BelizeJourneys: Explore Belize
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 to 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.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your Expedition Leader will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Black Orchid Hotel
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.
Lamanai Ruins Guided Tour
Lamanai is located on the shore of the New River Lagoon and is one of the largest Mayan ceremonial site within the region. Lamanai translates as “submerged crocodile” in ancient Mayan, and the site was occupied as early as 1500 BC. The onsite museum has interesting artifacts on display.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orange Walk Riverboat Wildlife Excursion
Enjoy a thrilling boat ride upriver to Lamanai, past lush forest dripping with vines, orchids and air plants. View the abundant wildlife along the way including tropical and migrating birds, spider monkeys and freshwater crocodiles.
Accommodation
Black Orchid Hotel
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tortilla-Making
Corn tortillas are a staple of Belizean cuisine, and the fresher they are the better. Drop by the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative for a tortilla-making lesson and demonstration. Help grind wet corn kernels on an ancient stone that’s been passed down through generations to the special ladies who work here. Then try your own hand at making perfectly round tortillas, which is harder than you may think. Afterward, enjoy the results of the group with a cup of atole, a local corn drink.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Howler Monkey Experience
Founded by five-time National Geographic-grantee Dr. Robert Horwich, the Community Baboon Sanctuary is a conservation project that works to protect the natural habitat of the black howler monkey through community education and sustainable ecotourism practices. Go for a nature walk in the rainforest with a community guide to observe monkeys in the wild. The sanctuary also promotes the economic development of the surrounding communities through the ecotourism it brings in. Over 200 private, local landowners in seven villages, stretching over 20 square miles, have voluntarily pledged to conserve their land for the protection of the black howler monkey, resulting in an increase in the monkey population. So as part of the experience, also enjoy a cultural demonstration of rice beating and cashew roasting.
Your G for Good Moment: San Antonio Women's Cooperative visit with Pottery Class and Local Lunch
Like in many places around the world, education for women in the village of San Antonio isn’t prioritized. Girls don’t typically attend school beyond primary levels. So a women’s cooperative was founded here, as a way for underprivileged women to earn income, learn new skills, and share centuries-old Mayan techniques and knowledge. Visit the pottery workshop, which is newly expanded with an investment from G Adventures. Meet some of the women who’ve found community within its walls and gain insight into the tradition of throwing pots. Try your own hand at these ancient techniques during a pottery class. Afterward, enjoy lunch together with these inspiring and unforgettable women, sampling traditional foods of the Cayo region.
Accommodation
Midas Resort
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.
Xunantunich Visit
Hike to the top of this impressive 9th-century Maya centre, set high on a natural limestone ridge, and admire the view of the Mopan River, Cayo District and neighbouring Guatemalan countryside. The tallest temple, El Castillo, is partially excavated and explored and there’s a unique stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Discover why Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site with intricately carved stellae, 25 temples, and well-preserved palaces.
Free Time
Relax in the jungle or choose from the many optional activities in the area.
Optional Activities - Day 4Show
Accommodation
Midas Resort
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 coloured local species; or go canoeing or tubing through the region’s breathtaking limestone caves.
Free Time
Relax in the jungle or choose from the many optional activities in the area.
Optional Activities - Day 5Show
Accommodation
Midas Resort
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. Then explore the area on a leisurely bike tour with a local guide from the G Adventures–supported Bike with Purpose project, and get to know laid-back Caye Caulker village, home to a small but diverse community of local residents and expats. 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 golf cart. Apart from eating some sensational seafood (lobster is a local specialty), the main activity is snorkelling and boating along the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour
Take a leisurely bike tour around Caye Caulker with a guide from the G Adventures for Good supported Bike with Purpose project. See the island through the eyes of a local on this two-hour tour, and live the island's motto of 'Go Slow'. Feel the island breeze in you hair while knowing you're supporting a program that helps youth from Caye Caulker build skills for tourism jobs upon graduation from high school.
Accommodation
Coral View Hotel
Spend the entire 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. 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.
Free Time
Options abound or choose just to kick back and relax in true Caye Caulker style.
Optional Activities - Day 7Show
Accommodation
Coral View Hotel
Enjoy the day on your own. Opt for a snorkelling 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. 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.
Free Time
Options abound or choose just to kick back and relax in true Caye Caulker style.
Optional Activities - Day 8Show
Accommodation
Coral View Hotel
Please book any departing flights no earlier than 11:30 am to ensure you will have ample time to travel to the airport from Caye Caulker. Should you wish to have additional post nights in Caye Caulker or Belize City, please ask your sales Expedition Leader.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
