Belize & Tikal 12/26/2026

Details

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury. We were able to upgrade the hotels in Belize City and Caye Caulker on this program. We think this will make the trip more enjoyable for only a modest increase in price over the standard hotels.

TRANSPORTATION

We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.

LUGGAGE

You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage. You should be able to comfortably walk for 10-30 minutes at a time with your luggage. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage that is compact and lightweight. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

Make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities. Trip includes light walking that is suitable for most fitness levels. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Extra Services section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures Office San Jose, Costa Rica
During Office hours (Weekdays 9 am-5 pm Local Time): +506 4001 8474
After hours emergency number: +51 997 582 712

If you are unable for any reason to contact G Adventures’ local office please call their Toronto office: Toll-free from North America: 1 888 800 4100; Outside North America: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.

As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

*Laundry: Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is. If you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.

PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Travelers arriving in Belize must complete an Immigration and Customs Declaration, which you can do online within 72 hours of arrival: Belize Travel iDeclare Form.

Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. Use the tool below to see entry requirements for your specific itinerary.

Entry information below is provided by Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner. You must search each of your destination countries separately; “Add connection” solely searches transit visa requirements. Additional fees apply if you choose to purchase any services through Sherpa.

Money Exchange

Currency: While US dollars may be accepted at the more popular locations, the local currency (Belize dollar or Guatemalan quetzal) is more widely accepted and best to use during the tour. For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card, a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money.

Cash: Withdrawing from an ATM will offer you the best exchange rate. A combination of US dollars cash and cards is best. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.
See the Estimated Trip Costs section at the bottom of this page for budgeting guidance.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit:

– Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill.
– Local guides and drivers: $5-10 USD per person per day.
– Tour Guide (CEO): $35-50 USD per person per week. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group)

Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.

Vaccinations

We legally cannot give you any medical advice. It is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. Please take this seriously!

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

Your trip begins in Belize City and ends in Caye Caulker. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Belize City. You can arrive at any time of the day you choose, but we strongly urge you to arrive at the starting hotel by 6:00 p.m. on Day 1 for our group meeting. You can depart from Caye Caulker any time on the final day of the trip.

Plugs and Converters

Belize and Guatemala use the same plugs and electric current used in the United States.

Weather

Late December through early January is an ideal time to visit Belize and northern Guatemala. Falling within the dry season, this period offers sunny days, minimal rainfall, and lower humidity—perfect for exploring ruins and snorkeling.

Coastal temperatures typically range from daytime highs in the mid-80s°F to overnight lows in the mid-70s°F. Inland areas, particularly near jungle sites like Tikal, experience cooler mornings and evenings.