In love with Guatemala & Belize before you get there!

As many of you may know we have our beautiful new brochure / magazine at the printers at the moment.. it is literally coming off the presses. The company that did the graphic design for us - Round Creative - Tim & Claire - were so committed and deeply involved in the creation of the magazine that they literally fell in love with the destinations that we offer - and Viaventure of course.

Claire got thinking... she had a 10 year wedding anniversary coming up and wanted to plan a great trip for her and her husband to celebrate but also one that would be something different, challenging, fun & educational for her children. She asked me if we could design a trip to Guatemala and Belize for her and her family!!

So we set the wonderful David Farrington in our sales team on the case for us and he designed a fantastic 3 week trip for them including the highlights of Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Tikal, Cayo and Ambergris Caye but they are also pushing out their comfort zones with the fun yet adventurous Uaxactun camping and going local with the As Green as it Gets Coffee Tour & Comalapa Market Tour. Some even more fun stuff for the kids with the chocolate making tour, market crafts shopping and lashings of snorkelling in Belize.

To cut a long story short they are on their way today!! The two girls Stella and Eva are super, super excited... and looking forward to learning some Spanish... here are some photos they sent from the airport this morning!

I am always nervous when friends or family want us to do a trip for them - you just get worried about it being as wonderful and perfect as it can be for them don't you? That it will all run smoothly and that they will love it. I know however that the trip has been designed perfectly and that as they arrive the operations will be seamless as our fabulous operations team and wonderful guides, drivers and suppliers or all types take over.

So we look forward to bringing you some updates of their trip as we check in with them from time to time and see how they are getting on... Happy Anniversary and Happy Travels Guys!

Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala erruption but all back to normal

As you may have heard, ‪#‎Guatemala‬’s well-known ‪#‎Pacaya‬ ‪#‎volcano‬erupted on Sunday. Just a quick FYI that this has had no impact on Guatemala’s major tourist destinations (like Antigua) or Guatemala City. All flights are coming and going as usual—though hikes to the volcano (a popular visitor to-do) are currently on hiatus. We’ll keep you posted on any new developments!

Did you pop the question Feb 14th? Looking for the coolest Bachaelor Party EVER?

Bachelor Parties

Central America boasts all sorts of unique, adventurous & fun opportunities to celebrate a Bachelor Party that will have them talking for years. Golf, mountain biking, diving of course but also check out some of these more unique ideas.... contact us on info@viaventure.com for more info. 

Fish the “Sailfish Capital of the World”
It’s called the “sailfish capital of the world” for good reason. A breeding ground for Pacific sailfish, Guatemala boasts one of the highest concentrations of the fish on earth, plus a healthy supply of marlin, dorado, tuna, grouper, and other species, too. Anglers set out on half-day and day-long trips and are rarely disappointed with their catch. Local boat crews are friendly, professional, and patient, and anglers on board often release a collective 30 sailfish per day during peak season (October to June). Accommodations on Guatemala’s Pacific coast are generally basic, but there are some standouts. Stay at a spot like Sailfish Oasis Lodge for its well-presented, air-conditioned thatched-roof bungalows, pool, and open-air bar and restaurant.

Surf the Waves of Guatemala
A great option for groups, Paredon Surf House’s long stretch of black-sand, never-crowded beach picks up just about every Pacific swell that rolls in toward Guatemala. There’s rarely a day without something to surf. Typical waves are chest- to head-high from November to April and head-high or taller from May to October. Opened in 2010, the breezy, tastefully outfitted surf camp boasts a group loft with eight beds, four elevated beachfront bungalows, and two sea-view suites, plus a freshwater pool and a central open bar and kitchen where dinner’s often the catch of the day. Surf boards (long and short) and boogie boards are available for rent and an on-premise surf school caters to beginners and those looking for a refresher. Apart from catching waves, guests can also bird watch in local mangroves, deep sea fish, or hang out in perfectly-placed hammocks, cold drinks in hand.

Trek to El Mirador Archaeology Site
Hidden by thick jungle, El Mirador archaeological site is located in the remotest reaches of northern Guatemala. Far more expansive than its more famous neighbor, Tikal, it features the largest-known ruins of the ancient Maya world—indeed its El Tigre pyramid is more than 18 stories high. There are no roads to get to El Mirador, so access is an adventure a la Indiana Jones. Intrepid travelers reach the site via a five-day, round-trip jungle trek with hiking and camping along the way (mules or horses carry some equipment and help get you through muddy spots). A tour of the archaeological site explores its elaborate history. (Travelers can also take a private helicopter to/from the site or hike in and fly out; additional days may be added to visit other area ruins.)

Celebrate the End of the Maya Calendar with Viaventure

When one thinks of an ancient Mayan Site deep in the Jungle, the mind easily drifts to lost cities and Indiana Jones however many Archeological sites of today have been excavated and restored – even ‘’beautified’’ in many cases. 

There are however sill thousands of ‘’lost Maya cities’’ still hiding amongst the lush vegetation of the rainforests of Guatemala & Belize ready to be discovered.

One site that has not been restored yet – preserved in it’s very remote jungle location – is El Mirador, hailed the largest Maya site yet known it is located in the Northern part of Petén in Guatemala.

Many archaeologists speculate that El Mirador was the first major organized settlement of the Maya. The ruins are of such staggering size and proportion that they dominate more popular sites such as Tikal. Among these buildings is the immense El Tigre Pyramid that is 18 stories high and whose base covers the area of three football fields.

It is indeed an adventure to visit El Mirador. A 5 day long trek through the Jungle sleeping in hammocks in the jungle and accompanied by jungle wildlife such as tarantulas, monkeys, tapir and  Jaguars. This trek is for the Intrepid traveler amongst your clients. 

If your clients prefer to celebrate the end of the Maya Calendar with slightly more comfort Viaventure offers a wide array of archeological experiences all over Guatemala, Belize and Honduras at sites such as Tikal, Caracol and Copan….

·         Dine with an archeologist & see a presentation on his exciting excavations

·         Sunset drinks on the top of a temple

·         Comfortable camping next to an archeological site,

·         Candlelit dinner at the foot of a candlelit temple

·         Shaman rituals

There can be no better time to be promoting explorations to the Mundo Maya than on this year – 2012 - that sees the end of the 13^th Bak’tun – the end of the Maya Calndar, the end of an Era, or as some fear, the end of the world perhaps?