Guatemala & Belize Signature
10 Days
from
$4799*
Highlights:
Guatemala
(Antigua, Flores)
,
Cayo District
(Mountain Pine Ridge)
,
Stan Creek & South Coast
(Placencia)
Trip Start/End:
Guatemala City
/
Belize City
Take advantage of this premium tour, fully equipped with your own private guide and vehicle, as the top sights in Guatemala and Belize are showcased. Arrive Guatemala City and enjoy a leisurely exploration of the main historical sights of the colonial city. Take a domestic flight to Flores and enjoy a tour of the Tikal ruins, set in the heart of the Guatemalan Jungle! Listen to the Howler Monkeys roar in the distance as you climb to the top of these ancient ruins. Tikal was an important Mayan settlement for over 1500 years, starting about 700 BC. Travel by private car to Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize. This 300 square mile forest reserve features Caribbean Pine and bracken ferns instead of the typical tropical forests which cover most of the rest of Belize. Explore the nature preserve of Mountain Pine Ridge before visiting Belize's largest Archeological site, Caracol. Conclude the tour in Placencia, a lush tropical paradise where you can explore the jungle while admiring the ocean views!
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Guatemala City - Antigua
| - Meet and Greet
- Transfer - Guatemala City - Antigua - Vehicle/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| El Convento Boutique Hotel
Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Villa Colonial (Standard)
|
- Day 2
- Antigua
| - Breakfast (included)
- Lunch (not included)
- Private - 1/2 d Walking tour - Guide
- Dinner (not included)
| El Convento Boutique Hotel
Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Antigua - Guatemala City - Flores
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Guatemala City - Flores [Direct (0.5 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport/La Lancha - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (not included)
| La Lancha
Lakeview Casita (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Flores
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - 3/4 d Tikal Tour (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (not included)
| La Lancha
Lakeview Casita (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Flores - Melchor Mencos (Guatemala/Belize Boarder) - Mountain Pine Ridge
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Flores - Melchor Mencos (Guatemala/Belize Boarder) - Vehicle/Driver
- Transfer - Private - Melchor Mencos (Guatemala/Belize Boarder) - Mountain Pine Ridge [Hotels] - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Optional activities
- Dinner (not included)
| Blancaneaux Lodge
Riverfront Cabana (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Hidden Valley Inn (Estate Suite)
|
- Day 6
- Mountain Pine Ridge
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - Caracol & Rio Frio Tour from Blancaneaux Lodge (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Blancaneaux Lodge
Riverfront Cabana (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Hidden Valley Inn (Estate Suite)
|
- Day 7
- Mountain Pine Ridge - Placencia
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Private - Mountain Pine Ridge - Placencia - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Turtle Inn
Seafront Cottage (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Robert`s Grove (Oceanview Grand Villa (1st floor 1 bdrm))
|
- Day 8
- Placencia
| - Breakfast (included)
- Private - Monkey River Tour (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Turtle Inn
Seafront Cottage (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Robert`s Grove (Oceanview Grand Villa (1st floor 1 bdrm))
|
- Day 9
- Placencia
| - Breakfast (included)
- Optional activities
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Turtle Inn
Seafront Cottage (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Robert`s Grove (Oceanview Grand Villa (1st floor 1 bdrm))
|
- Day 10
- Placencia - Belize City
| - Breakfast (included)
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Placencia - Belize City [Direct Belize City Int'l Airport (0.50 hr)] - Economy
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Antigua
El Convento Hotel
Day 1: Guatemala City - Antigua
Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locate your vehicle.
Transfer to Antigua by private vehicle and professional English-speaking driver.
Accommodation: El Convento Boutique Hotel Situated on one of Antigua’s famed cobblestone streets, in front of the superb 18th century Capuchin convent, El Convento is a sanctuary from which to discover the city’s magnificent sites. The all-suite El Convento gracefully marries the ancient with the modern. Combining artisanal brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and hand-crafted doors with the simple elegance of contemporary design. Whether unwinding in the deep-set living room sofas or stopping by for a glass of wine beneath the domed cupula of the bar, staying in can be just as tempting.
Iglesia San Francisco church
Day 2: Antigua
You will be met at your hotel reception by your private guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua. Your tour will cover the architectural & historical highlights of this colonial city with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the many ruined churches, convents and cathedrals. Entrances are included to the Iglesia San Francisco (church), the Cathedral, Central Park and La Merced Church.
Accommodation: El Convento Boutique Hotel 
Flores
La Lancha, Peten
Day 3: Antigua - Guatemala City - Flores
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport in Guatemala city for your international or domestic flight.
Enjoy a short flight from Guatemala City to Flores.
Upon arrival to the airport you will be met and transferred to La Lancha.
Accommodation: La Lancha A Francis Ford Coppola Property
La Lancha is a warm, sun-soaked escape near Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala's Peten region, near the archaeological site of Tikal. The 10 rooms promise unhindered privacy, and a rustic approach to travel. Management has made it a point not to include televisions, phones, and internet, ensuring that all who visit will bask in the natural aura of La Lancha. Impeccable service and dining options make all meals an occasion, as guests tend to anticipate the fine cuisine prepared by chefs. Activities range from boat trips to hikes, so one may get in touch with both the land and the water in this stunning environment.
Tikal National Park
Day 4: Flores
Pick up from your lodge and begin your privately guided tour of Tikal National Park. Tikal was one of the major cultural and population centers of the Maya civilization. Though monumental architecture at the site dates to the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 AD to 900 AD. Some of these pyramids are over 60 meters high (200 feet). Enjoy some free time at the site and return to your hotel after lunch at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: La Lancha 
Mtn Pine Ridge
Blancaneaux Lodge
Day 5: Flores - Melchor Mencos (Guatemala/Belize Boarder) - Mountain Pine Ridge
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the Belize boarder at Melchor Mencos. Once you arrive here you will cross the boarder on foot, approximately 10 meters, (your driver will assist you but will not cross with you).
Meet your driver for a private transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge area and hotels
Be sure to pre-book your local excursions through us to ensure you make the most out of your time in Belize. Optional activities include: Xunantunich & Cahal Pech Maya Ruins Tour, Crooked Tree Reserve and Baboon Sanctuary, Caracol and Rio Frio, Cave Tubing and Zip Line Adventure, Barton Creek Cave and Butterfly Farm) and more!
Accommodation: Blancaneaux Lodge A Francis Ford Coppola Property. A marvelous taste of nature awaits those who visit Blancaneaux Lodge, in the Mountain Pine Ridge nature reserve near San Ignacio. The dreamchild of famed director Francis Ford Coppola, the lodge is broken up into deluxe villas and cabanas, each possessing a rustic air accompanied by rich furnishings and fabrics. The use of natural building materials aids in this effect. Villas promise a personal attendant to pamper guests, and private pool for tranquility. Cuisine is an array of sumptuous specialties, with fresh textures and quality that is hard to find outside the jungle. Take advantage of the adventure possibilities and bathe in the river. Visit the Mayan ruins or simply explore the rainforest and all its creatures. Great for bird lovers!
Rio Frio Cave
Day 6: Mountain Pine Ridge
Transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, a 106,000 acre protected national park. In the 1950's, 60's, and 70's, many Belizeans were employed as timber cutters in this area and on our tour we will see testament to that history. Arrive at the beautiful Maya site of Caracol (which means The Snail), named by archeologists because they found numerous snails on site. The original name is Oxwitza which means the sky place. Caracol is the largest archeological site in Belize, covering 30 square miles in thick, high canopy jungle, and includes five plazas, an astronomic observatory and over 35,000 buildings that have been identified. The loftiest among them, a massive pyramid (Caana) capped by 3 temples and rises over 140 feet above the jungle floor. Guests enjoy a private guided tour of the site with entrances and picnic lunch included. We then return to the hotel and on the way back guests can choose to stop and explore the Rio-on Pools and Rio Frio Caves if they wish.
Accommodation: Blancaneaux Lodge 
Placencia
Turtle Inn
Day 7: Mountain Pine Ridge - Placencia
Transfer to Placencia by private vehicle and professional driver.
Accommodation: Turtle Inn A Francis Ford Coppola Property.Turtle Inn is sandwiched between the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight and the Creole fishing village of Placencia at the tip of a narrow 26-mile long sandy peninsula. To the east, the Caribbean Sea is studded by a patchwork of coral cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage site. Directly behind Turtle Inn to the west lie the calm waters of the Placencia Lagoon and spectacular views of the Maya Mountains and Victoria Peak. South of the Placencia Peninsula is the Monkey River formed from the Swasey and Bladen rivers that flow from the jungle clad peaks of the Maya Mountains across the coastal savanna out into the extensive mangrove flats and barrier islands that hug the coastline.
River Tour
Day 8: Placencia
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the dock where you will board a boat. Here, you will take a river cruise up a lush jungle river keeping an eye out for crocodiles, green iguanas, a menagerie of birds. Explore Monkey River by boat observing howler monkeys, coastal and wetland birds, iguanas, crocodiles and many other species of wildlife. With your experienced nature guide at the helm you will slowly weave through the maze of mangrove islands that hug the shoreline. This will follow with an enjoyable moderate 40 min jungle hike in which you can look for howler monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Lunch is included in this tour at a restaurant in the local village where you can get a traditional meal (including vegetarian options). After lunch you can enjoy a tour of the village itself before heading back to Placencia. On the way back to Placencia, the captain will move slowly along the lagoon and mangroves to give you a chance to spot Manatees.
Accommodation: Turtle Inn 
Snorkeling
Day 9: Placencia
Enjoy some leisure time on the tranquil shores at Placencia. Optional activities are available at your resort (scuba diving, watersports, snorkelling, kayaking).
Accommodation: Turtle Inn 
Belizean Courthouse
Day 10: Placencia - Belize City
Airport transfer with private vehicle, and driver.(courtesy by Turtle Inn)
Enjoy a direct flight from Placencia to the Belize City International Airport.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- El Convento Hotel
El Convento Boutique Hotel - Antigua
Situated on one of Antigua’s famed cobblestone streets, in front of the superb 18th century Capuchin convent, El Convento is a sanctuary from which to discover the city’s magnificent sites. The all-suite El Convento gracefully marries the ancient with the modern. Combining artisanal brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and hand-crafted doors with the simple elegance of contemporary design. Whether unwinding in the deep-set living room sofas or stopping by for a glass of wine beneath the domed cupula of the bar, staying in can be just as tempting.
Lakeview Casita
La Lancha - Flores
A Francis Ford Coppola Property
La Lancha is a warm, sun-soaked escape near Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala's Peten region, near the archaeological site of Tikal. The 10 rooms promise unhindered privacy, and a rustic approach to travel. Management has made it a point not to include televisions, phones, and internet, ensuring that all who visit will bask in the natural aura of La Lancha. Impeccable service and dining options make all meals an occasion, as guests tend to anticipate the fine cuisine prepared by chefs. Activities range from boat trips to hikes, so one may get in touch with both the land and the water in this stunning environment.
- Blancaneaux Lodge
Riverfront Cabana Room
Blancaneaux Lodge - Mountain Pine Ridge
A Francis Ford Coppola Property. A marvelous taste of nature awaits those who visit Blancaneaux Lodge, in the Mountain Pine Ridge nature reserve near San Ignacio. The dreamchild of famed director Francis Ford Coppola, the lodge is broken up into deluxe villas and cabanas, each possessing a rustic air accompanied by rich furnishings and fabrics. The use of natural building materials aids in this effect. Villas promise a personal attendant to pamper guests, and private pool for tranquility. Cuisine is an array of sumptuous specialties, with fresh textures and quality that is hard to find outside the jungle. Take advantage of the adventure possibilities and bathe in the river. Visit the Mayan ruins or simply explore the rainforest and all its creatures. Great for bird lovers!
- Turtle Inn
Turtle Inn - Placencia
A Francis Ford Coppola Property.Turtle Inn is sandwiched between the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight and the Creole fishing village of Placencia at the tip of a narrow 26-mile long sandy peninsula. To the east, the Caribbean Sea is studded by a patchwork of coral cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage site. Directly behind Turtle Inn to the west lie the calm waters of the Placencia Lagoon and spectacular views of the Maya Mountains and Victoria Peak. South of the Placencia Peninsula is the Monkey River formed from the Swasey and Bladen rivers that flow from the jungle clad peaks of the Maya Mountains across the coastal savanna out into the extensive mangrove flats and barrier islands that hug the coastline.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Belize
VISA/PASSPORT
All citizens must have a passport valid for the duration of their visit to Belize. U.S. citizens do not need visas for tourist visits of up to thirty days, but they must have onward or return air tickets and proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves while in Belize. Visas are not normally required of Canadian citizens travelling to Belize.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Belize for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are poor quality and not widespread. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/belize.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Belmopan City.
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1981.
Language: English is the official language, but Spanish is spoken to some extent by over half the population. Garifuna (Carib), Maya and Creole are also spoken as well as a German dialect (by the Mennonites).
Religion: The people of Belize are mainly Roman Catholic (approximately 60% of the population). Other small groups practice Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bahai, as well as other Christian denominations.
Time: GMT - 6.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Telephone: Country code +501.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good along most of the coast and along the main routes to Mexico and Guatemala. Handsets can be hired from Belize Telecommunications Ltd at the international airport.
Internet: There are Internet cafes in urban centers and popular tourist centers.
Travel tips of Guatemala
VISA/PASSPORT
A valid U.S. passport is required for all U.S. and Canadian citizens, regardless of age, to enter Guatemala and to depart Guatemala. Even if dual nationals are permitted to enter Guatemala on a second nationality passport, U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Guatemala are not allowed to board their flights without a valid U.S. passport. An exit tax must be paid when departing Guatemala by air. The exit tax (currently $30) is generally included in an airline ticket price, but may be charged separately. There is an additional airport security fee (20 Quetzales, approximately $2.50) that all travelers must pay at the airport. Canadian citizens using Canadian passports do not require a visa to enter Guatemala for stays under ninety days. In June 2006, Guatemala entered a “Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement” with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Under the terms of the agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land borders from one of the countries to any of the others without completing entry and exit formalities at immigration checkpoints. U.S. citizens and other eligible foreign nationals, who legally enter any of the four countries, may similarly travel among the four without obtaining additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three countries. Immigration officials at the first port of entry determine the length of stay, up to a maximum period of 90 days.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Guatemala for the most up to date information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are poor quality and not widespread. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/guatemala.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Guatemala City.
Government: Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.
Language: The official language is Spanish. There are also 22 indigenous languages.
Religion: About 60% of the population are Catholic. Most of the remaining population are Protestant. Some indigenous communities hold services combining Catholicism with pre-Columbian rites.
Time: GMT - 6.
Electricity: 115-125 volts AC, 60Hz. There are some regional variations. Plugs are the flat two-pin American type.
Telephone: Country code: 502. Most public phone booths accept phone cards.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is increasing.
Internet: Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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