Explore Guatemala & Belize — Self-Launched
17 days · Guatemala & Belize
G Adventures charges £2,800
No-markup version: ~£837 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 17-day self-launched adventure through Guatemala and Belize, covering the same highlights as G Adventures' National Geographic Journeys trip — colonial Antigua, Lake Atitlán's Mayan villages, the jungle ruins of Tikal and Lamanai, and the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker — using local buses, shuttle vans, boats, and water taxis instead of private transport. Book hostels and budget guesthouses, join day tours directly with local operators, and travel independently for a fraction of the guided price.
Day-by-day
Arrive Guatemala City
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Land at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) and settle into a budget guesthouse in Zona 4 or the safer Zona 10/14 for a quieter first night. Withdraw quetzales from an ATM and grab dinner at a local comedor. If your flight lands early, walk the Zona 4 dining strip.
🚌Airport taxi or Uber ~£7
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Zona 4
- →Airport transfer (Uber/local taxi ~£6-8)
- →Settle in and orient yourself
Transfer to Antigua & Colonial Walking Tour
Antigua, Guatemala
Take a shared shuttle to Antigua (~1hr, ~£8). Check into a hostel near the central park. Join a self-bookable small-group historical walking tour to see the City Hall Palace, Palace of the Captains Generals and the baroque colonial churches — many operators run morning and afternoon departures. Spend the evening around Parque Central watching the volcano backdrop.
🚌Shared shuttle van ~£8
🛏Hostel in central Antigua
- →Shared shuttle Guatemala City to Antigua
- →Antigua historical walking tour (book via GetYourGuide ~£15)
San Juan la Laguna & Lake Atitlán Villages
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Travel by shuttle or chicken bus to Panajachel on the shore of Lake Atitlán (~2.5hrs, ~£10). Base yourself in San Juan la Laguna or Panajachel. Visit the Mayan village of San Juan la Laguna and enjoy a community lunch at a local Mayan-run restaurant; many cooperatives offer a tree-planting ceremony as part of a village visit. Explore the weavers' cooperatives and street murals.
🚌Shuttle ~£10 + lancha boats ~£2-3 each leg
🛏Budget guesthouse on Lake Atitlán
- →Shuttle/chicken bus to Panajachel
- →Boat between lake villages
- →Community lunch in San Juan la Laguna (~£8)
Lake Atitlán Boat Day & Kayaking
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Use the public lanchas (small boats) to hop between Santiago Atitlán, San Pedro and San Marcos. Rent a kayak for a paddle on the lake (~£8), hike the trail toward the Mirador, and eat at lakeside comedores. Keep a slow pace — this is one of the most beautiful lakes in Central America.
🚌Public lanchas ~£6 total
🛏Budget guesthouse on Lake Atitlán
- →Public lancha hopping between villages ~£2-3 each
- →Kayak rental ~£8
- →Mirador viewpoint hike
Return to Antigua — ChocoMuseo Workshop
Antigua, Guatemala
Return to Antigua and join the famously good-value ChocoMuseo bean-to-bar chocolate-making workshop direct with the museum (~£25, 2hrs). The rest of the day is free to explore the market, climb Cerro de la Cruz for the panoramic view, and eat at the food stalls around the bus station.
🚌Shuttle back to Antigua ~£10
🛏Hostel in central Antigua
- →ChocoMuseo chocolate-making workshop ~£25
- →Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint
- →Antigua market wander
Fly to Flores & Lake Petén Itzá Cooking Class
Flores, Guatemala
Fly Antigua/Guatemala City to Flores (Mundo Maya airport, ~1hr, from ~£70 one-way if booked ahead; alternatively an overnight bus ~£25). Base in the charming island town of Flores. In the afternoon, join a lakeside cooking class — several local restaurants on Lake Petén Itzá offer lessons in traditional dishes like pepián (~£20). Swim, laze in a hammock or rent a kayak after.
🚌Domestic flight ~£70 (or overnight bus ~£25)
🛏Hostel on the island of Flores
- →Domestic flight to Flores
- →Lakeside cooking class ~£20
- →Swim/kayak in Lake Petén Itzá
Tikal Ruins Day Trip
Tikal National Park, Guatemala
Take an early shared shuttle to Tikal (~1hr, ~£5). Join a guided small-group tour of the ruins (book on arrival or via GetYourGuide ~£20, plus park entry ~£20) — climb Temple IV for the jungle canopy view and watch for spider monkeys and toucans. Return to Flores for sunset on the lake.
🚌Shared shuttle round trip ~£10
🛏Hostel on the island of Flores
- →Shared shuttle to Tikal ~£5
- →Guided Tikal ruins tour ~£20
- →Tikal park entry ~£20
Cross Border to Belize — San Ignacio
San Ignacio, Belize
Travel overland from Flores to San Ignacio, Belize (shuttle ~£20, ~4hrs including border formalities at Benque Viejo). Check into a budget guesthouse in San Ignacio. Enjoy the lively riverside town — dinner at a local spot and prep for the Lamanai trip or a cave-tubing day.
🚌Cross-border shuttle ~£20
🛏Budget guesthouse in San Ignacio
- →Cross-border shuttle to San Ignacio
- →Explore San Ignacio market and riverside
Lamanai Ruins Boat Tour
Lamanai, Belize
Join a full-day Lamanai tour (bookable locally or via GetYourGuide, ~£40-50 incl. boat transfer and entry). Cruise up the New River spotting crocodiles, birds and howler monkeys, then explore the 'submerged crocodile' ruins on the shore of New River Lagoon, one of the largest Maya ceremonial sites in the region. Visit the small onsite museum.
🚌Included boat transfer in tour
🛏Budget guesthouse in San Ignacio
- →Lamanai boat tour with guide ~£45
- →New River wildlife spotting
- →Museum visit
San Antonio Women's Cooperative & Pottery Class
Cayo District, Belize
Visit the San Antonio Women's Cooperative in the Cayo District for a hands-on pottery class and traditional lunch (book direct with the cooperative ~£25-30). Meet the women preserving centuries-old Maya techniques, then return to San Ignacio. Ask your hostel to arrange a local shared taxi or collectivo.
🚌Shared taxi/collectivo ~£8
🛏Budget guesthouse in San Ignacio
- →Pottery class at women's cooperative ~£15
- →Local Maya lunch ~£8
- →Shared taxi to San Antonio
Travel to Placencia or Hopkins
Hopkins, Belize
Take a local bus or shuttle south toward the coast (~£15-20, several hours). Base in Hopkins, a Garifuna village on the Caribbean, or Placencia for a beachy stretch. Hopkins is the better fit for culture and the drumming experience on Day 13. Settle in with a swim and grilled fish dinner.
🚌Local bus/shuttle ~£18
🛏Budget beach guesthouse in Hopkins
- →Bus/shuttle south to Hopkins
- →Beach swim
- →Garifuna seafood dinner ~£10
Hopkins Beach & Garifuna Culture Day
Hopkins, Belize
A relaxed beach and culture day. Snorkel or kayak off the shore, or take a boat trip to a nearby cay for reef snorkelling (~£30). Eat hudut (coconut fish stew) at a local Garifuna restaurant and settle into village life.
🚌Walking/local taxis
🛏Budget beach guesthouse in Hopkins
- →Reef snorkel boat trip ~£30 (optional)
- →Beach time and kayak hire
- →Try hudut, a Garifuna classic
Garifuna Drumming Lesson & Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce
Hopkins, Belize
Head to the Lebeha Drumming Center for a traditional Garifuna drum lesson, then watch an instructor performance (book direct, ~£20-25). Follow with a stop at the Marie Sharp's hot sauce experience — tour the factory or visit a local stockist and taste the famous Belizean sauces (~£8-12). Evening free to chill by the water.
🚌Walking/local taxi
🛏Budget beach guesthouse in Hopkins
- →Garifuna drumming lesson at Lebeha ~£22
- →Marie Sharp's hot sauce tasting/experience ~£10
Water Taxi to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker, Belize
Travel from Hopkins up to Belize City (~£20 bus/shuttle), then catch the water taxi to Caye Caulker (~1hr, ~£20 round trip fares). Check into a budget guesthouse on the island. Watch the sunset, eat beach BBQ, and embrace the island's 'go slow' motto.
🚌Bus ~£20 + water taxi ~£20
🛏Budget guesthouse on Caye Caulker
- →Bus/shuttle to Belize City ~£20
- →Water taxi to Caye Caulker ~£20
- →Sunset at The Split
Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel
Caye Caulker, Belize
Join a full-day reef snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley (book on the island or via GetYourGuide, ~£35-45). Swim with nurse sharks, rays and colourful reef fish. Afternoon back on the island for beach time and hammock naps.
🚌Boat included in tour
🛏Budget guesthouse on Caye Caulker
- →Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley snorkel tour ~£40
- →Beach and sunset relaxation
Caye Caulker Free Day & Optional Diving
Caye Caulker, Belize
Free island day. Options include a discovery scuba dive on the reef (~£70), windsurfing or paddleboarding (~£15), a manatee/seahorse tour (~£25), or simply cycling the island and eating your way through the seafood shacks. Book everything locally the day before.
🚌Bicycle hire ~£5
🛏Budget guesthouse on Caye Caulker
- →Optional discovery scuba dive ~£70
- →Paddleboard/kayak hire ~£15
- →Cycle the island and street-food crawl
Departure from Belize City
Belize City / Caye Caulker, Belize
Take the morning water taxi back to Belize City and head to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport for your onward flight, allowing at least 3 hours' buffer between the water taxi and departure. Depending on timings, use the airport ferry shuttle or a taxi.
🚌Water taxi ~£10 + airport taxi ~£15
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Water taxi back to Belize City
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£837 | £2,800 |
| Duration | 17 days | 17 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,963 per person (70%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£837
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Explore Guatemala & Belize — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £837 per person for 17 days in Guatemala & Belize. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,800 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £837 — a saving of roughly £1,963 (70%) per person.
How long is the Guatemala & Belize trip?+
This itinerary runs 17 days, covering 17 day-by-day stops through Guatemala & Belize.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, beaches trip through Guatemala & Belize, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.