Belize and Guatemala—talk about an immersive family vacation. This cave exploring, barrier reef diving, Garifuna drum-beating, Maya ruin wandering, Caribbean blue water rejuvenating, tropical rain forest hiking, lagoon-kayaking adventure immerses you in every way. So go on, dive in. What are you waiting for?
Days 1-2 Hop a charter flight to Flores, an island city in Guatemala's Lake Petén Itzá Ride through an ancient land once ruled by the Maya | A private boat takes us to La Lancha, our boutique hideaway in the rain forest | Pedal through a tropical rain forest into Tikal National Park | Explore Maya pyramids amid the vast jungle.
Day 3 At 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 traditional cooking demonstration | Youngsters learn about how traditional Maya chocolate is produced—and taste the result!
Day 4 Hike through the jungle and discover the native flora and fauna | Savor a traditional lunch overlooking the winding Macal River | Follow lush rain forest trails to a cave once used as an ancient Maya ceremonial center.
Days 5-7 Commune with jaguars and other native animals on an exclusive tour of the Belize Zoo, a sanctuary for rescued animals | Enjoy a scenic charter flight to 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 of Australia.
Once again, Backroads delivers. Amazing Trip leaders in Heather, Andrew and Gau and fantastic guides at the Mayan Caves and Ruins. The Belize Zoo is a must and Sharon is an angel. The lodging was comfortable and unique in their location and design. Food, great. If I would be forced to mention anything that was less than ideal it would be that there is a fair amount of traveling but that is the "price to pay" for seeing so many sites that are quite far apart and I found well worth the travel time. And our leaders made the journeys as fun as the destination.- New York, NY
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 Multi-Adventure Tour � Teens & Younger Siblings:
Once again, Backroads delivers. Amazing Trip leaders in Heather, Andrew and Gau and fantastic guides at the Mayan Caves and Ruins. The Belize Zoo is a must and Sharon is an angel. The lodging was comfortable and unique in their location and design. Food, great. If I would be forced to mention anything that was less than ideal it would be that there is a fair amount of traveling but that is the "price to pay" for seeing so many sites that are quite far apart and I found well worth the travel time. And our leaders made the journeys as fun as the destination.
Comments about Belize & Guatemala Family Multi-Adventure Tour � Teens & Younger Siblings:
This was definitely the trip we hoped it would be. It amazed us how well your team could orchestrate such a smoothly running trip so far from home in such a rough part of the world. The special touches, like cold drinks after a hard hike and a generous supply of snacks and bug spray made a world of difference. Finally, some experiences, like lunch with a Mayan family in their home, for me, was an emotional, life changing experience. Thank you!
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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 | 8* | 400 | 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 (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | Walking/Hiking | 3 | 300 | 4 | 800 | ||||||
| Other | Traditional Mayan Chocolate Making Demonstration | ||||||||||
| 4 | Walking/Hiking | 2 | 700 | ||||||||
| Walking/Hiking | 4* | 600 | |||||||||
| 5 | Kayaking | Placencia Lagoon (1 Hour) | |||||||||
| Other | Director's Tour of the Belize Zoo | ||||||||||
| 6 | Other | Caribbean Snorkeling Adventure (All Day) | |||||||||
| 7 | Other | Yoga (1 Hour) | |||||||||
Note: There is less than 15% of riding on hard-packed dirt on this trip. Since the overwhelming majority of the trip is paved, we've elected to use standard road bike tires on our titanium road bikes. Most guests find this to be the right answer. If you prefer to skip the dirt, a shuttle is always a possibility. Belize & Guatemala are world-renowned destinations for numerous eco-adventures. However, due to the tropical climate and under-developed infrastructure, road maintenance is a continual challenge and options for bike routes are limited. Be prepared for unexpected potholes and sections of rough roads. Also note that these third world roads were not designed with a shoulder, and if you are traveling over busier holiday periods, there may be more traffic than expected. On this Family Trip, our routes follow a combination of dirt and paved roads. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and to support all abilities.
* 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.
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 multi-adventure 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 multi-adventure 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.
At Backroads we've honed our expertise in active family travel over many years and a lot of trips. We host at least 20 times more family guests than any other active company, so we're constantly gaining new insights that make our trips even better. Detailed planning, behind-the scenes logistics, unrivaled support from three Trip Leaders—all backed by a team that proudly creates the kind of experiences we'd want to share with our own families.
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.
Backroads is the leader in designing trips that ensure everyone, young and young-at-heart alike, has an amazing time. Your Backroads Family Adventure balances family activities with diversions designed exclusively for the kids—giving the adults a welcome break from making decisions, other than choosing whether to explore a few more miles or just enjoy each other's company. A family vacation where everyone gets to relax, recharge and have fun – what a concept!
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.
This Family Adventure, with its blend of challenging activities and cool places to explore, is ready to erase the doubtful looks of the toughest travel critics around: teenagers. We're not saying there won't be a single eye-rolling response (or the odd WhatsApp exchange with the gang back home), but this trip has plenty to keep teens in the moment and part of the family.
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.
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.
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.
For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by
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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 the selection of dates below for your group of 8 or more. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
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
