The travel bug is biting again and I’m looking into 1.) countries I have not been to, 2.) that are open to U.S. travelers, and 3.) that involve airlines or hotels I have not yet reviewed. It seems that Central America is beckoning.
My 2021 Central America Trip
Despite having already had COVID-19 (from the gym perhaps?) and subsequently being vaccinated, I’m well aware that COVID-19 is still a risk. Indeed, despite an encouraging trend in terms of new cases and deaths, until there is more widespread vaccinations, there are heightened risks to traveling.
But this isn’t the forum, today at least, to discuss whether my proposed travel is responsible. Today, I’m just soliciting information about four new countries I have never stepped foot in.
There are four countries in Central America I have never visited:
- Belize
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
I’m currently engaged in mission (severely compromised by COVID-19) to visit every country in the world. Thus far, I’m at 135 countries. During my first “run around the world” I’ve chosen to make my visits quick, mostly surveying capital cities in hopes of returning for extended periods later in my life.
Sure, I’ll stipulate that part of the project is partially driven by vanity, but I won’t apologize for loving the adrenaline rush that comes with stepping into a new country for the first time or adding an additional flag to my list. And even one-day visits often result in incredible conversations and memories.
So this trip would be quick. One day in each place. I hate to be away from my family at all, let alone more than a few days at a time. Maybe I’ll take my son along, which I know would change the dynamics of the trip.
But here’s what I’m thinking:
- Fly to Belize on American or United
- Spend about 24 hours in Belize City
- Fly to Guatemala City on TAG (not the Angola TAG, but the Guatemalan TAG)
- Spend about 24 hours in Guatemala City
- Fly to Tegucigalpa, Honduras on TAG
- Spend about 24 hours in Tegucigalpa
- Travel overland to Managua, Nicaragua
- Spend part of day in Managua
- Fly home via Panama City on COPA to experience the new 737 MAX-9 with lie-flat seats
An ambitious trip indeed. I see Hyatt hotels in three cities…simple enough. Worthwhile? Always in my experience.
Of course I can pull up Trip Advisor and other blogs, but any tips on what to see while I am there? Any foods to try? And you know I love coffee. Any insights on coffee?
CONCLUSION
Half the fun of travel is planning and I’ve very much enjoyed even the thought of a trip today. But I would love your feedback. If you’ve been to these places, what do you think? Outside of Belize, will I be able to navigate with only a limited knowledge of Spanish?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Sounds like an awesome adventure… what about COVID tests to return to the US? I guess a rapid test somewhere?
Correct.
Where can travelers take the PCR test abroad, ie. where in Guatemala? Also, will those testing centers be able to provide the test results within 3 days for people to return to the US?
There are several labs that do the antigen with 2-4 hours to get results amd the PCR 10-12 hours to get results.
Guatemala, You can take a one day trip to Antigua Guatemala and try the best coffee at Finca Filadelfia, you will love the place.
Deberías volar de Belice a Peten y conocer Tikal. Saludos
Those are all terrible cities and absolutely not worth it. The point of those countries truly are the places outside of the cities. Nothing in any of those cities is worthwhile. Mostly run down (especially Managua). I guess you could stay in a Hyatt? But you could do that in California as well. Tegucigalpa is a very dangerous place. I wouldnt recommend this trip, and would only recommend those places if you got of those cities, to Antigua in Guatemala, or to some of the beach communities in Nicaragua, or to Roatan (note an island, not the main part of Honduras). Belize – apparently the beach areas are nice. But the city is a dump. Oh and they speak English in Belize, not Spanish.
Been to Honduras several times; to Nicaragua dozens of times (mainly between 2000 and 2010). And I’ve visited every other Spanish speaking country in CA. I know the region well.
First advice: do not travel overland from Tegucigalpa to Managua! For one thing, it’s very dangerous (especially on the Honduran side). Secondly, land borders in this part of the world are mobbed and can take several hours to cross. You’re better off looking at taking Avianca between the two cities, likely with a connection in SAL.
Managua is under the shadow of the current leftist regime, so watch your P’s and Q’s and if you’re staying there, I’d recommend a hotel near Metrocentro (like the Intercontinental) – there are (or were) a lot of good restaurants around there.
You have the option tho dp the test in Blue Medical, if you have a United airlines tkt you have a discount, or you can do it at the airport you must be there 4 hrs before departure! Guatemala the best place
Going to Belize and just seeing Belize City is a bit of a waste. Would only recommend if you’re truly planning to go back, but even though you’re technically in Belize, it’s really missing out on what the country has to offer (I’d recommend Caye Caulker, which is a short plane ride away).
I’d love to see Caye Caulker, but doubt I’d be able to swing in on the proposed trip. Then again, it’s about 1hr20min on a ferry. Could be done!
Caye Caulker is just 45 minutes on the ferry. A good taxi will get you to the water taxi terminal in about 20 minutes. The flights are 10 minutes (do one going and one coming back?). If you can be among the first on the water taxi set up top. The views make the whole trip to Belize worthwhile. If you want an inexpensive place to stay look at Barefoot Beach Belize. Clean and cheap with a wonderful palapa and walking distance to the village but also provide bikes free. The locals normally grill and sell food right on the beach for like $5 -8 US but I don’t know if that is allowed right now. The Lazy Lizard at the split is great to set and have a few drinks. Caye Caulker is safe , beautiful , and the people are great,
Hi! reading all these comments is somewhat humorous to me. I could not agree more with most comments. I am currently – and have been for 13 years – living in the now “armpit” of Latin America, Venezuela – about 1.5 hours out of Caracas.
Mathew, the cities of Central America are no place for a white “sightseer”. if your plan is just to collect another flag for your trophy case lol, than airport to hotel, concierage @ the hotel (I wholeheartedly agree with another post that recommends the Intercontinental Hotel chain (U stay there in Caracas all the time – they are, for 3rd World conditions, an excellent choice) will recommend a good restaurant that business travelers frequent (read: probably excellent food but same as in any international city) with good bar. return to the hotel, have a drink at the hotel bar then fly out. believe me, you will be in most likelihood “marked” from the time you step from the cab from the airport. just sayin’ from experience.
That is what I was about to write. We love Caye Caulker! Even if I was in Belize for 24 hours, I would head straight to the water taxi or to Maya Air and get to Caye Caulker! 20 hours on Caye Caulker would be worthwhile, whereas 24 hours in Belize City is not worth your time. However, if you are determined to do that, get a half-day tour to Altun Ha. It is close to the city and the small (minivan) tours are inexpensive. I would still say get to Caye Caulker, though. We have been several times and love it.
+1 on Altun Ha if you insist on the 24 hours in BZE thing. It’s only 45 minutes from the airport.
I was born and raised in Guatemala city; you don’t need 24 hours in the city (though I recommend visiting Ciudad Cayala and eating Pizza Vesuvio). However, spending 24 hours in the country is nowhere near enough. You would miss out on Antigua, Panajachel, Xela, Peten (Mayan ruins are a must). Just be careful as some of these cities in Latin America are very dangerous.
Hi Gabriel. If I only had one day, would you say it is not even worthwhile?
Honestly I’d just spend all 4 days of your trip going to Guatemala and seeing the places Gabriel recommends. Antigua is a must. There’s absolutely nothing worthwhile in Guatemala City
In terms of sights and sounds and beauty, I have no doubt you are correct.
But there is a certain intangible aspect to stepping foot into every country that I want to do and also do ASAP.
Antigua is an absolute must in Guatemala. If you only have a day, depending on your flights, I would take an Uber to Antigua, walk around, hit the markets and the sights, eat, and take an Uber back. It’s not enough time to see everything at a relaxed pace, but it’s doable if you want to see the best of Guatemala and only have a day.
Just one day? I wouldn’t bother with Guatemala City. I’d go to Antigua instead. It’s about a 1 hour drive away.
Agree 100% with Gabriel. I spent years going to Guatemala and the city is meh. Antigua though is lovely. Well worth heading to for the night.
A strange story is that Guatemala was the first country I ever visited. I was 9 years old and my parents, a bit on the hippy side, used to spend winters there driving around the country with me in tow in a VW Bug. On that first trip, on the first night, we where in Puerto San Jose during the famous 1976 earthquake that devastated the entire country. It was quite an ominous start to what would become a life of travel.
Agree with the observations by @Jason and @ stogieguy7 – significant security issues/challenges.
You might want to review the state department’s security guidance and be sure you register your trip with STEP https://step.state.gov/
Be careful. We want you to be around to blog another day.
Appreciate the safety concern! I would be very careful.
For a real adventure, better go back to Turkey. Just need a negative PCR Test.
If you want to explore the country without hordes of tourists, it is an oppprtunity of a lifetime. They have weekend curfew but not for visitors!
Plenty of really really nice hotels at a fraction of their normal prices.
They are planning to progressively reopen cafes and restaurants. JW Ankara for 10000 bonvoy points anyone?
It’s a very good suggestion.
This whole thing sounds dangerous. All of the cities you listed are extremely unpleasant places (maybe except Belize city, but even that is just barely not murderous). You should not attempt the overland journey without a trusted local contact. You will standout on that route even if you speak Spanish, just because of your looks. I think everyone here is very strongly recommending you against this for a good reason.
Would you be able to coordinate those one day visits with a charity organization or missionary work? That would allow you an inside look into each city’s dinamics.
Good thought.
The main question would be: Do you really care to visit the country for the country or is this simply to say you’ve now been to 135 + X countries? If it’s the latter, I’m with the rest of the hive mind. I’ve been to CA a couple of times to visit clothing manufacturing plants. The trips were mostly our team being shuttled to/from hotel and plant with guards given security concerns, both in and out of the larger city. It’s simply not worth it to fly there and deal with the safety risks just to stay in a marginal Hyatt and claim you’ve “been” to a country. If you’re going to CA, where you can see so many beautiful things, why not make it a methodical trip to a feasible number of countries where you can feel legitimately safe and actually see the country itself and experience it for several days?
Personally, whenever I read about “So-and-so is [superlative] person to visit [seemingly incredulous number] countries” I take it with a grain of salt and an eye roll. Did they really “visit” them or did they just get the customs stamp, leave the airport, stay at an airport hotel, then return to the airport the next day to post about it on Instagram.
I do social media poorly and don’t claim to “know” a country I have only visited for one day. But if collecting stamps is a hobby itself, you just have to account for that.
I totally get that, especially as someone who’s guilty of an ATW trip or two just to try out different F or J products from various airlines and has spent 18 hours “visiting” a country on an extended layover…and as someone who has no idea how Instagram actually works. (Do you, you know, actually talk to anyone with it? Am I being “influenced”?) Recommendation would be to pick one place that’s safe(-ish) and actually see the country. That way you can cure (some) wanderlust and legitimately claim to “know” a country, all while keeping risks to a minimum and still adding to your list.
I agree with picking just one country and exploring it fully. Ideally fly to a city that has non-stop flights from Reagan.
I was at the Centric in GUA in March the day Europeans we’re banned entry to the US. I really enjoyed the hotel and Guatemala City.
I think MGA isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. The Hilton is nice. Everywhere is safe. Ignore the naysayers.
The only redeeming quality of Tegucigalpa is the cool landing, and it’s not even cool anymore. This is unlikely to be an enjoyable 24h.
There’s nothing to do in Belize City other than drink at very local bars. I’ve had fun doing just that, but it’s still hard to really recommend. The city doesn’t feel safe. If you want to see mainland Belize, perhaps head West to San Ignacio. It’s sleepy, but safe and probably no less enjoyable than Belize City. You can take a bus from the airport crossroad.
If you pay me to visit those places I wouldn’t. Been to Guatemala and Honduras several times. The most dangerous places I ever been and I grew up in Brazil so that says a lot. I was always on a business trip, had to use bulletproof cars, never leave my hotel room until a security guard from the company knocked my door. Also used helicopter to visit some customers always surrounded by guards with machine guns. In Guatemala City, one of the customers I visited and spent 2 full days with him had to move his family to the US because there were threats to kill them all. In Honduras, two senior guys from my company were kidnapped in San Pedro Sula. I visited it couple times. What a dump!!!
Now, I hear Antigua is beautiful so if you can spend time there with a trusted localI I think it makes sense. BTW, never stayed at a Hyatt but always Intercontinental since they are strong in Central America.
Mexico City is reopening. I think museums will be open in a week. Restaurants are already open. I have a reservation for Pujol. It is a shame ground services for LH F are nonexistent. At least the in-flight service should be as usual. Hyatts, at least in the resort areas, offer free COVID-19 testing.
Don’t take any guff from the travel scolds. You and your wife have been vaccinated and you already had the natural antibodies. If they see you as a health threat after that, then they should stay locked in their basements forever. Danger is perpetually everywhere. Scary!
I realize Mexico is technically North America, but it is probably an easier destination for a quick trip for you and your family under current conditions.
I didn’t mean to reply to Santastico’s post. The mobile rendering of this page is not amenable to posting comments.
For what it’s worth, a friend used to live in San Juan, Costa Rica. He lived in a walled compound, as I imagine many expats did. Whenever salespeople from a former job went to Latin America in general, they traveled with armed security. An old boss of mine was beaten up (he fought back) and robbed in Miami, not Central America.
I couldn’t agree more with all of the commenters who raised super valid concerns. I’ve been to all of these countries and each city you mentioned was not clean, not really safe, there really isn’t anything to do, super unmemorable and I would have gotten no real experience of the food, culture and people if I’d just gone to those cities. One nice hotel we stayed at would not let white people leave without a local professional/guide and had machine gun clad security at the entrance, as did the other hotels and stores. In Panama City we (make and female) actually had a police officer run after us and in Spanish told me the area was dangerous for gringos and wouldn’t even let us walk back one block. He called a cab and waited with us until we departed. However, Central America is one of my favorite areas of the world and it was the mountain, lake and beach areas and the adventure activities and tours (Volcano hiking, volcano surfing, canyon zipping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, jungle swinging, hiking, buggy and coffee plantation tour, etc) that made it. I think you’d be missing the point and so many potentially amazing experiences if you did only the cities you have outlined and you’d leave with a negative impression. YOLO and you should do these countries right
American traveling through Central America right now – loving it. Started in Colombia, then Panama, then up to Honduras (here now).
El Salvador is next, then all over Mexico.
Already been to Guatemala and Costa Rica, so skipped those.
No issues traveling around, weather is great, food is good.
No problems. Loving it.
Easy traveling right now, highly recommend.
@George: Just to clarify, Central America is ONLY: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize. Thus, Colombia and Mexico are not part of it. Colombia is South America and Mexico is North America. You can check any geography book if you want.
Costa Rica is well known to be friendly to tourists so is Panama and Belize although you need to be smart otherwise bad things will happen. Now, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are not safe places at all. You are in Honduras now. Maybe Roatan? If yes, that is not real Honduras since it is all for American tourists. Now, go visit San Pedro Sula and let me know if you felt safe there. Guatemala City is not safe at all.
I have to disagree with your assessment of Guatemala City. I was there for three nights in March ’20. I walked all over the place, even at nighttime, and I never encountered any issues. I found the bars to be quite friendly, expat or local.
Jerry, it sounds like you were in the Zona Rosa in Guatemala City. That’s one of the most affluent, most well guarded and safest places in the country. This is not typical of the country at all.
I did a lot of work in Guatemala and visited many times. Drove around quite a bit and never had any issues. But I could have said the same about Caracas until the time that something went wrong. And Guatemala City is the kind of place where anything can happen at any time. Don’t be naive.
lol, do they give prizes for uneducated replies? I’m pretty confident I know where Central America is, thanks for that.
Spent 3 days in San Pedro Sula with my blonde/small/petite fiancé. Walked all around, eating street food, going to markets and all that. ZERO concerns, not a single issue.
Spent lots of time in Guatemala – including Guatamala City. Walking all around with american girlfriend.
Zero issues.
Spent lots of time driving around Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala. No issues anywhere. None.
Anyone who says ‘this place is dangerous’ – likely doesn’t travel at all.
I’ve never met a fellow traveler who said that about, really, anywhere.
It’s this type of thinking that makes me regret posting in a comments section. What a waste of brain power talking to people who claim the world is a dangerous place if you don’t stay where they say, or at some four seasons in Maui.
@Santastico….A good friend and former colleague of mine was living in SPS for a few years. He’s originally from South America. Said it was very dangerous (which is obvious if you go there as they have guards with M-15s at 7-11). One morning, he was having his coffee at home and heard screeching tires in the street outside. Just in time to see a gang kidnap his next door neighbor and throw him into a van. Can’t recall how long it took to get him back or how much money it cost, but trust me – San Pedro is DANGEROUS. And has the #1 murder rate on Earth right now.
George’s comment is laughable.
@stogieguy7: two country managers from our company where kidnapped in San Pedro Sula. It is considered the dump of the world.
Awesome…..If he is able to travel then go ahead…….as 2020 showed us all things can get really bad really fast!. perhaps Matthew can get a head start for his next trip during this quick one he is planning. Next one should include more time at the beach in Belize, a few days at Antigua, Tikal and Flores in Guatemala; then he could head over to Copan in Honduras; then head north o San Pedro Sula on his way to Roatan and then he could end his next trip at what I believe could be the icing on the cake….. Calala Island in Nicaragua! Centro-America is beautiful and all those capital cities have their own charm. Dangerous? any trip could be……enjoy life when you can!!
Got back from Honduras this morning. Super easy transit and great trip! I’ve been to TGU many times and wouldn’t recommend it. It’s the capital but not much to do in town and isn’t too safe. Getting from the Airport to city center can be an incredible hassle. I’ve stayed at both Marriott and Intercontinental (latter is better). I’d recommend flying into SAP and taking a day trip to copan to see some awesome history. Another option is flying direct from Houston to Coxen Hole on Roatan.
I share a similar obsession, so I understand the drive. At 111 as of yesterday. Had 15 new ones planned for my current journey and ended up with 1.
Anywho, having been to a few of those spots I’d echo many of the comments. But would say Guatemala would be a solid pick for all 4 days. Once did the bus from GC to Flores then used that as a base to visit the ruins. An amazing trip that didn’t feel especially dangerous.
Wait on the stamps a bit. I hate it too. But stricter border crossings and ever changing requirements are taking all the joy out of it.
I’m with everyone else. If your goal is just to make it in each country, you’ve basically picked the least interesting spot in 3 of them. Going to disagree with the others who neg on Panama City; it’s definitely a fun spot and nothing like the other capitals. I’d say it has more in common with Miami than any of the others.
But at this stage of my life, I’m with you and don’t want to spend a few days away from the family. I’d say a far better itinerary is to take everyone and just enjoy Antigua and Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Or one of the island beaches in Belize. Or Roatan. Pick one spot and do it right. Flitting from country to country and only seeing capitals? Even if your intention is to come back later in life, every country is going to be different at that time. Better to just see the best spots as they are now, and let Future You see the best spots then
Stay home. Stay safe. Flatten the curve.
LOL!!!! Are people still saying this??????
hahahahahahaha
Maybe you are a lost/confused time traveler?
Cuz, uhm, that was popular about a year ago, and then everyone with a brain grew up and lived their lives instead of repeating famous people said on social media.
Skip the capitals, really, I would do one of the cays in Belize, Antigua Guatemala, San Pedro Sula in Honduras, Leon or Grenada in Nicaragua. Panama is the exception here, definitely a lot to do there.
Pay attention more closely. Joe Chivas trolls the pieties of the “follow the science” lemmings. Of course, “science” cannot tell us how to mediate between conflicting values. Not that those folx understand an iota how science actually works. The “follow the science” crowd’s “save just one life” ethos worked out quite well for Gov. Cuomo, though, didn’t it?
Do you consider a country as having been visited if you don’t leave the airport?
Depends. For example, I counted Costa Rica after this incident (though I returned later);
https://liveandletsfly.com/trapped-in-sjo-and-not-happy/
I did not count Azerbaijan when I flew London to Bishkek via Baku on bmi, but did count the Pacific Island nations I stopped at briefly during the United Island Hopper.
Maybe you got covid because you’re traveling, by air, for completely non essential travel?
Nope. When I got COVID I had been home long beyond the incubation period.
I’ve only been to Belize and Panama on that list. I gotta tell you, you’re wasting your time in Belize if you’re just going to Belize City. It’s just not that interesting. Take a few days, rent a car, and drive around the country. It’s only like 250 miles from one end to the other. See the jaguar reserve, a bunch of Mayan ruins, and experience Garifuna culture in Dangriga and Hopkins. If you rent from Crystal, you can even pay extra for a permit to drive across the Guatemala border to the Mayan ruins in Tikal (we didn’t do that but apparently it’s a common thing). If you’re going to go to Panama, Panama City is interesting, but you really should try to arrange a boat tour through the Panama Canal through the Miraflores Locks up to Colon. Or at the very least, visit the Miraflores Locks and let Augustine watch the mega ships go through the locks.
Look at it this way – it’s only like a 4-5 hour flight to most of these countries from LA, so why not spread it out over a few trips and spend some quality time in each?
Good tips. I have been to Panama City before (spent a weekend there).
I love Traveling to Central America but agree with most people traveling to these cities is not a good idea. They just aren’t great. I have a dentist I like in Guatemala City and have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn a couple of times. But I’d go straight to Antiqua from the airport. It isn’t far. Guatemala is one of my favorite places to visit. Even though I didn’t really care for Caye Caulker I’d much rather be there than Belize City. Instead of Managua I’d head for Masaya. It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and I don’t know the safety right now. Fly into SAP in Honduras and visit Lake Yojoa. You could also go overland from Guatemala to Copan Ruinas in Honduras.
I just want to thank everyone for the tips and engagement. Greatly appreciate it. It will help me craft a better trip!
Not to pile on to everyone else’s comments, but I agree with the sentiment of the group. I’ve been to all four cities and countries. Each country is wonderful with lots to recommend. But the respective cities listed are all the least interesting and also least safe places in each country. I’d contrast this to most developing African or Asian capital cities which are also generally not the best place to spend time in each country, but still tend to have lots to do and see. 24 hours in Addis Ababa, Bamako, Juba, Kinshasa, or Kigali can we quite enlightening. I didn’t find the same for any of the respective Central American cities.
(This is coming from a fellow avid country visitor — I’m at 152)
I share your thrill of being in a new place even if its only for a few hours. Also had a little fun thinking how I would do your trip.
Pre-pandemic times your plan was totally doable, spend a few hours in each city, overnight and then fly early next morning to the next and one precisely ending in Managua to jump to Panamá. I live in Guatemala and did it several times for work. However I dont know if that is still the case.
With that said, I would go with Angela’s recommendation (with the flight instead of the ferry) for Belize, then in Guatemala pass completely from Guatemala City and head directly to Antigua as Gabriel suggests. Uber will work, if you feel adventurous negotiate with a taxi driver at the airport exit or organize it beforehand thru your Hyatt. You should get good coffee in Antigua, but if you don’t then if you still have time when you return to Guatemala City go to Dieseldorff Kaffee near the airport.
In Tegucigalpa besides the cool landing there is not much to do, so I would instead go to San Pedro Sula where’s there also a Hyatt and take a day tour to Copán as Daniel recommends (you can’t be in northern CA without at least seeing some Mayan ruins) this would take some time though so you have to time it well.
In Managua head to Masaya as Kim suggests. I would recommend staying at the Camino Real near the airport, not a points hotel and a little old but well taken care of. Having a couple of very cold Toñas by the end of the day by their pool can’t be beat.
In all the tourist areas people understand and speaks English to some degree, so it should not be a problem for you.
About safety, you are a seasoned traveller that’s been to similar places so you know your do’s and dont’s. The region attracts many backpackers and they tend to move by their own, so while there is always a risk its relatively safe as Jerry correctly points out.
If you finally do it I hope everything goes well and add those 4 countries to your list.
Get a taxi or shuttle straight from the airport and spend the night in Antigua, Guatemala instead — the colonial capital of Guatemala. Truly one of the most beautiful small cities in the Americas — a gorgeous colonial city/town surrounded by volcanoes. Great food and hotels.
I see Mathew , you did not put up my post in reference to why are you travelling so much during COVID and some of your articles do not add up time-wise.
Not sure what you mean? I don’t block comments.
I’ve not been to Nicaragua, but the other places I know well, and I’ll say this:
– I spent three nights at the Radisson in Belize City. It’s not bad to stay in the city, but there is truly zero to see in the city. You can go to the museum in the old jail and possibly occupy 30 minutes of your time, though it’s not an interesting museum. You could go to the cemetery to see some old headstones, I suppose. That’s it. Belize has one of most amazing and unique attractions in the world in the Actun Tunichil Muknal (the “ATM cave”). You have to go on an organized tour, and a tour will pick you up from your hotel in Belize City. It’s just incredible — one of the best tours that I’ve done anywhere in the 33 countries I’ve visited so far. You can also drive out of the city to the ruins of Altun Ha or go to the monkey sanctuary, and the Belize Zoo is also worth your time.
– In Guatemala City, I really do think that you can occupy a day ubering around the city and find it worthwhile. The relief map of the country in Zona 2 is definitely worthwhile — it’s truly unique. The Popul Vuh musuem isn’t bad at all, and the city’s zoo is probably the finest in Central America.
That said, you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more if you just go straight from the airport to Antigua, as others have told you. It’s not far and the drive is interesting. I really recommend a meal at Tenedor del Cerro, which is halfway up a mountain on the outskirts of town, for the stunning views.