ISTOCKPHOTO.COMISTOCKPHOTO.COMGUATEMALAMEXICOBELIZEHONDURAS..FloresAmbergris CayeAntigua..Guatemala CityPanajachel.Chichicastenango..Belize CityTikal National ParkCAYO DISTRICT25Essentials Climate Sub-tropical (temperate in the highlands). Rainy season May?November.Festivals Semana Santa (Easter) 17?24 April 2011. Day of the Dead Kite festival 02 November. Travelling from UK Time difference (GMT) -6hrs Travel time 15½hrs Highlights of Guatemala and Belize 16 days, 14 nightsAntigua 2 nights, Panajachel 2n, Chichicastenango 1n, Antigua 1n, Tikal 2n, Cayo District 3n, Ambergris Caye 3n.Days 1&2 Fly from the UK to Guatemala City arriving the same evening. Transfer to colonial Antigua, set in the shadow of three volcanoes. Day 3 Drive to Panajachel (2½hrs) on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Day 4 Relax and enjoy the lake's panoramic views. Day 5 Drive to the atmospheric Mayan town of Chichicastenango, still an important centre for trading and religious ceremonies. Day 6 Spend time at the world-famous produce and artisan market; return to Antigua. Days 7&8 Fly to Flores, and stay in a simple jungle lodge well located for exploring the Mayan ruins at Tikal within dense rainforest. Days 9-11 A 3 hour drive across the border into Belize. Spend 3 nights at the rural Lodge at Chaa Creek (p28) beside the Macal River (superior); or to the whitewashed cottages of Hidden Valley Inn in Mountain Pine Ridge where waterfalls, rivers, lakes and caves are surrounded by savannah and pine forest (standard). Days 12-14 Drive to Belize City, and fly to Ambergris Caye, (20mins) a coral island offering diving and snorkelling. Unwind at the sedate but informal Victoria House resort (p30; superior) or Sun Breeze hotel (standard) overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Day 15 Fly to Belize City and connect to flight to the UK arriving day 16.Prices from £1,843pp (standard); £2,198pp (superior) based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights Saturdays from the UK 7COPÁN (HONDURAS) and the caribbeanThe ruined Mayan city of Copán has a jungle location at the border with Honduras where you can visit the beaches of Roatán island. Inland from Livingston you can explore the verdant Río Dulce gorge.6maya mountains and the southThe western interior is an area of pine-forests and rivers which drops down towards savannah and tropical jungle. There are interesting Mayan sites, and good lodges facilitating the exploration of the region.5the caribbean coast and barrier reEfsThe earth's longest unbroken barrier reef lies just off the coast, and the coral atolls and dazzling undersea theatre offer unrivalled diving and snorkelling.4the northern rainforests of belizeNorthern Belize is an area of remote villages, mennonite camps and dense jungle; it's one of the continent's primary bird-watching and wildlife areas.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information how about?» Extending your stay to visit the ruins at Copán (p50). » Extra time in Belize? Chan Chich Lodge (p28) Blancaneaux Lodge (p31). Guatemala?can't wait to go back. People were amazing?Tikal awesome. CJ, Kenilworth50 Miles50 KMBELIZE TOURIST BOARDBELIZE TOURIST BOARD

Guatemala's volcanic and cultural landscapes The volcano-fringed Guatemalan highlands,a region of mists and cool pine forests, grassy plains and granite mountains host villages of strong individual identity. Here, the traditional lifestyle is retained, yet the culture evolves, with the blending of the different religions and customs introduced over time. Many villages have thriving markets where livestock and produce juggle for space with artisan crafts and textiles. The Mayan empire's heritage is also on display: spiking through the canopy of the low-lying jungles beyond the highlands are the pyramids and temples of Tikal, one of the largest and most atmospheric archaeological sites on the continent.Start your visit in the former capital, Antigua (left) where a busy university town has retained its colonial character. Soak up the atmosphere at first class Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, converted from the ruins of a 17th century baroque monastery. It's a short drive from here to the shores of Lake Atitlan, flanked by fuming volcanoes casting ever-changing shadows over the water. The best-known handicraft market is at highland Chichicastenango: a pageant of brightly-dyed textiles, of bells and incense. The landscapes of north eastern Guatemala are a land of deep green, wooded limestone hills, networks of caves with emerging rivers, and scattered villages scarcely touched by the modern world. Visit the natural pools at Semuc Champey and the caves at the sleepy Indian village of Lanquín.Combine a visit to Tikal or Copán?over the border in Honduras?with a stay on Guatemala's unsung Caribbean coast at Livingston, at the mouth of Rio Dulce. Here brightly coloured houses reflect a thriving Caribbean community. Take a boat through the ravine to the fortress of Castillo de San Felipe, built to repel pirates 500 years ago.It's easy to take the opportunity of good transport links to include Belize in your holiday.It offers the coral beaches Guatemala lacks, and there are lovely countryside stays with a range of outdoor activities and wildlife observation. tikal At the vast ruined Mayan city Tikal (right) a network of steep sky-scraper pyramids pierce the remote forest canopy. For a truly magical experience, rise at dawn, or linger until dusk, when there are few other visitors around. At sunrise you will experience the tropical jungle filling with the agitated scream of parakeets and the haunting roar of howler monkeys; at sunset the site is bathed in a deep golden glow. To be able to do this you'll need to stay close by-the simple Jungle Lodge is perfectly positioned next to the entrance to the ruins.26 Guatemala & Belize The jungle lodge was of a much higher standard than I expected ...the best times to visit were early morning and evening. I had the Gran Plaza all to myself for sunset one evening. AW, Bethnal GreenRAFE STONEPV