12 days from £4,369 for a family of 4
This fascinating and varied trip combines the colourful history and culture of Guatemala with the rainforest and Caribbean beaches of neighbouring Belize. In Guatemala, discover the lovely colonial city of Antigua and explore the extraordinary Mayan temples at Tikal, deep in the Petén jungle. Get active in the jungle at Macal River Jungle Camp in Belize where you can canoe, bike, hike forest trails and seek out Mayan ruins. Then kick back and relax on the palm-fringed Caribbean coast near Placencia.
Suggested holiday itinerary (flexible):
Day 1: Fly to Guatemala City and drive to the former capital Antigua. Stay at hotel Villa Colonial for two nights.
Day 2: Day at leisure in Antigua, a colonial treasure crammed with mansions, ornate churches, flowery squares and intriguing alleyways. The city can be easily explored on foot and there are also plenty of good restaurants and cafés.
Days 3-4: Return to Guatemala City and fly to Flores, gateway to the superb Mayan citadel of Tikal. Spend two nights at the secluded Villa Maya, located on the shores of Lake Petén roughly halfway between Flores and the ruins. Take a guided tour of Tikal where you can - if you have a head for heights - climb temples which poke through the misty forest canopy, giving you amazing views accompanied by a wealth of tropical birds and monkeys.
Days 5-7: Drive across the border into western Belize (2 hrs). Stay at Macal River Camp within the private reserve of Chaa Creek for three nights. Accommodation is simple cabins raised on stilts and set beside the river. There is no electricity and rooms are illuminated by kerosene lamp – here you get a real sense of camping in the rainforest. Activities include bird-watching, canoeing, horse-riding, mountain-biking and visiting the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
Days 8-11: Continue to Belize City (2 hrs) for the short flight to Placencia. Stay at the Inn at Robert’s Grove, a charming resort that lies behind a palm-fringed beach near the village. Spend the next four days unwinding on the coast. The hotel offers water-sports, canoeing, biking and tennis, as well as three swimming pools. You can take an optional trip on Monkey River or snorkel from Laughing Bird Caye.
Day 12: Fly to Belize City for your connecting flight to the UK.
We’ve been there:
"Contrast the mysteries of ancient and colonial Guatemala with the exuberance of English-speaking, Caribbean-flavoured Belize; this is a great mix of culture, nature and outdoor activities." Ben Line, Consultant, Tailor-made holidays.
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To venture into the highlands and experience Guatemala’s market towns at their colourful best. Chichicastenango is one of the country’s finest, held on Sundays and Thursdays.