Map of Land of Belize including Belize

Uncover one of Central America’s best kept secrets

Jump right into the natural wonders, picturesque coastline and rich cultural history of Belize on an 8-day adventure. This often-overlooked paradise is packed full of lush jungle, spectacular ruins, long sandy beaches and first-class underwater attractions, and on this tour, you’ll get the chance to sample them all. From the buzz of Belize City, through the marshlands of the Crooked Tree Sanctuary and to the island paradise of Caye Caulker, discover the best of one of Central America’s little-visited gems. Sit back and relax into the Bel-easy-an way of life.


Start
Belize City, Belize
Finish
Caye Caulker, Belize
Destination
Belize
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
QVSE
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Laze on the sandy shores of Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. Swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean and snorkel through shallow reefs and atolls surrounding the cayes.

  • Join a group of local women at a co-operative in San Ignacio where they’ll show you how to cook up some traditional recipes and talk about the organisation they founded.

  • Discover the remains of a once thriving Mayan city at the Lamanai archaeological site, reached by a boat trip that reveals some of Belize’s most colourful birdlife.

  • Go wildlife watching in the Crooked Tree Sanctuary, keeping an eye out for the Jabiru storks – the tallest flying bird in Central and South America.

  • Uncover the secrets of crystallised skeletons and crumbling palaces near San Ignacio that have been preserved in their natural glory.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Is it hot in here? Well, you’re in tropical Central America so it can get really hot and humid. Carry plenty of water because hydration is key, especially when you’re walking a lot.

Itinerary

Welcome to Belize! Your adventure begins in Belize City – located where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea, this bustling former capital is full of history and culture. A welcome meeting will take place at 6 pm tonight where you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, Belize City has plenty to discover. On the north side is the coastal and maritime museum, housed in the beautifully restored former fire station. Also in the north is the Image Factory, displaying contemporary Belizean artists, and the National Handicraft Centre. The oldest Anglican church in Central America, St John Cathedral, was built in 1812 with bricks brought as ballast in European sailing ships. Opposite is Government House, a preserved colonial mansion that’s well worth a look from the outside.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

While Belize City is the best jumping off point for this tour, like any big city, there are some issues with street crime. We advise visitors to take every precaution when outside the hotel by sticking to main streets, leaving valuables at the hotel and taking taxis to get around.
Take a private vehicle to Carmelita, then hop aboard a boat towards the Lamanai Archaeological site. The boat ride is an adventure in itself and your leader will help you spot the colourful birds that live along the river. Arrive at the archaeological site and take some time explore the remains of an ancient Mayan civilisation and its unearthed temples. After your exploration head back up the river by boat, returning to Carmelita and travelling on to Crooked Tree. This inland wildlife sanctuary is full of lagoons, marshlands and creeks, making it one of the best destinations for wildlife spotting. Enjoy your free afternoon exploring the sanctuary by foot or by boat, hoping to spot Jabiru stalks, yellow-headed parrots, Mexican black howler monkeys and Central American river turtles (locally known as the Hicatee). The Crooked Tree village also has some notable and historical sights, having been established around 1750 during the logwood period and thought to be the oldest non-indigenous settlement in Belize. In the evening, settle into your lodge with an included group dinner.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lamanai Archaeological Site & Boat Tour
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.
This morning, drive to the San Ignacio area, stopping along the way at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op, an organisation formed by local Mayan women as a way to share skills and traditional knowledge while earning an income. Join the local women for a cooking demonstration designed to preserve their culinary heritage, then sit down together for lunch. Afterwards, head to Cahal Pech Ruins, a Mayan site in the San Ignacio area. This archaeological site was a royal palace of a ruling Mayan family, consisting of 7 plazas and over 30 structures including temples, buildings and ball courts. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • San Ignacio - Cahal Pech Ruins entry
  • San Ignacio - Cooking Class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3 hours.
Today is yours to take on any of the many optional activities available in San Ignacio. Perhaps take a day trip to Xunantunich, an impressive Mayan ceremonial centre located with panoramic views over the countryside. The east side of one of the temples has a unique moulded wall surface and the central plaza has three carved stelae (stone slabs). Getting to the site is half the fun as you'll need to take a hand-cranked ferry to cross the river. Otherwise, head to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal, a living museum of Maya relics. Wade through the water until you reach the ceremonial site where you’ll find ceramic pots and crystallised skeletons preserved by the natural processes of the cave for over 1400 years. If Maya ruins aren’t your thing, consider a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area to visit waterfalls and warm swimming holes, check out the butterfly garden, or canoe down the Barton Creek cave reserve.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • San Ignacio - Barton Creek canoe trip - BZD190
  • San Ignacio - Caracol Ruins (Incl. entry, guide & transport) - BZD250
  • San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD10
  • San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD250
  • San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD190
  • San Ignacio - Mountain Pine Ridge day trip (Incl. guide & transport) - BZD190
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Travel by local bus to Belize City where you’ll board a water taxi to the island of Caye Caulker. While there a number of islands off the coast of the mainland, Caye Caulker is certainly the most famous (and arguably the most beautiful!). If you fancy, it’s possible to arrange day trips to the other islands, or to some spectacular reefs for snorkelling – just chat to your leader about your options. Each island has its own character, but all of them have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm. Once you’ve arrived on Caye Caulker, join your leader on an orientation walk to get to know this tiny and laidback island. You’ll notice there are no cars here, which makes it a real pleasure to explore. This evening, why not get your hands on some freshly caught seafood, often served up in causal and colourful restaurants to a soundtrack of reggae music.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
  • Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD42
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3 hours.
If your idea of paradise is white sand, blue waters and palm trees then you’re going to dig Caye Caulker with the next couple of days to explore, relax and get active. Chill out on the beach with a book, or head out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to the magnificent Blue Hole and the world's second-longest barrier reef. Here you might like to take the chance to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters among colourful corals and see tropical fish, sharks, and the occasional manta ray.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Full day Catamaran tour-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD230
  • Full day speed boat-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD230
  • Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD42
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Your time in Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy, so do as much (or as little) as you want with another day here. After a day of swimming and lazing on the beach, you’re sure to get hungry. If you're interested in sampling local cuisine, Belize is famous for its barbequed food, with some of the best meals cooked on the roadside. Caye Caulker is famous for its lobster – not the cheapest meal you'll ever buy, but so (so) good. Always make sure that you respect the season: the lobsters can only be caught between June and February. If you’re out of season, how about some grilled shrimp and a lovely rum and coke made with the local firewater?
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD8
  • Caye Caulker - Sunset sailing - BZD100
  • Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD42
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time following check out. If you would like to spend more time in Caye Caulker, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
An open-dated round-trip water taxi ticket is included on your trip. To take the water taxi from the Caye Caulker city port back to Belize City you will need to arrive at the ferry terminal 1 hour prior to departure. You will need to make your own way from your Caye Caulker hotel to the ferry port. Your hotel can provide the ferry schedule. The journey takes around 1 hour and transfers from the port to our Belize City Hotel or the airport can be booked in advance. Please contact your booking agent should you require transfers or additional accommodation.



Meals

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry, Public Transportation

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (1 night)

Included activities

  • Lamanai Archaeological Site & Boat Tour
  • San Ignacio - Cahal Pech Ruins entry
  • San Ignacio - Cooking Class
  • Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Land of Belize trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Belize city.
2. On your final day, you’ve got the power to choose where your adventure takes you. If you like, you can stay in Caye Caulker for another couple of nights relaxing beachside – we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Otherwise, jump on an included water taxi transfer back to Belize City where you can also book additional nights’ accommodation, or where your leader can assist you to catch a taxi from the port to the airport for an onward connection. You will need to make your own way from your hotel in Caye Caulker to the ferry port for your transfer to Belize City. To allow for transfer times, please book a flight after 12 pm (midday).
3. An open-dated round-trip ticket to return to Belize City from Caye Caulker is included on this trip. If you are travelling from Caye Caulker to Belize Airport please ensure you do not book a flight before 12pm to allow for travel time.
4. Additional accommodation in Caye Caulker or Belize City is available to book on this trip should you wish to extend your stay
5. Transfers from Belize City Port to our Belize City Hotel or the airport are available through your booking agent.
6. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
7. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews