From Tikal to the real Isla Bonita
From Tikal to the real Isla Bonita
Guatemala & Belize in 13 Days, 11 Nights in Destination starting from 2,299$
Trip Highlights
Belize city
Antigua Guatemala
Chichicastenango
Flores
Panajachel
Tikal
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers
Activities
Some meals
Availability
Departures available until March 2026
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + $840
Add up to 5 nights to your stay
Categories available
charm included
superior from + $900
Itinerary
Enjoy a journey that perfectly combines activities and free time. Start in the historic center of Antigua Guatemala. Then, visit the beautiful Lake Atitlan. Head to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, the biggest in the world! Finally, spend some relaxing time in Cayo San Pedro (Belize), a place where you can enjoy turquoise waters and coral reefs that inspired Madonna's famous song "La Isla Bonita".
1st Day: US - Guatemala
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight to Guatemala.* Arrive in Guatemala and transfer to Antigua (approx. 1h 30m), a beautifully-preserved city with an abundance of colorful colonial architecture nestled in the lush central highlands. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Antigua.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
2nd Day: Antigua Guatemala
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a half-day walking tour of Antigua, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. During the colonial period, it was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Guatemala, which included the provinces of southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After an earthquake in 1773, the city was abandoned, and the population moved to what is now Guatemala City. Visit La Merced Church, Plaza de Armas, and the Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy free time to enjoy a little shopping or a snack before returning to the hotel. You can complete your day with an optional cooking class*. Overnight stay in Antigua.
*Cooking class: Enjoy a market tour to see and smell the ingredients used for Guatemalan cooking. After the tour, return to the kitchen to begin your cooking class. Enjoy a typical Guatemalan meal. Transfers will be provided by tuk-tuk.
3rd Day: Antigua Guatemala
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day exploring at your leisure. Go shopping for local artisan crafts, people-watch from one of the old town's charming cafe terraces or pay a visit to the chocolate museum to indulge your sweet tooth!
You can complete your day with an optional visit to La Azotea and Hobbitenango* and finish your day with an optional dinner with “Marimba and Morros” Show**. Overnight stay in Antigua.
*Visit to La Azotea and Hobbitenango: Visit a farm that has been producing coffee for 150 years and discover the details of its production. Afterwards, head to the picturesque village of Hobbitenango, and enjoy free time to walk among its small “hobbit houses”.
**Dinner with “Marimba and Morros” Show: Enjoy a traditional evening at Don Rodrigo Antigua's restaurant-inn. Indulge in a full menu while enjoying a lively concert of marimba music. Transfers will be provided by tuk-tuk.
4th Day: Antigua Guatemala - Chichicastenango - Lake Atitlán
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will start your day with a transfer to Chichicastenango, a journey that will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arrival, you’ll explore the vibrant Chichicastenango market, famous for its color and cultural diversity, followed by a visit to the historic Santo Tomás Church. After this enriching experience, you’ll continue your journey to Lake Atitlan, with a 1 hour and 30-minute drive. Along the way, you’ll stop at a viewpoint to admire the stunning views of the lake. Finally, you’ll arrive in Panajachel where you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay at Lake Atitlan.
5th Day: Panajachel
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a leisurely day in Panajachel to explore the wonders of Lake Atitlan. Why not take a boat trip to discover the numerous Mayan villages dotted around the lake's border or go kayaking for unobstructed views of the volcanic landscape? Other experiences to enjoy whilst staying in Panajachel include indulging in a traditional Mayan sauna, known as a 'Temescal', or shopping in the local markets. Also, you can book a Boat tour through 3 villages*. Overnight stay in Panajachel.
*Boat tour through 3 villages: Discover the beauty of San Juan, San Pedro, and San Pablo de la Laguna. Our local guide will meet you at the dock to begin a tour with stops in these three lakeside villages. During the tour, visit a chocolate cooperative to see its production; a textile cooperative, to learn about the dyeing process.
6th Day: Panajachel - Guatemala City
Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure, taking in the spectacular views of Lake Atitlan for the final time. In the afternoon, transfer back to Guatemala City (approx. 3 hours) and get settled at the hotel. Enjoy exploring the city's street food scene or strolling through the capital's atmospheric plazas. If you want to enjoy the nature, you can add our optional Canopy in Atitlan Natural Reserve*. Overnight stay in Guatemala City.
*Canopy in Atitlan Natural Reserve: We start by visiting the San Buenaventura Natural Park and its colorful Butterfly Farm. Then, begin your adventure through two zip line circuits through which you will enjoy magnificent views of forests, waterfalls, volcanoes and Lake Atitlan.
Note: The transfer from Panajachel to Guatemala City is 91 miles long and takes approximately three hours by road with an stop in Antigua Guatemala. With a stop in Antigua Guatemala to unload and load passengers included.
7th Day: Guatemala City - Tikal - Flores
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning transfer to Mundo Maya International Airport. You will arrive at Flores and transfer to Tikal, which takes around 1.5 hours. Tikal is an ancient Mayan city that flourished between 200 and 900 AD, renowned for its towering pyramids, temples, and plazas set amidst a lush rainforest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is particularly fascinating to visit due to its well-preserved ruins and the opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the Mayan civilization.
Upon arrival, the guide will lead a tour of the temples. First, visit the temple of "El Gran Jaguar" and then the temple of "Los Mascarones". You will also visit "Mundo Perdido" temple, among the site’s most important. At noon, return to the Visitor Center for lunch before heading back to Flores. Overnight stay in Flores.
8th Day: Flores
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you have a free day to enjoy at your leisure. You can explore the charming cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings of Flores. Why not take a boat tour on Lake Petén Itzá to enjoy the stunning natural scenery? You can also consider visiting the nearby ARCAS Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association to learn about local wildlife rehabilitation efforts. For those craving more fascinating Mayan history, feel free to join our optional tour of Yaxhá,* once a ceremonial center for the Maya. Return to the hotel in Flores for the evening’s overnight stay.
*Optional Yaxhá full-day tour: Depart at the specified time for Yaxhá. This archeological wonder is home to several important ceremonial structures, which show influence from the faraway Teotihuacán civilization in the Valley of Mexico. Outside of Tikal, Yaxhá is home to the only other pair of twin pyramids in Guatemala. Enjoy an included lunch while on-site, then return to Flores for the night.
9th Day: Flores - Cayo San Pedro
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, start the day early by heading to Frontera Melchor de Mencos (approximately 70 miles away). Stop for migration procedures and take another vehicle to the ferry station (approximately 80 miles away). Then, travel by ferry for 90 minutes to Cayo San Pedro, the largest island in Belize, and transfer to the hotel.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and then you have free time for the rest of the day. You can relax and start exploring this wonderful tropical paradise, the real "isla bonita" that inspired the famous Madonna song. Overnight stay in Cayo San Pedro.
10th Day: Cayo San Pedro
Another free day to relax. At the hotel, you'll have all the facilities to make your day smooth. In addition to its impressive underwater landscapes, Cayo San Pedro offers a rich local culture and gastronomic delights that will delight your senses. Don't miss the chance to explore the picturesque fishing villages nearby, where you can savor delicious fresh seafood and immerse yourself in the authenticity of Caribbean life. An intriguing curiosity is the presence of small uninhabited islands nearby, perfect for romantic getaways or kayaking exploration adventures. Overnight stay in Cayo San Pedro.
11th Day: Cayo San Pedro
Today you can enjoy another free day. For those eager to explore, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is very close to the hotel. There, you can admire impressive reefs and marvel at the diversity of marine life, from colorful tropical fish to majestic stingrays. For a more relaxed plan, the hotel has an excellent swimming area for lounging. Overnight stay in Cayo San Pedro.
12th Day: Cayo San Pedro - Belize City
It's time to say goodbye to wonderful Belize. Prepare for the trip and transfer from the hotel to the ferry station. There you ride the ferry for 90 minutes to get to Cayo San Pedro. From there, you have a 10 miles road transfer to reach the Belize International Airport and catch your flight back to the US. Night on board.
13th Day: US
Arrive back in the US and end your extraordinary trip.
