Belize - Journey Latin America

22 23Exotic Guatemala lies at the heart of theMayan world. There are vivacious marketsand volcanic landscapes, mystical lakes,and tropical jungle embracing ruinedMayan cities and temples. It’s a countrywhich takes pride in its age-old customs:many villagers still wear richly-wovencostumes and the gentle tones of marimbamusic are all-pervasive in the flowerycourtyards. The frequent indigenousfestivals are characterised by Catholic andevangelical motifs intertwined with themysticism of the old beliefs.Belize, a tiny country with an EnglishspeakingCaribbean tradition, is a nationof silky white-sand beaches and coralislands, a plethora of Mayan sites, anda forested highland hinterland which isgradually being opened up to eco―andadventure―tourism. Almost every roadjourney in both countries is a scenicdelight, and Belize has a network of localflights so you can hop to and from thecayes and the more isolated lodges.Journey Guatemala & Belize

24 Guatemala & Belize 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information25PHOTO ON PREVIOUS PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COMGuatemala & Belize at a glance1Tikal and the PEtén jungleThe main attraction in the northern jungleis the monumental archaeological site ofTikal, along with Machu Picchu the mostimpressive on the continent.2ANTIGUA AND THE HIGHLANDSColonial Antigua is one of the mostattractive cities in Latin America. 3 hours’drive away in the misty western highlandsis the traditional market town ofChichicastenango. Serene Lake Atitlán isfringed by volcanoes and Mayan villages.TIM MURRAY-WALKER PETER GREENWOOD3PACIFIC OCEANCOBÁN AND SEMUC CHAMPEYThe misty hill town of Cobán is aconvenient base for visits to theremote highland scenery of north-eastGuatemala, such as the grottos ofLanquín and turquoise pools at SemucChampey.Huehuetenango•Yaxchilán•2•Todos SantosCuchumátan• ChichicastenangoQuetzaltenango••Lake Atitlán•SololáAntigua•GUATEMALA TOURIST BOARDTikal National ParkFlores•Sayaxché•• El Ceibal3Lanqúin•• Cóban• Guatemala CityRio Hondo•MEXICOGUATEMALA• Quiriguá47• CorozalAmbergris Caye• Altun HaLamanai•• Chan ChichBelize16• San IgnacioXunantunich•• Chaa Creek• • BlancaneauxDangrigaBELIZE• Punta Gorda• PlacenciaLivingston•Barrios• San Felipe•Puerto• Copán RuinasEL SALVADOR5•CityGULF OFHONDURASHONDURASEssentialsClimateSub-tropical (temperate in the highlands).Rainy season May―November.FestivalsSemana Santa (Easter) 24―31 March 2012; 13―20 April 2014.Day of the Dead kite festival, 02 November.Travelling from UKTime difference (GMT) -6hrsTravel time 15½hrs50 KM50 Miles4the northern rainforestsof belizeNorthern Belize is an area of remotevillages, mennonite camps and densejungle; it’s one of the continent’s primarybird-watching and wildlife areas.6maya mountains and the southThe western interior is an area of pineforestsand rivers which drops downtowards savannah and tropical jungle.There are interesting Mayan sites, andgood lodges facilitating the explorationof the region.BELIZE TOURIST BOARDISTOCKPHOTO.COMOur most memorableexperiences were thewonderful atmospherein Antigua and thebreathtaking viewsof Lake Atitlán.RMH, Marlborough5the caribbean coastand barrier reEfsThe earth’s longest unbroken barrierreef lies just off the coast, and the coralatolls and dazzling undersea theatre offerunrivalled diving and snorkelling.7COPÁN (HONDURAS)and the caribbeanThe ruined Mayan city of Copán hasa jungle location at the border withHonduras where you can visit thebeaches of Roatán island. Inland fromLivingston you can explore the verdantRío Dulce gorge.BELIZE TOURIST BOARDISTOCKPHOTO.COMHighlights of Guatemalaand Belize15 days, 14 nightsAntigua 2 nights, Panajachel 2n,Chichicastenango 1n, Antigua 1n, Tikal 2n,Cayo District 3n, Ambergris Caye 3n.UK clients depart arriving in Guatemala Citythe same day.Days 1&2 Transfer to colonial Antigua, set in theshadow of three volcanoes.Day 3 Drive to Panajachel (2½hrs) on the shores ofLake Atitlán.Day 4 Relax and enjoy the lake’s panoramic views.Day 5 Drive to the atmospheric Mayan town ofChichicastenango, still an important centre fortrading and religious ceremonies.Day 6 Spend time at the world-famous produceand artisan market; return to Antigua.Days 7&8 Fly to Flores, and stay in a simple junglelodge well located for exploring the Mayan ruins atTikal within dense rainforest.Days 9-11 A 3 hour drive across the border intoBelize. Spend 3 nights at the rural Lodge at ChaaCreek (p28) beside the Macal River (superior); or tothe good-value, small but full-service San IgnacioResort Hotel (standard). From here you can explorethe exhilarating underworld of the ATM Mayan cavesor the ruins at Caracol in Mountain Pine Ridge wherewaterfalls, rivers, lakes and caves are surrounded bysavannah and pine forest.Days 12-14 Drive to Belize City, and fly toAmbergris Caye, (20mins) a coral island offeringdiving and snorkelling. Unwind at the sedate butinformal Victoria House resort (p30; superior)or Sun Breeze hotel (standard) overlooking theCaribbean Sea.Day 15 Fly to Belize City and depart on internationalflight.UK clients arrive home the next day.Prices from £2,021pp (standard); £2,606pp (superior)based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flightsSaturdays from the UKMEXICOTikal National ParkGUATEMALAAmbergris Caye•Flores •Chichicastenango•Panajachel•Antigua••Guatemala Cityhow about?BELIZE• Belize CityCAYO DISTRICTHONDURAS» Extending your stay to visit the ruins at Copán(p50). » Extra time in Belize? Chan Chich Lodge(p28) Blancaneaux Lodge (p31).

26 Guatemala & Belize 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information27Guatemala’s volcanic and cultural landscapesRAFE STONEThe volcano-fringed Guatemalan highlands,a region of mists and cool pine forests,grassy plains and granite mountains hostvillages of strong individual identity.Here, the traditional lifestyle is retained,yet the culture evolves, with the blendingof the different religions and customsintroduced over time.Many villages have thriving markets wherelivestock and produce juggle for space withartisan crafts and textiles. The Mayanempire’s heritage is also on display: spikingthrough the canopy of the low-lying junglesbeyond the highlands are the pyramids andtemples of Tikal, one of the largest and mostatmospheric archaeological sites on thecontinent.Start your visit inthe former capital,Antigua (left) wherea busy universitytown has retained itscolonial character. Soakup the atmosphere atfirst class Hotel CasaSanto Domingo,converted from the ruins of a 17th centurybaroque monastery. It’s a short drive from here tothe shores of Lake Atitlán, flanked by fumingvolcanoes casting ever-changing shadows overthe water. The best-known handicraft marketis at highland Chichicastenango: a pageant ofbrightly-dyed textiles, of bells and incense.tikalAt the vast ruined Mayan cityTikal (right) a network of steepsky-scraper pyramids pierce theremote forest canopy. For a trulymagical experience, rise at dawn,or linger until dusk, when thereare few other visitors around.At sunrise you will experiencethe tropical jungle filling with theagitated scream of parakeets and thehaunting roar of howler monkeys;at sunset the site is bathed in a deepgolden glow. To be able to do thisyou’ll need to stay close by—thesimple Jungle Lodge is perfectlypositioned next to the entrance tothe ruins.Guatemala―can’t waitto go back. People wereamazing―Tikal awesome.CJ, KenilworthSHUTTERSTOCK.COMThe best of Guatemala12 days, 11 nightsAntigua 2 nights, Lake Atitlán 2n, Antigua 1n,Copán 1n, Livingstone 1n, Tikal area 2n,Cobán 1n, Guatemala City 1n.UK clients depart arriving in Guatemala Citythe same day.Day 1 Transfer to Antigua for 2 nights.Day 2 At leisure to explore. The baroque churches,chic shops, art galleries and pavement cafés are allwithin walking distance of the centre.Days 3&4 Drive to Lake Atitlán (2½hrs) whichfills a collapsed volcanic cone. The lake is surroundedby forest-cloaked volcanoes and 12 villages wherethe inhabitants wear distinctive local costumesand practise age-old crafts. Take a short boat ride toyour hotel in Santiago de Atitlán, renowned for itssmoking God, Maximón.Day 5 Visit the market of Chichicastenango,famed for its wooden masks. Drive back to Antigua.Day 6 Drive over the border into Honduras to visitCopán, a Mayan city celebrated for its sculpturesand intricate stelae. Guided tour of the ruins.Day 7 By road to Caribbean Rio Dulce, via the ruinsat Quiriguá, then by boat through tropical forest tothe Garifuna town of Livingston.Day 8-11 Drive to Belize City (2hrs), fly on to thetown of San Pedro on the Caribbean island ofAmbergris Caye. A short water taxi ride takesguests to Mata Chica, stylish thatched bungalowson a glistening white beach. Simply kick back andrelax, indulge in the resort spa, or dive or snorkel inthe Hol Chan Marine Reserve.Day 11 Return to Guatemala City through themountains via the Biotopo del Quetzal, apreservation area for the iconic bird, the ResplendentQuetzal. Return to Guatemala City.Day 12 Depart for international flight.UK clients arrive home the next day.Prices from £1,691pp based on two sharing,excluding transatlantic flights.The landscapes of north eastern Guatemalaare a land of deep green, wooded limestonehills, networks of caves with emerging rivers,and scattered villages scarcely touched by themodern world. Visit the natural pools at SemucChampey and the caves at the sleepy Indianvillage of Lanquín.Combine a visit to Tikal or Copán―over theborder in Honduras―with a stay on Guatemala’sunsung Caribbean coast at Livingston, at themouth of Rio Dulce. Here brightly coloured housesreflect a thriving Caribbean community. Take aboat through the ravine to the fortress of Castillode San Felipe, built to repel pirates 500 years ago.It’s easy to take the opportunity of goodtransport links to include Belize in your holiday.It offers the coral beaches Guatemala lacks, andthere are lovely countryside stays with a rangeof outdoor activities and wildlife observation.PVRegular departures from the UKMEXICOTikal National ParkFlores•• CobánGUATEMALAChichicastenango•Santiago •de Atitlánhow about?• • Guatemala CityAntiguaBELIZE• Livingston• Quirigua• CopánHONDURAS» Heading south to Toledo to savour the Green& Blacks’ Cacao plantation. This remote andculturally diverse area is blessed with waterfalls,rainforest and cayes.

28 Guatemala & Belize 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information29The mountains and jungle of BelizeBelize is justly famed for its coral beachesand cayes, but the unspoilt interiorharbours some of Central America’sloveliest landscapes and a host of littlevisitedMayan sites. In the north, wildlifesanctuaries rub shoulders with sugar canefields, and the Mayan city of Lamanai pokesits head above dense jungle. West towardsGuatemala, in the Cayo District, the MacalRiver offers a water-borne way to explorethe forest scenery; and you can enjoythe jagged peaks and gorges of ancientMountain Pine Ridge.The Lodge at ChaaCreek (right) is adisarming property2 hours by road fromBelize City, situatedin peaceful gardensoverlooking theMacal River. As wellas the many optionalactivities, which include mountain-biking andkayaking, the lodge has a spa within its tropicalgrounds.From the Mennonite village of Shipyard youtravel by motor launch upstream along thebeautiful New River Lagoon to LamanaiOutpost. Tangled bromeliads hang from tropicaltrees providing the thatched cottages withwelcome shade. Nearby are the Mayan ruins ofLamanai (left), with almost700 structures. Activitiesinclude canoeingand specialisedguided walkseither in the forestor in the ruins,with excellentopportunities forspotting birds andcaimans.CHAA CREEKCHAN CHICHchan chich lodgeThis jungle hideaway (left) is only30 minutes’ flight from Belize Citybut feels utterly remote. This is noordinary lodge—it is set in the lowerplaza of a 1200 year-old Mayantemple. The wildlife here will leaveyou punch-drunk with pleasure.In addition to the abundance ofbirds, monkeys, ocelot and peccaries,you have a genuine chance ofspotting a jaguar (right). Wraparoundverandas attached to thethatched cabins and large windowsgenerate a real feeling of proximityto the natural surroundings.The pool provides the perfect spotfor a refreshing dip after a day onone of the many walking trails.Our most memorableexperience was our stayat Chan Chich, wishedwe had stayed longer.CG, ChiswickHIDDEN VALLEY INNJungle and Cayes of Belize11 days, 10 nightsChan Chich Lodge 3n, Hidden Valley Inn 3n,Ambergris Caye 4n.UK clients depart arriving in Belize City following anight in the USA en route.Day 1 Arrive Belize City and fly on by light aircraftover the jungle to Gallon Jug airstrip (45mins).Transfer to Chan Chich Lodge.Days 2&3 Relax or take guided walks in theforest. Driving tours, horse riding, canoeing andarchaeological excursions can be arranged.Day 4-6 Drive to Mountain Pine Ridge andcountryside lodge to enjoy unspoilt scenery andoutdoor activities. Set on a large estate in a mix ofpine forest and tropical jungle, Hidden Valley Inn(left) has hidden pools, winding paths and thickforest providing the perfect setting for adventureand wildlife-spotting.Days 7-10 Drive to Belize City (2hrs), fly on tothe town of San Pedro on the Caribbean island ofAmbergris Caye. A short water taxi ride takesguests to Mata Chica, stylish thatched bungalowson a secluded, glistening white beach. Simply kickback and relax, indulge in the resort spa, or dive orsnorkel in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.Day 11 Fly to Belize City and depart oninternational flight.UK clients arrive home the next day.Prices from £1,830pp based on two sharing,excluding transatlantic flights.Daily departures from the UKGUATEMALAMEXICOhow about?Gallon Jug•BELIZE•Hidden Valley Inn• Ambergris Caye• Belize CityHol Chan MarineReserve» Heading south to Toledo to savour the Green andBlacks’ Cacao plantation. This remote but friendlyarea is blessed with waterfalls, rainforest and cayes.BELIZE TOURIST BOARD

30 Guatemala & Belize 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information31The beaches and cayes of BelizeISTOCKPHOTO.COMBelize’s coastlineis protected by thelongest barrierreef in the westernhemisphere―thereare 300km ofsubmerged coralreefs and a neckletof islands, or cayes,at 15-40km from the mainland shore. Thekaleidoscopic marine life, with accessiblediving and snorkelling possibilities, drawsvisitors from all over the world to thewarm, clear waters. Add to this the sugarwhitebeaches, coconut groves and thelaidback Caribbean pace of life and youhave the makings of a quintessentialtropical paradise.The largest and most popular island for visitorsis Ambergris Caye, where San Pedro offers arange of facilities for tourists including an airstrip(Belize City is a 20 minute light aircraft flightaway). There are excellent hotels and resorts, notleast the first class Mata Chica, Caribbean coolwith a touch of Italian chic where the tropicalfruit-coloured cabins are decorated with handThe Blue Hole was made famousby French diver Jacques-YvesCousteau when he filmed therein 1972.painted murals and Central American artefacts.Day trips to dive sites can be arranged, althoughan hour’s snorkelling affords a thrilling glimpseinto Belize’s aquatic underworld.On the mainland, the coast becomes hillier southof Dangriga, centre for the Garifuna population(the descendants of a mélange of indigenousCaribbean and African people). Further south youreach the Garifuna village of Hopkins, whereHamanasi Lodge is an excellent mainland basefrom which to go diving and to visit CockscombeJaguar Reserve. Beyond is the sandy PlacenciaPeninsula, with a range of hotels and watersports. Notable among these is the remote, midrangeInn at Robert’s Grove, composed of lowrisebuildings framed by tropical vegetation andbacked by a lagoon. The hotel welcomes families,with plenty of activities to keep everyone busy:water sports, tennis, canoeing, biking.ARCO IMAGES GMBH / ALAMYVICTORIA HOUSELuxury Tikal and Belize12 days, 11 nightsAntigua 3 nights, Tikal (La Lancha Lodge) 2n,Blancaneaux Lodge 3n, Placencia (Turtle Inn) 3n.Here we feature the three stylish properties ownedand conceived by film-director Francis Ford Coppola,the design and furnishings of which reflect thewide-ranging travels of his family.UK clients depart arriving in Guatemala Citythe same day.Day 1 Drive to the former capital Antigua. Stay ina converted 17th century monastery.Days 2&3 Relax and take in the graceful beauty ofthis historic city and the trendy contemporary cafésand boutiques.Days 4&5 Drive to Guatemala City and fly toFlores. Stay at Coppola’s stylish La Lancha Lodgeoverlooking Lake Petén, perfectly placed forkayaking or swimming. Excursion to the Mayanruins of Tikal (p26).Days 6-8 A 3-hour drive into neighbouring Belizeto Blancaneaux Lodge, set in the forestedsurroundings of Mountain Pine Ridge and enjoyinga temperate climate all year. Optional excursionsavailable include river trips and horse riding, andthe wildlife viewing is highly rewarding.Days 9-11 Drive to Belize City and fly to sea-sidePlacencia. Stay at Turtle Inn (below). Diving,snorkelling and trips along Monkey River can bearranged at this Coppola property.Day 12 Fly to Belize City, depart on international flight.UK clients arrive home the next day.Prices from £1,910pp based on two sharing,excluding transatlantic flights.Daily from the UKMEXICOTikal National Park• FloresGUATEMALA• Belize City•PlacenciaMountain Pine RidgeForest ReserveAntigua•• Guatemala CityHONDURAShow about?victoria houseYou can enjoy technicolor sunsetsfrom beside the beachfront poolat this elegant white-paintedformer plantation house (above),a short drive—by golf cart —from San Pedro. Large balconiesoffer Caribbean views acrossthe well-tended gardens, awashwith bougainvillea and hibiscus.Kayaking, fishing, diving andsnorkelling are easily arranged: youcan dip into the astounding BlueHole dive site, a perfectly circularlimestone sinkhole over 100m deep.Victoria House waseverything one wouldexpect from a high-class‘beach’ hotel.SF, Derbyshire» Visiting Rio Dulce, Quiriguá or Copán as a sidetrip from Antigua (p26). » A few days in the jungle;Chan Chich Lodge (p28).TURTLE INN