8 Days • 7 Nights
Belize Maya & Jungle Adventure
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Caracol, Belize's grandest Maya city, deep in the jungle
- Cave tubing through underground rivers
- The waterfalls and pools of Mountain Pine Ridge
- Cockscomb Basin, the world's first jaguar reserve
- Xunantunich temple and jungle wildlife
- Nights in atmospheric rainforest lodges
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Met at Belize City airport, you drive west to San Ignacio in the lush Cayo district. Settle into your jungle lodge, listen for the first howler monkeys and toucans, and enjoy a welcome dinner beneath the forest canopy.
A morning drifting on inner tubes through a spectacular limestone cave system, floating past stalactites and Maya artefacts on an underground river. In the afternoon you cross the river by hand-cranked ferry to climb the temples of Xunantunich.
A full-day expedition deep into the Chiquibul forest to Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize, whose towering Caana pyramid still crowns the jungle. On the way back you cool off in the cascades and natural pools of Rio On.
You climb into the cool, pine-clad highlands of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, a landscape of granite tors, waterfalls and rivers unlike anywhere else in Belize. Visit the thundering Thousand Foot Falls and swim beneath Big Rock Falls.
Explore the vast Rio Frio Cave with its river running through, hike forest trails rich in birdlife, and enjoy the reserve's waterfalls and swimming holes, before an evening back at your remote jungle lodge.
You descend to the coast near Hopkins, gateway to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a first taste of the warm Garifuna culture of this coastal village.
A full day in the Cockscomb Basin, the world's first jaguar reserve, hiking forest trails to waterfalls and pools among a chorus of birds, howler monkeys and, for the very lucky, the tracks of an elusive jaguar. An unforgettable finale in pristine rainforest.
After breakfast you transfer back to Belize City for your onward international flight, carrying home the sounds and secrets of the Belizean jungle.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and two lodge dinners
- Airport transfers
- Touring and activities as per itinerary with English-speaking guides
- Domestic transfers between the mainland and the cayes
- All national park and Maya site entry fees
- Caracol, Xunantunich, cave tubing and a Cockscomb Basin guided hike
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Language & currency: English is the official language of Belize, which makes travel refreshingly easy. The currency is the Belize Dollar, fixed at two to one against the US Dollar, and US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere
- Visa: Many nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive an entry stamp on arrival; check your nationality with us before travelling and carry a passport valid for at least six months
- Best time to visit: The dry season from late November to May is ideal for the reef, the cayes and the Maya sites, while the greener wet season (June to November) brings afternoon showers and is also the Atlantic hurricane season
- The reef and the cayes: Belize sits on the second-largest barrier reef in the world, superb for snorkelling and diving; bring reef-safe sunscreen, as regular sunscreen is restricted in marine reserves to protect the coral
- Health: A yellow fever certificate is only required if arriving from a country with risk of transmission. Bring insect repellent for the jungle, stay hydrated, and drink bottled or filtered water
- Getting around: Belize is small and easy to travel, with short domestic flights and boat transfers connecting the mainland, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) and Caye Caulker; internal transfers are included in your tour
- Money & tipping: Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for local eateries, markets and tips. Tipping around ten percent is customary for good service and appreciated by guides
- Electricity & connectivity: Power is 110V with US-style flat-pin plugs, so US travellers need no adapter. Wifi is available in most hotels, though it can be slower on the remote cayes and jungle lodges
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I see a jaguar in the Cockscomb Basin?
Jaguars are present but shy and nocturnal, so actual sightings are very rare. What you are almost certain to enjoy is the pristine rainforest, abundant birdlife, howler monkeys and the thrill of walking in the world's first jaguar reserve.
How remote are the jungle lodges?
Some lodges, especially in Mountain Pine Ridge, are wonderfully remote, with limited wifi and power that adds to the escape. They are comfortable and characterful, and all transfers are arranged for you.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with any meals specifically named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a reef picnic lunch. Belize's food, from fresh seafood to Creole and Maya dishes, is a highlight, so most lunches and dinners are left free for you to explore.
Are internal flights and boat transfers included?
Yes — all transfers within Belize, including the short domestic flights or boat rides between the mainland and the cayes, are arranged and included so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Belize?
Many nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive an entry stamp on arrival. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book; a passport valid for at least six months is needed.
When is the best time to visit Belize?
The dry season from late November to May offers the best conditions for the reef, cayes and Maya sites. The green season (June to November) is quieter and lush but brings afternoon showers and falls in the hurricane season.
Is Belize suitable for non-divers?
Absolutely. The reef is wonderful for snorkelling straight off the beach or boat, and there is a wealth of jungle, wildlife, cave and Maya-ruin experiences on the mainland, so you do not need to dive to love Belize.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes — every itinerary is a starting point. We can adjust the balance of reef and jungle, add nights, change islands or lodges, and tailor the activities to your interests and pace.
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