After crossing the border, we were in Belize. Originally, we planned to stay in Belize for a couple of days, but somehow we ran out of time and Belize was just a bit pricey. We also noticed this immediately, as we wanted to take a taxi to the bus station to get our connection to Guatemala. We paid in Mexico a few euros for several kilometers, it was here at once 15 USD for 10 minutes drive, but well, we had already saved the departure fee 🙂
After we arrived at the bus station, we inquired about the bus. According to our plan (and by the 1-hour time shift) we had actually at least 1 1/2 hours time. But the lady, who is responsible for the tickets, said we were in the wrong parking lot and the bus leaves in 2 minutes. Oops. So in the next taxi and to a hotel, where the bus supposedly hold. There, however, we inquired, only to learn that the bus would come in about 1 – 2 hours. Thanks for it … But well, at least we were now in the right place and the bus came then also quite punctually as indicated on the website. Firstly, everything else worked relatively smoothly, about 2 hours to Belize City to the port, there 30 minutes stay to collect the travelers from the boats, another 2 hours to the border to Guatemala, about 30 minutes for departure from Belize (this time with charges ) and 2 minutes for entry to Guatemala (without charges) and then another 2 1/2 hours to Flores. You can tell, long day and lots of time on the bus, but it should be worth it.
Arrived in Flores we first booked a shuttle to the ruins “Tikal”, which were the main reason for the whole driving company. The next morning we went at 4:30 (!) To Tikal in the middle of the Guatemalan jungle and that was the most interesting thing in the beginning. You wander through the jungle through long-weathered Maya streets and hear how this is slowly getting more and more active (we were finally already at 6:30 in the middle of the jungle). We also saw a few animals, especially a band of “spider monkeys”, which was amused in the trees. But above all, the noise level is simply wrong. Constant chirping, squealing and roar (unfortunately only brüllaffen, no jaguars). In addition, the leader of a group lured a tarantula from their hiding place before our eyes: -O
After walking for the first 1-2 hours through the jungle, we also visited the ruins, which are not only some of the highest, but also their appearance in the film “Apokalypto”. Simply fascinating, what the Maya had built up.
Around noon we had then also seen enough and took the next shuttle back to Tikal, where we spent the afternoon comfortably to drive the next morning to Semuc Champey.