Guatemala & Belize

Antigua:

For more than two centuries –  from the mid-1500s to the late 1700s – Antigua was the capital of Spain’s Central American colonies and one of the finest cities in the region until it was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1773. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua is fully and carefully reconstructed and renovated, offering an interesting mix of Spanish Baroque architecture and church ruins as well as excellent restaurants, patio cafes, shops, galleries and museums and exhibitions.

Lake Atitlan

Regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, a magnificent backdrop for highlighting this lake’s magnificence. Lake Atitlan was formed approximately 85,000 years ago in a tremendous volcanic eruption, ashes from which can still be found in places as far away as Florida and Ecuador.   The lake is rich in animal life and the forests around the lake provide one of the last habitats for the Quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird.  The lake also supports a variety of farm crops including coffee, corn, beans, tomatoes, squash and strawberries – all a significant source of food for the largely indigenous population.

Chichicastenango

A small indigenous town in the mountains, Chichicastenango has long been known as a trading center.  Vendors and buyers throughout the area come together here on Thursdays and Sundays, making this market one of the largest outdoor markets in Latin America, selling everything you can imagine: handicrafts, food, flowers, pottery, wooden carvings, condiments, medicinal plants, candles, pom and copal (traditional incense), cal (lime stones for preparing tortillas), grindstones, pigs and chickens, machetes and other tools. In the central part of the market plaza, there are a variety of small and delicious eateries (comedores).  Other items sold are textiles, particularly women’s blouses, and masks which are used in traditional dances, such as the Dance of the Conquest.

Tikal

Tikal is undoubtedly one of the most impressive of all the Mayan sites in Central America.  A sprawling complex of temples and residential structures, it contains several temples that rise above the jungle canopy, providing sweeping views of the surrounding rainforest. A wide variety of wildlife, including howler monkeys, makes their home in the jungle around the ruins, often seen by visitors to the site.  Our guide will explain this Mayan village, the advanced culture of its people and some of the mysteries that they left behind.

Caye Caulker & Belize Barrier Reef

Located one mile west of Belize Barrier Reef, Caye Caulker is a a four-mile-long island that is part of a chain of islands which form the Barrier Reef.  The laid back atmosphere of Caye Caulker is something you must experience to appreciate.  Caye Caulker offers top snorkeling and diving spots not far from the shore, as well as sailing, boating, relaxing, island touring and abundant fresh seafood.

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the most diverse ecosystems of the world, including:

•     500 species of fish
•     70 hard coral species
•     36 soft coral species
•     hundreds of invertebrate species

Call us today at 877.384.4372 for more information about this perfect winter getaway!