Mountain, jungle & beach: the sacred lands of the Mayans

Guatemala & Belize Explorer

When to Go

November-July

Trip Length

15 days/14 nights

Price Guide

from $6,500 pp
Guatemala Atitlan lake
Street scene with a yellow arch and clock tower in the background, mountains in the distance; Antigua, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan kayak Guatemala
Ruins of a historic building with a dramatic sky and mountain in the background; Antigua, Guatemala
Guatemala Atitlan view
Market scene with people and stalls in front of a large white church under a cloudy sky. Chichicastenango market, Guatemala.
Moss-covered ancient ruins in a lush green forest; TIkal, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Spider monkey sitting on a stone wall with a stone wall background; TIkal, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Turkey standing on a forest floor with trees and moss in the background; pavo, TIkal, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Sunset over a coastal area with a dock and houses; Placencia peninsula, Belize aerial view
White villa with a pool and lounge chairs surrounded by greenery; Belize Placencia Naia Resort private plunge pool
Pathway lined with palm trees leading to a body of water; Ambergris Caye, Belize
Person in a pool overlooking a beach with trees and a gazebo; Naia, Placencia, Belize plunge pool
Guatemala Atitlan lake
Street scene with a yellow arch and clock tower in the background, mountains in the distance; Antigua, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan kayak Guatemala
Ruins of a historic building with a dramatic sky and mountain in the background; Antigua, Guatemala
Guatemala Atitlan view
Market scene with people and stalls in front of a large white church under a cloudy sky. Chichicastenango market, Guatemala.
Moss-covered ancient ruins in a lush green forest; TIkal, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Spider monkey sitting on a stone wall with a stone wall background; TIkal, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Turkey standing on a forest floor with trees and moss in the background; pavo, TIkal, Flores, Peten, Guatemala
Sunset over a coastal area with a dock and houses; Placencia peninsula, Belize aerial view
White villa with a pool and lounge chairs surrounded by greenery; Belize Placencia Naia Resort private plunge pool
Pathway lined with palm trees leading to a body of water; Ambergris Caye, Belize
Person in a pool overlooking a beach with trees and a gazebo; Naia, Placencia, Belize plunge pool
This luxury Belize and Guatemala itinerary blends Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Tikal, and Belize’s reef and rainforest into one seamless journey

This 15-night journey through Guatemala and Belize blends ancient culture, wild landscapes, and laid-back luxury. Wander colonial streets in Antigua, paddle across Lake Atitlán, and greet the sunrise over Tikal’s towering temples. Then cross into Belize for sacred caves, reef snorkeling, and barefoot days by the sea. A soulful escape shaped by story, spirit, and discovery.

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Trip Highlights

Explore Tikal at sunrise as mist lifts over ancient temples

Wander Chichicastenango’s vibrant market on the journey to Lake Atitlán

Enjoy unhurried days on Lake Atitlán

Tour a historic coffee estate near Antigua with lunch amid volcanic landscapes

Canoe through the limestone chambers of Barton Creek Cave

Snorkel Belize’s barrier reef

Day by Day

Colonial charm in the shadow of volcanoes

Antigua

Day 1: Arrival in Antigua
Arrive in Guatemala and transfer to the heart of Antigua. Settle into your boutique hotel surrounded by cobblestone streets, pastel façades, and distant volcano views. Enjoy a relaxed evening wandering the historic center or dining quietly in the courtyard.

Day 2: Colonial echoes & hidden courtyards
Explore Antigua on a guided walk through churches, ruins, and leafy plazas, learning how this former capital shaped Guatemala’s cultural identity. The afternoon is yours to linger in cafés, browse artisan shops, or unwind back at your hotel.

Day 3: Coffee & volcano slopes
Travel into the countryside for a coffee estate visit at Finca Filadelfia. Walk among shaded coffee plants, learn about cultivation and roasting, and enjoy lunch overlooking the plantations before returning to Antigua for a free evening.
Volcanic waters & Maya traditions

Lake Atitlán

Day 4: Highlands & market traditions
Depart Antigua and travel west into the highlands, stopping at the vibrant Chichicastenango market. Wander stalls filled with textiles, flowers, and incense before continuing to Lake Atitlán. Arrive lakeside as the light softens across the water.

Day 5: Still waters, soaring peaks
Enjoy a full free day at Lake Atitlán. Relax at your hotel, take a private boat into nearby villages, or simply sit with a book as volcanoes rise quietly above the lake.

Day 6: Stillness by the lake
Another unhurried day to explore or rest. Optional activities might include kayaking, spa time, or a scenic boat ride, though doing very little here is equally rewarding.
History in the City of echoes

Tikal

Day 7: Into the Petén jungle
Transfer to Guatemala City for your flight north to Flores, then continue into the rainforest surrounding Tikal. Settle into your jungle lodge and let the sounds of cicadas and howler monkeys signal a change in pace.

Day 8: Echoes of an empire
Rise early for a guided sunrise tour of Tikal. Watch mist lift from the forest canopy as temples emerge and the jungle awakens around you. Return for a late breakfast and a restful afternoon by the water.
Rituals, ruins & rainforest

Cayo District

Day 9: Crossing borders, changing landscapes
Travel back toward Belize, crossing the border and continuing into the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Pine forests replace rainforest as you arrive at your lodge, surrounded by wide skies and waterfalls.

Day 10: Into the underworld
Set out for Barton Creek Cave, paddling by canoe through a limestone cavern once used by the Maya for ceremonial purposes. The afternoon is free for hiking, swimming, or relaxing at the lodge.

Day 11: Waterfalls & wilderness
Head deep into the reserve on a private wilderness expedition. Walk forest trails to hidden waterfalls and enjoy a picnic lunch beside cascading water before returning for a quiet evening under the stars.
Salt air & sea breezes

Placencia

Day 12: From pines to palms
Travel south to the Placencia Peninsula. Check into your beachfront resort and let warm Caribbean breezes and gentle waves mark the final chapter of your journey.

Day 13: Reefs & open water
Spend the day snorkeling Belize’s barrier reef, exploring coral gardens and clear, shallow waters teeming with marine life. Return in the afternoon to relax by the sea or pool.

Day 14: Barefoot paradise
Enjoy a full free day to swim, paddle, or simply rest. In the evening, savor a private beachfront dinner, with lantern light, soft surf, and one last unforgettable sunset.

Day 15: Final coastal moments
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Belize City and onward home, carrying memories shaped by culture, wilderness, and the slow rhythm of two remarkable countries.
Osaviva graphic background, orchids and monstera

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Where You Could Stay

Antigua

El Convento

El Convento is a 26-suite colonial hotel set on a cobblestone street opposite Antigua’s Capuchinas convent, a short walk from the central plaza. Suites are air-conditioned and individually styled, many opening onto private terraces or a leafy inner courtyard. The property includes a small garden pool, in-room massage services, and Sitz Restaurant, which serves contemporary Guatemalan cuisine in a vaulted dining room and rooftop terrace.

Lake Atitlán

Casa Palopó

Casa Palopó is a 15-room boutique hotel perched above Lake Atitlán, overlooking the water and surrounding volcanoes from a terraced hillside. Rooms and suites feature bold Guatemalan artwork, handcrafted furnishings, and wide windows oriented toward the lake. An infinity pool, panoramic terraces, and the on-site Palopó 6.8 restaurant anchor the property. Originally a private residence, the hotel retains an intimate, villa-like atmosphere well suited to slower stays.

Tikal

Las Lagunas

Las Lagunas is a secluded boutique hotel set within a private rainforest reserve just outside Flores, minutes from Tikal National Park. Seventeen wooden suites overlook jungle lagoons, each with a private terrace and indoor jacuzzi. An infinity pool, spa, walking trails, and small museum are spread across the reserve, along with protected monkey islands. The setting offers direct access to Maya sites while remaining removed from town and crowds.

Mountain Pine Ridge

Hidden Valley Lodge

Spread across a 7,200-acre private reserve, Hidden Valley Lodge offers nineteen rooms tucked among pines, granite outcrops, and jungle edges. Cottages feature stone hearths, mahogany furnishings, and outdoor showers, with private paths leading into gardens and forest. Guests have exclusive access to more than ninety miles of hiking and biking trails, along with secluded pools and waterfalls. It’s a quiet base for birding, wildlife watching, and exploring nearby Maya sites such as Caracol and Xunantunich.

Placencia

Naia Resort & Spa

Naia Resort & Spa occupies a private 224-acre stretch of the Placencia Peninsula, with 39 freestanding beach houses and villas set along a mile of palm-lined shoreline. Accommodations range from beach view bungalows to larger villas, many with outdoor showers, soaking tubs, or private plunge pools, all oriented toward the Caribbean. The resort’s lagoon-based spa is spread across a series of small islands with overwater treatment rooms, while three waterfront restaurants anchor the property.

Antigua

Hotel Pensativo Hotel

Pensativo House is an adults-only boutique hotel located on a quiet residential street just steps from Antigua’s Central Park. The 26 rooms are spread across restored colonial buildings connected by courtyards and terraces, blending historic architecture with contemporary interiors. A rooftop lounge frames views of Volcán de Agua, while a small spa and breakfast courtyard provide relaxed gathering spaces. Its central location allows easy access to Antigua’s landmarks, cafés, and markets.

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“

Best trip of our lives

We had the absolute best trip of our lives thanks to ROAM! Our hotels and excursions were unbelievable, truly I can’t thank them enough.

— Sara T.
“

Jungle to paradise

Our trip went off flawlessly. We enjoyed every venue, excursion, every minute. We went from the jungle in Belize to a private island

— Charles M.
“

A logistical relief!

Adrienne and team were so easy to work with, and truly took the detailed logistical stress off of planning AND getting through our vacation.

— Darcy T.
“

Unreal experience

An absolutely unreal experience. Attention to detail was exceptional. The service Roam provides is worth every penny and more.

— Mike T.
“

The perfect trip

You planned the perfect trip, the accommodations were first class and the guides were very good and knowledgeable. I will be spreading the word.

— Laura L.

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