Guatemala & Belize Bespoke Holiday
Discovery of Guatemala & Belize. You will have your own personal chauffeur guide with car in Ecuador, so you can experience Guatemala & Belize at your own pace. The highlights of this tour: Natural Beauty, Rivers, Lakes, Waterfalls, Mountains, Jungle Rainforest, Stunning Wildlife & Tropical Birds, Local Ingenious Culture & Peoples, Colourful Markets, Ancient Maya Ruins, Colonial History & Legacy, Soft Adventure, World-class Snorkelling & Diving, Beach & Pool R&R
Our Suggested Day By Day Itinerary
This tour can be fully personalised and upgrades are available.
Ecuador & Galapagos tailor-made holidays will be designed to suit your preferences.
PACKAGE DETAILS
From £3,430 Per Person
Based on 2 sharing a Room
- Price Includes:
- Return economy flights from UK London/Manchester/Birmingham. Contact us for flights quotation from different countries.
- Excursions,
- Entry fees,
- Transport: Private A/C Car with Chauffeur Guide
Hotels: Mixture of Mid-range & Deluxe hotels on Breakfast Basis
Business Class Flights Upgrades Are Available
Day 1 – Fly To Gatemala
Fly to Guatemala via 1 brief same day touchdown connection in a USA hub airport
to be advised (e.g. Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas) with onward flight to Guatemala.
You’ll be met at Guatemala City airport by an English-speaking driver/guide who’ll transfer you
to Antigua, the former colonial capital of Guatemala, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3 nights, Casa Encantada, 1 x Studio Twin & 1 Standard Room, B&B
– www.casaencantada-antigua.com
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Day 2 – Antigua – At leisure
Day at leisure. Optional activities available in the area, and which can be pre-booked or booked
locally when there, include:
o City Tour
o Visit a local macadamia nut farm
o Visit the Jade Museum and numerous shops selling jade & silver jewellery – Guatemala is
one of the few places in the world where Jadeite is found
o Visit the daily colourful market
o Visit the Cacao and Chocolate Museum
o Visit the nearby town of Pastores, to buy your handmade leather Cowboy Boots
o Visit a Women’s Weaving Cooperative in nearby San Antonio Aguascalientes
o Go horse-riding
o Mountain biking
o Relax in the Santa Teresita hot springs just outside Antigua
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Day 3 – Pacaya Volcano
Morning hike of Pacaya Volcano (private).
Located around 50km from Antigua, Pacaya Volcano is an impressive active volcano of the
Strombolian type. The climb starts at the village of San Vicente de Pacaya, and takes around 1
hour 30min and affords beautiful views of the volcano and the Guatemala City urban area as
you climb. Once you reach the foot of the crater, you can see several other volcanoes such as
Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, and with clear weather even the volcanoes of Lake Atitlan and
Quetzaltenango. As the volcano is active, you constantly feel its heat and smell the sulphur
seeping out through the porous lava stone. Some spots are warm enough to toast your own
marshmallows or sausages! And if you’re lucky you may even see lava flowing.
Entrance fee is included.
Difficulty: intermediate
Altitude: 2550 m / 8366 ft above sea level
What to bring: 2 litres of water, good hiking shoes, hat, camera, wind or rain jacket.
Extras: going up on horseback; horses can be rented at the starting point for an extra
fee
Afternoon at leisure. Optional activities available in the area, and which can be pre-booked or booked locally when there.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Day 4 – Lake Atitlan & Maya ruins at Iximché
Private transfer to Lake Atitlan (Spanish-speaking driver only, no guide). En route stop for a
brief self-guided visit to the Maya ruins at Iximché.
In the afternoon your driver will take you to enjoy some ziplining at the San Buenaventura
Nature Reserve – the Cables X-Tremos Circuit (Spanish-speaking driver only, no guide).
Hiking through the densely forested slopes of the volcanoes you’ll be surrounded by the sights
and sounds of an abundance of birds and mammals – the area is home to around 250 species of
tropical birds alone. Cross over hanging bridges to get to your destination and on your trek
upwards, you’ll pass by a coffee plantation.
You’ll cross the plantation including five suspension bridges and a waterfall, to join the old
mule track that leads to the starting point above the waterfall. The first tranche of 145 m
passes over the waterfall and has the view of the valley and the lake. The second of 310 m, is
the view of the falls (at least 3), the valley and the lake. Return with 253 m in length, you will
view the old part of the estate and the encinal trees. A short and easy line of 131 m takes you
to the passage below the large stone. From above, you canopy above an encinal tree (150 m)
and then return to the coffee plantation on a faster leg (120 m), then a short (81 m) and finally
back to the Visitor Centre.
The full circuit is about 1300 metres long with 8 zip-wires ranging from 90 to 320 metres and
passing waterfalls, canyons, valley and forest plantation. The duration of the tour is
approximately one hour and includes a short walk of 450 meters with a vertical rise of 80
meters.
2 nights Dos Mundos, 2 x Standard Rooms on a Half-board basis
– www.hoteldosmundos.com
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Read more...
Day 5 – Boat trip across Lake Atitlan
Boat trip across Lake Atitlan (private)
Board a boat for a scenic ride across the Lake to Santiago Village. Here, your guide will help
you find the house where the Maya God Maximon is living. Each year a different ‘brotherhood’
has the privilege of taking care of their God so his location changes. Once with Maximon you
may see local shaman performing rituals for local people and if you wish you can ask your guide
to help you hire the services of a shaman for you to have a personal ceremony performed.
After visiting Maximon you can visit the local church and learn about the history of this very
traditional town and also see the market and learn about the distinctive textiles and primitive
art that is famous from this area.
Includes: English-speaking guide, private boat, tuk-tuks for transportation in the towns
& Maximon donation fee
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Read more...
Day 6 – Chichicastenango
Meet with your Spanish-speaking driver for the drive to Chichicastenango where you’ll self-guide around the bustling Thursday market.
On Thursdays and Sundays the town of 76,000 inhabitants is invaded by local villagers who
come to buy and sell in the market; conduct their business; and perform their religious
ceremonies, both in the catholic church and at traditional Mayan sites. Most of the women in
‘Chichi’ continue to wear their traditional clothing of huipil (blouse) and corte (skirt). The
unusual men’s religious outfit is less often observed but can be seen being worn by waiters in
some of the town’s hotels.
The traditional backstrap weaving technique used for making clothes is now employed to create
household accessories and other wonderful souvenirs and the textile portion of the market
spreads through the streets in a kaleidoscope of bright colours.
Onward Private transfer by road with Spanish-speaking driver, no guide, to Guatemala City
airport to catch the evening flight to Flores in the north of Guatemala and nearest town to the
Tikal National Park.
o Depart Guatemala City 18:35; arrive Flores 19:40 Avianca
You’ll be met at the airport for a private transfer with Spanish-speaking driver (no guide) to
your hotel on the island-town of Flores.
2 nights Hotel Isla de Flores, 2 x Standard Rooms, B&B
• www.hotelisladeflores.com
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Day 7 – Maya ruins at Tikal
Guided tour of the Maya ruins at Tikal (private).
Covering an area greater than 16 square kilometres (6.2 sq mi) it includes about 3000 structures
and in its day was the capital of a conquest state that was one of the most powerful kingdoms
of the ancient Maya, dominating much of the region politically, economically, and militarily.
Your tour today takes you to the principal areas of this huge site – Complex Q, the Central
Plaza, the Northern and Central Acropolis, the Lost World complex, and Temple IV – all the
while enjoying the sights and sounds of a wide variety of tropical bird and wildlife.
Includes: transportation, English-speaking guide, entrance fees to the Park and lunch.
Not included: entrance fee to the Museum
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Days 8 – Belize
Private transfer with Spanish-speaking driver (no guide) to the border with Belize (travel time
approx 1.5 hours). At the border you’ll need to complete border formalities on both sides of
the border before meeting with your Belize driver for the onwards private transfer to Belize’s
Cayo District. All your drivers in Belize will speak English. En route you’ll stop at the
Xunantunich Maya ruins for a guided visit.
Situated on the banks of the Mopan River, Xunantunich means “stone woman” in Mayan.
Xunantunich was a thriving city near the end of the Classic Period (300-900 A.D.) with large
plazas ringed with pyramids. The tallest is the 130 foot “El Castillo” which is large by Mayan
standards and is only exceeded in Belize by the Caana pyramid at Caracol.
The centre of the site is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and
palaces. The large pyramid, El Castillo, is well known for the frieze or band of stucco
decoration which at one time extended around the entire temple. To arrive at the site you’ll
cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry.
Includes: entrance fee, lunch & local guide
When you’re ready, continue with the transfer to your lodge.
3 nights Black Rock Lodge, 2 x Classic Cabins, B&B
• www.blackrocklodge.com
• Please note meals are taken family style at the lodge
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Day 9 – Snorkelling boat trip to Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley
Half-day snorkelling boat trip to Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley (group excursion)
Hol Chan means ‘Little Channel’ in Mayan and is a natural break on the barrier reef where
ocean depth ranges from 3 to 30 feet. Here you will enjoy seeing the breath-taking myriad of
marine life and huge coral garden, among which are flourishing stag horn corals and sea fans.
Shark Ray Alley is a shallow water snorkel where you’ll enjoy swimming with harmless nurse
sharks and southern stingrays – this trip is a famous snorkel trip and a “must do” for Belize.
Included: transfers, guide, marine fee
Not Included: snorkelling gear US$ 10 per person
Rest of the day at leisure. Optional activities available in the area (for some a supplement
applies) and which can be pre-booked or booked locally via your hotel, include:
o Beach & Pool and/or Spa R&R
o Snorkelling & diving
o Manatee spotting
o Watersports Fishing & boat trips, Sunset sailing
o Para-sailing & wind-surfing Sea kayaking
o Wandering the shops, stalls, boutiques, bars, cafes, restaurants, souvenir outlets and
waterfront of buzzy Caribbean seaside town of San Pedro
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Days 10 – At leisure
Final day at leisure for some chill time and to relax and rest up at the end of the holiday – see
above for possible activities.
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Day 11 – Departure to your destination
Shared transfer to the airport for a short 25-minute domestic flight to Belize City International.
– Times to be confirmed
- Maya Island Air or Tropic Air but price already included
- Board Includes:
- Breakfast
Read more...
Notes for this tour:
What’s included in the price:
✓ £300 (£75 per person x 4) discount
✓ All Transfers (Arrival, Departure, Point-to-Point Touring) includes Driver/Vehicle/Petrol/Tax for 2
people and luggage
✓ One-way Flight in Economy Class from Guatemala City to Flores including luggage
✓ One-way Water Taxi ticket from Belize City to Ambergris Caye
✓ One-way domestic flight in Economy Class, from Ambergris Caye to Belize International Airport
✓ All Accommodation/Hotels and Meals as Detailed
o 13 x Daily Breakfast, 3 Lunches, plus In-flight meals – all for 4 people
o Local taxes & service charges associated with included accommodation
✓ All Tours/Activities/Excursions/Sightseeing described as included :
o Includes entrances, driver, English-speaking guides, hotel pick-up and drop-off, vehicle
use, petrol, local taxes
✓ TTA Financial Protection – for all services (flights and ground services) (Belize and USA) and all
payments (deposit and balance)
o Supplier Failure Insurance and Repatriation Cover
✓ Research, sourcing, design and preparation of your tailor-made holiday itinerary and booking
quote, plus required amendments
✓ Booking Admin and Processing; Foreign Exchange Payments & International Bank Transfers,
Ticketing and Issue of Travel Documents
✓ The services of our local ground agents in Belize who will coordinate and host your stay and
ensure that everything runs smoothly including access to a local English language 24/7 telephone
help line. Access to Earth Trip Customer Service Pre/During/Post Trip
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LATAM @ THE EARTH TRIP
by The Earth Trip Ltd
TTA 059X
14
www.theearthtrip.co.uk latam@theearthtrip.com
www.centralamericarevealed.co.uk
Tel: 0787 116 0558
What’s NOT included in the cost of your holiday:
– Return International Long-Haul Transatlantic flights from UK to Belize via USA in Economy Class –
either end of your holiday for 4 people to be booked and charged separately early March 2022)
o To include Fare/Tax/Luggage/In-fight Meal & Refreshment/Inflight Entertainment –
estimate £650pp x 4
– any excess over 20Kg on Guatemala City to Flores flight is payable $1 US per kilo per person in
$US cash at check-in
– Drinks, Personal Spending and Items of a Personal Nature
– Gratuities & Tips
– Extras such as Room Service or Laundry
– Any Meals not listed as Included
– Any Tours/Excursions/Sightseeing/Activities listed as optional and/or not listed as included
– Personal Travel and Health Insurance
– Visa costs if relevant (e.g. costs associated with obtaining an American ESTA visa waiver)
– Arrival tax of US$15 per person when flying into Guatemala City. – Domestic airport security tax
when flying from Guatemala City to Flores, payable locally and currently US$6 per person
– Domestic airport departure tax when flying within Belize, payable locally and of the order of US$7
per person and Airport departure tax on leaving Belize, payable locally in US$ and currently
US$55.50 per person + a Security Screening fee of US$0.75 per person also payable locally
– Any vaccinations or any Covid Related Quarantine and/or Testing Costs
Visa requirements for British Citizens
Please check the links below for entry requirements:
– USA: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa
You’ll need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or
transit the USA as a visitor.
To apply for the ESTA, you’ll need to complete an online pre-registration form on the official ESTA
website and pay the fee of US$14 per application. You should submit your application in good time
and at least 72 hours before departure to allow for processing and approval by the US authorities. If
you arrive at your departure airport without a previously approved ESTA or valid visa, you may be
denied boarding.
We recommend you make a note of your ESTA number and have this to hand while travelling.
– Guatemala: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guatemala
– Belize: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belize
Please check back regularly up to your departure date as entry requirements can sometimes change.
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Important Booking Notes
LATAM @ THE EARTH TRIP
by The Earth Trip Ltd
TTA 059X
15
www.theearthtrip.co.uk latam@theearthtrip.com
www.centralamericarevealed.co.uk
Tel: 0787 116 0558
– Holiday based on 4 travelling and sharing 2 rooms (1 double, 1 twin)
– Please note that the pick-up times for all transfers & excursions will be confirmed with you locally.
– Note that excursion/activity durations may vary due to local conditions.
– Hotel room images used in this document may not be representative of the actual room you have
booked.
– If you have any early-morning departure from the hotel, or an early-departing tour/excursion, you
may be too early for the regular hotel breakfast and may therefore be supplied with a box
breakfast instead. For very early departures there may be no breakfast supplied. Please check for
arrangements specific to your holiday.
– Please be aware that some of the roads in Central America are un-made or poorly maintained so
transfer times can be longer than they look on the map.
– Please ensure those travelling visit their G.P. for up-to-date vaccination information at least 8
weeks prior to travel. Additional useful Information is also provided at
www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk, an NHS web site specialising in providing health information to
travellers from the UK.
– Note: if arriving from or into a country defined by the World Health Organisation as a yellow fever
risk, you may be required to have and to be able to show a current Yellow Fever vaccination
certificate. Certificates are valid 10 days after the date of vaccination. See
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention/yellow-fever/yellow-fever-risk-areas.aspx for
more information.
– Please be aware that not all hotels in Central America provide plugs for bathrooms basins, and not
all basins are designed to take plugs.
– Hotel rooms in Belize and Guatemala typically contain 2 double beds, allowing them to be sold as
a Single, a Double, a Triple and a Quad room. If you need to confirm a specific bed configuration
please speak with your Travel Consultant.
– All your guides and drivers will be English-speaking
– We are not holding any flights. If you would like us to put anything on hold for you please let us
know.
– Please note that when travelling via the USA on an American carrier (eg American Airlines, United
Airlines, Delta), the airline typically does not provide a meal on the flight to / from your Central
American country destination. You can find details of what meals are / are not provided by logging
into your flight booking on the relevant website.
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LATAM @ THE EARTH TRIP
by The Earth Trip Ltd
TTA 059X
16
www.theearthtrip.co.uk latam@theearthtrip.com
www.centralamericarevealed.co.uk
Tel: 0787 116 0558
– For the domestic flight Guatemala City – Flores when flying on Avianca, the luggage allowance is
as follows:
o checked luggage per person is 20Kg per person included – any excess over 20Kg is payable
in $US cash $1 US per kilo per person at check-in
o cabin baggage per person is 10kg
o The sum of the external dimensions of each bag (height+length+width) cannot exceed 158
centimetres (62 inches) for the checked bag, and 115 centimetres (45 inches) for the
carry-on.
– Domestic flight luggage allowance details when flying on Maya Island Air within Belize. Each
passenger is permitted 1 carry-on, 1 smaller personal item, and 1 checked bag with the following
dimensions:
o The permissible carry on size accepted includes but is not limited to purses, small
backpacks, brief cases and the like, with a maximum weight of 15 lbs. Due to limited cabin
space, all carry-ons must fit snug under the seat.
o Each passenger is allowed one checked bag with a maximum weight limit of 50 lbs.
(approx. 22.67 kgs) and 62 linear inches (27″ x 21″ x 14″). These will be placed in the
storage bay below or to the rear of the aircraft. Anything larger, heavier or oddly-shaped
may incur additional fees.
o See www.mayaislandair.com/belize-flights-baggage
o There may be a small departure fee charged when flying internally in Belize, which is
payable locally and is of the order of US$7 per person
– All our holidays are fulfilled by The Earth Trip Ltd, trading as LatAM @ The Earth Trip and are
financially protected under TTA 059X – for details see: –
https://www.thetravelnetworkgroup.co.uk/faqs; and are subject to The Earth Trip’s ABTAapproved T&Cs to be sent to you at the time of booking
Travel Insurance
Suitable Travel Insurance is mandatory for all people who travel with The Earth Trip Ltd – you are free to
book insurance with whichever insurance company you choose
Pack for a Purpose
How it Works
Our local Ground Agent in Belize who will host your trip champions local community projects via the ‘Pack
for a Purpose programme
It takes just 5 easy steps to ‘Pack for a Purpose’ when you travel. Learn how simple it really is and how you
can make a big impact! To participate, just check the link below, where you can find a list of the items that
are needed: https://www.packforapurpose.org/blog/tag/belize/
…continued next page
LATAM @ THE EARTH TRIP
by The Earth Trip Ltd
TTA 059X
17
www.theearthtrip.co.uk latam@theearthtrip.com
www.centralamericarevealed.co.uk
Tel: 0787 116 0558
COVID Booking Notes
Leisure Travel and Holidays to Belize and Guatemala from the UK are legal and permitted as of October
11th 2021 – and as of the time of writing Belize and Guatemala are accepting UK travellers; and Belize
and Guatemala attractions are open.
However, if after booking and paying for this trip – if for reason of any Covid related Travel Restriction (in
place now and not later lifted, or imposed subsequent to booking) whether imposed by UK or Belize
Governments the trip cannot proceed as scheduled and advertised where the Earth Trip had to
subsequently impose a Covid-enforced cancellation, the client would qualify for an ABTA-approved
Refund Credit Note and use it to postpone the trip to a later date at no extra cost until such time as travel
was possible at a new and mutually acceptable date; OR alternatively the client would qualify for a full
cash refund according to their preference.
Any, post booking, dis-inclination to travel on the part of the client (Covid-related or otherwise) where The
Earth Trip can still legally and logistically and satisfactorily run the trip – then normal standard Earth Trip
Cancellation T&Cs apply and cost recovery will be subject to client’s own travel insurance and whether
such travel insurance covers in the specific circumstances that prevail.
Note: Under current guidelines a country with high Covid cases is not a reason on its own to qualify for a
full cash refund – but moving from open status to Red would be.
If you are ill with Covid yourself pre your trip and can’t travel you must claim through your travel
insurance if you have to cancel but if the Earth Trip cannot operate your trip due to Covid travel
restrictions we will work with you to rearrange and postpone your trip or offer a full refund according to
your preference.
If the UK government placed Belize or Guatemala on the Red List while you were away where UK
government hotel quarantine was required on return this would be at the cost and risk of the booking
client(s)
Tailor Your Tour - Potential Highlights
If you love this tour but want to change some details our team will tailor this tour to match your interests. With our in-depth knowledge we will provide you with the best advice on every detail of the tour.
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Tailor Your Tour - Potential Highlights
If you love this tour but want to change some details our team will tailor this tour to match your interests. With our in-depth knowledge we will provide you with the best advice on every detail of the tour.
Guatemala & Belize Holiday 2025/2026
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