Sorry! There are no remaining departures for "Explore Guatemala & Belize" (CGXNG), but here are some similar trips.
Arrive at the Guatemala City airport and transfer to hotel in Antigua.
Arrive at the Guatemala City airport and transfer to your hotel in Antigua. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy this charming city.
It is a short 45km (28 mi) from Guatemala City on a lovely winding road. The natural scenery is some of the most beautiful anywhere with high mountain peaks surrounding deep valleys, and nearly every inch of land covered with lush growth.
Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying into the Caribbean island nation of Antigua; it's nowhere near the start of this tour!
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Explore Antigua on a guided cultural walking tour with a historian, including City Hall, the convent, and the museums at Paseo de los Museos. Opt to take a volcano trek or excursion to a macadamia nut plantation or coffee farm.
Walk through quiet cobblestone streets, past restored Spanish colonial stucco homes with heavy, beautifully carved wooden entrances. Explore the museums and churches, then have an ice cream and people-watch in the central park.
Antigua offers three specialties that make shopping here very worthwhile. Textiles sold here and in the nearby towns are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the traditional back strap loom. Jade, in carved statues and jewelry, is sold in several factories and shops in town and silver jewelry is also sold in the better shops and a nearby silver factory in San Felipe de Jesus. The city offers good buys in ceramics and antiques as well.
Meet our historian guide at the fountain in the Central Plaza and take a leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets of this city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our historian explains Antigua's history, culture and restoration efforts (a bylaw, for example, stipulates buildings must only be painted certain colours in order to maintain the Spanish colonial character of the exteriors). Visit the City Hall Palace, Palace of the Captain's General, the cathedral, and Sor Juana de Maldonado’s Convent/Museum, and then complete the tour at the best museum in town at Paseo de los Museos.
Free time to explore the museums, the colonial buildings and other sites in this delightful town.
Take a tour of the macadamia nut plantation at Finca Valhalla led by the workers. Learn about this sustainable crop for the experts and discover the health benefits of the nut. Pamper yourself with a free facial and purchase some of the treats made from the macadamia nut like oils, nuts, and chocolate. This tour is offered for free in the hopes that you’ll show your gratitude by stopping by and picking up some tasty treats from the gift shop or café.
Kick up your heels and learn this typical Latin dance. Dancers of all skill levels are welcome. Get lost in the rhythm of the music and let your body take you to a new place -- one-two-three, one-two-three, hip roll, arm up, partner under, shimmy, shake, salsa! Vamos a bailar! (Let's dance!)
Travel a short 10-minute ride outside of Antigua to the Finca Filadelfia coffee plantation. Walk through the plant nursery, explore the rows of coffee plants, pick a coffee “cherry” (each one has two beans inside), then discover the various stages that go into making the perfect cup of quality coffee. The farm also has a restaurant and zipline for those who opt to fly above the canopy to spot the very best beans.
Travel today by van and boat to the village of Jaibalito on Lake Atitlán. Visit the communities on the lake by boat, including San Juan la Laguna, a G Adventures-supported village. Take an orientation walk, visit various co-ops, enjoy a local Mayan lunch and a Mayan tree-planting ceremony.
Our home at the lake will be in the tranquil town of Jaibalito. This tiny village sits on the north shores of breathtaking Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes. There are no paved roads leading into Jaibalito, but the paths weaving across the slopes offer rewarding views of the lake.
Test your communication and bargaining skills in the colourful local markets, of which there are many. There are also a number of weaving cooperatives that you may wish to visit. The proceeds from the sales return directly to the community and are a significant contribution to the local economy.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.
Get ready for spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes and everyday life in a highland village. The people of this area are friendly and excited to greet travellers. Stop off in San Juan la Laguna, a G Adventures-supported village, for an included local Mayan lunch. Participate in a Mayan tree planting ceremony, providing insight into Mayan culture and beliefs.
Test your communication and bargaining skills in the colourful local markets, of which there are many. There are also a number of community Mayan weaving cooperatives that you may wish to visit. The proceeds from the sales return directly to the community and are a significant contribution to the local economy.
Free time for outdoor pursuits such as fishing, hiking, bird watching, and kayaking.
Enjoy a full day to relax or explore the lake.
Channel your inner Mayan, hop aboard a rustic wooden cayuco, paddle out into Lake Atitlán, and pray for fish. With only a small hook, net, and no motor, your local guide will demonstrate his traditional fishing techniques. You may even catch a black bass!
Strap into your harness and sit comfortably during the flight. From take-off until landing, the pilot and passenger are both connected by two spreader bars. The pilot, sitting behind the passenger, takes care of take-off, flight, and landing. So sit back and enjoy the absolutely incredible views.
Grab your life jacket and tour local waters by kayak. Get up close to marine life and see many sights you may miss on shore.
Return to Antigua and visit a chocolate museum to take a hands-on workshop to learn about the ancient Mayan process from bean to bar. Opt to take a salsa dance class.
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy a chocolate workshop and museum tour to learn about the process "from bean to bar" and the history of this tasty crop. In this 1.5-hour workshop, make your own bar to take home and enjoy tastings of the varieties of chocolate drinks made on site. Who knew history could be so sweet?
Learn how to salsa – whether you are a beginner or an expert, we have a lesson perfect for you! It's a great option for groups. Small class sizes and professional teachers make this activity a hit with G Adventures passengers.
Catch our flight to Flores in the Petén region of Guatemala. Enjoy a cooking lesson and lunch with a local chef on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá.
This charming town, with its pastel-coloured buildings, enjoys a scenic setting on Lake Petén Itzá. There will be time to stroll through the streets, buy local handicrafts, or take a swim in the lake. Despite the recent growth in Petén, Flores remains the same small island town, with narrow, cobblestoned streets, small, brightly painted houses, and friendly people.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Get creative in the kitchen during a cooking lesson at a charming hotel located on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá. Listen as an experienced local chef explains the history of Guatemalan cuisine before learning to prepare traditional dishes like “pepián” (a spicy meat stew) or “tamales” (a cornmeal-based dish wrapped in husks or leaves). Enjoy the results of the lesson for lunch and, afterwards, opt to kick back in a hammock, go for a swim or take to the water in a kayak.
Take a guided tour of the famous Mayan ruins of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site set in the heart of the jungle.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the lake.
Cross the border into Belize and continue to the village of Burrell Boom.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.
Enjoy a full day excursion to the Lamanai ruins, a renowned Mayan ceremonial site consisting of over 800 structures surrounded by lush jungle. Return to our lodge to relax at the patio bar and pool, visit the spa, or walk the grounds to spot local wildlife.
Lamanai is located on the shore of the New River Lagoon and is one of the largest Mayan ceremonial site within the region. Lamanai translates as “submerged crocodile” in ancient Mayan, and the site was occupied as early as 1500 BC. The onsite museum has interesting artifacts on display.
Drive to San Ignacio and visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, co-founded by five-time National Geographic grantee Dr Robert Horwich. Learn about the black howler monkey before going on a rainforest walk to observe monkeys in the wild. After, visit a G Adventures-supported Cayo women's cooperative where we learn about the centuries-old tradition of throwing pots and tortilla making. Enjoy a local lunch before continuing on to our rainforest hotel.
The town of San Ignacio is situated on the banks of the Macal River. It is a perfect location to visit the surrounding countryside. All activities here are optional, so the choice is yours: explore the Mayan cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal, containing relics dating back 1400 years, visit the butterfly gardens, or go tubing or canoeing through the natural limestone caves of the region.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Like in many places around the world, education for women in the village of San Antonio isn’t prioritized. Girls don’t typically attend school beyond primary levels. So a women’s cooperative was founded here, as a way for underprivileged women to earn income, learn new skills, and share centuries-old Mayan techniques and knowledge. Visit the pottery workshop, which is newly expanded with an investment from G Adventures. Meet some of the women who’ve found community within its walls and gain insight into the tradition of throwing pots. Try your own hand at these ancient techniques during a pottery class. Afterward, enjoy lunch together with these inspiring and unforgettable women, sampling traditional foods of the Cayo region.
Founded by five-time National Geographic-grantee Dr. Robert Horwich, the Community Baboon Sanctuary is a conservation project that works to protect the natural habitat of the black howler monkey through community education and sustainable ecotourism practices. Go for a nature walk in the rainforest with a community guide to observe monkeys in the wild. The sanctuary also promotes the economic development of the surrounding communities through the ecotourism it brings in. Over 200 private, local landowners in seven villages, stretching over 20 square miles, have voluntarily pledged to conserve their land for the protection of the black howler monkey, resulting in an increase in the monkey population. So as part of the experience, also enjoy a cultural demonstration of rice beating and cashew roasting.
Settle in and get your bearings and decide what activities you would like to do over the next few days.
Enjoy two free days to visit the sites of the surrounding countryside. There are several activity options including an exploration of the Mayan cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal or ruins of Xunantunich, visiting the butterfly gardens, and tubing or canoeing through the natural limestone caves of the region.
There's plenty to see and do in San Ignacio, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like cave exploring, visiting Mayan ruins, and horseback riding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.
Strap on a headlamp, step in the canoe and paddle along an ancient Mayan waterway inside the Barton Creek Cave. Bring your camera to take memorable photos of cathedral rock chambers, stalactites and stalagmites. Upon return, opt to swim at Big Rock Falls.
Strap on a headlamp, sit on an inner tube and get set to enter the underworld. Float on an underground river past stalactites hanging above and through shafts of filtered light. Discover firsthand why the Maya selected these sites to make offerings to their gods.
Hike to the top of this impressive 9th-century Maya centre, set high on a natural limestone ridge, and admire the view of the Mopan River, Cayo District and neighbouring Guatemalan countryside. The tallest temple, El Castillo, is partially excavated and explored and there’s a unique stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Discover why Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site with intricately carved stellae, 25 temples, and well-preserved palaces.
The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave has only been open to the public since 1998. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see up to 1400 artifacts, including pottery, tools and vessels used by the Maya for a thousand years. Hike 45 minutes to the cave entrance, wade/swim through deep pools, past calcite formations, to explore this damp, dark place of ritual and sacrifice. With a helmet and headlamp, see the skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden,” a young girl whose bones have calcified over the past 1,100 years, making them appear to sparkle.
Enjoy a visit to the serene butterfly house and gardens. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of these beautiful insects and enjoy the scores of brightly coloured and varied species flitting about the gardens. This place is a treat for visitors of all ages.
Enjoy two free days to visit the sites of the surrounding countryside. There are several activity options including an exploration of the Mayan cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal or ruins of Xunantunich, visiting the butterfly gardens, and tubing or canoeing through the natural limestone caves of the region.
There's plenty to see and do in San Ignacio, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like cave exploring, visiting Mayan ruins, and horseback riding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Strap on a headlamp, sit on an inner tube and get set to enter the underworld. Float on an underground river past stalactites hanging above and through shafts of filtered light. Discover firsthand why the Maya selected these sites to make offerings to their gods.
Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.
Strap on a headlamp, step in the canoe and paddle along an ancient Mayan waterway inside the Barton Creek Cave. Bring your camera to take memorable photos of cathedral rock chambers, stalactites and stalagmites. Upon return, opt to swim at Big Rock Falls.
Hike to the top of this impressive 9th-century Maya centre, set high on a natural limestone ridge, and admire the view of the Mopan River, Cayo District and neighbouring Guatemalan countryside. The tallest temple, El Castillo, is partially excavated and explored and there’s a unique stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Discover why Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site with intricately carved stellae, 25 temples, and well-preserved palaces.
The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave has only been open to the public since 1998. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see up to 1400 artifacts, including pottery, tools and vessels used by the Maya for a thousand years. Hike 45 minutes to the cave entrance, wade/swim through deep pools, past calcite formations, to explore this damp, dark place of ritual and sacrifice. With a helmet and headlamp, see the skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden,” a young girl whose bones have calcified over the past 1,100 years, making them appear to sparkle.
Enjoy a visit to the serene butterfly house and gardens. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of these beautiful insects and enjoy the scores of brightly coloured and varied species flitting about the gardens. This place is a treat for visitors of all ages.
Travel to Hopkins on the coast and enjoy a visit to Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce Factory en route. Explore the fascinating Garifuna culture, take a drumming lesson, and enjoy a demonstration by these amazing artists.
This is your chance to visit a part of Belize that has not yet hit the well-trodden tourist trail. Opt to rent a bike to explore the area or enjoy talking to the locals in what some call the friendliest village in Belize.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce is an institution in Belize and one of the most loved spicy condiments in Central America. Visit the factory where this spicy delight is made and indulge in a tasting. Watch out, it's hot!
Learn more about the Garifuna – descendants of Island Carib, African, and Arawak peoples – and their unique history with a cultural presentation at the Lebeha Drumming Center. Create some beats while participating in a traditional drum lesson and enjoy a stellar musical performance put on by the teachers.
Hop on a bike and explore the area.
Enjoy the day in the laid-back village of Hopkins. Opt to visit the palmed Tobacco Caye nearby and do some snorkelling, venture to a wildlife sanctuary, or explore the area by bicycle.
Chill out in this laid back village or check out some optional activities.
Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
Drive 25km (15.5 mi) from Hopkins to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first jaguar reserve and one of the biggest protected areas (over 128,000 acres). Choose from optional activities including guided day or night hikes, river tubing, bird watching, and waterfall visits.
Drive 20km (12.4 mi) from Hopkins to lush Mayflower Bocawina National Park and choose from optional activities including a guided hike, ziplining/hike tour, or rappelling Bocawina Falls or Antelope Falls.
Set off from Hopkins in a boat and head towards Tobacco Caye and Southwater Caye. On arrival, visit the island and get to know the local marine life during three snorkel stops before heading back to Hopkins. Opt to add fishing to this excursion.
Drive up the coast and visit an animal conservation centre before catching the ferry to Caye Caulker, a true tropical paradise.
Caye Caulker is a long thin limestone caye off the coast of Belize. Fewer than 2,000 people live here full-time – an eclectic mix of Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna, Creole, and Mennonites, along with a few hippies and retirees. The main street is a sandy pathway and people get around on foot, by bike or golf cart. Apart from eating some sensational seafood (lobster is a local specialty), the main activity is snorkelling and boating along the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.
Caye Caulker is very small and has a limited number of accommodations available. For this reason, we often use different hotels, depending on the departure and time of year. Accommodations are a bit rustic, and rooms will have ensuite, electricity and hot water, but due to the remote location, there may be occasional interruptions to these services. The stunning location and natural beauty of this off-the-beaten-track island more than make up for a few minor inconveniences.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Stop at this small zoo and wildlife education center outside of the city of Belize to admire some of the animals that call the 29 acres here home. Visit the jaguars, tapirs, margays, and some of the many colourful birds that have been saved by this zoo since it opened its doors in 1983. The center offers a home to displaced animals and serves in educating local people and visitors about wildlife protection and conservation.
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Rent a bike from the G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose project on Caye Caulker and cycle around the island out to the split and back. It's a great way to get some exercise and see the sights on this laid-back island. Don't forget to bring water and wear lots of sunscreen.
Enjoy the day with the option to join a full-day sailing and snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Belize Barrier Reef, or just indulge in some serious R&R. In the evening, take part in a fun farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.
The barrier reef off Caye Caulker is a true wonder of nature. Optional snorkel trips get you up close and personal with nurse sharks and rays, to name a few of the wondrous resident creatures.
There's plenty to see and do in Caye Caulker, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkelling, sea kayaking, and sailing. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Enjoy a full-day snorkelling trip that visits three different spots to snorkel, the Coral Gardens, shark and ray alley, and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Depart late morning, enjoy lunch in between snorkels, and see hundreds of varieties of tropical fish in this natural aquarium including angelfish, nurse sharks, stingrays and green moray eels. Be sure to check out the Coral Gardens to see a rainbow of colours – red, purple, pink and green – and depending on the season, float past manatees while you marvel at nature’s underwater artistry. End the day with a cruise back to Caye Caulker just before sunset with a complimentary glass of rum punch in your hand.
Tour Includes: snorkeling mask, fins/flippers, lunch, assortment of tropical fruit, water, and other snacks.
Set sail just before sunset. Relax with reggae music and rum punch, snack on shrimp ceviche and snap a few photos as you sail around the island as the sun sets to the west of Caye Caulker.
Slather on the sunscreen and set out on a snorkel adventure of a lifetime. Stop at the Coral Gardens, shark and ray alley, and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Snorkel three different spots along the Belize reef in this protected channel. See hundreds of varieties of tropical fish in this natural aquarium including angelfish, nurse sharks, stingrays and green moray eels. Be sure to check out the Coral Gardens to see a rainbow of colours – red, purple, pink and green – and depending on the season, float past manatees while you marvel at nature’s underwater artistry. End the day with a cruise back to Caye Caulker just before sunset with a complimentary glass of rum punch in your hand.
Rent a bike from the G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose project on Caye Caulker and cycle around the island out to the split and back. It's a great way to get some exercise and see the sights on this laid-back island. Don't forget to bring water and wear lots of sunscreen.
Depart at any time.
Should you wish to have additional post nights in Caye Caulker or Belize City, please ask your sales CEO.
This trip finishes on Caye Caulker, which is located one hour by water taxi from Belize City (an additional 30 minutes by taxi to the airport). There are frequent ferry departures between 7:30am and 5:00pm. You can purchase your return ferry ticket easily once you get to Caye Caulker.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.