🇧🇿 The Belize Adventure: Begin by unwinding on the tropical island of Caye Caulker 🏝️ before diving into Garifuna culture with an immersive drumming experience at Hopkins. Next, encounter diverse wildlife at Belize’s Tropical Education Centre, and deepen the adrenaline by venturing into the mystical ATM Crystal Maiden Cave 💀 hidden deep within the lush Cayo jungle.
🇬🇹 The Guatemala Expedition: Cross the border to discover the towering ancient ruins of Tikal 🛕, the serene Petén Itzá Lake, and the colourful island of Flores. Journey onward through the turquoise limestone pools of Semuc Champey 🌊, wander the vibrant Mayan market and ceremonies of Chichicastenango 🎨, and soak in the breathtaking volcanic views of Lake Atitlán. Your expedition concludes in the colonial jewel of Antigua, with optional high-altitude ascents of the majestic Acatenango or Pacaya volcanoes 🌋.
Extend your adventure with extra nights in Antigua Guatemala, where you can embark on guided treks to the majestic Pacaya or Acatenango Volcano for an unforgettable finale. Please carefully read this article before making your decision on whether or not to do the Acatenango Trek.
What’s Included: A mix of hosted meals and authentic regional dining is included throughout the journey (see the specific breakdown at the top of this page). 🌮✨
Van Cooking & Bonding: On certain days, we cook together using our professional van equipment. It is an iconic part of the overland experience and a great way to bond as a group! 🚛🥑
Local Flexibility: For the remaining meals, you are free to explore local restaurants at your own pace, try our handpicked recommendations, or join group dining options. 🍟🍹
Dietary Needs: We happily accommodate most dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free). Please note that options can be limited during remote roadside lunch stops. 🥕🌾
Our itineraries are packed with bucket-list experiences and cultural immersions that other operators charge extra for. When you compare, you’ll see why Lupita offers the best value on the road!
🤿 Caye Caulker: Full-day Snorkelling Tour at the barrier reef.
🥁 Hopkins: Garifuna Cultural & Gastronomical immersion.
🌿 Belize Zoo: Guided visit to the Tropical Education Centre.
💀 ATM Cave: Guided expedition to the Crystal Maiden Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal).
🛕 Tikal: Guided tour at the Archaeological Site.
🌊 Semuc Champey: Entrance & exploration of the turquoise limestone pools.
🎨 Chichicastenango: Visit the famous indigenous market & witness Mayan ceremonies.
🌋 Lake Atitlan: Lower Mayan Trail trek + visit to the Amigos de Santa Cruz NGO.
🏡 Colonial Towns: Guided introductory orientation walks in Flores and Antigua.
+ Plenty of free time and optional adventure add-ons along the route! 🗺️
Customise your adventure! You can easily select and view current pricing for any of these optional upgrades during Step 2 of your online booking process:
🌋 Acatenango Trek Extension: 2 Nights total — 1 night camping on the volcano + 1 night hotel in Antigua. Click here for full itinerary & details above.
🔥 Pacaya Hike Extension: 1 Night in Antigua Guatemala + Volcano Hike. Click here for full itinerary & details above.
🏨 Pre/Post Trip Accommodation: Book extra nights at our comfortable starting or ending hotels to explore at your own pace.
🔒 Single-Share Upgrade: Secure your own private hotel room throughout the trip (and a private tent when camping).
⛺ Private Tent Only: Upgrade to your own personal tent for the camping nights.
If you are looking for a private cabin or private room upgrade while the group is staying in remote eco-lodges or wilderness dorms, please indicate it in your booking notes or during your trip. These spots are limited and subject to local availability! 🔑🪵
This adventure is rated as Moderate. It is a perfect blend of active exploration and relaxation, but it requires an adventurous spirit, a good fitness level, and a love for the outdoors.
🥾 Hiking & Terrain: You should be comfortable walking on uneven ground, navigating high stone steps at Mayan ruins, and climbing into our overland truck. Specific activities like the ATM Cave or the optional Acatenango Volcano trek can be physically strenuous.
🏊 Water Comfort: Since we visit stunning rivers, limestone pools, and tropical islands, being comfortable in the water and knowing how to swim is highly recommended.
☀️ Climate & Bags: Expect tropical heat and humidity in Belize and Petén. Also, you must be capable of carrying your own luggage for short distances (like from the truck to your hotel room or onto island water taxis). 🧳🛶
Recommended Arrival Airport: Belize City International Airport (BZE). 🇧🇿
Arrival Airport Transfer: To get to our joining hotel on Caye Caulker, you will need to take a taxi from BZE airport to the Belize City water taxi terminal, and then a ferry to the island. 🚕🛥️ To avoid any hassle with local drivers and ferry tickets, we highly recommend adding our Pre-arranged Airport-to-Island Transfer Service ($60 USD per person) during your booking process.
Your First Night: Your first night in Caye Caulker is included! 🏨 You can arrive at any time during the day to check in, drop your bags, and start enjoying the island’s “Go Slow” vibes. 🌴🏝️
Welcome Meeting & Dinner: We officially kick off the expedition with an essential Welcome Meeting at 4:30 PM at the hostel’s reception on Day 1, followed immediately by our Welcome Dinner. 🍽️✨ Please ensure your flight and ferry timings allow you to arrive at the accommodation before 5:00 PM.
🏨 Last Night Included / Tour Ends: At our ending hotel, located in the heart of Antigua Guatemala. 🇬🇹
✈️ Recommended Departure Airport: La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City.
🚐 Departure Airport Transfer: To get from Antigua to the GUA airport, we highly recommend booking a shared shuttle van directly through our hotel front desk upon arrival. Alternatively, a private taxi can be arranged for around $50 USD. 🚖
Our expedition runs during the dry season (November to May) for the most comfortable travel conditions. However, Mesoamerica is a great year-round destination with unique vibes in every season, and because our route crosses drastically different altitudes, your weather will vary more by where we are than by when we go.
🍂 November to March: The core dry season. Cooler, crisp air is ideal for long days of exploring.
🔥 April to May: Late dry season. Great weather, but expect intense heat in the lowlands.
🌿 June to October: The green/rainy season. Expect heavy afternoon showers, but also fewer crowds and incredibly lush landscapes.
🌴 Jungle & Coast (Lowlands): Warm and tropical year-round. Highs around 35°C (90°F)—and up to 40°C (100°F) in April/May. Perfect for cenotes and beaches! 🤿
⛰️ Highlands: Spring-like days around 25°C (80°F), but crisp nights dropping to 10°C (50°F). 🥾
🌋 Acatenango Volcano Note: If you join the optional overnight trek, be ready for true alpine freezing temperatures dropping to 0°C (30°F). ❄️
(Check out our altitude and temperature breakdown chart below to pack like a pro!) ↓
We highly recommend packing light for maximum comfort and flexibility on the road. If you forget anything, don’t worry—all essentials can easily be purchased locally.
Main Bag: 1 Large backpack or duffel bag (max 18 kg / 40 lbs and 75 × 30 × 30 cm / 30 × 12 × 12 in). Suitcases are highly discouraged, as you will need to carry your own gear up stairs or down cobbled streets.
Day Gear: 1 Small daypack for daily excursions + 1 fanny pack/shoulder bag for quick-access valuables. If you love souvenirs, leave extra space or plan to ship items home! 🎁
7–12 Days of underwear, t-shirts, and socks.
2–3 Pairs of ultra-light long trousers + 2–3 fresh long-sleeved shirts (crucial for evening mosquito defence! 🦟).
1 Warm fleece/sweater + 1 light waterproof rain jacket ☔.
Footwear: Comfortable trainers/hiking shoes 👟 + sandals/flip-flops 🩴 + water shoes.
Swimwear + quick-dry towel + UV-protective swimming shirt (highly recommended).
Personal medications, toiletries, hand sanitiser, and earplugs.
Eco-friendly mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat 👒, and sunglasses 🕶️.
Note: We carry a basic first aid kit 🩹 on the truck, but please bring your own prescription supplies.
Everyday Gear: 1 Refillable water bottle 💧, an American travel adapter 🔌, and a small padlock 🔒 for hostel lockers or hotel bags.
💡 Recommended: 1 Headtorch or small flashlight 🔦 with spare batteries (highly useful for camping nights or unexpected power cuts).
Valid passport, visas, flight tickets, and physical photocopies.
Debit/credit cards 💳 + some local currency in cash 💵 for remote stops.
For our wilderness nights, we provide everything you need for a comfortable sleep: spacious tents (2 people per tent), 15ºC sleeping bags with fresh liners, and inflatable mats with integrated pillows. 😴
Laundry: Available at local services every few days (sometimes up to a week between stops). Hand-washing gear can be provided while camping.
Jungle Life: Harmless jungle critters and bugs are common in coastal or jungle areas. Wear long layers at sunset, use repellent, and embrace the wild! 🌿🐜
Overlanding is the ultimate way to discover hidden gems and build authentic connections off the beaten path. This raw style of travel requires physical and mental readiness, flexibility, and a true sense of adventure.
🌍 Embracing the Unexpected: Travelling through remote areas and navigating border crossings means things can change. Expect occasional, flexible adjustments to stops, accommodations, activities, or meals.
⏳ Driving Times: All described driving hours are careful estimates. They do not include stops for activities, meals, border crossings, or unpredictable conditions like road closures.
📋 Get Fully Prepared: Before hitting the road with us, please review our Pre-Departure Information and FAQs pages to fully understand the overland lifestyle and the scenarios we might encounter.
An incredible trip.
Thanks to Lupita for a truly amazing journey through Belize and Guatemala. Thanks to Jamie we were able to sample their unique history, culture landscapes and people. Lupita organised amazing activities, snorkeling with sharks, hiking Mayan trails and unforgettable accommodation ranging from posh Beach Huts, Jungle Lodges, Colonial Hotels and stays on archaeological sites.
We have just returned from a group holiday with friends exploring Belize and Guatemala Jaimie led the tour and travelled with us . I cannot thank him enough . An amazing tour leader and thoroughly lovely human . He planned us a wonderful trip working with Helen from Firecrest Travel . Jaimie was attentive to everyone’s needs and passionate about the places we visited He went out of his way to ensure that everything went smoothly and that we experienced the local culture using excellent local guides and supporting local charities .
We could not have asked for more and will definitely travel with him again . In fact we would travel the world with him!
Beyond expectations
We had the best holiday travelling through Belize and Guatemala with Lupita. Largely due to Jaime’s extensive knowledge of the area and professional guidance; sensitively combining the needs of local communities and our needs. All in keeping with their responsible tourism ethos
Both country’s were amazing and we liked the combination of cultural and wildlife/nature experiences offered throughout the trip. Swimming with sharks in Caye Caulker, the Rio Dolce river trip and Tikal were amongst our highlights. We felt we really got an understanding of both countries.
Beyond expectations
We had the best holiday travelling through Belize and Guatemala with Lupita. Largely due to Jaime’s extensive knowledge of the area and professional guidance; sensitively combining the needs of local communities and our needs. All in keeping with their responsible tourism ethos
Both country’s were amazing and we liked the combination of cultural and wildlife/nature experiences offered throughout the trip. Swimming with sharks in Caye Caulker, the Rio Dolce river trip and Tikal were amongst our highlights. We felt we really got an understanding of both countries.
Fantastic experience for a second time.
Lupita is a small company where nothing is too much trouble. After a fantastic trip travelling Mexico in Feb 2024 we have just returned from a 15 days trip of Belize and Guatemala which was adapted to all nights in local hotels (no camping) for a more mature group! The countries were beautiful and we were so well looked after during our tour. We saw places off the beaten track as well as the well known highlights of the countries. I would unreservedly recommend them for Mexico and Belize/Guatemala.
