Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.
La Lancha
Lake Petén Itzá (2 nights)
* Casual 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)
Ka'ana Resort & Spa
San Ignacio (2 nights)
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)
Naia Resort & Spa
Placencia (2 nights)
Stretched across 19 acres of pristine beachfront property, this luxuriously minimalist resort has all the makings of a tropical oasis. (pool, spa)
This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-2
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.
Daily Route Options (drag to see full )
| Daily Route Options |
| 1 |
Biking |
8* |
400 |
16 |
1000 |
19 |
1400 |
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| Other |
Flores Cultural Walk (1 Hour) |
| Other |
Boat Ride on Lake Petén Itzá (45 Minutes) |
| 2 |
Biking |
7* |
200 |
18 |
700 |
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|
| Other |
Tikal Guided Hike (1.5 Hours) |
| 3 |
Walking/Hiking |
3 |
300 |
4 |
800 |
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|
| Other |
Traditional Mayan Chocolate Making Demonstration |
| 4 |
Walking/Hiking |
2 |
700 |
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| Walking/Hiking |
4* |
600 |
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| 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) |
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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 level 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.
Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
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! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.
Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)
Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.
Touring Bike (Included)
Mountain Bike (Included)
Custom Kids Bikes (Included in your trip price)
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On all Backroads Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bicycles for the younger set. They say good things come in small packages; when it comes to bikes for kids of all ages, Backroads is the expert.
Custom Kids Bikes (Included)
Also Included
- 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
Get the Straight Talk about This Trip
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.
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 modern villas on the beach. La Lancha's authentic cabins blend well into the surroundings, but the walls are thin and you may hear your neighbors moving around along with the sounds of monkeys and birds outdoors. Ka'ana Boutique Resort & Spa provides a bespoke luxury experience in the culturally rich Cayo district, but its proximity to the highway means you may hear the hum of traffic.
Border Crossings
On this trip we have the pleasure of venturing 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 and Guatemala have to offer. Due to the tropical climate and under-developed infrastructure, road maintenance is a continual challenge, so transfers can be on gravel or bumpy roads. Sit back and relax, knowing that someone else is doing the driving, and enjoy the beauty of the journey.
Activity Level
As with other Level 1-2 Backroads trips, the distances traveled are on the shorter and easier side, though some activities—like climbing the stairs at Tikal and La Lancha hotel—might be a little harder due to the warm weather.
Why Travel with Backroads in Belize and Guatemala
Get the Most Out of Each Day
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.
Our Superb Bikes Included
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.
Like You, We're Family Experts
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.
We Stand Behind Our Trips
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.
Time Together, Time Apart
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!
The Best Leaders in Belize and Guatemala
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.
A Great Trip for Teens
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.
Your Hotels Are Locked In
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.
A Variety of Routes Each Day
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.
A Second Van When You Need It
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.
We've Set the Standard
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
