Belize Holidays & Guatemala: Tikal + Caracol + ATM Cave + Ambergris Caye
The former British colony of Belize (British Honduras) was part of the great Mayan civilisation, with thick jungle sheltering fascinating Mayan ruins and a glorious Caribbean coastline scattered with hundreds of ‘cayes’ (low-lying coral islands). Belize Holidays & Guatemala trips are often combined, as these close neighbours have preserved some of the best Mayan ruins in the Americas. Costa Rica wildlife tours can also be easily added. The people are warm and friendly and, uniquely in Central America, English is the first language.
With 60% of its lush landscapes covered by rainforest, Belize is a country that small in size but big on adventure, as you can combine Mayan history and culture with hiking, horse riding, caving, ziplining and kayaking on Belize holidays & Guatemala trips. You can also enjoying vibrant Belizean art and music, and the colourful ethnic handcrafts.
The Cayo District in the west is an adventure playground, centred around the lively little town of San Ignacio close to the Guatemala border. It is renowned for its subterranean caves, which had great spiritual significance to the Maya. One of the most spectacular is Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave), which takes you on a 3-mile journey through rock flows, carvings, ceramics and calcified Mayan skeletons, culminating in the crystallised bones of the famous Crystal Maiden. On Belize holidays & Guatemala trips, the stunning Mayan ruins at Tikal & Caracol should not be missed.
At the end of Belize holidays and Guatemala trips, you can relax on a superb Caribbean beach and enjoy the delicious seafood, or try your hand at snorkelling diving, fishing or sailing. The Belize Barrier Reef offer some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world, with colourful corals and over 500 fish species. It is a 190 mile section of the 560 mile Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second longest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef and a World Heritage Site. The reef is a vital habitat for threatened species including marine turtles, manatees and American marine crocodiles, whilst the cayes, coastal lagoons and mangroves provide an important habitat for many sea birds.
The largest island is Ambergris Caye (or La Isla Bonita), which is only 25 miles long and 1 mile wide. The major attraction here is the beaches and snorkelling or diving the reef. San Pedro is the island’s only town. Placencia and Punta Gorda in the south offer more pristine beach locations at the end of Belize holidays & Guatemala trips.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
We have been arranging Belize holidays & Guatemala trips to Tikal, Caracol, ATM Cave & Ambergris Caye for over 20 years.
ALL OUR BELIZE HOLIDAYS & GUATEMALA TRIPS TO TIKAL, CARACOL, ATM CAVE & AMBERGRIS CAYE ARE FINANCIALLY PROTECTED wherever in the world you live.
More information on Belize holidays & Guatemala trips to Tikal, Caracol, ATM Caave & Ambergris Caye:
Belize City is the country’s principle port and industrial centre. This old logging centre and pirate town has a ramshackle charm and is teeming with ethnic colour and culture. It is the home of the National Handicraft Centre, where you can browse through high quality Belizean arts and crafts and the Image Factory which displays the work of Belizean artists. The Museum of Belize is located in a refurbished colonial prison, complete with restored cells and prison paraphernalia – plus original graffiti. There is also much about colonial history and the Mayans, including a priceless treasure trove of 2,500 year old artefacts. The city’s cathedral, St John’s, is the oldest Anglican church in Central America and well worth a visit on Belize holidays & Guatemala trips. The famous downtown Swing Bridge, manufactured in Liverpool in 1923 and claiming to be the only working manually operated bridge of its type in the world, is another must-see. It is one of four bridges which join the two parts of the city. It doesn’t open very often, but if there is a storm brewing and the tall yachts need safer mooring upstream, you might be lucky and see this unique event first hand. There is an amazing ethnic mix in Belize City including Creole, Chinese, Hindu and of course Maya. The culture, food and music are correspondingly diverse and although Belize City may not be the tidiest destination, it is certainly one of the most intriguing on Belize holidays & Guatemala trips.
In the Cayo District the choice of activities is endless. You can hike through lush jungle, explore waterfalls and massive underground caves and travel on horseback or by kayak. In the Nohoch Che’en Caves you can cave tube or kayak through darkened, flooded chambers and experience thrilling jungle canopy ziplines. Corkscomb Basin Sanctuary offer excellent opportunities to see tapirs, howler monkeys, hundreds of bird species and, if you are lucky, the magnificent but elusive jaguar. On Belize holidays and Guatemala trips you can explore on your own, or with an expert guide who will help you to discover an array of wildlife as well as ancient Mayan ruins.
Mayan Ruins are everywhere on Belize holidays & Guatemala trips – as Belize was once home to 2 million Mayas, a highly developed civilisation which dominated this part of the world for over 2,000 years. Today this country boasts one of the largest concentrations of Mayan temples and underground ritual chambers in the world, plus a fantastic range of artwork, pottery, carvings and human remains. The Altan Ha Mayan ruins are not far from Belize City, but the Caracol Mayan ruins in Cayo District are among the most striking. Caracol was once home to 150,000 people and houses the largest man-made structure in the country. Cahal Pech, overlooking San Ignicio, has 34 Mayan buildings, while Lamanai was one of the largest and longest occupied Mayan cities, with over 700 identified structures. On Belize holidays & Guatemala trips, you can also take the hand-cranked ferry across the Belize River to Xunantunich (Stone Woman), with its impressive centrepiece, El Castillo.
Belmopan, located in the centre of the country, is the capital of Belize and was built on high ground in 1970 after the near destruction of Belize City by Hurricane Hattie. On Belize holidays & Guatemala trips, it is a good base for exploring the caves, reserves and wildlife of the Cayo District.
The Belize Barrier Reef has as one of its main attractions the famous Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef, a massive submerged circular sinkhole 300 yards across and 400 feet deep. It has been called one of the ten most amazing places in the world, but you will need experience to enjoy diving there on Belize holidays and Guatemala trips. Another is Half Moon Caye, 50 miles south east of Belize City. Originally established as a bird sanctuary to protect the red-footed booby, it is now a protected marine area with a diversity of fish and coral. At the southern end you will find the breeding grounds for endangered loggerhead, hawksbill and green turtles.
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FEATURED HOLIDAY
Costa Rica + Belize: Arenal + Monteverde + Ambergris Caye
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,346
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRI12S
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• La Fortuna
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• Family & Adventure Holidays
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• Hot Springs
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• Costa Rica and Belize Holidays
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• Monteverde Cloud Forest
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• Arenal Volcano & Ziplines
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• Hanging Bridges & Selvatura
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• Ambergris Caye
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• Belize City
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• Snorkelling, Diving, Fishing
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Our exciting Costa Rica and Belize holidays and ideal for family & adventure, as well as snorkelling, diving & deep sea fishing. Explore the amazing rainforest wildlife, hanging bridges and hot springs of La Fortuna, including the opportunity to zipline down from the Arenal Volcano. Then take the boat across the lake to Monteverde Cloud Forest, which also has magnificent hanging bridges & ziplines. All transfers & activities included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Belize: Orange Walk + Cayo District + Ambergris Caye
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,944
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
QRB12B
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• Swimming & Snorkelling
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• ATM Cave
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• Orange Walk
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• Caracol Mayan Ruins
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• Lamanai & Xunantunich Ruins
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• Belize City
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• Belize Holidays/Honeymoon
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• Barton Creek Caves
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• Diving, Ambergris Caye
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• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
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Experience both culture & wildlife on our adventurous Belize holidays or honeymoon. In Orange Walk explore the Lamanai Mayan ruins, visit Xunantunich & Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. In the Cayo District, explore the famous Caracol Mayan ruins, venture into Barton Creek and ATM Cave, then fly to the coast to swim, snorkel & enjoy diving at stunning Ambergris Caye. All transfers, sightseeing & light aircraft flights included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Guatemala + Belize: Antigua + Lake Atitlan + Tikal
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,944
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
QRG12G
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• Caracol Mayan Ruins
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Antigua
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• San Juan & Santiago Villages
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• ATM & Barton Creek Caves
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• Guatemala and Belize holidays
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• Lake Atitlan
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• Tikal National Park
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• Ambergris Caye
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• Chichi Market
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Our Guatemala and Belize holidays combine the highlights of these two wonderful Central American countries. Starting in the lovely colonial city of Antigua, visit vast Lake Atitlan & Tikal National Park. Then cross the border into Belize to explore the Caracol Mayan ruins & caves of the Cayo District, before flying to spectacular Ambergris Caye. All transfers, light aircraft flights & sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
3 Countries: Costa Rica + Guatemala + Belize
18 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,782
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRG18S
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• La Fortuna Waterfall
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• Antigua
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• Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
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• Ambergris Caye
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• Arenal Volcano & Sloths
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• Tikal Mayan Ruins
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• Hanging Bridges + Hot Springs
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• Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize Holiday
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• Lake Atitlan
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• Caracol Ruins & ATM Caves
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This Costa Rica, Guatemala & Belize holiday combines the highlights of these three small Central American countries. View sloths, birds and rainforest wildlife around Arenal Volcano, and enjoy its hot springs & waterfalls. Then explore colonial Antigua, beautiful Lake Atitlan & the Mayan ruins in Tikal & Belize, before relaxing on stunning Ambergris Caye. All transfers, park fees & specified sightseeeing included.
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