Belize and Guatemala 8-day Itinerary
Jungles, caves and reefs
Get ready to spend a magical week in the jungles, caves, and reefs with our expert tour guides. This Belize and Guatemala 8-day itinerary includes everything the adventurous traveler wants to see. Belize is a jewel of a country, where nature is preserved and celebrated, making it the perfect destination for nature lovers.
Belize is a unique country in that it’s largely undeveloped and has many protected areas, both on land and in the sea. The reefs along its coasts are packed with fish and aquatic life in abundance and the history of the area is rich. In Guatemala, you can visit ancient ruins and natural sights all in the same day, thanks to the compact nature of the country.
River Caves
Caves in the jungles
Big Rock Falls
Jungles
Altun-Ha
Mayan Ruins
Coral Barrier Reef
Snorkeling tours
Highlights
On this trip, we’ll take you from the beautiful Cayes of Belize to the Mayan ruins of Guatemala and Belize. You’ll snorkel off a private catamaran and swim with nurse sharks and rays near Caye Caulker, wander the streets of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and hike through the jungle to see Big Rock Falls and Barton Creek Cave.
From plunging waterfalls and pristine ocean reefs to Mayan ruins and ancient caves, there’s something for everyone on this trip. You’ll climb the ruins of Tikal, spelunk in Barton Creek Cave, wander through the Altun-ha ruins, explore the Belize Barrier Reef, and gaze out over the Guatemalan jungle from Yaxha’s temples. If it’s an adventure you’re craving, this 8-day trip to Belize will fulfill it all.
Itinerary
It’s your first day in the beautiful country of Belize! You’ll be welcomed by one of our guides at the International Airport of Belize City (BZE) and get your first taste of the natural beauty here when you arrive at your jungle lodge in the Cayo district. This area is known for its lush flora, so don’t be surprised to find yourself surrounded by greenery and flowers.
Take some time to settle in and enjoy the warmth of the country before you get started on your adventure.
- Two nights in the San Ignacio/Cayo district area.
Wake up to birdsong and palm fronds before having a delicious breakfast with plenty of fresh fruit. It’s the perfect start to a busy day of activity.
You’ll start by heading to Barton Creek Cave, which Maya people used as a ceremonial site and burial grounds. While the area has been thoroughly looted, there are still pottery shards throughout the cave. This is one cave system that cannot be explored on foot, as it’s filled with water. Relax on your canoe while your guide points out interesting sights as you float along, including an impressive cathedral ceiling, rock formations, and bits of Mayan history scattered along the ledges throughout.
Fresh off your adventure through the cave system, you’ll travel 30 minutes to Big Rock Falls. You’ll need to do a little hiking to get to the actual falls, set back into the forest, but this only makes the view that much sweeter when you arrive. Stairs lead down to the natural pools at the bottom of the 150-foot falls. Take your time and enjoy the water before heading back to your hotel.
To start the day off, you’ll go to Guatemala. You will cross the border where you need to pay a US$35.50 exit tax in customs.
After that, we will head to the lesser-known Maya ruins of Yaxha, which are not far from Tikal. The crowds are less here since most people just visit Tikal, but the views are stunning and the city itself is well worth a visit. As the third largest Maya city, Yaxha features more than 500 structures, including Temple 216. Also known as the Temple of the Red Hands, this structure is nearly 100 feet tall and provides panoramic views of the lakes and the surrounding ruins.
Built alongside a lake, Yaxha wasn’t populated until a few hundred years after Tikal, but it was a dominant power in its time. The site is full of beautifully carved stelae that show the history and religious beliefs of the Maya. As you explore, you’ll walk along the Lincoln Causeway, a road that still stands, once used to move limestone blocks. The causeway connects the Minor Astronomical Complex with its restored four-tier pyramid to the South Acropolis.
Tonight your driver can take you for dinner in the charming Flores Island in Lake Peten.
- Two nights in Guatemala.
You can’t visit Central America without seeing some of the ancient wonders built by the Maya people, thousands of years ago. We’ll cross the border into Guatemala and travel to Peten, where Tikal is located and spend the day exploring the incredible temples and history here.There are five temples still standing, as well as three acropolis where nobles once lived.
This city was one of the largest Maya cities during its peak. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved for its incredible history. It’s truly awe-inspiring to stand in the shadow of nearly intact temples with their intricate stone designs and carvings. The city center covers roughly a square mile of territory and is surrounded by thick jungle. Many visitors enjoy spotting the monkeys and other wildlife that live in the verdant growth.
Once you’ve thoroughly explored the site, it’s time to head back to your hotel where you’ll settle in for a night of relaxation.
On day 5 of your tour, you’ll delve further into the history of Belize by visiting the ancient city of Altun-Ha. Covering around 3 square miles, up to 10,000 people inhabited the city during its peak popularity as a trading center. This is where the famous Jade Head, a carved representation of the Kinich Ahau, the Maya sun god, was found. The head is featured on Belizean money.
Altun-Ha features two main plazas with 13 structures, but stelae are markedly absent from the site. The most prominent structure is the Temple of the Masonry Altars, but the Temple of the Green Tomb is also famous for being the burial site of a priest-king. The tomb was found to be filled with artifacts and ceremonial items that helped experts learn more about the culture of the ancient Maya.
Next up is the Baboon Sanctuary where you can see the fauna of the country up close and personal. While it’s named for the baboons, the sanctuary is best known for black howler monkeys. You may spot crocodiles and other types of wildlife as you hike through the lush forest.
From the Baboon Sanctuary, you’ll return to Belize City where a small plane or water taxi will take you out to San Pedro Island, Ambergris Caye.
- Three nights in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Today, you’ll take a private catamaran to Hol Chan Reserve, which features over 160 different species of fish, a variety of corals, and turtles. In Shark Ray Alley, we’ll pause to watch nurse sharks and stingrays swimming. If you’re brave, you can take a dip with them!
Our next stop, at Coral Gardens gives you the unique opportunity to see a wide variety of corals in small area. You’ll snorkel over the reef, which features dozens of colorful coral species, ranging from elegant fan corals to branching fire coral. You’ll also spot plenty of tropical fish darting through the water.
Boost your energy with a delicious Belizean buffet for lunch, served aboard the catamaran. There will be a nice variety of foods to taste and you can get a better feel for the culinary culture of this area. Once you’re done eating, rest a bit and enjoy the view before hopping back in the water to scope out the Northern Channel. It’s a good spot to see brightly colored fish and maybe even a sea turtle or two.
Caye Caulker is the next stop on our itinerary, where you can have a drink or a snack at one of the shops or cafes along the sandy main street. Make sure you take advantage of the many photo opportunities here . . . it’s a lovely town to walk through.
You’ll finish up this incredible day with a sunset cruise. It’s a breathtaking sight to watch the sun dip below the horizon across the glittering ocean and you’ll have an open bar and fresh ceviche to make it an even more memorable experience. Click here for more information about this tour.
Today, you’ll have time to check out the picturesque town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, one of the largest Belizean islands. At 25 miles long, it’s easiest to explore San Pedro Island in a golf cart. You’ll find that the town is full of welcoming people, both local and foreign, as well as small shops and restaurants. However, the real fun lies outside San Pedro.
After driving around the island in your golf cart, you’ll take some time to relax on the pristine white sands of Secret Beach. The water here is clear and shallow, making it ideal for swimming and lounging in the sun. You may even catch a glimpse of some of the brightly colored fish that Belize is so well known for.
Sadly, your journey has come to an end and this is the day you return home unless you choose to extend your trip. You’ll be taken to the International Airport in Belize City to fly home.
map, expenses & price
Belize and Guatemala 8-day Itinerary
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Seven nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional certified guides.
-Domestic flights.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-Daily breakfast.
Extensions
jungles, caves & reefs
One of the most fascinating water features in Belize is the Blue Hole. This 400-foot hole in the reef can only be truly appreciated from the air, where you can see the shift from crystal clear sea to the rich marine hues that earned the Blue Hole its name. You’ll fly in a small aircraft over the brightly colored homes of Belize, soar above the Great Barrier Reef, and enjoy photogenic views of the cayes that cluster along the coast.
jungles, caves & reefs
Looking for more of an adventure? The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our guide will lead you on a fascinating journey through this ancient cave, once used by Mayas for their ceremonies. After a trek through the jungle, you’ll swim through the cave entrance and begin your walk through history. There are still human remains in the cave, as well as a variety of artifacts preserved throughout history. It’s a truly awe-inspiring addition to your Belize vacation trip.
