The Wanderlust guide to the best of Guatemala and Belize
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!
The streets of Antigua, Guatemala (Shutterstock)
Looking for inspiration?
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.
More information
Coffee, chocolate and colossal volcanoes in Guatemala – 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