Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Guatemala – Atitlan – Antigua – Flores – Belize – Belmopan – Mexico – Tulum
100% customisable for you
Today marks the start of your adventure, as you head to the airport bound for Guatemala City. Flight times average between 14 and 20 hours with a brief stopover, so be sure to stock up on snacks and a good book before you set off.
Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you into the capital, where you’ll settle in at a stylish hotel and recharge your batteries ready for your first full day of exploring tomorrow.
After a hearty breakfast, meet your private driver-guide and set off for three days exploring the Altiplano. En route to Lake Atitlan, detour to Chichicastenango to discover its vibrant market. Every Thursday and Sunday, the town welcomes traders from across the Guatemalan highlands in a riot of colour and a sea of artisan goods. It’s busy, bustling and a brilliant introduction to local life. Navigating the crowds might be a challenge, so the best approach is to go with the flow.
While you’re in Chichicastenango, there’s the option to visit the home of a local resident and learn about their culture before tucking into some delicious Guatemalan cuisine (you might even pick up some culinary secrets). When you’re ready, head to San Marcos La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlan, and check in to your accommodation for the next two nights. The beautifully blue water is only a stone’s throw away. Bliss.
This morning, wake to the breathtaking view of three volcanoes rising above the waters of Lake Atitlan. Take a quiet moment to soak in the sunrise hand in hand.
Maya villages dot the shoreline, each with their own distinct character: from the terraced fields of San Antonio Palopo and the weavers of San Juan to the coffee plantations of San Pedro. Leave the roads behind and hop aboard a small boat for a half-day tour cruising between these lakeside villages.
This afternoon, return to the hotel to relax beside the lake, or venture off on a solo visit to the town of Panajachel. A lively hub of shops, bars and restaurants, it’s perfect for exploring at your own pace for the remainder of the afternoon.
This morning, you’ll leave Lake Atitlan behind to drive about three hours to Antigua. On the way, make a pitstop in Solola to peruse the colourful local market stalls and grab a souvenir or two. Twice a week, people from surrounding indigenous communities travel to the village with beans, maize and handcrafted goods to sell at the local market. Attracting visitors from all over the world, the stalls are treasure troves of traditional handicrafts, textiles, local food and other goods.
On arrival in Antigua, settle into your hotel and home for the next three nights. Unpack and unwind in your room, or head out to see a little of the city before a romantic dinner for two.
Surrounded by three volcanoes – Agua, Fuego and Acatenango – Antigua’s landscape is nothing short of spectacular. It also serves as a reminder of the city’s past: an earthquake in 1773 cost the city its status as the Guatemalan capital, leaving Antigua to develop into the UNESCO World Heritage site that it is today. The city is a fascinating mix of old and new, with ancient Maya ruins and colonial-era buildings standing alongside modern shopping malls and trendy neighbourhoods.
As you explore, stop by Saint Joseph's Cathedral, where the serene interior invites quiet contemplation. Marvel at the imposing Captain General Palace and City Hall, then visit the Capuchin convent, which was abandoned centuries ago following the 1773 earthquake.
After a busy day of sightseeing, head back to your hotel to freshen up before enjoying a delicious dinner this evening – perhaps at one of the local eateries recommended in our Dossier.
Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring Antigua. Wander down the cobblestone streets, pop in and out of artisan shops and grab a coffee in a charming café.
Then shake things up this afternoon with a visit to one of the country's best cocktail bars for a private mixology experience. At this tucked-away speakeasy, you’ll discover how distillation influences not only the taste but also the texture of different spirits. Under expert guidance, you’ll master a few basic techniques, from shaking and stirring to mixing and muddling, which will be sure to impress dinner party guests back home.
Say adios to Antigua this morning as you take a private one-hour transfer to Guatemala City airport for your flight north to Flores. The journey is about an hour, then take another private transfer to Lake Peten Itza, where you can settle in for the next two nights.
Guatemala’s second-largest lake is a sparkling expanse at the heart of the hot, humid Peten Basin – a region once central to the rise of Mesoamerican civilisation. After checking in and dropping your bags, take time to relax at your hotel following a morning of travel, or find a scenic spot for two by the lake to while away the afternoon among scenic surroundings.
The ancient town of Flores – the last Maya city to fall to the Spanish in 1697 – is an ideal base for exploring the lake and the surrounding area. The lush rainforests at its fringe are home to plenty of archaeological riches, including Tikal – one of the world’s most important and impressive Maya sites.
Enjoy a private guided tour of Tikal’s ruins and learn about the history of the Maya people who lived there. Explore the large plaza with its two ancient temples and acropolises, which were once the centre of Maya civilisation. Pause together to admire the incredible jungle wildlife, keeping an eye out for monkeys and toucans.
Later, the tour continues at the Morley Museum, which boasts an impressive range of artefacts and exhibits, including pottery, jewellery and sculptures unearthed during early excavations of the royal tombs. It’s the perfect place to round off an unforgettable day of cultural immersion.
It’s time to tick off another country today as you take a private transfer to Belmopan in Belize, which is around a three-hour drive from Flores. En route (and before crossing the border), visit the Yaxha archaeological site – a rare example of a city whose name has remained unchanged since Maya times. Less well-known than Tikal (and subsequently less crowded), this ancient Guatemalan city is no less impressive. Explore its towering temples and evocative ruins.
Leaving Guatemala behind, travel on to reach Belmopan on the banks of the Belize River, where you’ll spend two nights immersed in a tropical wonderland of lush forests, winding waterways and colourful wildlife.
We hope you’re feeling adventurous this morning, as a trip to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave is on today’s agenda. This three-mile-deep cave can only be reached by swimming, so prepare to take the plunge.
Accompanied by a guide, venture into this Maya underworld, where the water is cool and the light is dim. After swimming a short distance, the adventure continues along a path that winds between stalactites and stalagmites, eventually leading to the bones of the Crystal Maiden. This well-preserved skeleton of a young woman, which appears to glimmer in the light, is a lasting reminder of a lost time when the Maya are believed to have used the cave for ritual sacrifices.
Back above ground, this afternoon is yours to spend as you please, before a memorable meal this evening in one of Belmopan’s top-notch restaurants.
It’s time to head to Mexico today. Begin with a private transfer to the airport for your 90-minute flight to Cancun, then on arrival, you’ll be privately transferred to Tulum, an hour and a half away.
Check in for three nights in a hotel close to the coast, where you can savour every moment of beachy bliss. Tonight, raise a glass together to the final leg of your trip over a delicious Mexican meal – our handy Dossier is full of local recommendations to help you pick the perfect spot.
With its turquoise sea and fine sandy beaches, it makes sense that the once sleepy town of Tulum has become so popular. Yet despite its fame, this little corner of Caribbean paradise retains its Maya ruins and coastal charm.
There’s plenty to fill your two full days here. You can explore the ancient sites, venture into the jungle to plunge into a crystal-clear cenote, or simply relax on the beach.
Art-lovers can seek out Ven a la Luz, Daniel Popper’s towering sculpture exploring the place of people within nature, or marvel at the Holistika Art Walk in the heart of the jungle. Meanwhile, wildlife spotters can explore the Sian Ka'an nature reserve, scanning the mangroves and lagoons for dolphins, turtles and crocodiles.
Sadly, your couple’s escape has come to an end. So, after picking up a final few souvenirs and packing your suitcase for the last time, say a fond farewell to Tulum and take your private transfer to Cancun airport. Your journey home is on a direct, nine-and-a-half-hour overnight flight that sees you land back in the UK the following day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
