DESTINATIONS LATIN AMERICA | BELIZE & GUATEMALA


ABOVE: Scuba divers explore Belize’s barrier reef PICTURE: Shutterstock


WATER Guatemala: While this part of Central America may be


a hit for active travellers, there are plenty of waterfront spots in which to sit back and take in the beauty of the region – or dive under the surface to see its marine life. The water-based draw in Guatemala has to be Lake Atitlan, where you can sit and take in the spectacular lake views, or go kayaking and mountain biking around it. As Explore’s Hendry adds: “It is totally amazing: an enormous lake, circled by volcanoes and small villages that have indigenous heritage. It’s like nowhere else in


the world – a real highlight of the region.” Belize: Clients looking for diving experiences should make a beeline for Belize, best known for its outstanding barrier reef, which spans 185 miles of coast and is the largest in the northern hemisphere. Not only is it home to giant marine sinkhole the Blue Hole – an absolute bucket-list spot for divers – but there are also many hundreds of islands and cayes for scuba divers and snorkellers of every ability. It is noticable how different the coastal areas of


Belize are to the rest of Central America. Gone are the legacies of the colonial past and Spanish language – Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America – and in place is a Caribbean feel, with barefoot beach bars and waterfront hotels and resorts. Ambergris Caye is often billed as the hottest beach


28 4 JUNE 2020


Lake Atitlan is amazing: an enormous lake, circled by volcanoes and villages with indigenous heritage


BOOK IT


Journey Latin America offers a 15-day Signature Guatemala and Belize: Culture and Caribbean private journey, which starts in Guatemala City and visits Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, Tikal and ends in Ambergris Caye. Prices start from £3,237 per person with mid-range B&B accommodation, transport (road transfers and domestic flights), a local guide and some excursions; international flights not included. journeylatinamerica.co.uk


Explore has a 13-day Discover Belize itinerary that includes stops in Guatemala and visits Belize City, Placencia, Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve, Xunantunich and Tikal archaeological sites, plus free time in Caye Caulker. Prices start at £2,175 for departures in 2021, including mid-range hotel and lodge accommodation, breakfasts, tour leader, local guide and domestic transport. explore.co.uk


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destination in the country, and while it retains its natural beauty, it’s also the place for those clients looking for newer hotels with all the amenities they might expect. The Alaia Belize is due to open later this year, making it Marriott’s first outpost in Belize. With fewer crowds, the fishing village of Placencia is located on a narrow peninsula in the south, where you will find laid-back locals and colourful restaurants. Ensure clients take to the water. Day trips are on offer along the river for manatee spotting, or book a trip to one of the tiny islands such as the sand-fringed, palm-tree-laden Laughing Bird Caye, perfect for spying whale sharks (from March to May) and a host of other reef life.


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