Trip Highlights

  • Boat into the Afro-Caribbean town of Livingston, a place where Garifuna rhythms, coastal breezes, and vibrant colors meet. Connect with the community through music, food, and ancestral stories that have been passed down for generations.
  • Dance to the beat of live Garifuna drumming on a private beach, feeling the sand beneath your feet as you savor fresh seafood beside the turquoise waters of Playa Blanca.
  • Cruise through the jungle-carved cliffs of Río Dulce, where emerald waters wind between towering limestone walls. Pause for coffee at a welcoming riverside home before continuing to a colorful forest lodge, surrounded by nature.
  • Explore the ancient temples of Tikal at golden hour, when the light turns the stone a warm gold. Continue on to camp at Uaxactún, a lesser-known Maya site still cared for and protected by the local community.
  • Ring in the New Year under a canopy of stars, joining in a sacred Maya fire ceremony to set heartfelt intentions for the year ahead.

Our Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Welcome to Guatemala City

  • Arrive in Guatemala City, where a Heart of Travel representative will be waiting to greet you and help with your private transfer. Check in to Good Hotel, a boutique property that blends cozy, modern style with a meaningful mission—supporting local education through every stay. Take a moment to settle into your room, breathe in the fresh highland air, and perhaps wander into the leafy streets nearby for your first glimpse of Guatemala’s capital.
  • In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner at Diacá, an acclaimed restaurant where each dish is a creative expression of Guatemala’s history and cultural heritage. Drawing from local ingredients, ancestral traditions, and contemporary techniques, Chef Debora Fadul crafts plates that are as thoughtful as they are flavorful.
  • For those arriving early or feeling energized after dinner, explore Zona 4’s vibrant creative district. Here, street art, indie cafes, and a lively nightlife scene set the tone for the colorful, culture-rich days ahead.

Day 2: Into the Heart of Livingston

  • Fly east to Puerto Barrios, then board a boat and glide across emerald waters toward Livingston—a vibrant coastal town where Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture, Maya Q’eqchi’ heritage, and laid-back tropical rhythms blend seamlessly.
  • Be welcomed into a local home with a warm, home-cooked meal at Dianá’s mom’s house, prepared with love and regional flavors. After lunch, explore a medicinal plant garden, learning how herbs, roots, and leaves have been used for generations in Garifuna healing practices.
  • Stroll Livingston’s colorful streets on a guided historical tour, discovering stories painted into its murals and embedded in its architecture. Along the way, share a taste of gifiti—a traditional spiced rum—and shake maracas with Tío Clyde, a beloved community figure known for his music and storytelling.
  • End the day with a Tapado cooking class, preparing the rich coconut seafood stew alongside locals. As the pot simmers, the air fills with the sounds of Garifuna drumming, laughter, and the exchange of stories passed down through the years.

Day 3: Río Dulce & Caribbean Vibes

  • Start the morning with a hands-on fishing experience, learning traditional techniques passed down through generations of Garifuna fishers. Follow it with a coconut oil workshop, where you’ll grate, press, and simmer fresh coconut to create the golden oil used in so many local dishes.
  • Head to the private shores of Playa Blanca for a relaxed beachside lunch. As you dine, the steady beat of Garifuna drumming and the swirl of traditional dance fill the air, bringing centuries of Afro-Caribbean heritage to life through rhythm, movement, and song.
  • Cruise through the dramatic Río Dulce canyon, where jungle-draped cliffs rise steeply from emerald-green water. Pause for coffee at Sonia’s warm and welcoming riverside home, a peaceful spot tucked among the mangroves.
  • End the day with a family-style dinner at Doña Martiza’s jungle lodge, sharing hearty local dishes under a canopy of trees as night sounds drift in from the river.

Charlie, Guatemala’s Regional Director

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Where We Stay

At Heart of Travel, we believe your home away from home should feel as authentic as the places you explore. That’s why we seek out premium boutique lodging owned and run by local entrepreneurs whenever possible. Rather than focusing on star ratings, we seek out properties that blend sustainable practices with one-of-a-kind character, heartfelt service, and genuine warmth. From thoughtfully restored heritage houses to eco-minded retreats, each stay is chosen for its ability to tell a story, support small-business communities, and create memorable moments.

The Heart Experience

What makes this journey special isn’t just where we go—it’s how we go. From cooking alongside Garifuna families in Livingston to camping with forest stewards in Uaxactún, from private beach lunches with ancestral drumming to sacred Maya ceremonies under the stars, every detail is designed to connect you with Guatemala’s soul and reflect our commitment to community and regenerative travel.

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Meet Charlie

Guatemala's Regional Director & Senior Tour Leader

Charlie co-designed this journey through Guatemala’s lesser-traveled east and north to share the region’s raw beauty, rich traditions, and deeply rooted community ties. From coastal towns shaped by Garifuna culture to forest villages preserving ancient knowledge, this trip reflects the stories, friendships, and values closest to his heart.

Some of his favorite highlights include:

  • Spending time with old friends and mentors in Livingston, where Afro-Caribbean culture and community run deep.
  • Floating through the Río Dulce canyon before sipping coffee with a local host along the water’s edge.
  • Ringing in the New Year under the stars during a sacred Maya fire ceremony in Uaxactún.
  • Walking alongside forest stewards who are protecting their ancestral land through sustainable harvesting.
  • Slowing down to really listen, ask questions, and connect with the people who call this region home.

This is travel with heart—where impact and experience go hand in hand.

Diana Martínez

Diana Martínez

Founder, Las Tres Garífunas & Culinary Ambassador

Diana Martínez is the heart behind Las Tres Garífunas, a beloved restaurant in Livingston and a celebration of Garífuna heritage through food, music, and community. A cultural ambassador and award-winning culinary educator, Diana shares her story with pride—bringing the richness of Garífuna traditions to the table with every class and dish. Whether preparing hudut over an open flame or explaining the deeper meanings behind ancestral recipes, she invites guests to connect with a culture that’s powerful, joyful, and deeply rooted. Her leadership and generosity have made her a local icon and an inspiration far beyond Livingston.

Clyde Garcia

Clyde Garcia

Certified Guide & Advocate for Garífuna Heritage

Clyde is a proud Garífuna guide and cultural ambassador who has spent his life in Livingston, sharing the rhythms, stories, and resilience of his community. His journey has taken him from the town’s colorful streets to the capital and back again—overcoming barriers and discrimination with perseverance and pride. After graduating as a certified local guide, he began working with a Garífuna coconut oil cooperative, where his passion for community empowerment truly took root. Today, Clyde leads travelers through his hometown with warmth and purpose, offering not just a tour, but a window into a living, thriving culture.

Oliverio Mateo

Oliverio Mateo

Senior Guide & Regional Expert, Maya Lowlands

Oliverio Mateo is a seasoned guide, natural storyteller, and proud member of the Itza’ Maya community in Petén. With over 20 years of experience, he’s led travelers through the region’s jungles, ruins, and rivers—from the depths of El Mirador to the turquoise waters of Crater Azul. He’s been with us since the early days of Heart of Travel, and has become both a trusted partner and a close friend. With his humor, heart, and encyclopedic knowledge of Maya history, Oliverio turns every journey into something unforgettable.

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How We Define Activity Levels

We rate each trip from Level 1 (Easy) to Level 5 (Challenging)—from fully accessible experiences to adventures best suited for experienced hikers/adventurers.

Whether you prefer a relaxed stroll or a rewarding trek, there’s a pace—and a place—for you.

What is included:

What is not included:

Our prices reflect the true cost of creating regenerative, respectful, and thoughtfully curated travel experiences. That means fair wages for our local guides and partners, carbon-conscious operations, and deep-rooted collaborations with community-based projects.

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Expertly Curated Itineraries
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Fair Wages & Local Partnerships
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Regenerative Travel Practices
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Community-Based Experiences

Interest-Free Payment Plans

We know that meaningful travel is an investment—and we’re here to make it doable. That’s why we offer interest-free payment options designed to work for you—no hidden fees, no credit checks, and no third-party financing.

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Pay in Full & Save

Enjoy 5% off when you pay in full up to 180+ before departure.

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Standard Plan

Pay a larger deposit + two installments, due 210 and 150 days before departure.

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Interest-Free Plan

Pay a smaller deposit and start making interest-free monthly payments—trip is due in full 91 days before departure.

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Add Peace of Mind with Heart of Travel Trip Protection

Travel plans can change - and that’s okay. With Heart of Travel Trip Protection, you get the freedom to protect your investment while staying flexible. 

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What to expect when booking!

Reserve Your Spot

Lock in your adventure with a deposit and a few quick details about who’s traveling. Choose the payment plan that fits your life—pay in full, split it in three installments, or spread it out monthly—and start counting down the days for your next adventure! 

Get Trip-Ready

As we get closer to departure, we’ll drop a Welcome Packet in your inbox loaded with need-to-knows: packing lists, weather tips, local customs, currency info, and any visa or entry forms you might need. You’ll also get steady pre-departure emails and the option to attend a pre-trip Zoom call with your Tour Leader to answer questions big or small—so you can show up confident and stress-free. Call recordings will be made available to all trip participants. 

Travel & Connect

A few weeks before our departure, you’ll be invited to a private WhatsApp group and PhotoCircle where fellow travelers, Heart of Travel Tour Leaders, and local guides start swapping intros, answering last-minute questions, and sharing playlists. Once on the ground, the Whatsapp group becomes your real-time hub for insider tips, updates, and reminders, and sharing the moments that make each trip unforgettable.

Keep the Journey Going

We keep every trip’s WhatsApp thread open long after the farewell hugs—because the stories, photos, and friendships shouldn’t end when the plane lands. Drop your best shots into our PhotoCircle, stay in the loop for alumni perks, and (coming later this year) join our online community designed to keep travelers and local partners connected between adventures.

How We Define Activity Levels

We rate each trip from Level 1 (Easy) to Level 5 (Challenging)—from fully accessible experiences to adventures best suited for experienced hikers/adventurers.

Whether you prefer a relaxed stroll or a rewarding trek, there’s a pace—and a place—for you.

Get the

Interest-Free Payment Plans Available

Trip Protection Available

Your Questions, Our Answers

What's your cancellation policy?

Refund Policy: We'd hate to see you cancel but we know things can come up so we've created a policy that's fair to all 🙏🏽

  • Cancellation up to 24 hours after booking a trip: Fully refundable.
  • Cancellation 181 days or more before the trip start date: Loss of deposit; the rest of the trip payment is fully refundable. 100% of the trip deposit can be transferred over to a different trip.
  • Cancellation 121 - 180 days before the trip start date: 50% refund, minus the deposit. Deposit can be transferred over to a different trip.
  • Cancellation 120 days before the trip’s start date: No refunds are guaranteed. Credit for a future Heart of Travel trip will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you can’t make it on a trip but you find someone else who can go in your place we are happy to transfer over your dues paid to this person’s account. However, in some instances, there may be a domestic flight or another type of reservation with a third-party supplier that can only be transferred to a new person with a transfer fee. In this case, you would be responsible for the transfer or cancellation fee.

*For a more flexible and generous cancellation policy be sure to add Heart of Travel Trip Protection, available at the time of registration only. 


Guaranteed Departures: We know how precious your travel days and dollars are. If you register for a trip and we don't hit the required minimum of participant - you have the option to transfer 100% of the funds paid over to another HOT trip of your choosing at any time. Or, you can opt to continue with the trip on the original dates, however, the itinerary is subject to small changes, and there will be an additional 15-20% surcharge based on the original trip price for a private tour, which can be customized further if desired.

Single Supplements: If you know you want your own space please upgrade to a single supplement at the time of booking. If you are traveling solo but open to a roommate we will do our best to match you with another travel. However, if HOT is unable to find a roommate for you, you will be responsible for paying the Single Supplement charge according to each trip

What documents do I need for this trip to Guatemala?

You’ll need a valid passport to enter Guatemala, with at least six months of validity remaining. Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. We recommend bringing both a physical and digital copy of your passport.

What type of shoes should I bring?

Comfortable walking or hiking shoes are ideal, especially for jungle trails and uneven terrain in places like Uaxactún or Río Dulce. Water-resistant footwear is a bonus. For downtime at lodges or by the river, bring sandals or shoes you can easily slip on and off.

What currency is used in Guatemala, and how should I handle money during the trip?

The local currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). Most places will accept debit and credit cards, especially hotels, restaurants, and shops in tourist areas. If you’d like to have some cash, the easiest way to get Quetzales is by using ATMs, which usually offer the best exchange rates. Our guides will be happy to point out the most convenient ATMs with good rates along the way. Just remember to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so your card works smoothly.

What will the weather be like in December? Will it rain?

December is part of the dry season in Guatemala, especially in the Petén and eastern regions. Expect warm daytime temperatures—averaging 78–85°F (25–29°C)—and cooler evenings around 60–65°F (15–18°C). Rain is unlikely but not impossible in jungle areas, so a light rain jacket or poncho is still a good idea.

Is Guatemala safe?

Like many destinations, Guatemala requires travelers to be mindful and informed, but it’s also a country filled with warmth, beauty, and deep-rooted hospitality. We’ve been traveling here for years—many of us call it home—and we’ve built strong local partnerships to ensure our itineraries are not only immersive, but also thoughtful and well-coordinated.

While certain areas of the country do face challenges, we avoid high-risk zones and always prioritize the safety and comfort of our travelers. Our on-the-ground team stays up-to-date with current conditions, and we take extra care when it comes to transportation, accommodations, and local experiences.

As with any trip, we encourage common-sense precautions—being aware of your surroundings, not flashing valuables, and following local guidance. But rest assured: for those who travel with openness and respect, Guatemala offers an incredibly rich and rewarding experience.

Have more questions?

We’re here to help. Whether you’re unsure about flights, packing, affordability or picking the right trip—just reach out.

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