colorful tropical birds are a delight to stroll through before enjoying a delicious Guatemalan meal at the lake view restaurant.

 

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala Deluxe Hotel - Casa Palopo

Perched above spectacular Lake Atitlan with a view of three volcanoes and located in the Guatemalan Highlands, Casa Palopó offers two distinct brands of romantic relaxation for the sophisticated traveler. All suites offer unbroken views of the scenic volcanoes and lake as well as first-rate amenities such as Italian luxury bed linens and L'Occitane products. This beautiful hotel is undoubtedly the finest accommodations in the Lake Atitlan region.

 

Tikal, Guatemala Luxury Hotel - Camino Real (Superior Room)

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.

 

Belize Jungle Luxury Lodge - 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.

 

Belize Jungle Deluxe Lodge - 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.

 

Placencia, Belize Luxury Hotel - 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 $4595 per person (Luxury Hotels) or $5195 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:

Hotels as described in the itinerary
Services of Blue World Journey’s representatives in Guatemala and Belize
All transportation as described in the itinerary in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver / guide
Flights: Guatemala City-Flores-Belize City and Placencia-Belize City
Private sightseeing and entrance fees
Meals as described in the itinerary
Bottled water in the vehicle during all transfers

Price Excludes:

International flights to Guatemala / From Belize
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.).