Central America Adventure
16 Days
Choose Currency
$4160
This tour will allow you to explore the best attractions of these diverse Central American countries.
GUATEMALA - EL SALVADOR – HONDURAS – BELIZE
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City (Tuesday or Friday)
Upon arrival to Guatemala City you will be met and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Santiago Atitlán and San Antonio Palopó
Departure to Lake Atitlán. Lake Atitlán was formed by a caldera (collapsed volcanic cone) and is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán) and 12 picturesque Maya-Cakchiquel and Maya Tzutuhil villages.
Boat ride to the Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago Atitlán, famous for Maximón, a character that is widely worshiped by the inhabitants of Santiago. Santiago also offers a variety of handicrafts, colorful textiles, woodcarvings and naïf paintings. After the visit, we continue by boat to San Antonio Palopó, well known for its handicrafts. (B)
Day 3: Chichicastenango Market
Departure to Chichicastenango, where you will see the most colorful and picturesque outdoor market in Guatemala, where every Thursday and Sunday locals from the region, gather to buy and sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, animals, textiles and handicrafts Relevant is the visit to the Santo Tomás Church, where the Maya- Quiché pray to their gods according to the old Maya traditions. In the afternoon, return to Lake Atitlán. (B)
Day 4: Tecpán – Iximché
Today we drive through Guatemala´s Highlands leaving Lake Atitlán and heading towards Sololá and onto Tecpán. Here we will visit the archaeological site of Iximché, former ancient capital of the Maya-Cakchiquel, place where in 1524 was founded Guatemala´s first capital by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Alvarado. After the visit, we head to Antigua Guatemala. (B)
Day 5: Antigua Guatemala + Coffee Farm
Stepping in Antigua is like stepping back in time… cobbled stone streets, sprays of bougainvillea bursting from crumbling ruins, pastel façades under terracotta roofs, parks with fountains & a dramatic setting surrounded by three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego & Acatenango These are one of the reasons why Antigua is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas & declared by UNESCO as “Cultural Heritage of Humankind”. We start the day traveling to the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, famous for its textiles and handicrafts. Then we continue to visit the Centro Cultural La Azotea, where you will enjoy a guided visit to a Coffee Farm and the Traditional Mayan Music Museum Casa K’Ojom. After tasting a cup of one of the finest coffees in Antigua, we continue to Antigua’s Historic Centre, starting from the Main Plaza and visiting the main monuments. (B)
Day 6: (El Salvador) San Andrés/Joya de Cerén – Pacific Coast
In the morning we depart from Antigua crossing the border to El Salvador. We head to the archaeological site of Joya de Cerén which holds the country’s most important archaeological vestiges. It is believed that this Maya village was inhabited for a short time, only approximately 1 century until the eruption of the Laguna Caldera Volcano that destroyed and preserved the remains of the village, covering it by more than 10 feet of volcanic ashes, over 1,400 years ago. This site, considered the “Pompey of the Americas” was declared by UNESCO “World Heritage Site. We will also visit San Andrés which is one of the biggest prehispanic sites in El Salvador.
After the visit we will continue towards the Pacific Coast with its black sand beaches of volcanic origin. (B, D)
Day 7: Cerro Verde/Lake Coatepeque Mirador “The Route of the Flowers”
In the morning we depart to Cerro Verde, a Nature Reserve located between the Sonsonate and Santa Ana provinces. The Cerro Verde region offers some of the most enchanting country sceneries in El Salvador. Here you can find one of the few Cloud Forests in the country. Cerro Verde is an extinct volcano that last erupted more or less 2,500 years ago. From here you will have spectacular views of the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes. After this visit we will drive for around 30 minutes and reach the Mirador of Lake Coatepeque, which was also formed as a result of a collapsed volcanic cone. It´s name in native nahuatl language means “Serpent Hill”. We continue afterwards towards Concepción de Ataco, a small town of precolumbine origin founded by the Pipiles Tribes. On the way we will pass through Nahuizalco, a town of indigenous artisans. Return to the Pacific Coast. (B, D)
Day 8: (Honduras) PM Copán Tour
Early in the morning we depart to Honduras. Crossing through El Salvador we arrive to the Border with Guatemala after a 3.5 hours drive. Then we head to the Border with Honduras and onto the picturesque town of Copán Ruinas. Copán is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Maya
World was declared “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO. This site presents a sophisticated architectural style and a unique art for stone carving. Visit the main plazas, complexes and monuments. (B)
Day 9: (Guatemala) Quiriguá / Puerto Barrios / Livingston
On the way to Puerto Barrios we will visit Quiriguá, a unique archaeological site surrounded by the largest banana plantation in Central America. Declared by UNESCO “Cultural Heritage of Humankind”, Quiriguá is famous for having the tallest stone-carved stelae in the Maya World. After the visit, continue to Puerto Barrios, where you will take a boat ride to the Garífuna town of Livingston, located where Río Dulce meets the Caribbean Sea. Livingston is the only town in Guatemala where the African Caribbean Culture has survived with all its traditions since the first settlers came at the end of the 15th Century, and today it is a peaceful, colorful and relaxed town. (B)
Day 10: Río Dulce (San Felipe)/ Flores
Departure in the morning by boat to Río Dulce. Admire the lush tropical forest, hundreds of birds and the impressive Río Dulce Canyon. Once we arrive to Río Dulce we will visit the Castillo de San Felipe. In the early XVI century, the commercial activity between Guatemala and Spain flourished throughout the former Golfo Dulce. This fortress was built to protect the merchandise from the pirates of the Gulf of Mexico.
After the visit continue to Petén. (B)
Day 11: (Belize) Xunantunich / Ambergris Caye
In the morning we head to Belize, to the archaeological site of Xunantunich which means “Stone Women” in Maya. Xunantunich is located by the Mopán River and it is believed that it was an important ceremonial centre. The site consists of 6 main plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The main structure is “El Castillo” which is the second tallest in Belize.
After the visit we continue to Belize City to board the flight to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye. It is believed that the Island got it’s name from the Ambergris (whale oil) that British Pirates collected. (B)
Day 12: Day at Leisure
Enjoy time to relax in Belize´s Caribbean Coast, soaking up the sun or through the various aquatic activities the region has to offer. (B)
Day 13: Belize City / (Guatemala) Yaxhá
Return from Ambergris Caye to Belize City, heading back to the border and return to Guatemala.
On the way to Flores we will visit the archaeological site of Yaxhá (“Turquoise Water”), considered an important civic and ceremonial site during the Mayan Classic Period; it is settled on a hill overlooking the beautiful Laguna de Yaxhá and Laguna Sacnab. Yaxhá is the only site in Petén, besides Tikal, that has a “Twin Pyramid Complex”. (B)
Day 14: Tikal
The majestic city of Tikal, considered the largest and most monumental of all sites discovered in the Mayan World, was declared by UNESCO as a “Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humankind”. Enjoy a guided walking tour to visit the most important plazas, complexes, temples, ball courts, palaces and stelae. Also enjoy the tropical forest, nesting place of hundreds of exotic birds and the habitat of a wide variety of wildlife. In the afternoon, we return to Flores. (B, L)
Day 15: Morning at leisure. Afternoon Flight to Guatemala City
Morning at leisure to enjoy the diferent activities; kayak ride at the lake/lagoon; bike ride; hiking; etc. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to board the plane to Guatemala City. (B)
Day 16: Transfer to airport
At the specified time, transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight back home. (B)
Contact us if you would like to extend your stay or combine with other tour or destination in Latin America.
Price Conditions
Price per person in US dollars based on double occupancy.
=> US$ 4,160 per person.
Included:
· 15 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
· Meals as per itinerary (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner)
· All transfers and group excursions
· English-speaking guide
· Entrances fees
Not included:
· Domestic and International flights and taxes
· Tips and personal expenses
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