Belize & Tikal Adventure — Self-Launched
15 days · Belize & Guatemala
G Adventures charges £2,200
No-markup version: ~£865 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 15-day self-launched version of G Adventures' Belize & Tikal Adventure, running overland from Belize City through Guatemala's Petén rainforest to Caye Caulker. You'll climb the jungle-shrouded temples of Tikal, paddle the Old Belize River on a self-arranged canoe expedition, explore ATM cave and Xunantunich, chill in Garifuna Hopkins, then snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef. All transport is by local chicken bus, ferry and colectivo — bookable on arrival — with hostel and guesthouse stays throughout. Costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Belize City
Belize City, Belize
Fly into Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). Take a licensed taxi or the local bus into the city, and check into a budget guesthouse or hostel near the Swing Bridge / Fort Street area. Pick up a local SIM (DigiCell or Smart) and change a little cash — Belize uses Belizean dollars (fixed 2:1 to USD). Evening: eat rice and beans with stewed chicken at a street-side diner and plan onward transport.
🚌Taxi from BZE to city centre ~BZ$50 (~£20) or shared shuttle; local bus cheaper from Ladyville
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel dorm in Belize City (~£12-16)
- →Airport transfer to city centre
- →Buy local SIM card
- →Evening walk along the waterfront
Belize City to Flores, Guatemala
Flores, Guatemala
Cross the border overland. Take an early bus or shared shuttle from Belize City to Benque Viejo del Carmen (near the Guatemalan border), walk across to Melchor de Mencos, then a colectivo or minibus onward to Flores. Don't forget Guatemalan quetzales and an exit/entry stamp. Arrive in Flores and settle into a lakeside guesthouse.
🚌Belize City–Benque bus ~BZ$12; border walk; Melchor–Flores colectivo ~Q40-60 (~£4-6)
🛏Guesthouse in Flores near Lake Petén Itzá (~£12-18)
- →Overland border crossing at Benque Viejo/Melchor de Mencos
- →Sunset from Flores' causeway or Santa Elena
Tikal ruins guided tour
Tikal / Flores, Guatemala
Book a morning Tikal tour through your hostel or a local agency (GetYourGuide/Viator also list shared day trips). Enter Tikal at dawn for misty views from Temple IV, spot howler monkeys and toucans, and follow your guide through the Great Plaza and Mundo Perdido. Return to Flores and cool off in Lake Petén Itzá.
🚌Shared tour transport to/from Tikal included in day-trip price
🛏Guesthouse in Flores (~£12-18)
- →Tikal National Park guided day tour (shared)
- →Swim in Lake Petén Itzá
- →Optional sunset boat trip on the lake
Free day in Flores & Petén
Flores, Guatemala
A full free day to explore. Options include the Ixpanpajul canopy walkway and skyway, the small island museum, kayaking on the lake, or a day trip to the Yaxhá ruins. Wander the island's cobbled streets, eat at a local comedor, and watch the sunset from the mirador.
🚌Local tuk-tuks for short hops ~Q10-20 (~£1-2)
🛏Guesthouse in Flores (~£12-18)
- →Ixpanpajul canopy walk (optional)
- →Kayaking on Lake Petén Itzá (optional)
- →Yaxhá ruins day trip (optional)
- →Island food stalls and market
Flores to San Ignacio, Belize
San Ignacio, Belize
Travel back overland: colectivo from Flores to Melchor de Mencos, walk across the border at Benque Viejo, then a bus to San Ignacio. Settle into a budget guesthouse near the market; the town is walkable and a great base for cave and ruin trips. Optional afternoon trip to Xunantunich.
🚌Flores–Melchor colectivo ~Q40-60; Benque–San Ignacio bus ~BZ$2-3
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in San Ignacio (~£12-18)
- →Return border crossing to Belize
- →Optional Xunantunich Mayan ruins visit
- →San Ignacio market and river walk
Cave day — ATM or Crystal Cave
San Ignacio, Belize
Book a full-day ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave tour with a licensed local operator — you'll hike, swim and wade into a sacred Maya cave, then see the famous crystal-skull chamber. Alternatively, Crystal Cave or Barton Creek Cave, or a trip to Mountain Pine Ridge and Caracol. Book a day or two ahead in high season.
🚌Tour operator shuttle to cave trailhead (included in tour price)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in San Ignacio (~£12-18)
- →Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave tour
- →Alternative: Crystal Cave or Barton Creek Cave
- →Optional Caracol or Mountain Pine Ridge trip
Old Belize River canoe expedition — Day 1
Old Belize River, Belize
In place of G Adventures' exclusive guided canoe trip, arrange your own river journey. Hire a canoe, paddles and dry bags from a San Ignacio or Burrell Boom outfitter and camp riverside, or join a small independent licensed operator running multi-day paddle trips on the Old Belize River. Spend the day spotting iguanas, kingfishers and the occasional crocodile.
🚌Shuttle/boat drop to river put-in arranged locally
🛏Tented riverside camping (own or rented gear, ~£10)
- →Self-arranged Old Belize River canoe trip
- →Wildlife spotting (iguanas, birds, crocodiles)
- →Riverside bush camp
Old Belize River canoe — Day 2
Old Belize River, Belize
Continue paddling downstream, camping again on the riverbank. Carry everything you need — water, food, bug spray, head torch. If you're not confident self-guiding a multi-day paddle, join one of a handful of licensed operators offering 2-3 day Old Belize River canoe trips, which bundle gear, guide and meals.
🚌On the river — canoe
🛏Tented riverside camping (~£10)
- →Second day of river canoeing
- →Birdwatching and riverbank wildlife
- →Riverside bush camp
Finish canoe trip, back to San Ignacio
San Ignacio, Belize
Paddle out mid-morning and return to town with your gear. Free afternoon in San Ignacio — laundry, market snacks, an ice-cold Belikin beer, and a relaxed evening. Optional Maya ruins of Cahal Pech right on the edge of town, an easy self-guided walk.
🚌River pickup / road transfer back to town
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in San Ignacio (~£12-18)
- →Finish river canoe trip
- →Optional Cahal Pech ruins walk
- →Free time in San Ignacio
San Ignacio to Hopkins
Hopkins, Belize
Travel to the laid-back Garifuna village of Hopkins on the southern coast — often a bus change in Belmopan then on to Dangriga, then a short bus or taxi to Hopkins. Check into a beach guesthouse. Hopkins is quiet, authentic and cheap; evenings bring Garifuna drumming and fresh seafood.
🚌Express/regular bus San Ignacio–Belmopan–Dangriga ~BZ$15-20; Dangriga–Hopkins bus/taxi ~BZ$5-25
🛏Beach guesthouse in Hopkins (~£15-22)
- →Overland bus journey south via Belmopan/Dangriga
- →Arrive in Garifuna village of Hopkins
- →Beach sunset walk
Hopkins — reef, cays & Garifuna culture
Hopkins, Belize
A full day to enjoy Hopkins. Boat over to palm-fringed Tobacco Caye for snorkelling, book a Garifuna drumming lesson and cultural show, rent a bicycle, or simply swim and read by the sea. Small local tour kiosks on the beach can arrange everything the day before.
🚌Local boat to Tobacco Caye; bicycles for around town
🛏Beach guesthouse in Hopkins (~£15-22)
- →Tobacco Caye snorkelling boat trip (optional)
- →Garifuna drumming show & lesson (optional)
- →Bicycle rental (optional)
- →Beach time and seafood
Hopkins to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker, Belize
Travel day to the island. Bus or shared shuttle north to Belize City, then the water taxi (San Pedro Belize Express or Ocean Ferry) to Caye Caulker. Once you're on the island it's all sand roads and golf carts. Afternoon: hire a bike and cruise the island — an easy self-guided version of the G-supported Bike with Purpose ride.
🚌Bus/shuttle to Belize City; water taxi Belize City–Caye Caulker ~BZ$40-50 return (~£16-20)
🛏Caye Caulker guesthouse/hostel (~£18-28)
- →Water taxi crossing to Caye Caulker
- →Self-guided island bike ride
- →The Split for a sunset swim and rum punch
Caye Caulker — free island day
Caye Caulker, Belize
No rush today. Snorkel or dive a site like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley on a shared boat trip, take a sea kayak out, or do absolutely nothing at The Split. Book snorkel trips directly with local operators along Front Street for the best price.
🚌Walking / bicycle on the island
🛏Caye Caulker guesthouse/hostel (~£18-28)
- →Hol Chan / Shark Ray Alley snorkelling (optional, ~£35-45)
- →Sea kayaking (optional)
- →Sunset at The Split
Caye Caulker — free day & reef
Caye Caulker, Belize
Second free island day. Options: a full-day Hol Chan + Caye Caulker Marine Reserve snorkel combo if you haven't done it, a manatee-watching tour, kitesurfing lessons, or a lazy cycle to the south point. Eat fresh lobster or snapper grilled at an inexpensive island eatery.
🚌Walking / bicycle on the island
🛏Caye Caulker guesthouse/hostel (~£18-28)
- →Full-day reef snorkelling combo (optional)
- →Kitesurfing lesson (optional)
- →Island food tour / local cafés
Depart Caye Caulker / Belize City
Caye Caulker / Belize City, Belize
Final morning on the island — one last swim and a coffee at a waterfront café — then take the water taxi back to Belize City and onward to the airport for your flight home. Leave buffer time for the crossing; the last water taxi is usually early evening.
🚌Caye Caulker–Belize City water taxi ~BZ$40-50 (~£16-20); taxi to BZE ~£20
🛏Not included (onward travel)
- →Morning island swim
- →Water taxi to Belize City
- →Onward transfer to BZE airport
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£865 | £2,200 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,335 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£865
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Belize & Tikal Adventure — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £865 per person for 15 days in Belize & Guatemala. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £865 — a saving of roughly £1,335 (61%) per person.
How long is the Belize & Guatemala trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Belize & Guatemala.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, beaches trip through Belize & Guatemala, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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