A completely hassle-free trip through Guatemala and Belize

A good start

After spending one night in Guatemala City, we were picked up the following morning by our guide and driver, Julio, an extremely friendly man who showed us and told us all about the ins and outs of his country. First, we set off for Copán, a six-hour journey along a chaotic motorway. We were so glad to have Julio with us! In the end, the journey was rewarded with a stunning ecolodge. It was a true birdwatcher’s paradise where even macaws nest.

The next day, we visited the Mayan ruins of the same name. We were given a guided trip and an explanation by David Sedat, who worked as an archaeologist on the excavation of the Mayan city. Later that day, we even had dinner at his home, where he explained how important cocoa production is for this region.

From lakes to volcanoes

Eventually, we stopped off for a few days at Lake Atitlán. A lovely hotel with a swimming pool, beautiful views and friendly people. A wonderful place to rest and recover from all the new experiences. From Atitlán, we drove to the old capital, Antigua, surrounded by volcanoes. We had a view of a volcano that sent a puff of smoke into the air every quarter of an hour, as if it were smoking a pipe. A really lovely, laid-back town.

Of course, you’ve got to climb a volcano like that too. To be honest, I’m actually quite proud that we managed it. We reached the highest point accessible to climbers (2,100 metres) on the Paguaya volcano. There was another eruption in 2021, which meant you were still walking over hot lava.

Indigenous tribes

After 12 days, we said goodbye to Julio. Here too, we were once again warmly welcomed by our local guide. We drove into the jungle, right through the Mayan city of Tikal, to head deep into the jungle towards Uaxactún. We slept in a tent and heard the howler monkeys roaring. We met the local people who earn their living by gathering leaves from the jungle. We have gained a great deal of respect for these remarkable people.

Our finale: Belize

After about three weeks in Guatemala, we swap that country for Belize. It’s a lot warmer and we’re no longer speaking Spanish but English – quite a relief to be able to make ourselves understood again without having to use our hands and feet. Here too, we visit Mayan ruins hidden away in the jungle. A bumpy road takes us to Chiquibul National Park, where we’re woken up early in the morning for an exciting but beautiful hike through the forest.

Eventually, we drive north through Belize to the lowlands. A completely different landscape. We even spend an hour and a half on a boat that takes us to the Lamanai outpost. Too beautiful for words. I compared it a bit to the Biesbosch, although I’ve never spotted any crocodiles there! In the evening, you can take a boat trip along the shores of the lake and through small creeks to admire the wildlife. We had some fantastic encounters. But all good things must come to an end; we boarded a four-seater plane which took us to our final destination in Placencia. We returned home feeling satisfied and well-rested. A wonderful trip we’ll never forget!