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Operated by Intrepid Travel

Land of Belize & Tikal

From

CAD 2,286

Duration

8 days

Countries

Belize, Guatemala

Activity

easy

Group size

Max 12

Rating

4.9 · 145 reviewsvia Intrepid Travel

The adventure

Experience the natural wonders, delicious cuisine and rich cultural history of Belize on this eight-day adventure. This often-overlooked country is full of lush jungle, ancient ruins and vibrant coral reefs – and you’ll experience it all! Kicking off in Belize City, travel to the Lamanai Archaeological Site to explore the remains of the Maya civilisation, learn traditional recipes at a cooking class with local women in San Ignacio and cross into Guatemala to spot howler monkeys in Tikal National Park. Finish your adventure in the island paradise of Caye Caulker to relax into the Bel-easy-an way of life.

At a glance

Duration

8 days

Route

Belize City → Caye Caulker

Countries

Belize, Guatemala

Activity level

easy

Style

Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Food & Drink, National Parks & Wilderness, Wildlife & Safari

Group size

Max 12

Ages

15+

Flights

Not included

Solo travellers

Welcome

Day by day

Beautiful landscape of rolling green hills under a clear blue sky in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Your journey through

Belize & Guatemala

Day 1Belize CityHola! Welcome to Belize. Your adventure begins in Belize City – the bustling former capital where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After meeting your local leader and fellow travellers, maybe go for a group dinner to taste some local fare. If you arrive early, Belize City has plenty to discover. Check out the coastal and maritime museum housed in a beautifully restored fire station, dive into contemporary Belizean art at the Image Factory or visit Central America’s oldest Anglican church – St John Cathedral.

Stunning aerial view of a coastal town with marinas and yachts in a tropical island setting.

Belize City

Hola! Welcome to Belize. Your adventure begins in Belize City – the bustling former capital where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After meeting your local leader and fellow travellers, maybe go for a group dinner to taste some local fare. If you arrive early, Belize City has plenty to discover. Check out the coastal and maritime museum housed in a beautifully restored fire station, dive into contemporary Belizean art at the Image Factory or visit Central America’s oldest Anglican church – St John Cathedral.

Day 2Orange WalkThis morning, take a private vehicle to Carmelita where you'll board a boat along the New River to the Lamanai Archaeological site – this is an adventure in itself, and your local guide will help you spot colourful birds along the banks. Take some time to explore the remains of unearthed temples, plazas and homes of this ancient Maya civilisation. Then, hop back on the boat to the town of Orange Walk where you’ll spend the night. Tonight, settle into your lodge and enjoy an included group dinner.

A line of women carrying a religious float during a procession in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.

Orange Walk

This morning, take a private vehicle to Carmelita where you'll board a boat along the New River to the Lamanai Archaeological site – this is an adventure in itself, and your local guide will help you spot colourful birds along the banks. Take some time to explore the remains of unearthed temples, plazas and homes of this ancient Maya civilisation. Then, hop back on the boat to the town of Orange Walk where you’ll spend the night. Tonight, settle into your lodge and enjoy an included group dinner.

Day 3San IgnacioThis morning, drive to the town of San Ignacio, stopping off at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op – an organisation formed by local Maya women to share skills and traditional knowledge while earning an income. Join the women for a cooking demonstration designed to preserve Maya culinary heritage before sitting down together to feast on the fruits of your labour. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you like.

Detailed stone carving featuring mythological creatures on ancient ruins.

San Ignacio

This morning, drive to the town of San Ignacio, stopping off at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op – an organisation formed by local Maya women to share skills and traditional knowledge while earning an income. Join the women for a cooking demonstration designed to preserve Maya culinary heritage before sitting down together to feast on the fruits of your labour. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you like.

Day 4Tikal National Park, Guatemala / San IgnacioToday, you’ll take a daytrip to the UNESCO World Heritage site and Maya ruins in Tikal National Park just across the Guatemalan border. Hidden among the thick rainforest are some of the most significant remnants of the Maya civilisation – plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis, howler monkeys and big cats. Join your local guide and take in the towering limestone temples while learning about the ancient city's demise. Afterwards, enjoy an included group lunch before returning to San Ignacio. Tonight, you’re free to relax at your accommodation or explore at your own pace.

Today, you’ll take a daytrip to the UNESCO World Heritage site and Maya ruins in Tikal National Park just across the Guatemalan border. Hidden among the thick rainforest are some of the most significant remnants of the Maya civilisation – plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis, howler monkeys and big cats. Join your local guide and take in the towering limestone temples while learning about the ancient city's demise. Afterwards, enjoy an included group lunch before returning to San Ignacio. Tonight, you’re free to relax at your accommodation or explore at your own pace.

Day 5San IgnacioToday, you have free time to explore. There are many optional activities in San Ignacio. Maybe take a hand-cranked ferry to Xunantunich – an impressive Maya ceremonial centre with intricately carved walls and panoramic views over the countryside. Perhaps take on the challenge of hiking and wading to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal – a living museum of Maya relics, including crystallised skeletons naturally preserved by the cave for over 1400 years. Or consider a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area to explore waterfalls, cool down in swimming holes, wander through a butterfly garden or canoe through the Barton Creek cave reserve.

San Ignacio

Today, you have free time to explore. There are many optional activities in San Ignacio. Maybe take a hand-cranked ferry to Xunantunich – an impressive Maya ceremonial centre with intricately carved walls and panoramic views over the countryside. Perhaps take on the challenge of hiking and wading to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal – a living museum of Maya relics, including crystallised skeletons naturally preserved by the cave for over 1400 years. Or consider a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area to explore waterfalls, cool down in swimming holes, wander through a butterfly garden or canoe through the Barton Creek cave reserve.

Day 6Caye CaulkerToday, take a private transfer to Belize City where you’ll board a water taxi to Caye Caulker. While there are a number of islands off the mainland, Caye Caulker is the most famous (and arguably the most beautiful). When you arrive, take a golf cart to your hotel, then join your leader on an orientation walk around the island. With no cars, the vibe is as laidback as it gets. If you fancy, it’s possible to arrange daytrips to other islands and reefs for snorkelling – just chat with your leader. Each island has its own character, but they all have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm. This evening, maybe tuck into freshly caught seafood or listen to reggae with a local rum cocktail.

Scenic tropical beach with palm trees and a wooden pier in San Pedro, Belize at sunset.

Caye Caulker

Today, take a private transfer to Belize City where you’ll board a water taxi to Caye Caulker. While there are a number of islands off the mainland, Caye Caulker is the most famous (and arguably the most beautiful). When you arrive, take a golf cart to your hotel, then join your leader on an orientation walk around the island. With no cars, the vibe is as laidback as it gets. If you fancy, it’s possible to arrange daytrips to other islands and reefs for snorkelling – just chat with your leader. Each island has its own character, but they all have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm. This evening, maybe tuck into freshly caught seafood or listen to reggae with a local rum cocktail.

Day 7Caye Caulker

Colorful juice bar on a sandy beach in Belize surrounded by palm trees.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy, so do as much (or as little) as you want with another free day here. Perhaps cycle around the island or explore the coast on a stand-up paddle board. If you're interested in sampling the local cuisine, Caye Caulker is known for its barbequed food – and some of the best meals are cooked on the roadside! It’s also famous for lobster – not the cheapest meal, but so (so) good. Always make sure you respect the season – lobsters can only be caught between June and February. If it's out of season, grilled shrimp is just as tasty.

Day 8Caye CaulkerYour Belize adventure comes to an end today. With no activities planned, you can depart the accommodation at any time after checkout. If you'd like to spend more time in Caye Caulker, just speak to your booking agent.

A serene view of a boat docked on the clear waters near the Belizean coast, with a mangrove nearby.

Caye Caulker

Your Belize adventure comes to an end today. With no activities planned, you can depart the accommodation at any time after checkout. If you'd like to spend more time in Caye Caulker, just speak to your booking agent.