Belize and Guatemala will enchant you. From Maya temples to jungle trails, the thrill dives deep. Like a plunge into the Caribbean, reemerging with the call of the toucan and the beat of the Garifuna's drum. Days filled with wonders that stop you in your tracks—or your flippers, as the case may be. We're thrilled to have you and your family join us.
Days
1-2 Start the week with a private charter flight into Flores, a charming city on an island in Guatemala's Lake Petén Itzá 
Ride a lakeside bike route through an ancient land once ruled by the Maya A private boat takes us across the water to La Lancha, our boutique hideaway in the rain forest Pedal through a tropical rain forest into Tikal National Park Join a local guide to explore classic Maya pyramids amid the vast jungle, a scene almost too extraordinary to be real! Spend the day uncovering the mysteries of this majestic World Heritage site, while parrots and howler monkeys animate the canopy.
Days
3-4 At the protected biotope of Cerro Cahuí, hike through subtropical dry forest to stunning miradors for views of Lakes Petén Itzá and Sacpetén A Maya family welcomes us into their home for a meal and demonstration of traditional cooking techniques An overland journey takes us back over the border into Belize to the town of San Ignacio Enjoy a traditional lunch overlooking the winding Macal River Follow lush rain forest trails to a mountain summit with incredible views.
Days
5-7 Stop in for an exclusive Director's Tour at the Belize Zoo, a rehabilitation sanctuary for rescued animals Enjoy a scenic charter flight to the beach resort town of Placencia Hop in a kayak and navigate the peaceful Placencia Lagoon Devote a day to warm water and exotic marine life during our snorkeling excursion on the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest coral reef outside Australia Stretch out and find your balance at a beachfront yoga class Dine on fresh catch at beachfront Itz'ana's incredible sea-to-table restaurant.
If you're looking to expose your family to a really great blend of culture, pure natural beauty and intriguing history, this trip is an excellent choice. You'll journey from rural western Belize, across the border to Guatemala, where you can walk in the footsteps of the ancient Maya (and ascend their steep temple steps!) at the mind-bending World Heritage site of Tikal. Back in Belize, head to the Caribbean coast for what's certain to be an extraordinary snorkeling experience on the world's second longest barrier reef. We hope to see you in Belize and Guatemala soon!- Latin America
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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This beautifully decorated Francis Ford Coppola retreat, nestled in the rain forest high above Lake Petén Itzá, is a comfortable base for exploring nearby Tikal. (pool)
A well-appointed and tranquil boutique hotel nestled in the Maya Mountains amid lush tropical gardens. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. (pool, spa)
A luxury beachfront resort with outstanding access to the longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere. (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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Comments about Belize & Guatemala Family Breakaway Multisport Adventure Tour:
If you're looking to expose your family to a really great blend of culture, pure natural beauty and intriguing history, this trip is an excellent choice. You'll journey from rural western Belize, across the border to Guatemala, where you can walk in the footsteps of the ancient Maya (and ascend their steep temple steps!) at the mind-bending World Heritage site of Tikal. Back in Belize, head to the Caribbean coast for what's certain to be an extraordinary snorkeling experience on the world's second longest barrier reef. We hope to see you in Belize and Guatemala soon!
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
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| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Biking | 7 | 100 | 16 | 1000 | 19 | 1400 | ||||
| Other | Flores Cultural Walk (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| Other | Boat Ride on Lake Petén Itzá (45 Minutes) | ||||||||||
| 2 | Biking | 7* | 200 | 18* | 700 | ||||||
| Other | Tikal Guided Hike (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | Walking/Hiking | 3 | 300 | 4 | 800 | ||||||
| Other | Weaving & Cooking Demonstration (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | Walking/Hiking | 2 | 700 | ||||||||
| Walking/Hiking | 3* | 600 | |||||||||
| 5 | Other | Belize Zoo Director's Tour (1.5 Hours) | |||||||||
| Kayaking | Placencia Lagoon (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Other | Caribbean Snorkeling Adventure (All Day) | |||||||||
| 7 | Other | Yoga (1 Hour) | |||||||||
Note: On this trip, we'll be using titanium mountain bikes that are just right for the non-technical dirt road riding as well as the paved riding. (approximately 5% dirt and 95% paved).
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Belize and Guatemala, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
Coordinating multiple activities throughout a single day can be tricky, but with Backroads you'll never know it. When you explore Belize and Guatemala with us, you switch activities seamlessly without missing a beat. We invented the multisport concept, and we're constantly adding new dimensions and fine-tuning the experience to make it even more enjoyable.
A great bike is obviously critical for a great multisport trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. This trip features our acclaimed Backroads Custom Titanium bikes, expertly tuned and fitted, and included in your trip price. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders.
Only Backroads offers active trips in Belize and Guatemala designed for families with older teens and 20-somethings. Our Family Breakaway trips are aimed at you and the amazingly grownup members of your clan—whether they're almost high school grads, already in college or further along. Find out more in this blog post.
Most companies' trips in Belize and Guatemala are run by local operators. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. So as you enjoy the support of your seasoned Trip Leaders, along with our expert local guides and drivers, you have the confidence of knowing we're with you every step of the way.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Belize and Guatemala, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politics – and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
Our Trip Leaders combine deep local expertise with a firm grasp of North American expectations around quality of service. By the same token, we pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides who know how to cater to your needs while cracking open the culture or natural history in ways that are meaningful, memorable and often magical.
In Belize and Guatemala you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
It may seem obvious to say the great hotels we tell you about are the ones you'll actually stay in. But the fact is many companies haven't even booked the places they promise and are later forced to settle for inferior alternatives. We book our hotels and exact rooms long in advance—often over two years—so you stay where you expect to stay.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Belize and Guatemala—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
