Exploring Mayan civilization in Belize & Guatemala: Hiking and other adventures with Road Scholar
Where to start! This was one of the best trips I’ve ever done. It was the perfect combination of an amazing guide and a wonderful group of people. Along with activities that were fascinating, unusual, challenging, educational, and fun. I did this Road Scholar trip to Belize and Guatemala in May 2023 with my friend Susan. It is a 10-day trip starting in Belize City and ending along the coast. Every two days we stayed at a different place. Two of the nights were in Guatemala.
Our guide Israel was with us the entire time. He was incredibly organized, attentive, flexible, and just fun. His passion for Mayan culture, birds and nature came through every day. And boy what an amazing storyteller! There was an additional guide in each site and I was impressed with all of them.
This is an active trip. We visited Mayan ruins in both Belize and Guatemala, including Tikal. They involved a lot of hiking and if you wanted, climbing up the temples/ buildings. All in the heat and humidity which added to the challenge.
Not your usual trip activities
We had the amazing opportunity to hike through the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave to see Mayan remains. This involved wading through rivers to get to the cave. We also had to swim through the entrance, wade through more water, and do some gymnastics to get through the cave. What an incredible experience (sorry no pictures from inside the cave, cameras are no longer allowed).
One of the activities that attracted me to this trip was the chance to rappel into a 300 feet sink hole known as the Black Hole Drop. But the day before I got nervous and decided to do the alternative activity of floating in an inner tube down a river to a cave. The morning of the trip I realized I would regret not rappelling, so I went. The hiking both to the rappelling start point and then out of the sink hole (in the rain) was difficult but I loved the challenge. As for the rappelling, the instructors were very professional, and I never felt unsafe. While I was very nervous waiting my turn, it went away as soon as I was clipped in at the start. Yes, it was a long way down but I loved it and would do it again. So glad I didn’t back out.
Change of pace
We spent the last few days at the coast. So peaceful and beautiful and a welcome change of pace. I loved getting up early to walk along the beach to see the sunrise. Early mornings were also the perfect time to take out a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. There were 2 days of snorkeling. But after the first day Israel told me that the back up activity if it was raining was to go to a farm where they grow cocoa beans and make chocolate. Music to my ears! When I said I’d rather do that he went ahead and arranged it as an alternative to snorkeling for those who wanted.
Want to know more?
I cannot recommend this trip to Belize and Guatemala enough. Interested? Check out Hike and Snorkel to Find the Mystery of the Maya in Guatemala and Belize at Road Scholar
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