COLOURFUL BELIZE AND GUATEMALA

After arriving into Belize International Airport (BZE) you’ll be met by one of our drivers and transferred to your hotel on the palm tree-dotted peninsula of Placencia. After checking in, you’re free to spend the first afternoon however you like – swimming in the sea, or just kicking back in the Caribbean breeze. In the evening, you’ll get to meet your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner at the hotel. 

After breakfast at your hotel, it’s on with the goggles as you boat across the blue Belize Barrier Reef for a guided snorkelling experience. You’ll see gently wafting anemones, confetti-like schools of fish, and maybe even a turtle or two. You’ll also be shown around some of Placencia’s most beautiful cayes – these tiny sandy islets, tufted with palm trees, make for an ideal spot to dry off, before you spend the rest of the day how you like.  

Take the opportunity to fuel up at breakfast, as you’ll need it for today’s adventurous itinerary. First, you’ll head south of Placencia to Monkey River, which winds through lush subtropical rainforest on its way to the Caribbean Sea. Taking to the water by boat, you’ll cruise downstream, keeping eyes peeled for exotic wildlife – from monkeys in the tree tops to crocodiles basking on the muddy banks. You’ll then hop out for a guided hike through the jungle, to learn about local medicinal plants and, if you’re lucky, spot a tapir or a jaguar.

Today, it’s time to take it easy. After breakfast, the agenda for the rest of the day is yours to set – sip cocktails while sinking your feet into the soft Caribbean sand, or splash about in the surf. If the urge to nap in the tropical breeze overcomes you, that’s okay – so long as you set your alarm to be on time for the evening’s activity: a sunset cruise. Wake up peckish? Don’t worry: snacks and drinks are supplied throughout the two and a half hour trip.

Your time in Belize comes to an end today, but don’t be sad – as you’re off to Guatemala now. Enjoy one last hotel breakfast before your transfer takes you back to Belize International Airport. After making your own way to Guatemala City airport, you’ll be met by one of our team and transferred to your hotel in Antigua. Here, you’ll have the afternoon to yourself. Have a wander around town  – the scenic central plaza is just around the corner. Come evening, you’ll be met by our Local Insider and taken for an authentic local dinner.  

After breakfast, it’s time to really get to know your surroundings – with a Local Insider-led tour of Antigua. You’ll learn about its unique barocco antiqueño architecture – a specially adapted form of colonial baroque, designed to resist the area’s frequent earthquakes. Things heat up after lunch, with a hike along the forest-enveloped trails that vein the slopes of Pacaya – an active volcano. You’ll reach the summit just in time for sunset – with pizza and marshmallows singed over molten lava provided. 

Today – after breakfast at your hotel – you’ll leave the streets of Antigua behind for the shores of Lake Atitlan, a flooded volcanic crater. On the way, you’ll stop at the ruins of the pre-Columbian powerhouse city of Iximche, where you’ll witness the local Mayan community gather for a traditional ceremony. After lunch, you’ll arrive at Lake Atitlan, free to spend the rest of the afternoon however you like – either relaxing at your hotel, or signing up for a thrilling zipline ride over the water. 

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be zipped across the water to Santa Cruz la Laguna, where you’ll grab a kayak and paddle for a guided tour of the lush lakeshore. Afterwards, it’s back onto dry land for lunch, followed by a transfer to the arty hillside town of San Juan la Laguna, where colourful galleries and craft studios line the steep streets. If you were planning on picking up a souvenir or two to take home, this is the perfect opportunity. 

Today’s the last day of the trip, so enjoy a slow breakfast at your hotel this morning. After you’ve finished, you’ll be transferred to Guatemala City Airport (GUA), where this trip concludes. Unless, of course, you decide to extend your stay – or head off to explore more of this amazing region.