- from Belize International Airport to Flores, Petén, Guatemala
- and return back from Flores, Petén, Guatemala to Belize International Airport
Aircraft type: 12 seater – 208 Cessna Grand Caravan – single engine turbo prop
ITINERARY:
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08:00 – Pick up from Radisson Marina
08:25 – Van arrives at the Belize International Airport – extra time estimated for local rush hour of 08:00
08:45 – Wheels up
09:30 – Flight lands in Flores, Petén, Guatemala – flight time is 0:45 hours with the tail wind
09:40 – Departure from Flores, Petén, Guatemala for Tikal – a total of 63 Km
10:40 – Arrive at Tikal – transit time is 60 minutes
10:45 to 13:00 – Tour of Tikal
13:00 to 14:00 – Lunch at El Meson Restaurant
NB – This restaurant belongs to the tour operator. Should guests in fact decide to dine at another location it will be at an additional cost to the guests. Past guests have reported that the service at this restaurant is quick, portions are very small and the food not quite up to mark.
14:00 – Bus to take guests from Tikal to visit town of Flores – a total of 63 Km
15:00 – Bus arrives in Flores, Petén, Guatemala
15:00 to 16:00 – Tour of Flores, Petén, Guatemala
16:15 – Arrival back at the airport of Flores, Petén, Guatemala
16:30 – Wheels up
17:30 – Flight lands in Belize
17:40 – Van awaiting guests for transfer to RFG Marina
NB – return flight from Guatemala takes an additional 15 minutes or a total of 60 minutes due to head wind.
NOTES:
Due to the fact that Belize has only one International Airport all flights for Tikal must depart from the Belize International Airport. Should the guests be at another location then arrangements will need to be made to get them to the Belize International Airport.
In the above itinerary a crew member with all the passports was picked up at 07:00 to get the guests checked in, passports stamps, departure fees paid boarding passes written up. This saves about 20 minutes.
I would recommend printing up immigration embarkation cards and customs declaration forms for everyone going to Flores as this can be very time consuming and it will be needed upon return to Belize and departure thereafter.
To make reservations needed would be the names, nationalities and passport numbers.
WHAT TO TAKE:
- Passport
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Bug Spray
- Camera
- Raingear if needed
CLOTHING:
- Long pants recommended, but short pants will do also
- Long sleeves are optional
- A good sturdy shoes for walking
REFERENCES:
http://www.tikalpark.com
www.visitguatemala.com
Frequently asked questions:
1) How far is Tikal from Belize?
- Tikal is 93 nautical miles from the Belize International Airport.
2) What is Jose Luis’s special service?
- Jose Luis will meet you at the plane upon landing.
- You will hand him over all passports for those passengers travelling on the aircraft.
- Mr. Jose Luis will take charge of getting all passengers checked in with Guatemalan Customs and Immigration both INBOUND and OUTBOUND.
- This will in turn permit you and guests to immediately depart the airport directly from the aircraft into a waiting van WITHOUT you all have to personally check in with Guatemala immigration and customs.
- Upon your return to the airport van will disembark all passengers at the aircraft itself.
- Jose Luis will hand deliver to you passports for all passengers stamped in and out by Guatemalan officials.
- Should you opt to personally do Guatemalan formalities you need to calculate for this to take about 15 to 20 minutes.
3) Are the activities flexible?
- All activities will be totally flexible at the Boss’s wishes and whims, meaning that but not limited to:-
- If he so wishes to lengthen or shorten his tour at Tikal he can so do.
- If he so wishes to lengthen or shorten his lunch he can so do.
- If he so wishes to lengthen or shorten his tour of Flores he can so do.
4) Are there any other options to eat in Flores instead of at Tikal?
- Yes, there are other options for eating at Flores instead of Tikal. Please take note though that should you decide to eat in Flores instead of the tour operator’s El Meson Restaurant it will be at the expense of the guests as the restaurant El Meson Restaurant belongs to the tour operator.
5) Will the same guide be doing both the tours?
- Yes it will be the same guide doing both tours.
6) Will the aircraft remain on the ground at the airport awaiting the Boss?
- Yes, once arrangements have been made for the aircraft to remain and waiting time being paid the aircraft will remain on the ground awaiting.
7) Can the Boss be later if he wants to stay in Flores?
- Yes guests can remain later in Flores, Tikal, or wherever if they so wish. Additional charges that come to mind are:-
- waiting charges for the aircraft and
- maybe O/T charges for the Belize International Airport to remain open if you arrive after 17:30.
- I am not sure about the Guatemalan vehicle and guide.
8) Will the guide and bus constantly accompany the Boss?
- Both the guide and bus will constantly accompany the Boss and his guests from boarding at the airport to the time of drop off at the airport. At lunch time the guide will not just drop them off for lunch and tell them he will be returning at a specific time to pick them up.
9) What time does the airport in Flores close?
- Flores’s airport in Guatemala operates continuously 24 hours per day – never closes.
10) What time does the Belize International Airport close?
- Officially opening hours are from 06:00 to 18:00, but in actual fact overtime will be charged if officials remain after 17:50 hours.
11) What is the latest time we have to be at the airport in Flores?
- I would say that the latest time you would need to arrive at the Flores Airport would be 16:15 for a 16:30 departure in order to land in Belize at 17:30 to avoid overtime charges for the airport to remain open or to pay overtime for the officials. HOWEVER if you don’t mind paying the additional overtime charges the Boss can stay as late as he wishes. The first hour of overtime costs an average of US$350.00. The hourly rate thereafter falls significantly.
AIRCRFT CHARGES:
Air Fare: US$2,500.00
Waiting Time: US$1,902.00 – 6 hours @ US$317.00/hour
1st hour waiting time is free (09:30 to 10:30)
10:30 to 16:30 – 6 hours waiting time
US$4,402.00 – TOTAL AIRFARE COST – subject to waiting time
TOUR CHARGES:
Tikal Tour Charges: US$1,020.00 – 12 pax @ 85.00/person inclusive of
Ground transfer from Flores to Tikal
Professional English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees to enter the park
Lunch and drinks at El Meson Restaurant which is located at Tikal park itself
Transfer back from Tikal to Flores
Flores Tour Charges: US$180.00 – 12 pax @ US$15.00 per person
ADDITIONAL CHARGES:
Belize Departure Tax: pax @ US$40.00 per person
Guatemalan Departure Tax: pax @ US$33.00 per person
Mr. Jose Luis Special Service: US$50.00
CONTACT:
Ventura Yacht Agency
Carolyn Turton
C: +501 610 3215
E: Ventura@btl.net
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