itinerary breakdown
 

This was also posted in the Guatemala forum, since half the trip is there. 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!

Sounds like fun, but you're sure covering a lot of ground in short period of time. From the looks of your itinerary you'll really only have 1 full day on Ambergris & Antiqua. If it were me, and I wish it was :-), I'd save Antiqua for another trip and spend an extra day at Ambergris & San Ignacio. We spent 6 nts on Ambergis & 3 nts at Chaa Creek 2 summers ago and loved both areas. Enjoy!

Way too much territory for me, too, but if you like a brisk travel style it sounds good. Here's the bit I'd change:

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.

I'd make it read:
Feb. 7 Explore Antigua, overnight in Antigua (you can't fly to GUA in any case).
Feb. 8 Leave really early in the morning from Antigua to GUA for return to O'Hare.

Remember to post a trip report. :-)

The Belize portion looks good to me and duPlooys is close to the border and Tikal.

Thanks, everyone. 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.