Tikal Guatemala And Belize Short Break

Hola! Welcome to Central America. Your adventure begins with a 9.30 am welcome meeting in Belize. Then, you’ll travel to Flores. On the way, you'll stop at Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park. Located in the Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, the national park is known for its forested wetlands, lagoons and pools including the Yaxha, Sacnab and Champoxte. As you explore the area, be sure to look for local wildlife including the Central American river turtle, spider monkeys and collared peccary. After, continue to Flores. Tonight, sit down to a traditional Guatemalan dinner and maybe try chicken pepian (hearty chicken stew).

After breakfast, you’ll visit Guatemala Tikal National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Mayan ruins and rich biodiversity. The Tikal National Park encompasses 575 square km of jungle and thousands of ruined structures. Tikal is also part of the one-million-hectare Maya Biosphere Reserve created in 1990 to protect the dense forests of the Peten. As you wander through the ruins learn about the historic area which archaeologists suggest was settled in 900 BC. After, continue to a local restaurant in Flores for a late lunch. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace – your local leader will have the best recommendations.

This morning, say goodbye to Flores as you return to Belize. Along the way, stop in San Ignacio for a cooking class. Corn is the staple of Maya culture, and tortilla, tamales, atole and bollos are just a few of the ways corn is traditionally cooked. Here, you’ll learn how to cook on a fogon (fire), grind corn on the metate (grinding stone) and wrap the bollos in banana leaves. You’ll also hear stories and old folklore from the local Maya cooks before sitting down for your homemade meal. After, continue to Belize. Tonight, you’ll sit down to a rooftop dinner in the heart of the city – the perfect way to spend your final night!

After breakfast, it’s time to say your goodbyes as your adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to stay longer to explore more of Central America, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.