2-week round trip Guatemala & Belize

Day 3 | Antigua

Today’s itinerary features a spectacular climb! You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the foot of the Pacaya volcano. This volcano is about a 45-minute drive from Antigua, and the journey there takes you along narrow mountain tracks, offering stunning views of Guatemala’s valleys and volcanoes. The climb takes about 1.5 hours, so sturdy walking boots are essential. The first part of the trek involves walking through dense forests along sandy paths. After about half an hour’s walk, you’ll reach an open plain where the grass and sand suddenly give way to solidified black lava. Here you’ll also get your first glimpse of the flowing lava and the impressive volcano. You’ll continue walking over the lava boulders – but be careful, as it will literally be hot underfoot! On a clear day, you’ll also have a magnificent view of Guatemala City, the capital. On the volcano, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch, after which you’ll be taken back to your hotel in Antigua.
Overnight stay: Meson de Maria | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Antigua – Flores

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to Guatemala City airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Flores. On arrival in Flores, you will be welcomed and taken to your hotel. La Lancha is beautifully situated on Lake Petén and in the rainforest. The casitas offer views of the lake or look out over the stunning greenery. Don’t be surprised if, during your stay, you are visited by a friendly resident of the rainforest: a howler monkey.
Overnight stay: La Lancha | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Flores – Cayo District

Today you’ll travel on to neighbouring Belize. On the way, you’ll visit Yaxha National Park, the third-largest Mayan site in Guatemala, situated in the jungle. In this park, you can enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, spotting monkeys and tropical birds along the way. You will, of course, also visit the ancient Mayan temples of Yaxha. Afterwards, you’ll travel by boat to the island in Lake Yaxha, where the pre-Columbian temples of Topoxte are situated. Your guide can tell you fascinating stories about the Mayan era and the temples they built in their heyday.
You will then be taken to the border crossing between Guatemala and Belize. Here, you will complete the usual customs formalities and then continue on your way towards the Cayo District. This region boasts some stunning landscapes, ranging from wild rainforest to rolling hills of farmland dotted with plantations, surrounded by numerous rivers and caves. The lodge where you’ll be staying is situated in a beautiful nature reserve on the Macal River. For wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers, this place comes highly recommended. You can set out every day, even in the evening, to explore the surroundings with the lodge’s enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable guides.
Accommodation: Black Rock Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Cayo District – Placencia

In the morning, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Placencia, situated on the Caribbean coast. Today’s route is stunning. Passing through Belmopan, the capital, you will travel to the Placencia Peninsula. The route takes you through a hilly and lush green area. You’ll be staying in a truly special spot, surrounded by white sandy beaches. It’s also the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful surroundings. Chabil Mar, where you’ll be staying, is surrounded by lush vegetation, and it’s just a twenty-minute walk along the sandy beach to the village. The village has a number of good restaurants and a lovely atmosphere.
Accommodation: Chabil Mar Villas | bed and breakfast

Days 10 to 12 | Placencia

These days are yours to spend as you wish. Enjoy the Caribbean coast and discover the underwater world of Belize. The clear, calm waters, combined with an abundance of fascinating coral and fish, make Placencia an excellent spot for snorkelling. There is also plenty more to experience here. Although Placencia has a real island atmosphere, it is actually situated on the mainland. The advantage of this is that you can easily undertake various activities from your hotel, allowing you to get to know other parts of Belize as well. In this fishing village, you’ll find traces of both Mayan and Garifuna cultures. The Garifuna are an ethnic group descended from a mix of Indigenous peoples and Africans. In the town, you’ll find various souvenir shops, charming beach bars and restaurants serving delicious Caribbean cuisine. The beach at Placencia is the longest and most expansive in Belize; whilst your accommodation is situated right on the beach, on the other side you’ll find yourself close to the Placencia Lagoon, home to the rare manatee, amongst other species. Placencia is also surrounded by mangrove swamps, and you can easily reach the inland areas, where you can visit one of the many remarkable limestone caves or various Mayan temples such as Nim Li Punit or Lubaantun.
Accommodation: Chabil Mar Villas | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Placencia – Belize – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your unique journey comes to an end today. You will be taken to Placencia Airport, from where you will take a domestic flight to Belize. Upon arrival in Belize, you will transfer to your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam.

Day 14 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.