The tiny Caribbean nation of Belize is packed full of wonders, from the world’s oldest known Maya sites to the second-largest reef system on the planet. On this refreshing journey, immerse yourself in the world of the Maya on visits to mysterious jungle ruins, and glimpse the living traditions of this ancient civilization as you learn to make tortillas alongside local women. Gain insights into community conservation at a wildlife sanctuary founded by a National Geographic grantee, and culminate your adventure on the idyllic isle of Caye Caulker, perched along the pristine Belize Barrier Reef.
Travel Style: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEYS
- Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
- Service Level: UPGRADED
- Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
- Physical Rating: 2 - LIGHT
- Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
- Trip Type: Small Group
- Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12
- Age requirement: 12+
- All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Itinerary
Day 1 Belize City/Burrell Boom
Arrive at any time in Belize City and transfer to our hotel, located just near the village of Burrell Boom.
Today is arrival day so there are no activities planned. You are free to arrive at any time at the Belize City airport where you will be met and transferred to our hotel near Burrell Boom Village, which is about 30 minutes from the airport.
Day 2 Burrell Boom
Enjoy a full-day boat excursion to Lamanai—a Maya archaeological site dating from as early as 1,500 BC. Located on the wildlife-rich shores of the New River Lagoon and surrounded by dense jungle, Lamanai is one of the oldest known Maya sites in Central America. Explore the sprawling stone ruins with a local guide, and note the abundance of crocodile motifs at the site; the name “Lamanai” translates as “submerged crocodile” in the regional Maya dialect. Afterward, return to our hotel to relax at the patio bar and pool, or stroll the grounds to spot local wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 3 Burrell Boom / San Ignacio
This morning, we’ll visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, co-founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr. Robert Horwich. This community-run organization is dedicated to the conservation of the Yucatán black howler monkey, locally called a baboon. Tour the sanctuary with a guide and observe these endangered monkeys in the wild. Then head to the village of San Antonio to visit a G Adventures–supported women's cooperative. Try your hand at throwing clay in the cooperative’s pottery workshop, and learn how to prepare corn tortillas using ancient Maya techniques. After lunch, continue to the bustling town of San Ignacio.
The town of San Ignacio is situated on the banks of the Macal River. It is a perfect location to visit the surrounding countryside. All activities here are optional, so the choice is yours: explore the Mayan cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal, containing relics dating back 1400 years, visit the butterfly gardens, or go tubing or canoeing through the natural limestone caves of the region.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 4 San Ignacio
Discover the stunning Maya ruins of Xunantunich, built over a thousand years ago on a hilltop above the Mopan River. Climb the steps of El Castillo, the site’s tallest structure, to enjoy panoramic views of the jungle; and wander amid intricately carved stelae and well-preserved temples and palaces. Spend the afternoon at leisure, choosing from a variety of optional activities.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 San Ignacio
Enjoy a free day to explore San Ignacio and the surrounding countryside. Opt to descend into the spiritual “underworld” of the Maya at the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, an ancient burial site where mysterious rituals took place; visit a butterfly garden to see the brightly colored local species; or go canoeing or tubing through the region’s breathtaking limestone caves.
Your Discover Moment :There's plenty to see and do in San Ignacio, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like cave exploring, visiting Mayan ruins, and horseback riding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 San Ignacio / Caye Caulker
Drive back towards the coast and catch a ferry to Caye Caulker—one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful cayes or islands—located along the Belize Barrier Reef. Settle into your hotel in this breezy island paradise and choose to take a walk through laid-back Caye Caulker village, home to a small but diverse community of local residents and ex-pats.
Caye Caulker is a long thin limestone caye off the coast of Belize. Fewer than 2,000 people live here full-time – an eclectic mix of Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna, Creole, and Mennonites, along with a few hippies and retirees. The main street is a sandy pathway and people get around on foot, by bike, or by golf cart. Apart from eating some sensational seafood (lobster is a local specialty), the main activity is snorkeling and boating along the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 Caye Caulker
Set out to explore the island on a leisurely bike tour with a local guide from the G Adventures–supported Bike with a Purpose project. This afternoon, opt for a snorkeling excursion on the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef on the planet. Come face-to-face with sea turtles, manta rays, parrotfish, nurse sharks, and other fascinating creatures as you swim through the warm tropical waters. In the evening, choose to take a relaxing sunset cruise around the island.
The barrier reef off Caye Caulker is a true wonder of nature. Optional snorkel trips get you up close and personal with nurse sharks and rays, to name a few of the wondrous resident creatures.
Your Discover Moment: Your Discover MomentCaye CaulkerFull Day
There's plenty to see and do in Caye Caulker, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like snorkeling, sea kayaking, and sailing. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Caye Caulker
Spend the day at leisure, opting to join a full-day sailing and snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve—the first marine reserve in Belize. Swim alongside schools of tropical fish in this spectacular natural aquarium and visit the Coral Gardens, perhaps spotting a manatee or two among the vibrant coral formations. Cap off the day with a cruise back to Caye Caulker just before sunset. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.
The barrier reef off Caye Caulker is a true wonder of nature. Optional snorkel trips get you up close and personal with nurse sharks and rays, to name a few of the wondrous resident creatures.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 9 Caye Caulker
Depart at any time.
Should you wish to have additional post nights in Caye Caulker or Belize City, please ask your sales CEO
Meals included: Breakfast
What's Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Tortilla-Making Lesson, San Ignacio
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Howler Monkey Experience, San Ignacio
- Your G for Good Moment: San Antonio Women's Cooperative visit with Pottery Class and Local
- Lunch, San Ignacio
- Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker
- Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio
- Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker
- Arrival transfer
- Lamanai ruins guided tour
- Xunantunich ruins guided excursion
- Farewell dinner at a local Caye Caulker restaurant
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Optional Activities
- Caves Branch - Cave Tubing (90USD per person)
- Barton Creek - Barton Creek Cave Canoeing (110USD per person)
- Actun Tunichil Muknal - Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Visit (110USD per person)
- San Ignacio - Butterfly Gardens (20USD per person)
- Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing Boat Tour (60USD per person) - Hol Chan Marine Reserve Visit (90USD per person)
Meals Included - 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Group Size Notes - Max 16, avg 12
FOR A FULL ITINERARY AND MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE
Pricing and availability upon request .
For Booking information - Claire Maguire +1 714-822-8647 Claire.Maguire@Cruiseplanners.com
Credits:
www.bucketlisttraveltrips.com