Luxury Guatemala and Belize: Tikal and the Caribbean

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What our experts say

I’ve always loved the contrast between Guatemala and Belize and so it made sense to bring them together for this signature trip. A great introduction to both countries, this holiday showcases the diverse cultures and history found in each region, from the indigenous highland communities of Guatemala to the laid-back, Caribbean atmosphere found in Belize. I’ve packed in lots of authentic experiences too, including the opportunity to fish with local fishermen on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala and swim with nurse sharks in Shark Ray Alley in Belize.

Jamie Swan

Travel Consultants

Places visited on this holiday

Luxury Guatemala and Belize: Tikal and the Caribbean

Antigua and the highlands
Tikal
Maya mountains and jungle
Caribbean cayes and coast

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Overview Fact file

Antigua was once one of Spanish America’s greatest cities, its prosperity and importance interrupted by earthquakes. Nowadays it is a peaceful, multi-national place retaining the best aspects of its Guatemalan heritage. Lovely to look at, it hosts lanes and shady plazas where flowering plants spill over crumbly walls, and pastel-painted colonial façades are punctuated with heavy wooden doors.

Boutiques, galleries, arty cafés and restaurants thrive here. The city is encircled by three volcanic peaks, along the fertile skirts of which flourish orchards and kitchen gardens. Beyond in the western highlands are traditional villages with flourishing markets. Chichicastenango, 1,965m, is the best known but others such as Zunil are also a riot of colour.

When to go

The best weather conditions in the upland areas are during the dry season Dec - May. It can be cold in the highlands in winter. Culture lovers may opt to spend Easter in Antigua. The busiest time for tourists is Dec - Mar.

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Notes can be withdrawn using a UK credit or debit card from ATMs in Antigua and Chichicastenango. You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK and each transaction is limited to about £100.

Time difference

GMT -6 hours.

Combines with

Lake Atitlán, 52 km from Antigua by road; Flores, for a visit to Tikal ruins, 1hr by air from Guatemala City (1 hour by road from Antigua).

Getting there

There are flights to Guatemala City via US and European hubs, the journey from London to Guatemala City takes around taking around 13 hours. It’s an hour’s drive from the airport to Antigua.

Key events

Semana Santa, Easter. Celebrations throughout the country; especially impressive in Antigua – justifiably considered the best in Latin America.
Santo Tomás, Chichicastenango, 13 -22 Dec. Processions, traditional dancing, marimba music.

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Overview Fact file

The Petén of northern Gualtemala is a vast lowland blanketed in dense tropical rainforest. Nowadays it’s sparsely inhabited but this was not the case in the past: the Mayan city of Tikal, which began its development before 250AD, grew to be a vast cultural, religious and commercial centre. Following its collapse (c. 900AD) its jungle remoteness kept it isolated until roads and airstrips brought it within reach in the late 20th century. With its surviving temple pyramids piercing the canopy, vast plazas, its wealth of carvings and inscriptions and its location in the midst of a wild-life rich national park it is now one of the continent’s most impressive cultural monuments.

When to go

Mar - Apr are the hottest but also the driest months, while in Dec - Feb it can be chilly at the beginning and end of the day. Most rain falls between May - Oct when there are plenty of mosquitoes and other insects.

Language

Spanish.

Getting local currency

Quetzal. Dollars can be exchanged in banks, hotels and travel agencies in Flores, and there are a couple of ATMs where notes may be withdrawn using a UK credit or debit card. (Best not to rely on these and use this method in a larger town before travelling to the Petén). You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK and each transaction is limited to about £100.

Time difference

GMT -6 hours.

Combines with

Belize: Belize City is a 4-5 hours drive east from Flores (220 km) crossing the land border into western Belize.

Getting there

There are daily flights from Guatemala City (1 hour) to Flores. From here it’s a 1 hour 15mins drive to Tikal.

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Overview Fact file

The unspoilt interior of Belize harbours some of Central America’s loveliest landscapes and a host of little-visited Mayan sites. In the north, wildlife sanctuaries rub shoulders with sugar cane fields, and recently uncovered Mayan cities poke their head above the canopy of dense jungle. The river banks from the Mennonite village of Shipyard are decorated with tangled bromeliads hanging from tropical trees. Nearby are the Mayan ruins of Lamanai with almost 700 structures.

West towards Guatemala, in the Cayo District, the Macal River offers a water-borne way to explore the forest scenery; and the jagged peaks and gorges of ancient Mountain Pine Ridge are just begging to be explored.

When's the best time to go Belize's Mayan mountains?

The best weather conditions are during the dry season Dec-May. It can be cool in the highlands in winter, while the jungle areas are hot and humid all year round. There’s a low risk of tropical storms or hurricanes Jun-Nov. The busiest time for tourists is Dec-Mar.

What's the official language of Belize Mayan mountains?

English.

How do I get local currency in Belize Mayan mountains?

Belizean dollar. Notes can be obtained from money exchanges and from banks which will supply advances on a debit or credit card. There are few, if any, ATMs outside Belize City where you can use a UK credit or debit card.

What's the time difference between Belize Mayan mountains and UK?

GMT -6 hrs.

What places combine well with Belize Mayan mountains?

A beach stay on one of Belize’s coral cayes, accessible from Belize City by air or boat; a visit to neighbouring Guatemala, with its Latin and Mayan cultural heritage, there’s a road link to the Mayan ruins at Tikal in the jungle Petén; southern Mexico, crossing the land border at Chetumal.

How do I get to Belize Mayan mountains?

The north: fly from Belize City to Gallon Jug (30mins) followed by a short drive to Chan Chich. By road and river via Orange Walk from Belize City to Lamanai (2hrs). For the Macal River, travel from Belize to San Ignacio, 115km.

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Overview Fact file

With its musical inspiration and cuisine emanating from the reggae and rasta Caribbean culture, and everyone speaking English, Belize still has its own national identity, no more so than on the coast.

There are sugar-white Caribbean beaches on the mainland and the offshore cayes with coral reefs lying just offshore and wrecks harbouring a wealth of underwater life. Ambergris Caye, the largest island, offers access to the reef. Caye Caulker, a lobster-fishing island, is a long-time hippy paradise which has retained its easy-going atmosphere. Placencia, a barefoot resort currently under development, is at the tip of a spidery spit of land south of the little clap-board fishing port of Dangriga.

When's the best time to visit the Caribbean in Belize?

The best weather conditions are during the dry season Dec-May, when temperatures hover around 30°C. There’s a risk of tropical storms or hurricanes June-Nov. The busiest time for tourists is Dec-Mar.

What's the official language of Belize?

English

How do I get to Belize's Caribbean coast and cays?

The cayes, and the southern resorts such as Placencia, are accessible by light aircraft and boat from Belize City.

What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Belize's Caribbean?

Belize chocolate festival: Toledo in southern Belize, 3 days in May annually.

Belize Carnival: (Feb/Mar). Lively celebrations especially in San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye.

Costa Maya Festival: San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, early Aug. A five day festival with music, dance, cuisine, and other cultural celebrations from the Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Lobster season: Lobster season starts Jun-Jul, with lobster on offer in all its forms, with drinking and partying.

Belize Independence Day: throughout the country, 21 Sep. Parades, processions and parties.

How do I get local money in Belize's Caribbean coast and cays?

Belizean dollar. Notes can be obtained from money exchanges and from banks (Ambergris and Caye Caulker have them) which will supply advances on a debit or credit card. There are ATMs in Belize City where you can use a UK credit or debit card. You may have to get authorisation from your bank first, and withdrawal amounts may be limited. Time difference: GMT -6 hrs.