El Salvador - Guatemala - Honduras tour

The Jaguar and Emerald Sea Route: 14-Day Private Expedition across 4 Countries (Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador)

This 14-day expedition, designed for a private, exclusive tour, connects the most important Mayan ceremonial centers (Tikal and Copán) with the mystical beauty of Lake Atitlán, the colonial history of Antigua, and culminates in the turquoise waters of the Belize Barrier Reef. A total immersion in the culture and nature of Central America.

Geographical and Cultural Arc 🌎

The tour covers **Guatemala** (the heart of the Mayan and Colonial World), **Belize** (the Caribbean reef jewel), **Honduras** (the cradle of Mayan sculpture), and **El Salvador** (the land of volcanoes and Naïve art). It is a route designed for maximum cultural and landscape diversity.

SECTION 1: EL SALVADOR AND HONDURAS (Days 1-5)

Day 1: Metropolitan Heart of El Salvador 🇸🇻

Morning: **El Boquerón National Park** 🏞️. Start atop the San Salvador Volcano with panoramic views of the capital city. Descent to admire the deep crater.
Afternoon: **San Salvador Historic Center** 🏛️. Guided immersion visiting the National Palace, the National Theater, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Night: Overnight stay in San Salvador (Dinner and rest).

Day 2: Colonial Suchitoto and Artistic Immersion

Morning: **Transfer to Suchitoto** 🏘️. Exploration of El Salvador's colonial jewel, famous for its cobblestone streets and the Santa Lucía Church.
Day: **Lake Suchitlán**. Private boat ride and optional activity: visit an indigo workshop, traditional art of the region.
Night: Overnight stay in Suchitoto.

Day 3: Naïve Art and Altitude (La Palma & El Pital)

Morning: **La Palma Artisan Town** 🎨. Visit the town famous for the Naïve Art movement. Observe local artisans creating vibrant crafts.
Noon: **Ascent to Cerro El Pital** ⛰️. Drive to the highest point in El Salvador (approx. 2,730 meters). Lunch in the refreshing cloud forest climate.
Afternoon: Positioning near the border for the subsequent morning crossing.

Day 4: Sacred Route and Arrival in Copán Ruinas 🇭🇳

Morning: **Early Border Crossing**. Private departure from El Salvador, crossing into Guatemala and continuing to the Honduras border.
Midday: **Esquipulas Basilica**. Brief stop in Guatemala to visit the important pilgrimage site of the Black Christ of Esquipulas.
Afternoon: Arrival and check-in at the hotel in the charming town of **Copán Ruinas** (Honduras). Free time for relaxation and town exploration.

Day 5: The Sculptural Acropolis of Copán Ruinas 🗿

Morning: **Copán Archaeological Site** 🏛️. Detailed and exclusive guided tour. Focus on the exceptional Mayan sculptural art: the Plaza of the Stelae and the monumental Hieroglyphic Stairway.
Afternoon: **Copán Sculpture Museum**. Visit the museum showcasing the replica of the Rosalila Temple and the best original pieces. Optional: Macaw Mountain Bird Park.

SECTION 2: COLONIAL GUATEMALA AND HIGHLANDS (Days 6-9)

Day 6: Transfer to Colonial Perfection (Antigua Guatemala) 🇬🇹

Morning: **Transfer Day**. Private transfer from Copán Ruinas back to Guatemala.
Afternoon: Arrival in the UNESCO World Heritage City, **Antigua Guatemala**. Hotel check-in and lunch.
Night: **Historic City Tour**. Exploration of the Santa Catalina Arch, Central Park, and the ruins of La Merced and San Francisco.

Day 7: Volcano Views and Coffee Farms

Morning: **Cerro de la Cruz** ⛰️. Short drive/climb for the iconic panoramic view of the city and the Volcano de Agua.
Day: **Coffee Experience**. Visit a nearby coffee farm to learn the 'bean to cup' process, including a private tasting session.
Afternoon: Free time for souvenir shopping or exploring additional colonial ruins.

Day 8: Atitlán, The Lake of the Gods

Morning: **Transfer to Panajachel**. Private transfer from Antigua to Lake Atitlán (approx. 3 hours).
Midday: Check-in and lunch.
Afternoon: **Private Boat Ride**. Navigation across the lake, surrounded by three volcanoes, visiting Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel villages like **San Juan La Laguna** for local textile and art demonstrations.
Night: Overnight stay on the shores of Lake Atitlán (Panajachel or Santiago).

Day 9: Markets and Return to Antigua

Morning: **Cultural Exploration**. Time to visit the local market or an additional site around the lake. Optional: Visit to Chichicastenango market (if market day coincides).
Afternoon: Lunch and **Private Return Transfer to Antigua**.
Night: Overnight in Antigua Guatemala.

SECTION 3: MAYAN WORLD AND CARIBBEAN (Days 10-14)

Day 10: Flight to Petén, Tikal's Gateway

Morning: **Transfer and Internal Flight**. Private transfer from Antigua to La Aurora International Airport (GUA). Included flight to Flores (FRS), Petén.
Afternoon: Arrival in Flores and private transfer to the hotel near the Tikal archaeological zone.
Night: Orientation briefing on Tikal and rest for the early morning exploration.

Day 11: Tikal, The Great Mayan Kingdom 🌴

Morning/Day: **Tikal Exploration** 🏛️. Full-day guided tour of Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Focus on the Great Plaza, the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, and climbing Temple IV for unparalleled views of the jungle canopy.
Afternoon: Time for wildlife spotting (howler monkeys, toucans) and lunch near the park entrance.
Night: Overnight stay in Petén.

Day 12: Heading to the Caribbean (Belize) 🇧🇿

Morning: **Border Crossing**. Private transfer from Petén to the Belize border (Benque Viejo del Carmen). Full assistance with border procedures.
Midday: Drive to Belize City. Quick lunch en route.
Afternoon: **Ferry to Caye Caulker**. Ferry boarding toward Caye Caulker, the quintessential Caribbean "Go Slow" island.
Night: Overnight in Caye Caulker.

Day 13: The Emerald Sea and the Reef

Full Day: **Reef Experience** 🐠. Full-day private snorkeling or diving excursion to the spectacular Belize Barrier Reef (the world's second largest), visiting key sites like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.
Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the relaxed island life, the famous "Split," and local Caribbean cuisine.

Day 14: Farewell and International Departure ✈️

Morning: **Free Time on the Island** 🛍️. Enjoy a final swim in the Caribbean or some last-minute souvenir shopping.
Midday: **Return Ferry**. Boarding the ferry back to Belize City.
Afternoon: **Airport Transfer**. Private transfer from the port to Belize International Airport (BZE) for your departure flight, concluding the Jaguar and Emerald Sea Route expedition.