Explore Guatemala & Belize | The PSA Way

3 Nights in Antigua: Colonial Architecture & Colourful Craft Markets

Landing in Guatemala City, hop straight into a private car to begin your Central America journey in the colonial city of Antigua, just a 40-minute drive away. Settle into a charming boutique hotel, most of which only have a handful of rooms, and nearly all of which have a roof terrace taking in arresting views of the city’s skyline of church spires and bell towers, and magnificent volcanoes in every direction.

Walk along cobbled-stone streets taking in Antigua’s 17th Century colonial architecture and pastel-coloured houses, beautifully preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste local delicacies in street food stalls, haggle for handcrafted goods in the numerous markets, and pop into our favourite artisanal coffee shops for a pause and caffeine fix between gentle sightseeing activities.

To push the pace up a notch, discover Antigua’s surroundings on a biking tour, passing through lush coffee plantations and visiting coffee cooperatives to see the process from bean to cup. For early risers, take a sunrise hike up a nearby volcano for the most incredible landscape views, stopping to toast marshmallows over volcanic rocks for an elevenses with a twist. Antigua is home to some superb restaurants and cocktail bars, many set in flower-filled courtyards or enchanting roof terraces. We always give our clients the inside track on what to do, see, eat, and drink whilst exploring the city.

2 Nights in Peten: Mayan Ruins in the Jungle

Fly north to Flores and explore Guatemala’s deep jungle to uncover a cornucopia of ancient Mayan ruins. Explore the sites of Tikal and Uaxactun, where spectacular temples, pyramids, tunnels and chambers have been incredibly well-preserved. It’s also exciting to see great mounds throughout the jungle where ruins are yet to be excavated. Rise early to climb the highest pyramid at sunrise. It’s the most breathtaking viewpoint over the forest canopy, where you can spot other temples poking through the treetops.

We recommend staying at a peaceful little hideaway hotel on the banks of Lake Petén Itzá, or for a real adventure, sleep out in safari-style tents in the forest amongst Mayan ruins. We organise guided night walks to spot nocturnal creatures such as possums and owls, followed by a delicious campfire feast of Guatemalan fare. Our luxury tents are fitted with proper beds and allow you to be first at the sites in the morning to explore before the crowds.

Beach Relaxation (for as long as you wish!)

Belize has a dazzling coast of powdery beaches, peaceful fishing villages and countless unspoilt islands off-shore. It boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world, just a short boat-ride from the mainland, as well as the world-famous scuba-diving site, The Blue Hole. Placencia and Ambergris Caye are two of our top destinations for chill time on the beach, tying in perfectly at the end of a holiday filled with adventure and culture. We have put together our top picks for the most beautiful private islands, luxury boutique hotels and family-friendly villas to choose from (we’ll bring in private fishing guides, expert chefs, nannies etc. to make your beach holiday completely stress-free).