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Private Journeys

Signature Guatemala and Belize: Culture and Caribbean

15 days from £3,650pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Guatemala / Belize

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Overview & Highlights

This highlights tour to Guatemala and Belize can’t be beaten for variety.  Combine arty Antigua, Lake Atitlán and the jungle-clad Mayan ruins of Tikal  with the tropical forest and coral island Ambergris Caye, near the dive sites of the Belize Barrier Reef.

This highlights of Guatemala and Belize trip combines two very different countries in one experience-packed holiday. Guatemala is steeped in native Mayan and Spanish colonial tradition; you'll be introduced to both, including Antigua and Lake Atitlán. Belize, a truly Caribbean country, is laid-back and English-speaking. Here you stay at the remote  Chaa Creek eco-lodge, and can go diving or snorkelling at Blue Hole on Ambergris Caye.

Start off in Antigua, Guatemala’s colonial masterpiece, and continue to the serene setting of Lake Atitlán, encircled by volcanoes, handkerchief-sized fields and tiny indigenous villages. Continue to Tikal, the vast ruined Mayan city where ancient temples and pyramids emerge above the rainforest canopy. Crossing the border into Belize, stay at Chaa Creek, an award-winning lodge surrounded by tropical foliage rich in wildlife, where you can enjoy the thrills and spills of outdoor activities, or just relax. Round off the holiday on the coral beaches of Ambergris Caye in the turquoise Caribbean Sea, home to the world-renowned Mesmoamerican Reef.

Read More
  • Walking tour of Antigua
  • Boat excursion to Santiago de Atitlán and San Antonio Palapó
  • Chichicastenango market
  • Guided tour of Tikal ruins

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Charlotte

Charlotte Daubeney

Travel Expert

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Things to do

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Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • We have travelled with JLA on several occasions throughout South America. JLA may not be the cheapest tour operator, but booking with JLA means peace of mind, expert and helpful…

    CR, Bath
  • Seeing the people on the Uros islands demonstrate how they cook, the amazing Iguassu Falls, seeing a toucan close up (at Iguassu), all the different Inca sites, seeing the traditional…

    PW, Leatherhead
  • The Eagle tour was one of the best trips I have had. Thank you all!

    HC, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  • Everything was memorable, Chilean landscapes are so different...Patagonia (Torres del Paine) was my favourite because it's just stunning. Valparaiso: wonderful colourful city, Atacama Desert: incredible landscapes, and so varied from…

    EG, Hove
  • It was exciting just being in Patagonia. The hike in Torres and the Profunda ranch visit in El Calafate were wonderful because they were more personal than the usual tourist…

    SG, Berwick-upon-Tweed
  • Every day was memorable for some reason - the reason for being there was to see Aisen - so the cities perhaps less memorable - but our tour leader made…

    CR, Isle of Mull
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Our Expert's Opinion

I've always been fascinated by the contrast between Guatemala and Belize, so it made perfect sense to bring them together in this signature trip. It serves as an excellent introduction to both countries, showcasing the diverse cultures and histories found in each region. From the indigenous highland communities of Guatemala to the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere of Belize, this trip offers authentic experiences such as fishing with local fishermen on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala or swimming with nurse sharks in Shark Ray Alley in Belize.

Charlotte
Charlotte Daubeney Travel Expert Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

Inspired by this trip

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

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