With this travel route, I guide you through the rich cultures, breathtaking landscapes and relaxing beaches in Guatemala and Belize. These two countries can perfectly be combined with Guatemala, offering culture, adventure and nature and Belize for the white sand beaches to end a perfect holiday. This 3-week itinerary provides you with a travel blog balancing active exploration and relaxation, ensuring an amazing trip through these Central American gems! Bear in mind that this guide provides you with a summary focused on the optimal itinerary. Further details on each destination can be found in the specific travel guides, and more details on a specific 2-week Guatemala itinerary can be found in a separate blog post.
For more details on Guatemala, check-out my 2-week Guatemala itinerary.
Antigua (5 nights), including an overnight trip to Acatenango
Lake Atitlan (3 nights)
Flores (3 nights)
Rio Dulce (4 nights)
Hopkins (2 nights)
Caye Caulker (5 nights)
If you want to see Semuc Champey and travel to Belize overland (the cheaper version), you can also go for an alternative route. In that case, you will only visit Caye Caulker in Belize, exploring less of the local culture.
In that case, your route could be as follows: Antigua, Xela, Antigua, Lanquin (Semuc Champey), Flores, and Caye Caulker.
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The ideal time to visit Guatemala and Belize is during the dry season, which runs from late November to mid-April. This period offers sunny days and minimal rainfall, perfect for exploring ruins, hiking volcanoes, and enjoying beach time.
In Guatemala, you can get around by taking shuttles, whereas in Belize, the chicken buses are the key means of transport. In this itinerary, you will take a boat from Livingston to Punta Gorda to enter Belize. For the alternative route, you can cross the border from Flores to Belize City. Check out the specific travel guides for each destination on how to get there (linked in every section).
After arriving at the airport in Guatemala City, it is time to travel to Antigua, the perfect place to start your Central America travel route! In Guatemala, you can visit the famous Santa Catalina Arch and, most importantly, enjoy the amazing food and drink scene. Check out my bar & restaurant guide to Antigua for great food & drinks.
After 3 nights in Antigua, it is time to head on your next adventure: climbing the Acatenango volcano for the most amazing views over the active Fuego volcano. After your overnight trip, spend one more day in Antigua before taking the shuttle to your next destination: Lake Atitlan.
Read my detailed Antigua Travel Guide and everything you need to know about climbing Acatenango.
Maya Papaya (€45) Meson de Maria (€60), Hotel la Galeria (€85), Barbara's Boutique Hostel (€100), Adra hostel (€20 per person) Hotel la Sin Venture (€40)
From Antigua, take the shuttle to Lake Atitlan, followed by a boat to the village where you will be staying. The views over the lake are beyond stunning, as the lake is surrounded by multiple volcanoes. When visiting Lake Atitlan, you can take your time to visit the various villages surrounding the lake, such as San Marcos, San Juan and San Pedro. Furthermore, a key highlight is to hike the Indian Nose during sunrise for views over the lake.
Read more about Lake Atitlan in my detailed guide.
La Iguana Perdido (€30), Eco hotel Uxlabil Atitlan (€45), Mikaso Hotel (€30), Hotel La Casa Del Mundo (€55), Lush Atitlan (€150)
After Lake Atitlan, you take the shuttle to Guatemala City Airport for your flight to Flores. This charming island town on Lake Petén Itzá is the gateway to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha. On the first day in Flores, I recommend you book an early bird tour to Tikal, leaving at 4. AM in the morning and returning around 1 PM. In the afternoon, you have plenty of time to explore Flores, enjoy the sunset at the waterside, chill at Cool Beans or swing at Jorge’s Rope Swing. On the second day, you can visit the ‘little brother’ of Tikal: Yaxha!
Read my full Flores travel guide on the best things to do in and from Flores.
Casa Maya Itza (€40), Los Amigos Hostel (€55), Hotel Isla de Flores (€120),Zapote Tree House Inn (€40)
From Flores, you can take a shuttle to Rio Dulce before stepping on the boat to Livingston, which can drop you off at any accommodation next to the river. You are up for a couple of days to relax in nature. Spend your days canoeing or visit the most beautiful beach in Guatemala: Playa Blanca.
Check out my Rio Dulce travel guide for more information.
Hotelito Perdido (€40) and they offer bunk beds too, Palmeras del Rio (€25), Tortugal Boutique River Lodge (€85), Boatique Hotel (€65). At Hotelito Perdido and Boatique there are also bunk beds available.
Next up: your transfer to Belize! Take the boat to Livingston, followed by a 45-minute boat ride to Punta Gorda. Afterwards, you can catch a chicken bus to Hopkins. At Hopkins, you can indulge yourself in the Garifuna culture and get a hint of local life in Belize. Furthermore, you spend the day chilling at Big Dock and don’t miss out on the drumming performances!
Check out my Hopkins travel guide for more!
Cosmopolitan Guesthouse (€80), Inn at White Horse Guesthouse (€90), Crash Pad Adventure Hostel (€55 - my top tip!), Coconut Row Boutique Hotel (€270)
The final destination of your 3-week Guatemala & Belize itinerary! Take a chicken bus to Belize City, followed by the ferry to Caye Caulker. On this beautiful tropical island, there is only one thing you can do: Go Slow. The official motto of the island tells you to relax and enjoy. In my opinion, Caye Caulker is the perfect final stop on this travel route. Go snorkelling, bike to and chill on the north island, have some happy hour drinks and spend your day at the Lazy Lizard.
Read more about Caye Caulker and the best things to do!
Barefoot Beach Belize (€95), Colinda Cabanas (€185), La Isla Hotel (€100), Sea Dreams Hotel (€175), El Ben Cabanas (€250 - North Island)
Even though Semuc Champey (Lanquin) is one of the key attractions in Guatemala, we have heard mixed stories. As adding Lanquin to your Guatemala & Belize itinerary is quite a hassle in travel time (an 8-10 hour shuttle from Lake Atitlan and an 8-10 hour shuttle to Flores), we decided to fly from Guatemala City to Flores and skip Semuc Champey. However, your itinerary might look slightly different if this attraction is on your list! If adding Semuc Champey, you will enter Belize by shuttle from Flores. This also means you will most likely skip a visit to Hopkins. Depending on your travel time, you could add a 3-day hike from Xela (near Lake Atitlan) to your travel route.
To save travel time, we booked our flight to Guatemala City and flew back from Belize City. If you have 3,5 to 4 weeks, it is possible to extend your itinerary slightly and book a return flight to Guatemala City. In this case, your travel route looks as follows: Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Semuc Chempay, Flores, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Rio Dulce, and Guatemala City (for your return flight).
