Overview & Highlights
Off the beaten track in Guatemala and Honduras to explore Mayan ruins in intact jungle settings. Finish at the pearl white beaches of Roatán Island, maybe with a bit of snorkelling or scuba diving.
- Tikal: Guided tour of Mayan ruins
- Copán: Guided tour of Mayan ruins
- Pico Bonito: Guided excursion to Cuero y Salado Wildlife Reserve
- Pico Bonito: Excursion to Cayos Cochinos
This holiday to culture-rich Guatemala and the less well-known republic of Honduras takes you to some remote but extremely beautiful regions dotted with vestiges of a fascinating history. You start off in Antigua, one of the Spanish Empire’s most beautiful cities crammed with colonial mansions and flowery squares. Travel on to two of the Mayan civilisation’s most impressive archaeological sites, Tikal in Guatemala’s jungle lowlands and Copán over the border in Honduras.
Between these two visits you’ll head down the Rio Dulce in eastern Guatemala through mangroves and tropical forest, visiting a 16th century colonial fortress en route to the quirky town of Livingston, with its English-Caribbean-influenced Garifuna culture. Later you have a wildlife experience based at the extremely well-regarded, first-class Pico Bonito Lodge set in intact rainforest. Finally, head out to Roatán, one of the Bay Islands, for some beach-time and maybe a bit of snorkelling or scuba diving on the rich coral reef.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Guatemala City and transfer to hotel in Antigua.
Day 2
Optional excursion to Pacaya volcano.
Day 3
Fly to Flores, guided tour of the Mayan ruins at Tikal.
Day 4
By road to Livingston via San Felipe fortress.
Day 5
At leisure among the Garifuna on the Caribbean coast.
Day 6
Drive over the border to Copán in Honduras via Quiriguá ruins.
Day 7
Guided tour of the ruined Mayan city Copán.
Day 8
By road to Pico Bonito via Lancetilla National Park.
Day 9
Excursion to Cuero y Salado Wildlife Reserve.
Day 10
Guided excursion to Cayos Cochinos.
Day 11
Transfer to La Ceiba, fly to Roatán island.
Days 12-13
At leisure on the Caribbean coral island.
Day 14
Fly to San Pedro Sula connect with international flight.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
So many great memories, it is impossible to pick one.... The mix of landscapes, cultures and activities was amazing. Probably the best holiday I have been on and certainly won't be my last to South America!
LN, Billericay
I was so impressed by the service JLA provided - both beforehand in helping me to organise the perfect holiday to suit me and my interests and then in making sure everything worked smoothly during the trip itself. It all ran like clockwork. I have fallen in love with South America and will definitely be going back!
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
Inspired by this trip
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
Papagaio
Your edit for Latin American inspiration
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
View Extraordinary Inspiration
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.
Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert
After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.
Ben Line - Travel Expert
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert
Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.
