12 Day Culture & Adventure in Guatemala & Belize

Gate 1 Travel
3.7 . Great
69%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included. Moderate
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
12 days
From: $ 3,359 $ 280 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Get a glimpse into the history of coffee and its production, followed by a tasting
  • Tour Guatemala's indigenous communities around Antigua
  • Savor a home hosted lunch with a local family and hear about their values and traditions
  • Visit Casa Santo Domingo, a cultural complex housing two of Antigua's best museums
  • Take a peaceful boat ride through the canyon of the Rio Dulce and hear the sounds of nature around you
  • Explore the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization
  • Enjoy a tubing excursion at Jaguar Paw Cave, a sacred underground world to the Maya
  • Take a catamaran tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its impressive coral reefs and abundant marine life
  • Discover Belize City with its unique blend of Mayan ruins and old colonial buildings
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Short Description

2 Antigua, 2 Rio Dulce, 2 Flores, 2 San Ignacio, 2 Caye Caulker, 1 Belize City

Style Small group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City N/A
End City N/A

Destinations

N/A

Attractions & Cities Visited

Antigua Caribbean Caye Caulker Flores San Ignacio Tikal

Activities & Interests

N/A

N/A
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Itinerary

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Guatemala
Depart for Guatemala. Arrive in Guatemala City and transfer to Antigua, nestled in the forested hills of southern Guatemala
Overnight: Antigua

DAY 2, Sunday - Coffee Tour, Antigua's Indigenous Communities, Casa Santo Domingo
Today, get a glimpse into the history of coffee, its production, and what makes the perfect brew during a tour of a coffee farm. At the conclusion of the visit, taste a fresh cup of coffee. Then, visit indigenous communities outside Antigua, including Jocotenango, Ciudad Vieja and San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Learn about their history, culture and traditions, and savor a home hosted lunch. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Casa Santo Domingo. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers, followed by dinner
Overnight: Antigua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3, Monday - Travel to Rio Dulce, Archaeological Park & Ruins of Quiriguá
Departing Antigua this morning, head east towards Rio Dulce. Following lunch en route, visit the Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quiriguá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the 35 foot stela, the tallest known Mayan stela. Later, continue the drive to Rio Dulce. Arrive and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Rio Dulce
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Tuesday - Discover Livingston
Begin the day with a boat ride down the river to Livingston, an Afro-Caribbean town with a unique blend of culture. Stop to visit Ak' Tenamit, a Cultural and Educational Center for indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya people. After, continue to Livingston, located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. Savor lunch prepared by the community Maya Q'eqchi'. Learn the secrets of making Tapado, a traditional Guatemalan seafood soup. Then, take an orientation tour of the town. Later, return by boat to Rio Dulce with time at leisure
Overnight: Rio Dulce
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Wednesday - Flores, Lake Peten Itza
Depart Rio Dulce this morning and travel to Flores, located on Lake Peten Itza. Board a boat to reach the small island. Then, take a walking tour of the town with its pastel-colored buildings, cobblestone streets and Central Plaza. Browse the shops for local handicrafts. Later, check into the hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Flores
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Tikal National Park
A thrilling day of exploration awaits! Journey to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, a large archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located at the center of a 222-square-mile national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An exhilarating jungle hike leads you through the ruins. View the impressive structures of this ancient civilization, as you visit sites that include the Twin-Pyramid complex, the Lost World Complex (where the Great Pyramid is located), and the Great Plaza. After lunch at the park, free time to explore on your own. Perhaps climb to the top of Pyramid IV, the highest of the Mayan pyramids, from which you will have a panoramic view of Tikal and its surrounding jungle. Afterward, return to your hotel
Overnight: Flores
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Friday - Yaxha National Park, Border Crossing to Belize, San Ignacio
Explore the ancient city of Yaxha, a former Maya ceremonial center, perched on a ridge overlooking Yaxha Lake. This impressive archaeological site encompasses ball courts, several plazas, multiple pyramids, stelae and altars. Opportunity to climb one of the temples for panoramic views of the area. Following lunch, travel to Melchor de Mencos. After border formalities, you cross from Guatemala into Belize, continuing on to San Ignacio. Arrive at the hotel with time to relax before dinner
Overnight: San Ignacio
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Saturday - Jaguar Paw Cave Tubing
Depart for Jaguar Paw Cave. On arrival, take a short hike along a jungle trail to reach the waters and embark on a tubing excursion. Float down the river though a series of underground caves and explore limestone stalactite formations. The ancient Mayans used this subterranean system to reach Xibalba, their sacred underworld. After a picnic lunch, return to the hotel, followed by an evening at leisure
Overnight: San Ignacio
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Sunday - Belize Zoo, Ferry to Caye Caulker Island
Morning departure from San Ignacio towards Belize City. On arrival, visit the Belize Zoo. Later, board a ferry to the island of Caye Caulker. This Caribbean island is surrounded by the biodiverse Belize Barrier Reef. Arrive at your resort hotel in time for a lunch of Belizean dishes. Spend the afternoon at leisure
Overnight: Caye Caulker
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10, Monday - Enchanting Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Today, take a catamaran tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its coral reefs and abundant marine life. Come face to face with docile nurse sharks and southern stingrays at the feeding grounds of Shark Ray Alley. Afterward, head to Coral Gardens for snorkeling. View a maze of colorful hard and soft corals along with a variety of bright-colored fish. Continue to Sunken Barge, where you view coral and many species of fish. Lunch is included during the tour. Return to Caye Caulker. Spend time at leisure, before dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Caye Caulker
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Tuesday - Discover Belize City
After a leisurely morning, transfer by ferry in the afternoon to Belize City with its Caribbean charm. Embark on a panoramic city tour and learn about the former capital city of Belize, founded in the 1600s by the British. Afterward, check into your hotel. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your Tour Manager and share wonderful memories of your journey
Overnight: Belize City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart Belize
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 3,359
Price Per Day: $ 280 per day
Checking price
Start DateEnd DateLand OnlyLand + Air Travel 
Dec-16-2023Dec-28-2023$ 2,799$ 3,999 Reserve
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743 Gate 1 Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

69%
3.7 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 455
Great 26
Average 30
Disappointing 29
Terrible 203
Value
3.7
Guide
3.7
Activities
3.7
Lodging
3.7
Transportation
3.7
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3.7

12 Day Culture & Adventure in Guatemala & Belize

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Company Reviews

Poor customer service

2.0
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Value2.0
Guide2.0
Activities2.0
Lodging2.0
Transportation2.0
Meals2.0
It has been about 7.5 years since I traveled with Gate 1 Travel. In the past, customer service was exceptionally great! Now I am appauded with the unprofessional and uncaring “attitude” demonstrated by Supervisors. What I surmised by the comments expressed is that it is my problem so do not bother me. Sure, I acknowledge that life is imperfect. However, where does empathy and compassion come into the professional world? When a customer states a concern and requests assistance, it soothes the complexion of the customer’s experience by possibly using statements such as “ I know you are stressed about the matter. Sorry that you are having to deal with this matter 8 days before departure. I will try to contact another person who can better help you.” These Supervisors present to be bothered by having to listen to my complaint and concern. They do not care if I am unable to go on my trip. Despite being advised that someone will call me today, I doubt that I will hear from someone. I was informed to contact them via Contact Us email. Well, I have tried that before but I only get a response 50% of the time. Then there are the representatives in the Philippines who do not know what they are doing. I end up calling back Gate 1 Travel and request to talk with a Supervisor. When I ask for the name of a person in management in order to write a letter about how Gate 1 Travel personnel has diminished the quality of service, not one Gate 1 employee will disclose the name of a professional in upper management. I find that odd.
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I already wrote a couple of bad reviews…

1.0
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Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
I already wrote a couple of bad reviews during my last trip to Mexico with Gate 1 Discovery Tours—my aunt and her husband from Texas is currently doing the very same 13 Day Mexico Mayan and Aztec Illumination Tour two weeks after we did ours, and it was just confirmed based on the same Xochimilco tour that they took on their first day that alcoholic beverages and Mariachi Band was included in Gate 1 Budget during the boat tour but our tour manager and guide, MANUEL JURADO, decided it would be better for him to pocket the money that was supposed to be spent on our group to make our discovery tour with Gate 1 experience more enjoyable and memorable! This was based on the photographs provided by my aunt and uncle! Furthermore, I was just informed that water, coffee and tea were provided during lunch and dinner aside from one alcoholic beverages or juices.

The very bad experience we had on our most recent trip to Mexico was because of the third party tour company and tour manager that Gate 1 employed—for a big company like Gate 1, offering travels all over the world, this Mexico trip being our 9th with them, I expected more! The tour manager’s actions is a reflection of how bad Gate 1 was with regards to their travel quality control. They should check each hotels, restaurants, foods, and activities before going to any third party tour companies!
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Awesome Kenya Safari

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Christopher Musyoka was an outstanding tour guide, who went the extra mile for us. We saw all the animals we wanted to see. He was always concerned for our safety and comfort. The accommodations were outstanding! I only wish he would have been accessible during our stay the Ark! Thank you again, Gate 1, for a wonderful experience!
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Update to my earlier review - Stay away from Gate1 until they change their ways

1.0
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Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Our first trips with Gate 1 were great. The tour guides really took care of us and we didn't spend excessive time on the bus. Our latest tour to Greece was awful. The tour director did not communicate well. Telling us we would have a free lunch - when she meant to say we would be free for lunch on our own. We found out after we had to pay for the meal. Our hotel in Mykonos had a large pool of water in the bathroom. It was coming from the room above and there was black mold on the ceiling. It was reported (twice) and the solution was to give us more towels to place on the floor. Nobody seemed to care about the mold. One hotel didn't have hot water for the showers. This was reported to the front desk and the tour director. Writing to Gate 1 did no good. They send their generic "thank you for your input" email and nothing gets done - even when you ask them to call you. I assume they have changed management since our first trips and no longer care about the travelers as long as they get their money. Finally got a response from Gate1. The hotel with cold showers said it was never reported. The hotel with the mold and wet floor said they offered to move us to a different room. That never happened - they gave us lots of towels to soak up the water. Gate1 offered us $100 off of our next trip.

Gate 1 replied with another "customer service will contact you" message. To date that has not happened. Horrible company and horrible customer service!!
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Just finished an amazing safari in…

5.0
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Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Just finished an amazing safari in Kenya with Gate 1.This tour was so special due to our Tour Director Christopher Musyoka .He was professional, knowledgeable and very organized with a great sense of humor. He went above and beyond as a Tour guide ( Gate 1 is so lucky to have him). Diane S
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Gate 1Travel’s Misrepresentations

1.0
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Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
There is a huge, huge misrepresentations by Gate 1 Travel on their 13 days Mexico’s Mayan and Aztec Illumination Tour—first and foremost, there is nothing worthy, whether of our time and of our money, on discovery tours that should have been included.

Food was so mediocre that you’ll have upset stomach almost everyday that lunch was included. You will be left hungry after a very long drive because dinner was never included on most days.

Also, after 9 tours with Gate 1, mostly Discovery Tour because Gate 1 advertised “First Class Accommodations & Discovery Tours”, this is the very first Discovery Tour we had that never included water with lunch or dinner, and coffees and teas after lunch or dinner. When we asked our guide, Manuel Jurado, he said, we can have water and coffees and teas, just don’t tell the other guests because it is not on his budget.

Guide skipped the Nacional Palace so there’s no Murals by Diego Rivera. Hotel in Veracruz was so filthy that you would not be able to shower comfortably, nor sleep on the bed without getting an itch. La Venta Park was infested with mosquitoes that the short visit that they included made it very very uncomfortable. Museum in Palenque is closed for renovations—

There is nothing in the itineraries that explains all day drives to each places mentioned—arriving late that there’s really no other point in including the places because all you’ll do is have dinner and go to sleep for the next day’s long drive again.
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Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Small Group - 24 max

Additional Information


Additional Information:
Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Trip ID#:

gate1-DSCV-GT-BZ-12DGTBZ-PKG-23

What's excluded

Not Included: Gratuities.
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