14 days in Guatemala and Belize
The best of two countries
Are you ready for an amazing 14 days in Guatemala and Belize? This itinerary will give you the best of both countries, so get ready for a real adventure. You’ll spend time walking through ancient Mayan cities and visiting the sites of ceremonial sacrifices, as well as viewing the colonial cities that sprung up long after the Mayan empire disappeared.
From hiking active volcanoes to swimming with sharks, you’ll make memories with every step. We’ll take you from sea level in Belize to volcanic peaks in Guatemala and everywhere in between. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the rainforest as you soar along a zip line, and sink below the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, soak in thermal hot springs, and enjoy a truly amazing journey.
Lake Atitlan
Living Mayan Culture
Tikal
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Antigua Guatemala
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Caye Caulker
Caribbean Ocean
Highlights
If you’re interested in learning more about the Mayans and nature in Central America, these 14 days in Guatemala and Belize will be unforgettable. You’ll visit Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, and Antigua in Guatemala. Climb Pacaya Volcano and see lava in person, then head to the jungles of Peten to visit Yaxha and Tikal.
In Belize, you’ll have the opportunity to hike in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, ATM Cave, and the beautiful Cayes of Belize. From snorkeling over the Belize Barrier Reef to relaxing on the beach in Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye, you’ll enjoy the tropical weather here. Don’t forget the stunning Mayan ruins of Altun-ha, Caracol, and Xunantunich. It’s the adventure of a lifetime.
Itinerary
Welcome to Guatemala! Your plane will land in Guatemala City, where your driver awaits. You’ll drive directly to Lake Atitlan, enjoying the stunning views along the way. There’s nothing like that first glimpse of deep blue water between the mountains as you take the winding road down to Panajachel.
From Panajachel, you’ll take a boat ride across the lake to your hotel. It’s a fun trip, and you’ll spot the volcanoes that make the lake so famous.
- Two nights in Lake Atitlan
Today is all about exploring Lake Atitlan. This area is mainly indigenous, so get ready to spot many handwoven huipiles or blouses and cortes or skirts on the local women. You can even buy some textiles to take home with you, if you like.
We’ll hop on a boat to take a tour around the lake and a few of its indigenous towns. Lake Atitlan was formed from a massive volcanic explosion, so the hills around it are steep and unforgiving. Despite this, people settled in the folds of the mountains, making it their home. Tiny villages are scattered around the edges of the water, climbing up into the verdant hills.
After you’ve had a chance to really experience the living Mayan culture, you’ll join a Mayan chef to learn to cook some traditional dishes. From choosing the ingredients to cooking the traditional way, you’ll learn to make some of the most delicious food for your own tasty dinner.
After breakfast, we’ll leave the lake behind and head to the indigenous city of Chichicastenango. On Thursdays and Sundays, the town’s streets become the largest market in Central America. It was a Kakchikel Maya market center long before the Spanish arrived here, and it continues that tradition today.
As you walk the streets on market day, you won’t know where to look. The colorful textiles and handicrafts abound, alongside more traditional goods, like herbs and home goods. Often, it’s the artisan selling their wares, and you can talk to them about how they make the items. This is one of the most important cultural and historical centers in the country, thanks to the well-preserved indigenous traditions.
- Two nights in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is one of the most famous towns in Guatemala, known for being a tourist hotspot, and for good reason. This beautiful colonial town was once the capital of Guatemala, but today, its cobbled streets and brightly colored buildings serve as a reminder of what life once was in this stunning country.
Start the day off with a trip to a coffee plantation. You’ll learn about the coffee process, from seed to roasting, and walk through the coffee fields to see how the lush plants thrive in the volcanic soil around Antigua. Finally, you’ll taste the results of all that hard work in a delicious, fresh cup of coffee.
Violent earthquakes left the city filled with ruins, and today, you can explore many of those ruins. It’s also surrounded by three volcanoes, including Fuego Volcano, which often puffs ash and occasionally spouts lava. Before heading to a chocolate workshop, we’ll walk through the town, checking out the most interesting sites, including the famous cathedral.
Chocolate is an important part of Mayan culture. Originally, cacao beans were used as currency, so to make a drink from them was to literally drink money . . . something only royalty could do. You’ll learn to make the ceremonial drink and then create your own handmade chocolates to eat later.
Today, you have a choice between two tours, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Volcanic Hike and Hot Springs: Get up early and head to Pacaya Volcano, where you can climb an active volcano in just a few hours. If you prefer, you can rent a horse to get you most of the way to the summit, where you’ll roast a marshmallow over a volcanic vent and enjoy the view from the top.
After your hike, you’ll be ready to relax. Kawilal Hot Springs in Santa Teresita Thermal Resort in Amatitlan is just what you need. The soothing hot spring pools are naturally heated by the Pacaya Volcano. Move through a circuit of pools of varying temperatures to ease those tired muscles and boost your circulation. It’s a great way to finish up your day.
Visit Colonial Towns: Antigua is surrounded by small villages, each with its own personality. If you choose this option, we’ll head out in the morning to visit several of these towns. We’ll stop at three towns before finishing up with a tour of the beautiful Valhalla Macadamia Farm. You’ll learn how macadamia nuts have created a better life for many Guatemalans and walk through the trees to see how they’re grown before enjoying a nice face massage with the healing oil made from macadamia nuts.
The towns you’ll visit include:
San Juan del Obispo – Best known for producing nisperos, a small yellow fruit originally from Japan, San Juan del Obispo features a nispero museum right at the entrance of town. Here, you can taste nispero wine and nispero tea and learn about the origins of the fruit that sustains this town. You’ll also enjoy an amazing view of Antigua from the three-level plaza before the colonial church.
Ciudad Vieja (Old City) was the capital of Guatemala before Antigua. It was wiped out after Agua Volcano’s crater filled with water and flooded the city. Today, it’s a bustling commerce area with a beautiful church and vendors selling their wares along the narrow streets.
San Antonio Aguas Calientes – This town is home to many artisans and weavers who use traditional back-strap looms to create works of art with thread. We’ll visit the local market, just off the central plaza, where you can see women at work with the looms and purchase textiles if you like.
Whichever option you choose, we’ll head to the airport next to take a short, one-hour flight to Flores Island in Peten.
- Three nights in Flores Island
While Tikal may be the best-known Mayan ruin in the area, Yaxha is just as important and interesting. The word Yaxha means “blue-green water” in its original language. That’s due to the Yaxha Lagoon, which the city overlooks.
Yaxha, at its peak, covered 92 square miles and was the third largest Maya city in the country, with only Tikal and El Mirador above it. The city contains more than 500 structures, which include everything from ball courts and pyramids to stunning sacbeob, or causeways that still stand. For anyone interested in learning more about the history of the Maya people, Yaxha is a must-see.
Compared to the more popular site of Tikal, Yaxha is a calmer experience. There are fewer tourists here, and it’s a good place to get a feel for the history of the area before we visit the busier site.
An early start is the key to a great experience at Tikal National Park, the largest excavated site in the Americas. You’ll walk through the jungle that surrounds the city, with howler monkeys and other animals rustling through the trees. There are still many structures lost in the jungle, covered by dirt and vines and ready to be discovered in the future.
Tikal has roughly 3,000 structures, but only 5% of these are available to visitors. The public areas include plazas, temples, pyramids, and ball courts that you can explore. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Tikal stands as a valuable part of the Mayan heritage. Today, the city draws more than a million annual visitors and is the most popular tourist destination in Guatemala. You’ll have time to explore the site, learn about life during the height of Tikal’s popularity, and imagine what it was like to live here during the Maya Classic Period (200-900 AD).
After your Tikal tour, you have the option of returning to Flores Island, or visiting the Ixpanpajul National Park. The park is near the airport and covers around 3.5 square miles with a range of fun activities to enjoy in the rainforest. Go for a pleasant hike, enjoy the suspension bridges, or try zip lining. There are also horseback riding tours available.
Get up early and breakfast well, because today, we’re crossing the border into Belize. We’ll take a rough road through the forests and into the mountains to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The reserve is over 105,000 acres and is absolutely gorgeous. Here, you’ll find granite and limestone cliffs, rolling hills, ravines, and plenty of forest, including the pines that give the reserve its name.
We’ll hike through the beautiful woods to the Frio River, where cascades carve out natural rock pools. Take some time to cool off in the fresh water and then enjoy a picnic lunch before we continue our hike to Big Rock Falls. The water here falls 150 feet to a deep swimming hole where you can refresh yourself once more. As you hike back to the entrance, watch for tapirs and pumas, some of the abundant wildlife that call the reserve their home.
The adventure isn’t over, though. Next up are the Caracol Mayan ruins. Getting there requires traveling into the Chiquibul Forest to find the ancient city tucked away there. At its peak, Caracol was home to more than 100,000 people and is still one of the largest archeological sites in the country. The city was known for defeating Tikal in 562 AD, but today it is simply known as a beautiful and remote reminder of the Mayan culture.
- Two nights in the Cayo/San Ignacio area
Exploring caves is always an interesting time, but the ATM cave is particularly fascinating. Once a sacred Mayan ritual site, it still holds pieces from that time. You can actually see the remains of human sacrifice, including the Crystal Maiden. This skeleton is covered in crystal formations, grown over the years.
After hiking through the jungle for a short while, you’ll find yourself at the cave entrance, where you can swim through the cave. You’ve never experienced such an incredible display of both nature and culture blending together.
If you prefer not to do the ATM cave tour, the alternative is to do a canoeing tour to Barton Creek Cave. The cave is a relatively simple one, with a river running through it, but it is accessible only by boat. Like ATM Cave, you’ll spot human remains and pottery from ceremonies along the edges of the cave. The crystals and stalactites here are stunning. We’ll have a picnic lunch after the tour before we move on to Xunantunich and Cahal Pech.
The name Xunantunich means “Maiden of the Rock” and they say this city has a ghostly stone woman who appears in front of El Castillo. El Castillo is a 130-foot pyramid, just a little shorter than Caracol’s Caana Temple. This particular Mayan ruin features six plazas and more than 25 structures. In El Castillo, you’ll find stunning artwork and friezes, as well.
Cahal Pech Archeological Reserve is near the town of San Ignacio and overlooks the Macal and Mopan Rivers. Originally settled in 1200 BCE, Cahal Pech is one of the oldest Mayan cities in Western Belize. Today, the site features 34 structures, which include a 77-foot temple, pyramids, residential buildings, a ceremonial altar, and two ball courts.
After a fresh breakfast, we’re on our way to Belize City. However, on the way, we have a couple of stops to make. First, we’ll head to the Mayan ruins of Altun-ha. This is where the famous jade head was discovered, but it’s also the site of many other artifacts that shed light on the world of the Maya. At one point, Altun-ha was an important trading center, joining the Caribbean coast with the Mayan cities further inland.
Interestingly enough, Altun-ha is one of the few Mayan sites without any carved stelae. These carved monoliths often depict important political figures and historical events, but they are oddly lacking here.
Next, we’ll move on to the Community Baboon Sanctuary. The sanctuary is dedicated to the Yucatan black howler monkey, which is commonly referred to as a baboon in the area. Run by women, the sanctuary protects the black howler monkeys but also provides a home to Morelet’s crocodiles, pumas, Baird’s tapirs, and jaguars. We’ll learn about the sanctuary and see some of the animals before we drive to Belize City, where you have a big decision to make.
You’ll spend the next few days on one of the Cayes of Belize, but which one is your choice?
Caye Caulker is smaller and more laid-back if that’s the vibe you’re going for. At just five miles long, it tends to be more rustic in style. You can easily explore on foot or rent a bicycle to get around like many of the locals. If you’re looking for relaxation, sunning on the beach, and quiet, sandy streets, this is the island for you.
San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is more exciting and best suited to those who enjoy a bit of nightlife. Ambergris is the largest island in Belize, and its proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef makes it a popular spot for snorkeling. You’ll get around on golf carts, and you’ll find sandy streets filled with restaurants, shops, and bars.
- Four nights in the Cayes of Belize
Whichever of the Cayes you’ve chosen to stay on, you’ll have a wonderful time.
If you’re based on Ambergris Caye, we’ll leave in the morning on an optional private catamaran tour. You’ll visit the stunning Hol Chan with its myriad of marine animals, hop in the water the nurse sharks and rays in Shark Ray Alley (you can stay aboard if you prefer), and enjoy snorkeling over the Belize Barrier Reef.
Your tour concludes with a couple of hours relaxing on Caye Caulker. As you sail back to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, you’ll get to enjoy a stunning sunset.
If you chose to stay on Caye Caulker, you’ll get on a boat this morning with five destinations in mind. These include Tarpon view, Shark and Ray Alley where you can literally swim with nurse sharks and rays, and Coral Gardens, the perfect spot to snorkel and admire the natural beauty of coral.
Your boat takes you to the Hol Chan Channel, a natural break in the reef that is 75 feet wide and 30 feet deep. Snorkeling here gives you the perfect view of 40 types of coral, sea turtles, and more than 160 species of fish. You’ll also have a chance to visit the manatee area where you can watch these gentle giants floating in the calm water.
For the next two days, you choose what you want to do and where. It’s your vacation, so make sure you enjoy every second of it! From snorkeling to swimming and sunbathing, the days are yours. Explore the Cayes of Belize, go snorkeling, and even enjoy diving if you have your certification.
It’s time to end your journey through Belize and Guatemala. You’ll fly on a domestic flight to Belize’s international airport, where you’ll get on a flight home. But don’t be a stranger! We have plenty of other trips available for your next adventure.
map, expenses & price
14 days in Guatemala and Belize
Expenses included:
-Ground transportation and domestic flights
-Thirteen nights of hotel accommodations.
-Local professional guides.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-Daily breakfast (except in Caye Caulker).
Extensions
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Not far from Antigua Guatemala, Acatenango Volcano awaits. Our overnight hiking tour will give you the most incredible experience, as you’ll be right next to Fuego Volcano as it erupts glowing lava into the night sky. The darkness of night is the best time to see the active volcano while you’re perched on the rocky summit of its neighbor, Acatenango Volcano. Fuego erupts so frequently that you’re almost guaranteed to get a stunning light show overnight. The hike up is well worth any hassles because this is a view you’ll never get anywhere else.
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You may have seen the Great Blue Hole on travel sites and in magazines. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stunning blue circle located off the coast of Belize. At nearly 1,000 feet wide and over 350 feet deep, the Lighthouse Reef, a coral atoll that is almost as beautiful as the hole itself, surrounds the hole. You’ll have a chance to check out the pristine waters up close and personal for yourself.
The Great Blue Hole is home to a wide variety of creatures and plants. You are likely to spot blacktip sharks, hammerhead and nurse sharks, giant groupers, and a number of tropical fish. It’s the perfect place to spot marine life and variety if that’s what interests you, but the atolls are just as beautiful for relaxing on.
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If it’s more beach that you’re craving, we offer an extension that takes you to the sunny beaches of Placencia. Located at the tip of a very long peninsula in Belize, the town of Placencia is laid-back and friendly. It’s the perfect place to just chill on the sand or sip a cold beer in one of the seaside bars. You aren’t limited to beaches and bars while staying in Placencia. You can also take a kayak out, go diving, try snorkeling, and even take a whale watching tour during the right seasons. Despite being a fairly quiet town, you won’t get bored.
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Need a little more tropical sunshine in your life? Extend your trip with some time on the Belize Barrier Reef as you hop from island to island in the Caribbean Sea. Azure waters welcome you to some of the most impressive snorkeling in this area. The Belize Barrier Reef stretches over 190 miles and is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which runs from Mexico to Honduras and is the second-largest coral reef system in the world.
You’ll get time to spend on the beautiful atolls and many of the mangrove and sand cayes that are scattered along the reef. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe or snorkel, this is a tour that is truly life-changing.
