Guatemala and Honduras
14 days
This 14-day trip to Guatemala and Honduras is the perfect opportunity to see the best of each country. You’ll travel through jungle and desert, visit fascinating Mayan ruins, and explore lush nature preserves. The beauty of Guatemala and Honduras is well worth the trip and your guide will ensure you get the backstory on the areas you visit.
From thermally heated waterfalls to stunning blue rivers and the Caribbean Sea, you’ll experience the natural beauty of these countries up close and in person. Take the time to really enjoy hiking through the jungle, taking a boat tour through a limestone ravine, and exploring caves that still serve as an important ritual site for the Maya people. You’ll visit ancient cities and much more modern ones, seeing the vast differences and similarities between the two. Meet interesting people and get a feel for the real Central America.
Lake Atitlan
Latin America’s most beautiful lake
Copan
The Paris of the Mayas
Finca Paraiso
Hot springs
Tikal
Mayan City
Highlights
Are you ready for a 14-day-trip to Guatemala and Honduras that will change the way you see the world? Starting out with a jaunt around Lake Atitlan, you’ll see how local people live and make money with their weaving and art. Then it’s off to Antigua, which feels far more modern, despite the colonial style of the town. From there, you’ll experience some of the most incredible natural sights in the country, from Semuc Champey and Lanquin Caves to the Orquigonia Nature Preserve and Crater Azul.
It wouldn’t be a true tour of Guatemala and Honduras if you didn’t see some Mayan ruins, so get ready to plunge into history at Tikal, Copan, and Quirigua, three fascinating cities that have long since been emptied. They still hold the secrets of those who once lived there, though and you’ll get the chance to walk the same streets and imagine what it was like thousands of years ago. Ready to get the adventure started?
Itinerary
Our driver will be at the airport to greet you upon arrival in Guatemala City. You’ll head straight to Lake Atitlan from the airport, enjoying some incredible scenery along the way.
- Two nights in Lake Atitlan
Today, you’ll wake up in Paradise and after a delicious breakfast, you’ll head out on the lake for a little boat tour. Many small villages are sprinkled around Lake Atitlan’s shores, each with its own personality. You’ll have the chance to visit two of the most interesting ones.
Santa Catarina Palopo: Experience the colors of Guatemala as you walk through this stunning town. Thanks to the Pintando El Cambio movement here, the locals have painted their homes in brilliant colors using traditional Maya designs. The village is now a popular tourist spot for photos.
San Juan La Laguna: Stopping in San Juan, you’ll see plenty of local weavers in town. These women create traditional textiles, all by hand and we’ll stop by the weaving cooperative to learn more about their methods. It’s also a fun way to connect with the culture as you sip a cup of the freshest coffee in the world.
Enjoy the fresh air as you boat around the lake, enjoying the sight of volcanoes and villages. It’s the perfect way to spend your first full day in Guatemala.
Today, you’ll travel to Antigua Guatemala, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colonial city was the third capital of Guatemala and is absolutely worth a visit. The cobbled streets and colorful walls make this a great place to take some photos and we’ll have a lovely walking tour of the town.
Antigua is full of old churches and ruins, as well as artisan markets and art galleries. You’ll have the chance to do some souvenir shopping, taste local dishes in some of the top restaurants in the country, and explore crumbling ruins. In just a few hours, you’ll see exactly why Antigua is so beloved by tourists from around the world, as well as Guatemalans.
- Two nights in Antigua Guatemala
Guatemala has 37 volcanos, but just three are constantly active. One of those is Pacaya Volcano, which is close to Antigua. Today, you’ll hike the volcano, or, if you prefer, you can rent a horse to ride up the steep slopes. At the top, you can observe lava and roast a marshmallow over a volcanic vent in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After a hike up the volcano, you’ll need to rest a little and we have the perfect place to do that. Just outside of Antigua, nestled in the woods, you’ll enjoy a natural sauna to purify your body and mind. It’s the perfect way to soothe tired muscles and rejuvenate your mind, using traditional Mayan methods.
Today, we’ll drive to Coban after a tasty breakfast in Antigua. Leaving the cooler highlands for the rich rainforests of Coban means you’ll have a chance to see quite a change in scenery.
This beautiful area of Guatemala is famous for its lush vegetation and vibrant wildlife. It’s home to several nature preserves, including the Orquigonia Nature Preserve, where we’ll stop for a tour. The preserve hosts more than 450 orchid species of all types. You can traverse a half-mile trail to learn more about the life cycle of an orchid. Nine stations provide fascinating information on the plants. You’ll also see plenty of blooms as you walk, the species depending on the season.
The preserve is also home to a wide variety of butterflies, so if you enjoy these creatures, be prepared. You’re bound to see plenty of them!
- Two nights in Coban
Today, you’ll get to experience one of Guatemala’s most popular natural attractions. First, we’ll cross the beautiful Cahabon River and hike down to Semuc Champey. The name translates from the Q’eqchi’ language as “where the river hides under the earth.” That’s because the river does flow underground here, leaving a stunning limestone bridge with stepped pools that are bright turquoise. You can swim in these pools and even enjoy the natural limestone water chutes from one pool to the next.
Once you’ve had your fill of the gorgeous pools in the middle of the jungle, we’re off to a place that is quite sacred to the Maya. The Lanquin Caves are on the way back to Coban. The Lanquin River flows through the caves and over the years, it carved out unique tunnels. At one point, the caves were used for rituals and ceremonies, since caves are considered a doorway to the underworld. Today, Maya people still use the caves from time to time.
You’ll have a chance to walk through the caves and see the interesting limestone formations, as well as stalactite and stalagmites. The first few chambers are also home to a huge population of bats, but they won’t bother you unless bothered. Follow your guide through the slippery cave to the back where you can see evidence of hundreds of years of ceremonial fires and candle burning.
Finally, we’ll return to Coban for a good night’s sleep before our next adventure.
Today we’re headed to Flores, Peten, but along the way, there are two stops you won’t want to miss.
Our first stop is at the Ceibal Ruins. Originally a trade center, Ciebal sits alongside the Passion River and was a bustling commercial hub in 200 AD. The site is unique because it features a blend of both Maya and Central Mexican designs in the carvings and stelae scattered throughout the city. It was also one of the last cities to create stelae . . . some of which were built after the Classic Maya collapse. You’ll find a ball court, a circular temple, and many stelae surrounded by lush forest here.
The next stop is at Crater Azul, another natural marvel. Despite the name, it’s not actually a crater, but a piece of a creek that looks like a crater, thanks to deep, clear water. The stunning blue water makes for some pretty awesome photos, but it’s also great for swimming in. You can see easily to the bottom, which is 5-8 meters, depending on where you are. Dip your head into the water and you’ll feel like you’re in an underwater forest, with the amount of vegetation growing there.
Finally, we’ll reach the hotel in Flores, where you can get a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s exploration.
- Two nights in the Flores Island area
Tikal National Park is one of the best-known Mayan ruins, even appearing in the early Star Wars movies. The iconic view of stone temples jutting out of the vibrant rainforest is something almost everyone recognizes. Today, you get to see it for yourself.
After breakfast, we’ll head to the park. You’ll walk along a well-kept path to the sound of monkeys and cicadas in the trees and may get to see some other wild animals in the underbrush. But the real adventure begins when you reach the city, which once spanned more than 23 square miles and was continuously occupied by the Maya people for over 1,500 years.
Tikal was lost to the jungle for a long time but was rediscovered in the mid-1800s and later excavated. While much of the city still remains hidden, there’s plenty for you to see now. The famous temples loom over the central plazas, a testament to how advanced the Maya were. These pyramids weren’t just for worship, though. They also served as observatories and helped the Maya create a surprisingly accurate calendar. The Tzolk’in calendar uses 260-day cycles based on 20-day names with 13 numbers and is considered the sacred calendar. It runs simultaneously with the Haab or solar calendar, which uses a 365-day cycle of 18 20-day months, plus a five-day month.
Your tour guide will give you even more fascinating information on this ancient city, but there’s nothing like experiencing history for yourself. Walk the paths the Maya took and climb one of the temples to get a birds-eye view of the city and the surrounding jungle for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Enjoy a relaxing drive from Tikal to Rio Dulce, or Sweet River. We’ll head to Finca Paraiso or Paradise Farm first, where you can enjoy a 39-foot waterfall that is warm, thanks to the thermal pools feeding it. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs or swim in the cooler water below the warm waterfall. You’re surrounded by jungle, so this is a great time to really just enjoy the fact that you’re in Guatemala.
Next, we´ll check out El Boqueron, a unique gorge that was carved into the limestone by the Sauce River. The 329-foot-deep ravine features a unique ecosystem where birds, howler monkeys, and plenty of plants grow. We’ll hop into a canoe for a gentle paddle through the canyon so you can see the wildlife and rock formations before we drift past a tiny Mayan village that is also called El Boqueron.
Not far from El Boqueron is Castle San Felipe de Lara. Back in the 16th century, this fortress was the main defense against pirates who sailed up the river from the Caribbean. You can still see the canons atop its walls, ready to show the pirates who’s boss. We’ll take some time to explore this historical fortress, which was partially restored and is on the tentative list for UNESCO as a possible world heritage site.
- Two nights in Rio Dulce
You may feel you’ve seen quite a bit of the area, but the best is yet to come! Today, you’ll get on a boat and take the hour-long trip downriver to the Caribbean town of Livingston. The trip there is refreshing, as the water sprays back and a nice wind hits your face. You’ll spot animals and birds along the way, at home in the lush jungle on either side of the water. There are homes scattered here and there along the river, as well.
Upon arrival in the boat-access-only town of Livingston, you’ll feel like you’re in a whole new country. The area is inhabited by a number of Garifuna and Afro-Caribbean people, as well as Ladinos and Maya people. It’s small enough that you can walk just about everywhere and the people are friendly. Stop to sip from a cool coconut or taste some authentic Caribbean food before walking to the beach where you will have the perfect photo op. The culture here has developed separately from the rest of Guatemala, thanks to it being so remote and it’s an interesting place to visit.
It’s the perfect day to visit another Mayan ruin, Quirigua, next to the Motagua River. The Maya city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its important architectural designs and the stelae that pepper the site. Stelae are carved stone monuments that depict images, hieroglyphs, and assorted inscriptions that have been essential for researchers studying the Maya.
The architecture here is also unique. It’s quite similar to Copan in Honduras, despite the fact the two cities had a rather challenging political relationship. When Quirigua separated from Copan and became independent, the two cities were less than friendly, but today, they’re both very important parts of history.
Once you’ve taken some time to wander the ancient city and examine the carvings for yourself, we’ll get back on the road, this time headed to Honduras.
- Two nights in Copan, Honduras
Wake up in the modern town of Copan, you’ll have breakfast before heading to the nearby ruins. The Copan ruins were considered to be the cultural center of the Maya civilization and the city has been the site of many discoveries. Here, you’ll see the Hieroglyphic Stairway, with more than 1,250 glyphs etched into its 63 steps. The glyphs share the details of important events and rulers in the city.
Copan’s inhabitants also developed a stunning knowledge of astronomy, creating one of the most accurate solar calendars that existed at that time. It’s also a city well known for its unique sculptures and advanced artistic displays. Wander across the acropolis, and visit each of the five main plazas, each with its temples, ball courts, and other buildings to get a tiny idea of what this place was like in its prime.
Once we’ve finished with the ruins, you’ll have one last chance to enjoy nature at the Macaw Mountain Reserve. This tropical bird reserve is full of beautiful birds rescued from all over Central America. The massive on-site aviary is full of macaws, parakeets, and endangered bird species. It’s a peaceful place to spend the afternoon before returning to the hotel.
We’ll head back to Guatemala City today. It’s a long drive, but there are some stops along the way, and the ever-changing scenery is fascinating. Be prepared to pass through jungle, desert, and highland forests on your journey back to the city.
Once we arrive in Guatemala City, you’ll see its best parts on a fun tour around the capital of Guatemala. The city is built on the site of a Mayan settlement from 300 BC, and Mayan ruins have been found within the city. Guatemala City is the largest city in Central America, home to more than 3 million people. It’s grown a lot over the years and is made up of zones that range from high-end neighborhoods for the wealthy to more challenging areas.
After you’ve seen the Central Plaza and several other interesting bits of the city, we’ll take you to the hotel where you can rest up and make sure you’re organized for the trip home.
- One night in Guatemala City
Today a driver will take you to the airport. Your journey has come to an end, but we hope you’ll be back soon.
map, expenses & price
14- day trip to Guatemala and Honduras
Expenses included:
-All private transportation
-Thirteen nights of hotel accommodations
-Professional guides
-Tours and excursions as listed
-All park entrance fees
-Boat transfers
-Daily breakfast
Extensions
add-on
Haven’t seen enough of Honduras? Don’t worry, you can extend your trip to spend time on the beautiful islands of Roatan & Utila. The Bay Islands feature white sand beaches, crystalline blue water, and plenty of sun. You can lie on the beach, snorkel, dive, or take a glass boat tour into the Caribbean Sea. This is a great option if you want to just chill out after seeing so many sights in Guatemala and Honduras.
add-on
As the second largest national park in Honduras, Pico Bonito National Park is worth a visit. It’s a beautiful place near the Caribbean where you can enjoy a number of activities. Take some time to hike the many trails through the park, enjoying the switch from tropical rainforests in the valleys to cloud and pine forests on the mountains. For the more adventurous, rafting and kayaking are available, so there’s something for everyone here.
Pico Bonito National Park is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. This network of protected nature preserves runs from Mexico to Panama, helping support conservation and protecting endangered species. Your visit will help support this, while you get to have fun!
add-on
Just 45 minutes from Copan, Finca El Cisne welcomes you with open arms. The farm was originally a coffee plantation but has shifted to raising animals and other types of farming, including growing cardamom. If you love horses, this is the extension for you. Take in the amazing views of the Copan Valley on horseback and enjoy a delicious local meal, usually made by the owner’s mother.
We’ll take a detour on the way back to the hotel at Luna Jaguar Thermal Springs. This beautiful jungle spring provides a series of naturally heated pools that flow into each other. Find the right temperature for your needs and just relax. The attached spa offers massages, steam baths, and more.
add-on
If you long for more time on the beach or in the water, this trip extension gives you just that. Spend some time on the stunning Cayos Cochinos archipelago. Made up of two main islands, Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande, with 13 small coral cayes scattered around them, Cayos Cochinos is a popular destination for those in love with the simplicity of life here.
The area is boat access only, and everyone walks or bikes to where they need to go. However, it’s ideal for snorkeling, diving, and hiking since it’s one of the most impressive ecosystems in the area. With a very small population of Garifuna people, you’ll find that the islands are quite isolated and quiet.
