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Discover Guatemala and Belize - two countries, countless adventures
Guatemala, a chain of volcanoes separates the coastal landscape from the interior, close to Guatemala City and Lake Atitlán. Take a boat trip through the Rio Dulce National Park on the Gulf of Honduras and marvel at the deep green tropical rainforest. If you are interested in the advanced civilization of the Mayas, a visit to the ruins of Tikal is a must. A special highlight is Antigua, a city that will take you back in time.
Belize, a small country nestled between Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean coast, is an incredible place to discover. Snorkel or dive in the world's second longest barrier reef on Caye Caulker, explore the dense jungle and the huge Mayan ruins of Xunantunich hidden within, or visit pretty little towns like San Ignacio. In an area comparable to that of Hesse, Belize is home to only around 352,000 people, which is about 6% of the population of Hesse. The country is still largely undeveloped in terms of tourism, so you can enjoy all the highlights at your leisure.
Our most popular Guatemala round trips
Adventure Guatemala
- Explore colonial architecture in Antigua
- Experience tropical landscapes on the Rio Dulce
- Discover the mystical ruins of Tikal
Secrets of Guatemala
- Well-preserved colonial architecture in Antigua
- Colorful market and local culture in Chichicastenango
- Boat tour on Lake Atitlán in Panajachel
Guatemala Active
- Experience the Sunrise Tour in the Mayan ruins of Tikal
- Enjoy a bike tour from Tikal to Uaxactum
- Hike to the ruins of La Danta in El Mirador
Guatemala Barriletes
- Experience colonial architecture in Antigua
- Celebrate the Barriletes Festival in Santiago Sacatepequez
- Relax on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Panajachel
Experience Guatemala on a great round trip
Guatemala is considered one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. Despite its small size, the country offers an astonishing number of sights and fascinating nature. On a Guatemala package tour, you can take a trip to Tikal and other impressive Mayan sites. The country thrives on its colorful diversity of nature and exciting culture. It is also the most indigenous country in Central America. Not only its famous Mayan culture with impressive excavations, but also breathtaking lake and volcanic landscapes and colorful markets make a trip to Guatemala unique. The most famous Mayan ruin in the country is Tikal, which translates as "place of voices". As the colonial city is located in the middle of the rainforest, many birds, monkeys and other animals can be observed there. You can find all the highlights in Guatemala here .
Combine your round trips through different countries
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras
- Explore the picturesque town of Panajachel on Lake Atitlán
- Discover Mayan ruins in Copán, Honduras
- Traditional pupusa workshop in Suchitoto
Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
- Colonial architecture and culture in Antigua
- Breathtaking beaches in El Cuco
- Volcanoes and wildlife on Ometepe
Mexico, Belize and Guatemala
- Mayan ruins and crystal-clear water in Tulum
- Snorkeling underwater world of Caye Caulker
- Sunrise ruins of Tikal in the jungle
Experience Belize on a great round trip
Compared to Guatemala and Mexico,Belize is not only smaller, but also less touristy and thus shows the original side of the Caribbean. However, this does not mean that there is nothing to discover here: A wealth of scenic, cultural and social diversity come together here in a very small area. The country is also located in the middle of the Mayan Empire and therefore has some architectural treasures worth seeing. From San Ignacio, you can go on many excursions in Belize. The beautiful island of Caye Caulker off the coast of Belize is another highlight on our"In the footsteps of the Mayas" round trip for diving and snorkeling. Our Guatemala and Belize tours are combination tours and therefore take you through several countries. Here you will find all the highlights in Belize.
Country information Guatemala
Guatemala, the land of trees. This is the most common derivation of the name that can be found, from the Nahuatl word Quauhtlemallan. The Toltecs, who probably lived in the region, used this name.
The country'scapital is Guatemala City, which bears the same name and has a population of over one million. Around 2.5 million people live in the metropolitan area around the capital. The first inhabitants, the Mayas, settled here over 2000 years ago. Ruins of their buildings can still be seen in the city center today. Guatemala is a presidential republic and is represented by its president as head of state. As an independent and democratic country, Guatemalan politics separates the executive, judicial and legislative branches. The national language is Spanish. However, many indigenous languages, around 50, are still spoken. The time difference is between -7 and -8 hours, depending on whether it is winter or summer time.
60% of Guatemala's population is of the Roman Catholic faith. Around 30% of the population is Protestant. However, traces of the Maya can still be found in all religious beliefs of the Guatemalans today. For example, parades, rituals and celebrations to commemorate the Mayan deities take place during Holy Week. The Guatemalans describe their faith as a mixture of Catholic and Protestant beliefs with Mayan influences. The government allows freedom of belief and also recognizes indigenous religions.
Around half of Guatemala's inhabitants are illiterate. Due to the country's critical economic and political situation, they have often had no chance of sufficient educational opportunities and for this reason often only speak one of the many indigenous languages. The most widely spoken indigenous language is Quiché, which is spoken by around 2 million people in Guatemala. Up to 50 other indigenous languages, mainly Mayan languages, are spoken throughout the country. The national language, however, is that of the mestizos and those of European descent in Guatemala: Spanish.
Guatemala's landscape is characterized by many mountains, some of which are of volcanic origin, and is therefore perfect for an active trip. The mountain sides are covered by tropical and cloud rainforests with a distinct variety of flora and fauna. The Pacific coast and the Caribbean coast of Guatemala are a humid tropical area with a large proportion of rainforests. The highest mountain in the country is the Tajumulco at 4220 meters. There are also many volcanoes, but only a few of them are active. The country's many forest areas in particular are home to a large number of animal species. Snakes, crocodiles, monkeys, jaguars and many other animals live in the country's tropical and cloud forests. In addition, a large number of bird species have given the country its heraldic animal, the quetzal.
The Guatemalans also know how to eat well and, above all, healthily. Many of their dishes are based on the staple foods of rice, beans and eggs. Corn fritters are traditionally served with every dish and some dishes are accompanied by the world-famous avocado cream guacamole. Around the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, fish and seafood dishes dominate. Whether in stews, banana leaves or in pastry patties, you will find them in all variations. One of Guatemala's most traditional dishes is pepian, a stew that is said to have been served at important ceremonies and rituals in Mayan times. The stew is made from various vegetables, different seeds and chilies as well as meat (chicken, pork or beef, depending on taste).
For the most part, however, the cuisine does not deviate from traditional Mexican cooking. Tacos, enchiladas, tamales and tortillas are also popular in Guatemala. If you can't do without fruit, Guatemala is the place for you. Papaya, pineapple, mango and orange are available all year round. Fruit is easily available at one of the many street markets or at street vendors. Drinks are also largely imported from neighboring countries: Atoles made from corn, rice and plantains, or horchata made from rice and cinnamon were brought to South America by the Spanish. But the Guatemalans can also offer alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer from their own production.
You can find out more about typical dishes in Central America here.
Guatemala generally has a rainy season from May to October, during which it usually rains in the afternoons. Landslides must be expected in steep terrain at this time. The dry season lasts from November to May, when there is hardly any rain. The Petén region is an exception here.
In the highlands of Guatemala, temperatures in January are around 16 - 19 °C, in the lowlands on the Pacific around 26 °C. Depending on the altitude, temperatures also vary in individual areas. While it can be summery warm in the lowlands, temperatures in the mountainous regions are only spring-like at the same time. Guatemala has the best travel weather at the end of the rainy season and throughout the dry season. From November to April there are pleasant temperatures and the least chance of rain.
German nationals with a valid passport/children's passport (with at least 6 months left on entry) can stay in the so-called CA-4 region (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua) for up to 90 days without a visa. The residence permit is issued free of charge upon entry. It is essential to ensure that the passport is stamped with an entry stamp.
An extension of 90 days can be applied for at the immigration authorities. It should be noted that a 90-day entry permit is issued for all four countries. If you stay in Guatemala for one month, you only have 60 days to travel to the other three countries before the visa has to be extended.
Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
The export of antiquities and excavated objects is prohibited.
Guatemala's currency is the quetzal and is equivalent to 100 centavos.
Most credit cards (e.g. Visa, American Express, Mastercard) are accepted as a means of payment and can also be used to withdraw money.
In some cases it is easier to exchange US dollars instead of euros. It is therefore advisable to exchange euros for US dollars before your trip. You should also keep the exchange vouchers for the return exchange.
To prevent credit/debit card fraud, it is best to only use ATMs that are monitored by cameras or staff.
Country information Belize
Belize borders Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The Central American state was formerly known as British Honduras and has been part of the Commonwealth of Nations since September 21, 1981.
Today, Belize is home to around 352,000 inhabitants of various ethnic origins. The descendants of the Creoles who immigrated from the Antilles make up the majority of the population. Other larger ethnic groups are the Garífuna, the Mestizos, the Spanish, the English, the Mennonites, the Maya, the Lebanese, the Chinese and the East Indians.
Amazingly, despite its small population, Belize has its own university, which teaches natural sciences and humanities, among other subjects. The official language of Belize is English. Due to the diverse population structure, Spanish, Garífuna, Mayan languages and Plautdietsch are also spoken in Belize. The time difference to Germany is -8 hours.
Due to the great cultural diversity, there is a high level of tolerance towards different religions in the country, which you can see for yourself on the round trips or tours. However, the majority of the population belongs to Christianity and follows the Roman Catholic faith.
Belize's nature is largely untouched and consists of 40% wild rainforest. Tourists can discover many different plant and animal species in this natural environment. The primeval forests of Belize are home to over 500 species of trees and orchids. The coastal areas of the country are covered in dense mangrove forest, while dry savannahs characterize the landscape inland.
Belize's wildlife is also particularly diverse and travelers can observe tapirs, pumas, monkeys and river crocodiles in their natural habitat. There is also a variety of interesting bird species, such as the colorful toucan. Those who want to learn more about jaguars have the opportunity to do so in Belize. In the only jaguar reserve in the world, travelers are informed about the special features, dangers and threats of this predatory cat species.
Traditionally in Belize, as in almost every Central American country, rice is eaten with beans and chicken. As a former British colony, the inhabitants of Belize have adopted some English traditions such as afternoon tea. They also love soft drinks and homemade wine made from berries, rice or wood sorrel.
The climate in Belize is generally tropical, although it moderates at higher altitudes in the interior of the country. The average temperature in the Caribbean lowlands is 26 °C, with very high humidity. In the Pacific region, temperatures are slightly higher at 31 °C than in the higher altitudes at only around 20 °C.
The dry season in Belize is from November to May and is replaced by the rainy season from June to October. There is no dry season on the Caribbean coast, which is why rain can be expected all year round.
A visa is not required for a visit of up to one month. To enter Belize, you need a valid passport/children's passport (or a temporary passport) that is valid for at least 6 months after your stay.
However, a return or onward flight ticket must be presented on entry, as well as proof of sufficient funds, in this case approx. 75 US dollars/day.
Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
The local currency in Belize is the Belize dollar. With a current exchange rate of around one to two, travelers can exchange US dollars for Belize dollars in most hotels, banks and travel agencies. In some stores it is also possible to pay directly with US dollars.
Not all ATMs in Belize accept foreign bank and credit cards. There are also fees for cash withdrawals. Please enquire about the conditions at your bank before you travel.
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Travel Magazine Central America
Immerse yourself in our travel magazine - full of inspiration, travel tips and insider knowledge for your next adventure!
Visit our travel information page and discover everything you need to know for your upcoming trips to Central America. Here you will find details on the best time to travel, information on time changes and recommendations for important health precautions you should take before you leave.
We have compiled all the necessary information for you to ensure that your stay in Central America is pleasant and smooth. You can also find out more about local customs, safety advice and tips for an authentic and unforgettable stay.