Compare Guatemala & Belize Explorer by Vaya Adventures vs Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins by G Adventures

Day 1: Sunday Arrive Guatemala / transfer to Antigua

Accommodation: Posada del Angel

Upon arrival in Guatemala City, you will be met at the airport by a local representative holding a sign with your name on it for transfer to the colonial town of Antigua (1 hour scenic drive). This local representative will welcome you to the country, answer any questions you have, and help you get situated in Antigua. Antigua is a remarkable town set beneath a towering volcano.

Day 2: Monday Antigua

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Posada del Angel

Today you have a morning walking tour of this historic and beautiful small city. For more than two centuries from the mid 1500s to the late 1700s, Antigua was the finest city in the region and was the capital of Spain’s Central American colonies, until it was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1773. Now fully reconstructed and renovated, Antigua has wonderful restaurants, patio cafes, shops and galleries in which to relax, numerous ruins to explore, and interesting museums and exhibitions to visit. After your walking tour, you will have the afternoon free to do some exploring on your own or just relax.

Day 3: Tuesday Lago Atitlan

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Casa Palopo

Today you continue your trip to Lake Atitlan, set between 3 volcanoes, about 2.5 hours drive from Antigua. En route, you will stop to see the Mayan archeological site of Iximche. Upon arrival at your hotel on Lake Atitlan, you will have the balance of the day to relax around the lake and enjoy the spectacular surroundings.

Day 4: Wednesday Lago Atitlan / San Juan La Laguna / Santiago

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Casa Palopo

Today you have a full day of exploring the small, traditional villages around Lake Atitlan. First you will visit San Juan La Laguna, a town located on the opposite side of Lake Atitlan. You will visit several local artisan workshops, including a textile cooperative where you will witness a back strap loom demonstration. You will then continue on to Santiago, a traditional town on the opposite side of the San Pedro Volcano. The Maya language of Tz’utujil is spoken in Santiago, and this is a place where the local people hold strongly to their beliefs and rituals. This village is also famous for its beautiful woven “huipiles” (women’s blouses or tunics). After this excursion you return to your hotel.

Day 5: Thursday Chichicastanengo / La Lancha

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel

In the morning you will transfer to Chichicastanengo where you will have a chance to explore this sprawling, colorful market at your leisure. In the afternoon you will transfer back to Guatemala City for your flight north to Flores from where you will be transferred to your hotel located on the shores of Lake Peten.

Day 6: Friday Tikal

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel

Today you have a full day, private excursion to the ruins of Tikal, one of the most impressive of Mayan achievements, a complex of hundreds of buildings, some towering over the jungle canopy. The site is also home to a wide variety of tropical wildlife, including monkeys, toucans, and many other species. After your tour you will have the chance to explore the ruins on your own before returning to your hotel.

Day 7: Saturday Transfer to Southern Coast

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Turtle Inn

After enjoying your final morning at La Lancha, you will be picked up for transfer down to the Caribbean coast to the southern part of Belize. The drive goes down the Hummingbird Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in all of Central America, where you will drop down from the highland to lowland rainforest and have great views of the mountain range that runs through the center of Belize. You’ll have the chance to stop to swim in the Blue Hole (a limestone cenote) along the way.

Day 8: Sunday Snorkeling on the Barrier Reef

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Turtle Inn

Today you have a full day, private snorkeling trip out to the barrier reef (the second longest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef). During your snorkeling excursion you will make a series of stops at classic spots, and also make a visit to one or two of the small islands that dot the sea out around the barrier reef. You will enjoy a barbeque lunch before returning to your hotel.

Day 9: Monday At the Beach / Barrier Reef

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Turtle Inn

Today you have a variety of activities arranged through your hotel such as snorkeling on the barrier reef, sea kayaking, visiting the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (world’s only jaguar preserve, though your chances of seeing one are slim), and other nature and cultural excursions. You will be able to review a full list of optional activities at the hotel.

Day 10: Tuesday Depart for Home

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Placencia airport for your flight to Belize City International Airport where you can connect with your international flight back home.

Day 1 Playa del Carmen

Arrive at any time. Head out tonight with your fellow travellers to 12th Street, where there’s tons of bars and clubs to choose from. Say cheers to new adventures with new friends!

Check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

Shuttles and buses from the Cancún airport are easy to find and reasonably priced. You can also take the public ADO bus that has departures every 30 minutes from the airport to Playa Del Carmen for approximately MX 176 ($10 USD).

Day 2 Playa del Carmen

Enjoy free time to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm or take a ferry to nearby Cozumel. Or just play in the waves and enjoy the beach.

Start your holiday off with some hardcore relaxation. Enjoy a full day of free time to fill as you wish. Get your ruin on with a visit to Tulum perched atop the sea, explore the fish- and coral-filled seas around Cozumel on a scuba dive, go swimming in a cenote or at the beach, and save some energy for a night out on the town.

Day 3 Playa del Carmen/Caye Caulker

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Mention Belize and you may conjure up visions of unbelievably clear blue waters, diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef and remarkable marine life. Belize also boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easygoing people. Belize is all this and much more!

Day 4 Caye Caulker

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Day 5 Caye Caulker

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Day 6 Caye Caulker/San Ignacio

Travel by boat and bus from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio. Enjoy an included pottery demonstration and local lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative.

From the town of San Ignacio, opportunities abound for exploring Belize’s little known inland scenic beauty. With free time here, choose to explore the area by foot, canoe or horse, take a caving trip, or visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and swim in its inviting pools and rivers.

Day 7 San Ignacio

Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Day 8 San Ignacio/Flores

Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of the ruins of Tikal.

Cross the border into Guatemala and you immediately notice the difference in culture, with its heavy Mayan influence and Spanish language. Here we have entered Guatemala’s northeast jungle Petén region. The descendants of the Maya of Chichén Itzá migrated to the Petén area several centuries after the collapse of the great Mayan cities in the Yucatán. En route to Flores, stop for a guided tour of the ancient city of Tikal. Arrive in Flores, the capital of the department of Petén, a small island located on the second largest lake of Guatemala, Lake Petén Itzá.

Day 9 Flores/Rio Dulce

Travel across the country towards the coast to Rio Dulce, on the shores of Lake Izabal.

A travel day from Flores to Rio Dulce which is located in the department of Izabal, home of the largest lake in Guatemala, Lake Izabal was one of the most important water ways of the Spanish crown during colonial times. We take the road past areas of dense jungle and arrive at Río Dulce, a small town on Lake Izabal and a port stop for boaters around the globe, on their way to/from Livingston and the Caribbean coast.

Day 10 Rio Dulce

Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy a visit to the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project here. Then, walk around the grounds before a sit-down lunch of delicious local flavours.

Day 11 Rio Dulce/Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy an orientation walk of Antigua's cobblestone streets, then opt to take a salsa lesson and practice new moves out at night.

Today is a travel day from Rio Dulce to Antigua, followed by an orientation walk once you arrive. Plan your activities for the next day and enjoy some of the nightlife this beautiful colonial city has to offer.

Day 12 Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy a free day in Antigua. Opt to relax with a massage, climb a volcano, soak up the culture in one of the city's many cafés, or explore the nearby hills and towns by bike.

Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 13 Antigua Guatemala/Panajachel

Travel to beautiful Lake Atitlán and enjoy the views.

Travel through the hills and fertile fields of the Guatemalan highlands to the shores of Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue/grey mountains and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual natural beauty and traditional culture. The area is also ideal for outdoor pursuits like swimming, fishing, wind surfing, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Note: Please dress conservatively when visiting the villages and refrain from photographing religious ceremonies, or individuals who do not wish to be photographed.

Day 14 Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna

Embark on a boat ride across the lake before participating in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings at the lake's markets.

Day 15 San Juan La Laguna/Antigua Guatemala

Return to Antigua, and enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.

We return to Antigua to spend more time to explore the city, shop, and check out optional activities in the area. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills or taking a salsa lesson.

Day 16 Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy free time to relax with a massage, explore the nearby hills by bicycle, or visit a local macadamia nut farm.

Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 17 Antigua Guatemala/Copán

Set off today on a full day of travel from Antigua across the border to neighboring Honduras, arriving to the town of Copán Ruinas in the evening.

The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place, set along a river in the coffee growing region close to the Guatemalan border. The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features, including some of the most detailed carving in the Mayan world.

Day 18 Copán

Free time in Copán. Opt to visit the ruins of Copán or soak in hot springs.

Free time in Copan. Opt to visit the impressive Copan ruins and check out some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. Knowledgable local guides can interpret the many Mayan carvings left here over 1,000 years ago. You can also journey through the countryside to some hidden jungle hot springs for a relaxing soak.

Day 19 Copán/Suchitoto

Cross the border into El Salvador and stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.

Prepare for the long travel day with snacks.

Day 20 Suchitoto/La Libertad Region

Enjoy a free morning in Suchitoto before heading to the coast in the La Libertad region. The sunsets in these small surfing towns are stunning. Grab a cold drink and enjoy!

Day 21 La Libertad Region

Enjoy a free day in the laidback beach towns of the area to take a surf lesson, eat fresh ceviche at the fish market in nearby La Libertad, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or chill out with a beer in hand.

Day 22 La Libertad Region/León

Set off early for a full day of travel by land and sea to Nicaragua, finishing up in colonial León with a brief orientation walk.

Day 23 León/Granada

Journey to Granada and see its colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.

Granada’s colonial charm is complemented by the active volcanoes and lakes that surround it, and there are many fun easy day trips available. Hike, cruise, or just explore the city’s markets and museums. Walking is probably the easiest way to see all the sights of Granada.

Day 24 Granada

Free time to explore beautiful Granada's markets, buildings and museums. Opt to kayak in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.

Free time to explore beautiful Granada's busy markets, colonial buildings and museums on foot or take a horse and carriage ride around town. Enjoy a meal on the "calzada", a pedestrian street that extends from the center of town down to Lake Nicaragua. There are many optional activities to do just outside of town as well. Walk in the forest at the top of Mombacho Volcano, kayak around the isletas in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.

Day 25 Granada/Isla de Ometepe

Get to know local friends during a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay on Ometepe. Try the local cuisine and test out some language skills.

From the town of San Jorge, we cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes, one active and one dormant that rise out of the middle of the lake. The limited development and traditional communities create a welcoming relaxed atmosphere. The group will be split up amongst different local families who will host you in their homes for two nights in a small community on the island. Breakfast and dinner will be provided in the home. This experience give you a chance to see how rural Nicaraguans live.

Day 26 Isla de Ometepe

Enjoy free time to explore Ometepe. Opt to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, take a cultural tour, visit the beach at Santo Domingo, or visit el Ojo de Agua for a refreshing swim and lunch. You can also view pre-Columbian petroglyphs or the small museum of indigenous artifacts in Altagracia.

Today is a free day in Ometepe. We get to spend more time with the local host families and see more of the island. Opt to climb either of the two volcanoes on the island, view petroglyphs left by the island's original inhabitants, walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, swim in clear spring water at Ojo de Agua, lay on the beach or explore the island on bicycle.

Day 27 Isla de Ometepe/Monteverde

Take a ferry back to the mainland and cross the border into Costa Rica, finishing up in the cloudforest air of Monteverde.

At 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds. The Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves are home to diverse and unique flora and fauna. Sloths, monkeys, kinkajous, tapirs and large cats inhabit the area. There are more species of orchids here than anywhere else in the world.

Day 28 Monteverde

Free day in Monteverde. Opt to visit a cloud forest reserve, fly through the jungle canopy via zipline, or tour a coffee plantation.

The day is free to choose from many optional activities. Fly hundreds of meters above the trees on a zip-lining tour, hike through one of the cloud forest reserves, ride a horse in the mountains, visit a coffee/sugar cane farm, drive an ATV on trails in the hills, tour the cheese factory or check out the orchid garden, serpentarium, or frog pond in town.

Day 29 Monteverde/La Fortuna

Transfer to La Fortuna along bumpy roads, then break up the journey with a peaceful boat ride on Lake Arenal before a short ride to the town.

The trip from Monteverde to La Fortuna takes us down from the cloud forest and across Costa Rica's largest lake The town of La Fortuna lies at the base of the Arenal Volcano, which dominates the landscape rising to 1670 meters high. The town has become famous as the adventure sports capital of Costa Rica. Choose your adventure! Canyoning, white water rafting, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddlebording, kayaking, visiting a wildlife refuge, and even more activities are all possible options for you to choose from while we're here.

Day 30 La Fortuna

Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.

Choose your adventure! Canyoneering, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddleboarding, kayaking, visiting a wildlife refuge, and even more activities are all possible options for you to choose from while we're here.

Day 31 La Fortuna/San José

Journey through the mountains to the capital for a final night out.

Return to San José for our final night out. San José has beautiful parks, museums and theatres. Enjoy the view of the surrounding lush mountains from the downtown streets.

Day 32 San José

Depart at any time.