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Private Journeys

Signature Guatemala and Belize: Culture and Caribbean

15 days from £3,825pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Guatemala / Belize

Essentials

  • Tour info

  • Country info

  • What's included

Tour info

Summary Of Nights

15 days, 14 nights: Antigua 3; Lake Atitlán 3; Tikal 2; San Ignacio 3; Ambergris Caye 3.

Accommodation

We have chosen a variety of upper mid-range hotels for this holiday: comfortable, great value, well-located and which showcase a touch of local character. Accommodation varies in heritage from colonial-style properties, to lakeside hotels and remote lodges.

 

Transport

2 internal flights (longest 1 hour); 4 scenic road journeys (longest 4 hours); a couple of boat trips; and several short hotel transfers

Meals

Breakfast daily, lunch day 8.

Guides

Our local, trusted and carefully selected partners understand the expectations of our customers very well, and their staff and guides are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.  On this holiday, you will be joined by different guides for each activity and or region, ensuring you benefit from specialised expertise and knowledge, often from someone local to the area.

Optional Excursions

As well as any included activities, this Private Journey includes some free time for optional excursions. As optional excursions are often subject to availability, we recommend you discuss and arrange them with your Travel Expert as early as possible before you depart.

Country info

When is the best time to visit Guatemala?

The best weather conditions in the upland areas are during the dry season Dec - May. It can be cold in the highlands in winter, while the jungle areas are hot and humid all year round. Culture lovers may opt to spend Easter in Antigua.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What is the official language of Guatemala?

The official language spoken in Guatemala is Spanish and indigenous indian languages mainly derived from Maya.

What is the official currency of Guatemala?

The official currency in Guatemala is Quetzal. Notes can be withdrawn using a UK credit or debit card from the many ATMs. There’s at least one in most main towns. You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK and each transaction is limited to about £100.

What is the time difference between the UK and Guatemala?

The time difference between the UK and Guatemala is GMT-6 hours.

Do I need a visa for Guatemala?

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

What vaccinations do I need for Guatemala?

Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.

Which other countries combine well with Guatemala?

A visit to neighbouring Belize, where there are luxury eco-lodges, superb diving and snorkelling all embraced in British Caribbean cultural heritage; Copán, the ruined Mayan City of northern Honduras with its intricate carvings, accessible from Guatemala by road.

What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Guatemala?

Semana Santa, Easter. Celebrations throughout the country; especially impressive in Antigua.
Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, 1-2 Nov. Celebrated throughout the country.
Traditional fiestas:  There are many festivals in Guatemala from giant kite flying near Antigua to wild horse racing in remote Todo Los Santos.

 

When is the best time to visit Belize?

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.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What's the official language of Belize?

The official language of Belize is English but many of the population also speak a creole patois.

How do I get local currency in Belize?

The Belizean dollar is the currency in Belize. Notes can be obtained from money exchanges and also from banks 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.

What's the time difference between Belize and UK?

The time difference between the UK and Belize is GMT -6 hrs

Do I need a visa to visit Belize?

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

What vaccinations do I need in Belize?

Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.

What places combine well with Belize?

A visit to neighbouring Guatemala, with its Latin and Maya cultural heritage, is good to pair with a Belize holiday as there’s a road link to the Mayan ruins at Tikal in the Petén jungle. Southern Mexico is also easy to visit from Belize, as you can cross the land border at Chetumal.

What are the festivals and cultural and sporting events in Belize?

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

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.

Garifuna Settlement Day, Dangriga, 19 Nov. Includes parades, live music, drumming, dancing, and prayers in celebration of the first Garifuna Afro-Caribbean settlers.

How long is the flight to Belize from UK?

There are flights via US and European hubs, the journey from London taking around 15.5 hours.

Lake Atitlan views in Guatemala

What's included in the price

  • Services of our team of experts in our London office
  • Services of Journey Latin America local representatives and guides
  • All land and air transport within Latin America
  • Accommodation as specified
  • Meals as specified
  • Excursions as specified, including entrance fees

Included Excursions

  • Antigua: walking tour (private)
  • Lake Atitlan: boat trip to San Juan La Laguna (private)
  • Lake Atitlan: Chichicastenango or Solola markets (private)
  • Flores: Tikal ruins (private)
  • Chaa Creek: Caracol ruins (shared)

What's not included in the price

  • Tips and gratuities
  • Meals other than specified
  • International flights to Latin America
  • Airport taxes, when not included in the ticket
  • Optional excursions

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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Your edit for Latin American inspiration

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.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
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Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Hannah
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Rosie profile
    Rosie Kay - Travel Expert

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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