Belize Tour: Exciting Adventures in Tropical Paradise (Small-Group / 9 Days)

Overview

Join our 9-day tour around Belize to get to know all the travel essentials of this beautiful country. Exotic wildlife, jungle rivers, tropical forests, Mayan ruins, caves, waterfalls, coral reefs, and lots of adventures – all of this is packed in this trip around the top natural & cultural attractions of Belize. 

Highlights

• Immerse in the ancient Barton Creek Cave Reserve.
• Snorkel in crystal-clear waters of Placencia and Caye Caulker.
• Get acquainted with Garifuna culture in Hopkins.
• Explore the second tallest pyramid in Belize.
• Swim in the refreshing waters of various waterfalls and natural pool formations.

Itinerary

Day 1: Belize City 

Start our Belize Essentials Tour in the gorgeous Belize City –the historical capital of the nation with its handsome colonial houses and porticos, seaside parks, bustling shopping areas, and sailboats that bob at the mouth of Haulover Creek-. Arrive at the airport at any time and take an independent transfer to your accommodation. Once there, take your time to rest or explore the town. In the evening join your Tour Leader & get together with the rest of the group in a local restaurant.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Belize City
• Activities: welcome meeting
• Meals: welcome dinner

Day 2: Belize City - Community Baboon Sanctuary - Altun Ha - Tower Hill

In the morning, join in a black howler monkey tour in the nearby Community Baboon Sanctuary. Live in harmony with nature and have a memorable encounter with these primates. After that, visit Altun Ha, an important Mayan ceremonial center in Belize.   Transfer to Tower Hill, a pleasant location with various remarkable sights. Once there, take your time to relax before joining the rest of the group and your Tour Leader for an orientation walk of the area. Meet up with your group for an optional dinner.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Tower Hill
• Activities: guided visits to Altun Ha Archeological Zone and Community Baboon Sanctuary; orientation walk of Tower Hill

Day 3: Tower Hill - Lamanai Archaeological Site - Belmopán

In the morning, enjoy a guided visit to the Lamanai Archeological Site, a magical place that was once a major city of the Maya civilization. After that, head to Belmopan and discover the impressive Guanacaste National Park which is home to a variety of creatures like gibnuts, iguanas, and howler monkeys. This is the ideal place for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Swim in its refreshing waters and transfer back to Belmopan Center. Join your Tour Leader and the rest of your group for an orientation walk of the town. Optional dinner and get-together with your group to take a Nocturnal Zoo Tour. Once in the zoo, interact with nocturnal gorgeous animals and learn about their life.

• Accommodations: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Belmopán
• Activities: entrance to Lamanai Archeological Zone; entrance to Guanacaste National Park; Nocturnal Zoo Tour 
• Meals: n/a.

Day 4: Belmopán - Barton Creek Cave Reserve - San Ignacio

Continue your tour to an ancient cave in Belize -an important archeological site that was formerly inhabited by ancient Mayan civilizations and used as a burial ground-. Try out some optional activities like zip lining and rock climbing. After that, continue on to the amazing, secret Big Rock waterfalls. This is the perfect swimming spot if you enjoy adventures. Later, visit the spectacular and lovely Rio On Pools to take in the scenery. Explore the area and swim in the freshwater of one of the natural pool formations.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in San Ignacio
• Activities: tour to Barton Creek Reserve; entrance to Big Rock Waterfalls; entrance to Rio On Pools

Day 5: San Ignacio - Xunantunich - Placencia

In the morning, follow your Tour Leader for a Market Food Tour and Tortilla-Making Lesson in San Ignacio, then go to visit Xunantunich ruins -also known as the Maiden of the Stone-. It is an archaeological zone with the second tallest pyramid in Belize. Transfer to Placencia in the afternoon. If it is needed take your time to rest in your hotel.  Optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Placencia
• Meals & Drinks: San Ignacio Market Food Tour
• Activities: a visit to Xunantunich Ruins; Tortilla-Making Lesson (San Ignacio)

Day 6: Placencia - Mayan King Waterfalls - Hopkins

In the morning, go to a beautiful beach on your way to Hopkins. Refresh yourself and explore this stunning place. After that, go to the enigmatic Mayan King Waterfalls and continue discovering Belizean nature. Once in the friendly coastal village of Hopkins join in an orientation walk around the town, and enjoy the Garifuna Drumming Lesson and Performance. Then it’s up to you what to do: relax on the beach, do snorkeling in the nearby palmed Tobacco Caye, venture to a nearby wildlife sanctuary, or rent a bike and explore the area. In the evening, opt to join an optional dinner and get-together with a group.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Hopkins
• Activities: orientation walk and Garifuna Drumming Lesson and Performance in Hopkins

Day 7: Hopkins - Dangriga - St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park - Caye Caulker

In the morning, after checkout from our accommodation in Placencia, join a Spicy Sauce Factory Tour in Dangriga before arriving at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. There you will find St. Herman’s Cave and the Blue Hole – a perfect place for a refreshing afternoon swim formed by the collapse of an underground limestone cave. In the afternoon we will take a water taxi to Caye Caulker – a  long thin limestone caye inhabited by less than 2,000 people, famous for its car-free policy, sensational seafood as well as snorkeling and boating along the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.  Optional dinner and get-together with a group in one of the popular beach restaurants/bars in Caye Caulker.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Caye Caulker
• Activities: walking tour in Belize City; orientation walk in Caye Caulker

Day 8: Caye Caulker

Continue your Belize Essentials Tour in a boat tour to nearby UNESCO-protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Belize Barrier Reef. There you can closely see and swim with numerous underwater species such as nurse sharks, rays, groupers, porcupine fish, seahorses, and yellow-tail snapper, to name a few. In the evening, join optional farewell dinner with a group at a popular local restaurant.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Caye Caulker
• Activities: boat tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve

• Meals: lunch during the boat tour

Day 9: Caye Caulker

End of the tour. From Caye Caulker the airport can be reached in about 1,5h: 1h by water taxi to Belize City (departures between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm) and an additional 30 min by taxi.  

Why go with us

• Small groups of up to 13 travelers: closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures & fun!
• Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
• The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel & making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Logistics

• ACCOMMODATIONS: We will send you an exact list of accommodations together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. All accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room. We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes. 
  

• ROOM TYPES: 

  • Shared Twin Room: Single bed in a twin room shared with another co-traveler of the same gender. This option is specifically designed for solo travelers and applies just to group departures.

  • Double/Twin Room: Private room for 2 people. You can choose between 1 double bed or 2 single beds.

  • Triple Room: Private room for 3 people. It normally has 1 double bed for 2 people and 1 single bed for 1 person.

  • Quad Room: Private room for 4 people. It normally has 2 double beds for 2 people each.

  • If none of the room types above fits you, please contact us and we will send you a personalized quote.
    

• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking. Therefore, travelers should have moderate physical fitness condition.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & shoes; a small backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• PRICING: The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers & room option you choose. 
• GROUP VS. PRIVATE TOUR: Group Tour: take a trip with other travelers. Private Tour: take a trip on your own, with friends, couple, or family. While offering more privacy and exclusivity such tours may cost more than group ones. If you wanna take a private tour with a group that is bigger than 4, please contact us and we will send you a personalized offer. For private tours, the dates of departure (and in some cases the itinerary & activities) can be customized to your request.