- Tour code
BLZADV01
- Start
Belmopan
- End
Belmopan
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Belize packs rainforest, ancient Maya cities and a Caribbean island into a country you can cross in an afternoon, and this trip makes the most of that. The first half is spent inland in the Cayo District, well away from the coast; the second half is on Caye Caulker, a small island close to the barrier reef.
Inland, mornings start early and fill up fast: a cooking lesson in a favorite local breakfast, a horseback ride across rivers to the ruins of Xunantunich, and an afternoon learning how the Maya worked with cacao before you make chocolate of your own. Day three goes deeper into the jungle to a major Maya site, with lunch outdoors and a swim beneath a waterfall.
The next morning you'll hike to a ceremonial cave filled with rock formations and ancient artifacts, then head for the coast and the boat to Caye Caulker. On the island the itinerary relaxes. One day is entirely your own; on the next, local community members explain the work of protecting the reef before you snorkel it. The trip ends with a farewell dinner and a taste of Belizean rum.
You travel in a small group of 6 to 16 with your Soca Islands Host, with private transfers from the airport inland, to the coast and back to the airport at the end.
Why This Journey
Most visitors to Belize choose between the jungle and the beach. Here you get both in one week, in the right order: the busy, early-start days of riding, hiking and caving come first, and the slower island days come after, when you're ready for them.
It suits travelers who like their history hands-on, from Maya temples and a sacred cave to cacao made the traditional way, and who want real time in the water on the reef. The group is small, the distances are short, and you leave having seen two very different sides of the country.
Where You'll Stay
Cayo District (3 nights): San Ignacio Resort Hotel, on a hillside in San Ignacio, close to the Maya sites. Caye Caulker (3 nights): Iguana Reef Inn, on the water's edge in the village. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Rooms are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Belize International Airport (BZE); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please book your flight home for after 10:30am at the earliest, because of the water taxi timetable from Caye Caulker. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Snorkel off Caye Caulker, with the chance to see wild manatees
Make chocolate the traditional Maya way, from cacao bean to bar
Ride on horseback to the Maya temples of Xunantunich
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Max 16 travellers per group
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travellers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Meals not listed as included
- Optional activities (snorkeling, watersports or bike hire on the free day)
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Land at Belize International Airport, where a private transfer drives you inland to your hotel, leaving the coast behind for green hills and river valleys.
Once you've settled in, meet the group over rum cocktails before heading out to dinner. The food is Caribbean with plenty of spice and fresh ingredients, a good first taste of Belizean cooking.
Breakfast is a lesson today: learn to make a local morning favorite that's eaten both sweet and savory.
Then saddle up. The ride to the Maya ruins of Xunantunich crosses rivers and runs through thick greenery before the temples come into view.
In the afternoon, learn why cacao mattered so much to Maya culture, and make your own chocolate using traditional methods.
Travel into the jungle to one of Belize's most important ancient Maya sites, where pyramids and plazas rise out of the forest canopy.
After lunch outdoors, cool off with a swim in a natural pool at the base of a waterfall.
Hike through the rainforest to a cave the ancient Maya saw as an entrance to the underworld. Inside, the chambers hold striking formations and artifacts left from centuries-old rituals.
Afterwards, drive to the coast and take the boat out to Caye Caulker. The pace changes as soon as you step onto the island's sandy lanes.
Today has no plan, and that's the point. Swim, read, wander the sandy lanes or book an optional snorkel, watersports session or bike ride around the island.
When the afternoon heat fades, find a waterfront bar and settle in for the sunset.
Hear from local community members about the work to protect the reef and marine life around the caye.
Then get in the water yourself on a snorkeling trip to see that marine life up close, with the chance of spotting manatees.
In the evening, share a farewell dinner and a tasting of locally made rum.
Take the boat back to the mainland, where a transfer brings you to the airport for your flight.
You'll leave with the jungle, the ruins and the reef all in one short trip.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
A hillside resort on Buena Vista Street in San Ignacio, the main town of the Cayo District. The town's restaurants and market are close by, and the Maya sites of Xunantunich and Cahal Pech are a short drive away.
Its 27 rooms and suites look out over gardens, hillside and rainforest, and are furnished with local art and Belizean hardwoods. The Running W Restaurant and lobby bar are on site, and the hotel runs the Iguana Project, a conservation programme guests can visit.
Hotel websiteIguana Reef Inn
A small inn on the water's edge in Caye Caulker village, about a mile from the barrier reef, known for its sunset views across the water.
It has a freshwater swimming pool, one of the few on the island, a bar serving drinks and snacks, complimentary bikes and breakfast included.
Hotel websiteRooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Belize International Airport (BZE). Please book your flight home after 10:30am at the earliest (this is due to the time the water taxi leaves Caye Caulker).
Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation: San Ignacio Resort Hotel in San Ignacio, Cayo District (3 nights) and Iguana Reef Inn on Caye Caulker (3 nights).
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers from Belize International Airport (BZE) are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners. Meals not listed as included are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
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