final itinerary
 

I appreciate all the help given by all of you wise posters. So, here is the final itinerary for our quick trip. If anyone thinks we need to change something, please let u know. Otherwise, I promise to post our trip report upon our return!

Jan. 28 O'Hare to MIA/overnight at airport hotel.
Jan. 29 MIA to Belize City/transfer to Ambergis Caye.
Jan. 30 Ambergis Caye
Jan. 31 Ambergis Caye
Feb.1 Drive to Du Plooy's Jungle Lodge, San Ignacio, with a stop at the Belize Zoo on the way.
Feb. 2 Du Plooy's
Feb. 3 Du Plooy's
Feb. 4 Cross border to Guatemala, into Tikal, overnight At Tikal Inn. Afternoon to explore the ruins.
Feb. 5 Explore the ruins until early afternoon, and catch a late afternoon flight to Guatemala City (Unfortunately probably no time to look around Flores). From GUA, go to Antigua, arriving later in the evening.
Feb. 6 Antigua.
Feb. 7 Explore Antigua until late afternoon, and fly back to GUA, with overnight by the airport.
Feb. 8 Leave early morning for return to O'Hare.

A few questions:
Any ideas on where to stay overnight close to the Guatemala airport?
Some suggested one day less at the jungle lodge, with one day more in either Tikal or Antigua. Is this a better idea?
Any other advice? Bring it on.
Thanks in advance!

Less Duplooys

shuttle Antigua Atitlan

www.lacasadelmundo.com

back to a good hotel at

www.aroundantigua.com

prior to your flight.

Thanks. We are in the Abacos and have sporadic internet service. I think it is best to simply remove the jungle lodge, allowing for one more night on Ambergis, time in Antigua, and even another night in Tikal.

You could stay somewhere in the San Ignacio area for a night since Ambergris to the zoo to Tikal is too much for one day. You might have time for an afternoon canoe trip or something. I don't think you'll need an extra night at Tikal and, as I said in a previous thread, I wouldn't spend time in Flores at the expense of Antigua or Atitlán. I don't think you have time for an extra overnighter to the lake (too many stops) but you could visit on a day trip and get to see some of the country side. You could visit Chichicastenango, too, if you have a Thursday or Sunday for the loop.

You'll be shuttling, not flying back from Antigua to Guatemala City. I still say spend your last night in Antigua and shuttle to GUA from there. Thanks for keeping us posted!

Hopefulist,
You seem to really know the area. Your advice sounds really good. Is it best to drive to Tikal, rather than just fly BZE - Flores? The only reason I added time to Tikal is because it sounds like we might be able to go off on smaller paths, or even explore elsewhere (where?) nearby to see wildlife. Also, since you know Guatemala, where (out of all those great places) do you prefer in Antigua? THANKS!

If you can afford the flight from BZE to Flores then it's a matter of personal preference. Frankly, I would never plan a trip with that much movement and limited time in each place so I'm probably not the best one to advise you. I usually spend about a month per trip and focus on a region or 2 of one country.

That said, I think what you have planned, with or without Du Plooy's or a stop in Cayo district is doable. In Antigua I like Casa Cristina: great location, safe, very helpful owners, clean cute rooms, real hot water, free internet and purified water, +/-$25/double. Happy trails!

If you have a chance, try the Blue Water Grill in San Pedro. The seafood pasta is wonderful.