Discover why Guatemala & Belize are the perfect alternative to Europe this summer:

Karolina Guilcapi
May 13
7 min read

So your family loves history, ruins, and beautiful beaches. You want to stroll charming villages, and have photoshoots with colorful landscapes. Great!

Maybe you are thinking about taking them to Rome or the Amalfi coast, but the crowds, high prices, and heat are making sure think twice.

How about Guatemala and Belize? Summer here is gorgeous, with magical sunsets on lake Atitlan, roasting marshmallows on volcanoes, snorkeling the second largest reef in the world, and climbing ancient ruins! Plus there are colorful markets, warm people, delicious food, and so much wildlife!

Plus: no jetlag, no visas, no major time change, no vaccinations, and most flights from the US are under 5 hours and under $500!

Ready to plan YOUR trip? Email: info@satedventures.com

FLAVORS OF GUATEMALA AND BELIZE 2025

Private tour for 4

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

Day 1

Home - Guatemala - Antigua

Take your international flight to Guatemala City. Reception at the airport by our Sated Ventures team, and private transfer to your hotel. Welcome to Guatemala!

Antigua is among the world's best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, will fascinate you!

Las Cruces - Double Master Suites

Day 2

Antigua

B, L

Today after breakfast, meet your local guide, and enjoy a private Antigua walking tour. You will visit breathtaking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards. Starting at central plaza the guide will give you a general idea about the colonization, Guatemala’s history & contemporary issues. View the outside main buildings (Palacio de Capitanes, City Hall, and El Portal), visit backstage of the Cathedral & Cathedral ruins & San Francisco church.

Lunch included at a local venue. Then, enjoy a fun Candy workshop

After lunch, learn hands on how to make two of the most popular Guatemalan candies, one based on milk and one made from tamarind. You'll also enjoy different candies made from coconut and sunflower seeds, amongst other sweets.

Day 3

Antigua

B, L

Today after breakfast, adventure awaits as we climb the Pacaya volcano and visit hot springs

Located just outside the capital of Guatemala City, Pacaya Volcano rises to 2,552m (8,373ft) is one of three active volcanoes in Guatemala. After a period of dormancy, it's been active since 1965, sometimes more dramatically than other times! It is about an hour drive from Antigua to the Pacaya National Park (declared in 2001) and the trailhead in the small village of San Francisco de Sales. The roughly 2 mile trail is relatively steep but well maintained and climbs steadily through farmland and pine forest before arriving on an exposed ridge offering a panoramic view of Pacaya's smoking black cone, miles of old blackened lava flows and the volcanoes to the north around Antigua and Lake Atitlan. The hike continues onto the barren moonscape of the lava flows where you'll be able to roast marshmallows over hot spots for a smores ala Guatemala! You'll enjoy a picnic lunch with a view of the crater from afar (National Park regulations do not allow climbing to the top of the crater).

Private transfer to a nearby ecolodge for an afternoon of relaxation in the natural hot spring. You'll enjoy a thermal circuit at the hot pools and relaxing massage.

Day 4

Antigua - Atitlan

B, L

Today breakfast and check out, before we enjoy a private transfer to Lake Atitlan, about a 3 hour ride. En route, you'll stop for lunch and also at the Atitlan Natural reserve. Upon arrival, enjoy a zipline adventure. The zip lines cross the San Buenaventura Valley and reach the tip of the Lake Atitlan’s bay. Amazing views of the volcanoes as background. Each zip-line is a different experience: some are as high as 60 m (196 ft.), others have superb vistas of forests, waterfalls, volcanoes, and the lake itself. At the end of each circuit there is an optional ropes course.

Casa Palopo - Deluxe rooms

Day 5

Atitlan

B, L

Kayak, Tzununa hike & San Juan visit

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for your boat transfer to the kayak starting point. Paddle for approximately 45 minutes along delightful peninsulas admiring the shore's beautiful gardens. After kayaking you will start the hike to Tzununa. The north shore of Lake Atitlan Guatemala has no true road access, so you will be hiking along ancient paths that have been used by the Kaqchikel Maya for centuries. You will view villagers going about their daily life and see some of the most magnificent scenery in the world.

After the hike, private boat transfer to San Juan. Private boat transfer to San Juan village. San Juan is famous for its naïf art galleries, town murals and natural dyes textiles. This town is set as an example of organization and tourism destination among the highlands. Its beauty and cooperatives have set it as the perfect village. Lunch included.

Day 6

Atitlan - Tikal

B, L, D

Today venture out on an adventurous hike, with stunning views of the lake and volcanoes, and top it off with a unique experience when you arrive at sacred caves where you will be part of a Mayan ceremony.

Private transfer 25min transfer to the cave, then a 20min hike is needed to get there. These four caves called, "Nimajay", "San Simón", "Enchanted" and "Colorado" have been used by the Mayans for centuries for their fire purification and protection ceremony. Located 1,200 meters above Lake Atitlán, the caves offer panoramic views of the lake and caldera.

Your guide will lead the ceremony and explain the meaning of the ceremony and the individual components, and individual offerings. Each participant would be asked to make an offering with their private intention. Mayans from many of the highland tribes travel for hours to visit these holy caves, and you will feel the energy and power when you approach the entrance to the caves. You will witness shamans performing ceremony on most days.

After the hike, private transfer to Guatemala City airport, about a 4 hour drive. Lunch arranged. Then a short flight to Flores, and transfer to your hotel. This evening you will have dinner included at your hotel.

Las Lagunas Luxury Lodge - WaterFront Suites

Day 7

Tikal

B, L

Full day dedicated to the Ruins of Tikal. After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to Tikal National Park. Your guide will show you the layout of the temples, architecture, history, some theories of why the Mayans disappeared and if you are lucky a few monkeys, parrots, macaws, and toucans will be on site. After the tour, enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle.

Day 8

Tikal - Belize - San Ignacio

B, L

After breakfast and checking out, enjoy a private transfer to the Belize Border, where we will switch cars and continue to the jungles of San Ignacio. Here check into your lodge. Lunch arranged.

This afternoon, welcome to the jungle as we take a horseback ride through the river and to the colorful Xunantunich Site. Journey to the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich atop a trusty steed on a horseback riding adventure from San Ignacio. Ride along the Mopan River and through a private organic farm for a unique way to reach the fascinating archaeological site, where you can explore the remains of royal palaces and one of Belize’s largest ceremonial temples with a guide.

If time allows, we will also enter the Iguana Project for a visit and a fun experience!

Chaa Creek Lodge in Cottage Collection Rooms

Day 9

San Ignacio - Ambergris Caye

B, L

This morning, we begin with a Cave Tubing & Ziplining adventure with a traditional Belizean lunch. Experience the thrill of tubing and enjoy a cool swim in the refreshing waters of a natural pool, formed between cave entrances. Float downstream and relax as you learn about Mayan culture and view stunning cave formations. Hike through the jungle, along the river bank and carry your tube up to the starting point. Float down the river and relax in the first cave, as your expert guide tells you about Mayan culture and their beliefs. Get ready for a thrill in the second cave, accessed by both starting points, where light rapids will add some excitement and speed to your tubing experience. End your tour by speeding things up with a memorable zipline, as you ride across the Belize jungles and river from tree to tree.

If time allows, we will also visit the Baboon Sanctuary. Then a short flight takes us to the archipelago of Ambergris Caye, and check into your beachfront accommodations.

Ramon’s Village Resort - jungle deluxe rooms

Day 10

Ambergris Caye

Private Half day Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkel tour

Explore the underwater wonders of Belize’s most popular snorkeling sites on this trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Departing from Ambergris Caye, you'll swim with an amazing variety of fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks among the coral formations of the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Included: pick up and drop off at your resort, snorkeling equipment, and English speaking guide.

Day 11

Ambergris Caye

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Beach Picnic and Sailing Cruise

Climb aboard our thirty-eight foot catamaran and sail the high seas, retracing the route of those who harvested the coconut crops for English merchants in the 1600s. Millions of coconuts were harvested each year and sent to England for their bakeries and restaurants. Just imagine pristine beaches lined with virgin coconut palms as far as the eye could see. Around lunch, your skipper will anchor near the coral rich Mexico Rocks; a popular destination that is perfect for beginner and advanced snorkelers. You won’t believe the beauty and color of this incredible coral forest! When your snorkeling experience is complete, you will board your vessel to the alluring aroma of barbecue fish, chicken and shrimp with all the trimmings which will be served on deck. (Lobster and conch will be on the menu, when they are in season.) After lunch, a nap, sunbathing or another dip in our crystal clear water is part of the agenda. The cruise home will be leisurely and very relaxing as the waves splash lazily against the hull, whispering thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to Belize.

Day 12

Ambergris Caye - Belize City - Home

After breakfast and checking out, transfer back to the airstrip for a short flight to the mainland, and board your flight home from Belize City. Safe travels!