Lost temples, abundant wildlife and beaches to die for. Discover your inner-Indiana Jones with our guide to the best of Guatemala and Belize
Volcanoes, jungle-clad Mayan ruins, vibrant fiestas, picture-postcard tropical beaches – no wonder Guatemala and Belize are Central America's hottest tickets.
If it’s colonial charm you’re after, head to Antigua, lying in the shadow of three volcanoes. Its cobbled streets are lined with pastel-coloured homes, toppled church arches, columned courtyards, flowers and fountains galore.
Also on everyone’s must see list in Guatemala is Tikal, the majestic Mayan city buried deep in the jungle.
Visit tiny Belize and you’ll be chilling on the tropical islands (cayes) that speckle the length of the east coast or diving the world's second-longest barrier reef. Tangled in Belize's forests lurk millennium-old Maya sites as well as a host captivating wildlife – toucans, iguanas, howler monkeys, coatimundis, kinkajous, tapirs and even jaguars.
A word of advice. Don’t try deciding between them. Visit both!
Coffee, chocolate and colossal volcanoes. That’s what impressed Claire Boobbyer about Guatemala – and chances are they will impress you too...
Of course, you might be looking for lost Mayan cities and maybe a colonial city or two. In that case you need to take a look at Jini Reddy’s story about El Mirador, the lost city of the Maya, and Claire Boobbyer’s list of must-visit places in the Guatemalan highlands.
Before you make your way through the jungles of Belize towards its tropical coast, we’d suggest reading our suggestions for the six places you must visit, just so you don’t miss out on anything. Alex Robinson’s piece on little-visited Belize is worth checking out too. And because Belize is not the cheapest destination in the region, you’d do well to check out Chris Moss’s tips on enjoying Belize on a budget.
– Claire Boobbyer
El Mirador, Guatemala: lost city of the Maya – Jini Reddy
Guatemala's Highlands Top 5 – Claire Boobbyer
Top 6 places to visit in Belize – Island Expeditions
Discover little-visited Belize – Alex Robinson
Belize on a budget – Chris Moss
Stretching from Mexico to Belize, the Mayan trail is every thrill-seeking traveller’s dream. Temples and tapirs, rainforests and reefs, villages and volcanoes – it is a trail littered with adventure. To that end, Alex Robinson has put together a travel blueprint for the Maya Route to make sure you don't miss a thrill. Of course, not all travellers are as adventurous as the others, so Alex has also put together a list of four different ways to travel the Mayan Route.
Tikal in Guatemala is quite rightly regarded as the superstar of the Mayan sites with its mighty temples rising out of the jungle like a film set for Indiana Jones. But recent discoveries in Belize have revealed Mayan sites that are equally important and picturesquely set. Paul Bloomfield travelled to Belize to investigate and reveals the Mayan sites in Belize you must visit.
– Alex Robinson
4 ways to travel the Mayan Route – Alex Robinson
Mayan Belize – Paul Bloomfield
From the kaleidoscopic hues of the markets of Chichicastenango to the azure seas that surround the cayes of Belize, these countries are awash with eye-popping tones. But how do you ensure that your photos are as vibrant and as colourful as the scenes you are trying to capture? Be bold, says Steve Davey. And contrast, contrast, contrast!
If it’s inspiration you’re after, then look no further than the photos taken by our readers on their travels in Guatemala and Belize. They are truly amazing.
– Steve Davey
Photos of Guatemala and Belize from our readers
Ready to start planning your trip? Our Guatemala and Belize travel guides are the place to start. Make sure you drop by the Guatemala and Belize Essential Info pages as well, for more everyday (but equally vital) information. And we’ve rounded up the latest travel news from Guatemala and Belize too.
If you have a particular question about Guatemala or Belize, pop over to the myWanderlust Forum where our knowledgeable community are ready to spring into action and share all that they know. Or check out the questions that have already been asked about Guatemala and Belize. The answer to yours might already be there.
– Wanderlust Team
Guatemala Essential Info – Wanderlust Team
Belize Travel Guide – Wanderlust Team
Belize Essential info – Wanderlust Team
Latest Guatemala travel news
Latest Belize travel news
Forum posts about Guatemala and Belize
Community content about Guatemala and Belize
Here’s a selection of fantastic tours offered by our partners. From this to that, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.
and Belize.
