Guatemala & Belize in 12 Days: Essence of Central America (Flight Included)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a half-day tour of Antigua, considered one of the most beautiful colonial cities of America. During the colonial period, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala and included the provinces of southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After an earthquake in 1773, the city was uninhabited the population moved to what is now Guatemala City. Visit La Merced church, Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy free time to go shopping and at the indicated time return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Antigua.

Breakfast at the hotel. Seize the day with an early morning visit to Chichicastenango market, located in the central Guatemalan highlands and visit the local Church of Santo Tomas. Transfer to Lake Atitlan, surrounded by three volcanoes Atitlán, Tolimán and San Pedro. Its crystal clear waters are amazingly beautiful. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Panajachel. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Atitlan Lake.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, take a boat ride to the indigenous village of Santiago Atitlán, located between the volcanoes Tolimán and San Pedro. Explore the town and visit the church of Santiago Apóstol and the Brotherhood of Maximón, one of the expressions of religious syncretism in our country. Return to Panajachel and transfer to bustling Guatemala City. Overnight stay in Guatemala City.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off to visit the Quiriguá Archaeological Park, located on the banks of the Motagua River. The park is comprised of a complex of stela slabs, sculpted in sandstone, among which is the tallest stele of the entire Mayan world, as well as zoomorphic figures that date from the classic period of the Mayans. Afterwards, transfer to Rio Dulce, an area of immense natural beauty. Overnight stay in Rio Dulce.

Breakfast at the hotel. Board a boat on the river and head to the town of Livingston, known for its reggae music and coconut bread. Continue up the river and admire the exuberant vegetation and an amazing natural canyon. From the boat enjoy a panoramic tour of the Castle of San Felipe de Lara, a fortress built in the seventeenth century by the Spanish. Afterwards, transfer to Flores, situated on an island on Lake Petén Itzá. Overnight stay in Flores.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today explore the most important Archaeological Site of the Mayan world, Tikal, built during the classic Mayan period. Your guide will show you the model of the Temples and Acropolis complex and guide your visit of the Q and R Complex, the Central Acropolis, the Temples I "The Great Jaguar" and the Temple II "of Los Mascarones". Enjoy lunch at Tikal and some time to soak up the atmosphere for heading back to Flores. Overnight stay in Flores.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer by road to Belize. Arrive in vibrant Belize City and catch a Water-Taxi to Cayo San Pedro, on the island of Ambergris Caye,  admiring the beautiful landscapes throughout your journey. Arrive, transfer to the hotel and begin your stay in one of Central America's most beautiful and best kept secrets. Overnight stay in Cayo San Pedro.

Enjoy a day at your leisure in Cayo San Pedro. Explore the idyllic beaches that are said to have inspired Madonna's hit song 'La Isla Bonita'. Overnight stay in Cayo San Pedro.

Free day at your leisure. This part of Belize is world-renowned for its ultra-diverse Barrier Reef, second only to the Great Barrier Reef. We recommend snorkelling or scuba-diving to discover the colourful underwater world and abundant marine life. Overnight stay in Cayo San Pedro.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.