Region Overviews: Central America Travel Guide: Overview
Central America is a beautiful, exotic, colorful hodgepodge of adventure tourism, pre-Columbian civilizations and colonial remnants.
Multi-Adventure
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Belize & Guatemala Multi-Adventure Tour - For Families with Adult Kids 20s & Beyond
Maya Temples to the Caribbean
One or more kids 20+ required (siblings 17+ ok)
Family — 20s & Beyond
7 days 6 nights
Activity Levels 1-2
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,699 pp dbl occ
Plus $550 internal air
($1,150 for sgl occ)
Dive in and savor this journey that’s sure to warm up your winter! The sparkling Caribbean Sea. Multicolored fish and a spectacular barrier reef. Tropical rain forest and breathtaking Maya pyramids. Marvelous wildlife. A rich blend of cultures. This double dose of adventure in Belize and Guatemala is nothing short of perfection.
Walk/Hike
Bike
Kayak
Snorkel
Belize and Guatemala Multi-Adventure
Belize & Guatemala
Start/End Belize City
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Bike and hike through villages and forests into Tikal National Park, where Maya pyramids abound
- Discover Belize and Guatemala's rich blend of cultures, from Garifuna to Mennonites and Maya
- Snorkel and float above the world's second-largest barrier reef, where tropical fish and sea life will astound
- Taste delicious Caribbean specialties like conch fritters, fry jacks and fresh spiny lobster
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
7 Days Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description
Fly to Flores, a charming city on an island in Guatemala's Lake Petén Itzá | Pedal through an ancient land once ruled by the Maya | Bike through a tropical rain forest into Tikal National Park | Explore ancient Maya pyramids amid the vast jungle, joined by a local guide | Uncover the mysteries of a majestic World Heritage site teeming with parrots and howler monkeys.
Accommodations
La Lancha
Lake Petén Itzá
| *Casual Plus Hotel This beautifully decorated Francis Ford Coppola retreat, set in the rain forest high above Lake Petén Itzá, is a comfortable base for exploring nearby Tikal. (pool)
Days 3-4
Description
Hike to a stunning mirador for a view of Lake Petén Itzá | A Maya family welcomes us into their home for a traditional meal and cooking demonstration | Spend the afternoon relaxing in a hammock or by the pool or perhaps booking a riverside massage or river tubing adventure.
Accommodations
Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
Belmopan
| Premiere Hotel Hammocks, hot tubs and a mountainous rain forest setting are among the many features of this refined and airy lodge. (pool)
Days 5-7
Description
Grab a paddle and explore the mangroves of the Placencia lagoon by kayak | Devote the morning to warm water and exotic marine life during a snorkeling excursion on the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest coral reef outside Australia | Enjoy a beachfront barbecue while listening to Garifuna drumming | Take a scenic flight from the beach resort town of Placencia back to Belize City.
Accommodations
Naïa Resort & Spa
Placencia
| Premiere Hotel Stretched across 19 acres of pristine beachfront property, this luxuriously minimalist resort has all the makings of a tropical oasis. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
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. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
February 2023
March 2023
Mar 19 - Mar 25
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
From our Guests
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Activity Level: 1-2
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
Belize & Guatemala are world-renowned destinations for numerous eco-adventures. However, due to the tropical climate and underdeveloped infrastructure, road maintenance is a continual challenge and options for bike routes are limited. Our routes are often on busier throughways, and you should be prepared for unexpected potholes and sections of rough roads. Also note that roads were not designed with a shoulder, and if you're traveling over busier holiday periods, there may be more traffic than expected. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and to support all abilities.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the gray arrow to see all bike options.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, our most popular custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
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.
Flights
On this trip we occasionally travel by single-engine or turbo-prop plane to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We will be flying on scheduled flights with Tropic Air aboard Airvan, Caravan and turbo-prop planes that seat 6–
14 passengers.
Accommodations
The hotels on this trip are among the best the region has to offer, and allow us to experience three distinct architectural styles and eco-climates. They may, however, seem more rustic than other Backroads hotels, ranging from cabins with thatched roofs in the rain forest to more modern villas on the beach.
Border Crossings
On this trip we have the opportunity to venture from Belize to Guatemala and back again. On all our trips we make every effort to facilitate crossing international borders by removing as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible. Often we are able to create a seamless experience. But even with all the organization and effort of our leaders, sometimes border crossings take time. With a little patience we hope to make this experience as enjoyable and easy as possible.
Shuttle Distances
In order to bring you the full splendor of this region, we spend more time shuttling on this trip than on many other Backroads trips. Our time in the shuttles allows us to experience the incredible variety of ecosystems, scenery and activities that Belize has to offer. Due to the tropical climate and underdeveloped infrastructure, road maintenance is a continual challenge, so we will likely encounter sections of bumpy roads. Sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Easygoing Adventure
This is a Level 1-2 trip, meaning the activities are easygoing and designed to allow us to take it slow and soak up the beauty of the region. Each day we embark on an active adventure, but the amount of time spent on the trails is less than the typical Backroads trip. We've paired our core activities with ones that are suited to this destination, such as snorkeling and surfing. Although the distances traveled are on the shorter side, some activities might feel a little harder due to the warm weather.
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.
Flights
On this trip we occasionally travel by single-engine or turbo-prop plane to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We will be flying on scheduled flights with Tropic Air aboard Airvan, Caravan and turbo-prop planes that seat 6–
14 passengers.
Accommodations
The hotels on this trip are among the best the region has to offer, and allow us to experience three distinct architectural styles and eco-climates. They may, however, seem more rustic than other Backroads hotels, ranging from cabins with thatched roofs in the rain forest to more modern villas on the beach.
Border Crossings
On this trip we have the opportunity to venture from Belize to Guatemala and back again. On all our trips we make every effort to facilitate crossing international borders by removing as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible. Often we are able to create a seamless experience. But even with all the organization and effort of our leaders, sometimes border crossings take time. With a little patience we hope to make this experience as enjoyable and easy as possible.
Shuttle Distances
In order to bring you the full splendor of this region, we spend more time shuttling on this trip than on many other Backroads trips. Our time in the shuttles allows us to experience the incredible variety of ecosystems, scenery and activities that Belize has to offer. Due to the tropical climate and underdeveloped infrastructure, road maintenance is a continual challenge, so we will likely encounter sections of bumpy roads. Sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Easygoing Adventure
This is a Level 1-2 trip, meaning the activities are easygoing and designed to allow us to take it slow and soak up the beauty of the region. Each day we embark on an active adventure, but the amount of time spent on the trails is less than the typical Backroads trip. We've paired our core activities with ones that are suited to this destination, such as snorkeling and surfing. Although the distances traveled are on the shorter side, some activities might feel a little harder due to the warm weather.
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