The aroma of fresh tortillas fills the streets, and the scent of coconut curry entices your taste buds. Your customized tour guides you through the culinary customs of Guatemala and Belize with an introduction to bold flavors, rich cuisine, and a distinct amalgamation of heritages. The jungle hides dramatic pyramids; the Caribbean Sea encompasses a thriving barrier reef. Cacao trees and coffee plants flourish in the tropical climate as chefs prepare succulent dishes and teach you how to emulate...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Antigua – Arrive in Colonial Antigua and Visit the Chocolate Museum
Verdant volcanic peaks surround Guatemala City; each summit challenges the city’s skyline, rising above the tallest high-rise. Locals walk around lavish open-air shopping districts designed to resemble cobblestoned colonial neighborhoods. The city boasts numerous celebrated museums including the Museum Popol Vuh, which exhibits pre-Hispanic figurines, including incense burners and burial urns. Traditional textiles provide insight into the ancient cultures before the Spanish arrived in Central America. A faithful copy of the Dresden Codex, a pained book of the Maya, allows visitors to witness some of the regional heritage and codes of conduct. Your private transfer meets you at baggage claim and escorts you to the colonial streets of Antigua, located 24 miles outside of Guatemala City.
After check-in at your luxurious hotel, meet your welcoming instructor at the Museum of Chocolate, located on Calle del Arco. The scent of rich, sweet chocolate drifts out of the front doors as your guide offers you a sip of chocolate infused tea or chocolate infused coffee. The subtle sweetness offsets the slight bitterness of the stewed tea leaves and roasted coffee beans. Your instructor leads you into a demonstration area, and collection of cacao nibs fills various bowls. Using actual cacao bean, learn the steps it takes to harvest the cacao at a plantation through the roasting and peeling the bean. Follow your instructor’s lead, and grind the grain into a paste; use the paste to create a thick, decadent Mayan hot chocolate before continuing your class.
What's Included:
Day 2
Antigua – Tour the Preserved Colonial Streets and Visit a Coffee Plantation
Day 3
Antigua – Trek to the Summit of the Active Pacaya Volcano
Day 4
Antigua – Explore the Vibrant Regional Market of Chichicastenango
Day 5
Flores – Fly to the Charming City of Flores and Explore Santa Elena Region
Day 6
San Ignacio – Relish the Sight of the Mayan City of Tikal and Cross the Border to Belize
Day 7
San Ignacio – Follow the Trails of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
Day 8
San Ignacio – Zip Line along the Forest Canopy to Witness Jungle Landscape
Day 9
San Pedro – Fly from Cayo District Airstrip to the Island of Ambergris Caye
Day 10
San Pedro – Half-Day Snorkel Tour of the Great Belizean Barrier Reef
Day 11
San Pedro – Enjoy a Day at Leisure and Learn the Art of Belizean Cuisine
Day 12
San Pedro – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the rich world of the Mayan during your sunrise tour of Tikal as pyramids tower above the encompassing jungle
- Experience the bold flavors of traditional Mayan cuisine during a private cooking lesson in the Belizean jungle
- Dive into the crystal clear water of Hol Chan Marine Reserve to witness the vibrant marine life at the Great Belize Barrier Reef
- Learn how to make chocolate bars and hot chocolate from fresh cacao nibs during a private demonstration of chocolate cultivation
- Visit a working coffee plantation to learn the process of growing, harvesting, and treating the grain before tasting a perfectly brewed cup
- Indulge in the eclectic tastes of Ambergris Caye during a private cooking class that tells of the variety of cultures shaping Belizean history
- Traverse jungle caves and subterranean river networks in search of remnants of Mayan ceremonies
- Zip line across the jungle canopy and search for the vibrant birdlife and wildlife that lives amongst the trees
- Relish the unique image of the active Chichicastenango market as it fills with hundreds of Guatemalans from around the country eager to buy and sell
- Trek along lava rocks and simmering earth on trails leading to the top of the Pacaya Volcano where you can roast marshmallows over active vents
Detailed Description
The cuisine of a country can tell the past, present, and future of its culture. Your 12-day tour focuses on the heritage of Guatemala and Belize, and how tradition has shaped various culinary values. Arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City where your private transfer meets you at baggage claim and escorts you to the charming cobblestone streets and colonial architecture of Antigua. After you settle into the city, meet your private instructor at the Chocolate Museum, for a brief tour of cacao’s history before teaching you how to create indulgent chocolate concoctions.
The following day, your tour guide will lead you through the city on a tour of Antigua’s rich history. Towards afternoon, you will venture into the jungle to see a bustling coffee plantation. Learn about the history of the estate and the process of cultivating coffee. At the end of the tour, your guide provides you with a cup of freshly brewed coffee made from the beans you walked by. On the next day, venture to the top of Pacaya Volcano. The lunar landscape is unforgettable and provides pockets of natural heat where visitors enjoy roasting marshmallows. Continue on and travel to the town of Chichicastenango to explore the whitewashed walls and elaborate murals before meandering through the lively market.
Then fly from La Aurora International Airport to Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores, located near the eastern border with Belize. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the region, kayak on Lake Petén Itza or travel to a less visited Mayan archeological site. On day six, wake up early for an unforgettable sunrise tour of the Mayan city of Tikal. After your tour, cross into Belize and relax in the comforts of your luxurious jungle resort. The next morning, enter Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve on a guided tour to trek through the jungle brush and explore the subterranean networks of Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. Venture into the treetops for a zip line tour of the jungle canopy.
In the evening, meet your private instructor for a cooking class based on traditional Mayan dishes. Wake up and fly from Cayo District airstrip to Belize City to transfer to your connecting flight to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the relaxed pace of island life. Jump into your guide’s boat to discover the majesty of the Great Belizean Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Visit two magnificent snorkeling spots before returning to shore.
The first half of the following day is at your leisure to experience the beauty of Ambergris Caye as you desire. Return to the water for another snorkeling excursion; visit the island of Caye Caulker to kayak along mangrove forest. In the afternoon, meet your private chef to learn about the variety of cultures in Belize and how those cooking traditions have shaped the flavors and preferred tastes of locals over time. Finish off your adventure as you make your way to the San Pedro airport and begin your journey home.
Starting Price
$6,900 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.93 stars based on 15 reviews.