The Best Places To Visit In Guatemala & Belize

Tikal

Shrouded in dense tropical jungle, Tikal in the north of Guatemala is one of the most impressive of all the Mayan sites. Tikal was first occupied as a small village sometime before 300BC, but by around 700AD it had become an important city with great palaces, plazas and pyramids. The buildings date back some 2,500 years and the site is so vast many are still hidden by the rainforest. As you walk through the thick vegetation, you’ll hear howler monkeys before arriving at the main plaza which has been cleared from the jungle. You’ll be amazed by the size of these buildings and, if you’re brave and have a head for heights, you can climb some of the pyramids – from the top you’ll get the most incredible views.

Where To Stay: A secluded jungle hideaway on a hillside above the shores of Lake Peten Itza, La Lancha is one of film director Francis Ford Coppola’s properties. From the main lodge, pathways lead to lake-view or jungle-view ‘casitas’, which are brightly decorated with Mayan art and Guatemalan and Balinese furniture collected from Coppola’s travels. In addition to visiting the ruins of Tikal, there are a range of excursions on offer, including fishing, lake trips, canopy tours, birdwatching, kayaking and mountain biking. The open-air restaurant serves local food with an Italian twist.

If you want to combine pampering and adventure, book into boutique lodge Las Lagunas which is set within its own enclosed nature reserve overlooking Quexil lagoon. There are 19 freestanding suites, a spa and an excellent restaurant.

A little larger than Wales, English-speaking Belize is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean, and is a mix of Creole, British colonial, indigenous Mayan, Mennonite and Spanish cultures. Here, you’ll get adventure and relaxation in equal measure, and in close proximity, making it easy to sample the country’s lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls, wildlife, Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches in a short space of time. 

The coast is unmistakably Caribbean, with white sandy beaches, coral atolls, palm trees and turquoise seas, and the world’s second largest barrier reef for unforgettable snorkelling and diving. In the back country, there are forested highlands and jungle where you can zip wire, explore caves and rivers, and spot the abundant wildlife – including hundreds of species of birds, jaguars, monkeys and crocodiles. 

Here are the best places to visit, things to do and places to stay…

Cayo District

Known as the Highlands of Belize, this is the country’s largest district, home to the capital Belmopan and an area of winding rivers, waterfalls, caves and mountains, as well as Mayan ruins. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest is Belize’s oldest park, where you can cycle, walk, kayak, ride or canoe through the subterranean Barton Creek cave. There are also archaeological sites, including Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and the Mayan city of Caracol, once home to over 100,000 people and where today you can still see its ornate architecture.

Where To Stay: Blancaneaux Lodge is Coppola’s romantic Mountain Pine Ridge retreat. Its 20 villas and cabanas are scattered along the Privasson river and surrounded by Mayan ruins, shimmering waterfalls, turquoise pools, lush jungle and wildlife. You can explore the area on horseback or stay put, relaxing in a hammock or cool off in the river.

Chaa Creek is another delightful jungle hideaway close to the picturesque Macal river. Owned by an Anglo-American couple, the cottages and villas are spread throughout the grounds, so there’s a feeling of space and privacy. Relax by the infinity pool or in the spa or, if you want to explore, there are several guided activities, including canoe trips, horse riding, mountain biking, nature trails, canopy ziplining and cave canoeing.

Orange Walk District

One of Belize’s most multicultural regions, Orange Walk in the north-west is home to Creoles, Mennonites and indigenous Mayans. It also has some of the best sandy beaches. The Rio Bravo conservation area is home to puma, jaguar, ocelot and over 400 species of birds, as well as 150 types of orchid. You can also visit the Mayan settlements of Cuello and Lamanai where the ruins emerge from the thick jungle.

Where To Stay: Lamanai Outpost Lodge is an eco-lodge deep in the rainforest on the banks of a 28-mile lagoon amid the remnants of a Mayan city. Accommodation is simple but comfortable. The real draw is an incredible variety of habitats that offer a range of adventure activities from canoeing and boat tours to guided walks in the forests or excavated ruins and crocodile-spotting trips at night. 

Ambergris Caye

Off the northern coast, within a couple of hours’ boat ride of the mainland, lie more than 400 ‘cayes’ or atolls. Surrounded by the unspoilt Belize Barrier Reef, with crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, this is a very popular area to unwind and enjoy some of the best diving and snorkelling, as well as other watersports like sailing and windsurfing. The largest and most northerly of the ‘cayes’ is Ambergris Caye. The town of San Pedro is a bustling tourist centre and famous for lobster. Having started life as a sleepy Belize fishing village, San Pedro is now a bustling tourist centre and famous for its lobster. 

Where To Stay: Victoria House is where you’ll find a blend of old world charm and character with modern facilities. Set in lush tropical gardens at the quiet end of a long stretch of beach, this property feels quite secluded, yet it’s within easy reach of San Pedro’s restaurants, bars and shops. The choice of accommodation ranges from thatched ‘casitas’ to colonial suites or seafront villas for larger groups, and there’s a lovely infinity pool and a spa. 

Stylish and laid-back Matachica Resort is set on a secluded white-sand beach and can only be reached by boat from San Pedro. Accommodation consists of 27 thatched cottages painted in bright primary colours; the interiors are more subtle and decorated with locally sourced furniture and murals by local artists. There’s a large infinity pool and jacuzzi as well as diving, snorkelling and fishing on your doorstep.

For total peace and quiet – and the ultimate hyper-luxe experience with a price to match – splash out for a night or two at Cayo Espanto. Three miles out to sea from San Pedro, this exclusive island hideaway has hosted A-listers like Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford and Leonardo DiCaprio. The six wooden villas are dotted among the palm trees – each has its own butler, a plunge pool and hammocks, and opens out on to its own terrace and jetty. 

Placencia

This coastal village is at the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula and has a real laid-back Caribbean feel. It is surrounded by miles of sandy beaches, mangrove-fringed lagoons and caves. Relax on the beach, snorkel, dive or book a fishing tour. If you’re very adventurous, cave tubing will take you on a ride through underground caves. A trip on the lagoon between the peninsula and the mainland is a must – the chance to spot the shy and elusive manatee monkey, saltwater crocodiles or bottle-nosed and Atlantic-spotted dolphins.

Where To Stay: Another Coppola property, Turtle Inn is an Indonesian-style ocean hideaway just outside Placencia. An immaculate blend of rustic and luxe, there are 25 individual thatched cottages and villas, three restaurants, two pools and a spa, and of course a white-sand beach just a few steps away.

Or book into Naia Resort and Spa, a barefoot paradise which extends along a palm-fringed, powdery white beach. There are 35 secluded beach houses and treetop villas, each with views of the Caribbean. The main focus is the spa where you can unwind in one of five over-the-water treatment rooms set on the lagoon.