Guatemala & Belize Explorer

  • Trip Type
  • Adventure
  • Length
  • 15 Days / 14 Nights
  • When to Go
  • November - August
Mountain, jungle & beach: the sacred lands of the Mayans

Travel back in time on an immersive cultural adventure through Belize and Guatemala. Stroll cobblestone streets in Antigua, peruse local markets and partake in Mayan culture at Lake Atitlán, and climb ancient pyramids in Tikal. Next, discover beautiful Belize: ancient Mayan ceremonial caves, lush rainforest and finally, idyllic beaches to wrap up a truly memorable journey.

Trip Highlights

  • Ancient Mayan ruins & ceremonial caves led by specialist guides
  • Street food & colonial history in Antigua
  • Chichicastenango market: the largest open-air market in the Americas
  • Lakeside villages & Mayan culture at Lake Atitlán
  • Snorkel among sea turtles & rays on Belize's barrier reef
  • Sunset sailing off the coast of Ambergris Caye

similar trips per person from:

$4,750.00 low season (May - Oct)
$5,620.00 high season (Nov - Apr)
prices vary based on departure season.

At a Glance

Click each day for more details

  • When you touch down in Guatemala City, meet your driver, waiting to whisk you 30 minutes away to Antigua, a colonial city tucked into a valley surrounded by towering volcanoes. Check into the stately El Convento Hotel, and settle into the lap of luxury in one of the country's most iconic locations.

  • In this city, where old stands side by side with new, you'll get your first introduction to Guatemala. Step back in time on a private walking tour of the city, meandering alonglabyrinth cobblestone streets, taste testing a variety of mouth-watering delicacies and street fare, discovering fascinating ruins of convents and churches, and catching an glimpse of modern Guatemalan culture as you uncover secrets of Antigua’s ancient past.

  • Start your day on a bumpy dirt path up to Finca Filadelfia, a working coffee farm whose hilltop location affords stunning panoramic views over the valley. Visit the plant nursery and lab before heading out to the farm to handpick bright red coffee cherries right off the plants, then on to the processing plant where the beans are sorted, dried, and roasted. Finally, finish with a cupping session and a tasting of some of the estate’s premium roast.

  • After breakfast, depart for the colorful open-air market of Chichicastenango for an authentic glimpse of daily life in the Mayan highlands. Every Thursday and Sunday, local vendors from all over the region make their way to Chichicastenango to hawk their wares – anything from fruit and vegetables to flowers, pottery and even livestock – and local families visit their favorite vendors to gather ingredients and goods for the week.

  • Spend a relaxing day making the most of legendary Lake Atitlán's pristine cobalt-colored lake bordered by three volcanoes. Enjoy the views from luxurious Casa Palopó, or take a kayak or paddleboard out for a spin.

  • Get a tantalizing taste of Mayan culture today on an exploration of Lake Atitlán and its colorful villages of San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlán. Visit a women’s cooperative to learn about traditional hand-woven Mayan textiles and a cacao cooperative to taste delicious local chocolate in its many forms.

  • Get an early start this morning with a two-hour transfer from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala City, then a flight to Tikal, an ancient metropolis situated deep in the heart of the Mayan jungle. When you arrive, check into La Lancha Lodge, an intimate retreat along the shores of beautiful Lake Petén Itzá.

  • Tikal, the City of Echoes, was the greatest metropolis in the Mayan kingdom before its collapse in 1000 AD. Start your day atop Temple IV where you'll wait to watch as the sun ascends over the morning mists, bathing the forest in the warm shades of first light. Then find yourself transported back a thousand years, as you discover this once vibrant hub of Mayan life, now gently reclaimed by the primary rainforest and the troops of howler monkeys that whoop and call overhead.

  • Today, spend a day on La Lancha’s beautiful property, perched on the shores of Lago Petén Itzá, the second largest lake in Guatemala, known for dramatic color changes, shifting from cobalt blue to a green turquoise hue in an instant. The Maya believed these cool waters contained almost magical healing powers, bringing a sense of rejuvenation to those who swim in the lake.

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Accommodations

El Convento Hotel, Antigua

Located in Antigua’s historic center and painstakingly built in the style of a 15th-century convent, El Convento is a charming 26-suite hotel that blends Guatemalan and colonial décor with modern luxury amenities. The property’s spacious, comfortable rooms are complemented by warm, welcoming common areas, and a garden courtyard complete with a rectangular lap pool. View hotel website.

Casa Palopó, Lake Atitlán

Perched on the shores of Lake Atitlán, this Relais & Châteaux property is the essence of unpretentious sophistication with a twist of Guatemalan flavor. Sixteen water-view suites overlook Atitlán’s brooding shoreline, each one uniquely designed and decorated, with vibrant colors and unique bathrooms built with the utmost attention to detail. Multi-tiered terraces that boast spectacular panoramic lake views and a beautiful infinity pool make this a must in Lake Atitlán. View hotel website.

La Lancha, Santa Elena

Amidst rainforest splendor, Francis Ford Coppola’s back-to-nature lodge near Tikal is a secluded, sophisticated haven that overlooks the glassy waters of Lake Petén Itzá. The 10 suites mix traditional Guatemalan and tropical design elements, creating a warm and welcoming home away from home, with the bonus of a lovely split-level pool and the accomplished onsite Guatemalteca Restaurant which serves authentic local dishes of fresh fish and parrilla-grilled meat in a palm-thatched palapa overlooking the lake. View hotel website.

Ka'ana Resort, San Ignacio

Hidden in the heart of Belize’s Mayan center, the lush grounds of Ka’ana Resort offers a luxurious respite after long days adventuring through jungle and caves. Private cabins set amongst the rainforest offer private outdoor showers and large patios for lounging, while inside, no detail is spared, with handmade local textiles, Mayan-inspired art and furnishings, and an array of complimentary organic toiletries featuring heavenly scents, including orange blossom and chocolate mint. The personalized service is top notch, and the beautiful pool, spa, and onsite gourmet restaurant – that serves a variety of Belizean and international dishes – makes it the perfect place to return to after a day spent exploring. View hotel website.

Matachica, Ambergris Caye

Turquoise waters lap at expansive white stretches of sand on the beaches of Matachica Resort, resting on the edge of Ambergris Caye. Set amid lush, tropical gardens, this is the ideal setting to soak up the area’s natural beauty and privileged climate. This colorful hotel spares no detail, with luxurious touches at every turn, including a palm tree-lined pool, hammocks on every private porch and an enticing spa menu to lull you into a deep state of relaxation. Visit hotel website.

What's Included?

Your trip includes everything you want & need, plus a few surprises along the way. Unique, unforgettable destinations; tours with local experts; authentic local cuisine; lessons, demonstrations & new cultural insights; more adventure than you can handle; blissful relaxation; romantic touches; and a feeling of total freedom. ROAM takes care of everything so that you can enjoy a hassle-free journey without worrying about a thing.

  • Airport pickup
  • All hotel accommodation
  • 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Detailed maps and trip preparation guide
  • All special events and tours
  • All vehicle and regional air transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
  • All baggage transportation
  • All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service

Know Before You Go

  • Itinerary prices are dependent on season of departure. Christmas, New Years and Easter (Semana Santa) are peak season, and prices during these periods are significantlky higher than other times of year. High season runs from November through April, and green season from May through September.

  • Arrival: hotel check-in times are at 3:00pm, but you may arrive at any time during the day. If you arrive prior to the scheduled check-in time, we will arrange for early check-in wherever possible.

  • Departure: hotel check-out times are at 9:00am. International flights on your departure day should be arranged to depart after 1:30pm.

  • All prices in USD.

  • For vaccination recommendations, please visit the CDC website.

  • For American, Canadian, and British citizens, a valid passport with 6+ months remaining is required for entry to Belize.

  • Debit cards may not work in Central America, but most establishments accept major credit cards.

  • Please ensure you have immediate access to a minimum of USD $250 as an emergency fund to be used if circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) require changes to your planned route.

  • If departing Belize by air, most major airlines include exit taxes in the price of your airfare.

  • It is customary to tip service providers (waiters) around 10% depending on service. Tipping taxi drivers is not required.

  • Gratuities for guides and drivers are deeply appreciated, and provide an important supplement to their income. If you are pleased with the tour services you've received, a guideline for tipping in Central America is USD $8-10 per person per day for multiple-day tours, or USD $5-10 per person for day tours.

Terms & Conditions: By reserving your space with registration and payment, you are agreeing to the policies, terms and conditions in our Terms & Conditions Agreement.

Privacy Policy: Before communicating with ROAM – and particularly before you provide personally identifiable information to us – you should check out our Privacy Policy. Your use of this site, and any communication with us constitutes your agreement to the terms of this policy. Questions? Contact us here.

Getting There

From North America: several airlines offer direct and connecting flights to Belize’s international airport: Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City (airport code: BZE). Including connection time, flights from the USA typically range from 2.5-9 hours in duration, while most flights from Canada range from 9-15 hours in duration.

From the UK: there are currently no direct flights to Belize from the UK, but there are several flight options connecting in the United States and/or Canada. Including connection time, flights from the UK typically range from 12-18 hours in duration.

When you arrive in BZE, there will be an airport transfer waiting to take you to your first destination. If you have questions about flights, or require assistance booking, please contact us here. We're here to help!

How it Works

Step 1: Get Inspired

Browse our trip ideas. We specialize in creating custom trips centered around your special event, so this is a starting point - your trip will be unique! Then, we want to get to know you and your travel companions better. Once you send us your inquiry, our team will reach out to you within 48 hours to schedule an intake call.

Step 2: Plan

We'll discuss your trip ideas, what matters to you, and your budget. We take your vision, and our ideas, and turn it into a tangible plan.

No idea what you want? No problem! Have as little or as much input as you want to. You can select your dream resorts and activities, or leave it to us. We've got you.

Step 3: Experience

From here, the process is simple. We refine your itinerary until it's perfect, then you pay a deposit, and we get to work behind the scenes to prepare & arrange your trip.

We'll be here if you have any questions before your departure. Next thing you know, you're in paradise!

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