Travel to Belize: Belize Family Vacation

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Belize Family Vacation

			Read a Trip Review DAYS: 8 GRADE: I, Active family adventure define PRICE: From $2195 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve Caribbean Beach and Reef Rainforest canoeing Xunantunich ruins Cave exploration ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Wild and friendly Belize is an exciting land of discovery and adventure; perfect for a family vacation. Travel through this small Caribbean country and experience Creole, Maya, and Garifuna (African) culture. See amazing wildlife and natural wonders with our master naturalist guide. Watch for iguanas as you paddle down the Macal River, glide past brilliant crystalline stalactites in the depths of the Barton Creek Caves, learn about the life-cycle of the iridescently colored Blue Morpho butterfly, and imagine ancient times of the Maya exploring the ruins of Xunantunich. Relax at a Caribbean beach lodge with time to snorkel the calm, clear waters of the Barrier Reef, inner tube through an incredible cave system with Mayan relics, and explore the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve. Accommodations include comfortable thatched cottages and beach-front cabanas.

Stunning views of the Black Rock Valley are available from each cabana.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE IN BELIZE
Upon arrival at the Belize International Airport receive a warm welcome from a local guide. Get your first glimpses of Belize as you depart Belize City and head for the mountains of the Cayo District. The two hour ride takes you deep into the jungle of the Cayo and to the lodge at Black Rock Lodge, the perfect base for beginning to experiencing Belize. Surrounded by the Maya Mountains and located high above the Macal River, you will have beautiful views from Black Rock Lodge. The surrounding 250 acres of private rain forest is teeming with life and with only 12 cabanas, the lodge becomes more like a home. Ten months out of the year the lodge generates 100% of its power from the sun and a local stream that comes gushing down the mountain side. Get to know other travelers while enjoying a three-course dinner around the common table and take in the commanding view of the Macal River and jungle valley. Stay overnight at the Black Rock Lodge, Hidden Valley Inn or similar. [D]

DAY 2 :  BARTON CREEK CAVES
Deep in the lush, protected rainforests, protected by a rural Mennonite community we reach the entrance to the Barton Creek Cave system. Equipped with canoes and high powered lights we will gently paddle into the Xibalba (she-bal-ba), Maya for underworld, amongst giant stalactites, stalagmites, and impressive calcite crystal formations. Learn about archaeological significance of this 7.5km limestone cave system, and its importance to the ancient Maya people. Stop in at a local butterfly farm to see the many different varieties of butterflies.  Marvel at the beautiful indigo color of the Blue Morpho, one of Belizes most treasured insects.  Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon, exploring private nature trails, identifying tropical birds, or tubing in the gurgling waters of the Macal River, all within walking distance from the lodge. Stay overnight at the Black Rock Lodge or similar.   [BLD]

	Green iguanas are challenging to spot in the trees lining the riverbanks as you canoe towards San Ignacio.

DAY 3 :  CANOEING AND EXPLORING XUNANTUNICH
Grab a paddle and set off to explore the nearby Macal River by canoe. With your guides assistance, become an expert at spotting birds, iguanas, and other rainforest wildlife as you travel the river. Eat lunch before heading off to visit the Maya ruins of Xunantunich or Maiden of the Rock. The dominant structure of this ruin rises 130 feet above ground, providing an amazing view of the surrounding forest and ancient city below. Explore the ruins and picture the ancient Mayan life while your guide describes in detail the historical events surrounding this fascinating area. Return to the lodge for another savory dinner while listening to the sounds of the rainforest before packing your bags for the beach. Stay overnight at Black Rock Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  CAVE TUBING AND THE CARIBBEAN BEACH
Get prepared for an unforgettable day inner tubing through an expansive limestone cave system at Caves Branch. With your guides' help, make your way through citrus orchards to the river's edge where a short float trip carries you into a cave that opens into a massive cavern with underground waterfalls, limestone formations, and an incredible crystal cathedral chamber. No experience is needed since the trip does not involve technical caving. After a fortifying lunch, settle into the van for one of the most scenic drives in Belize as you travel along the Hummingbird Highway through the Maya Mountains to Hopkins on the Caribbean Coast.  Kick off your shoes, unpack and settle into your beach cabana, your home for the next four nights. The lodge features hardwood and traditional materials such as bay leaf thatch and ceramic tiles. Step outside your door to see wonderful ocean views and pristine white sands. Take a dip in the gentle ocean water, one of the swimming pools, or simply relax in a hammock under the swaying palms and let your cares drift away.  Overnight at Jaguar Reef Lodge or similar. [BLD]

	Howler monkeys provide a raucous soundtrack as you explore the preserve.

DAY 5 :  EXPLORE COCKSCOMB BASIN JAGUAR TOUR
Grab your hiking shoes and head out to explore one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Belize with your personal Wildland naturalist guide. The sanctuary, which was established in 1984 as a preserve for the largest cat in the Americas, the jaguar, encompasses some 100,000 acres of lush broadleaf tropical forest. See Howler monkeys, Bairds tapir, numerous amphibian and reptile species, and over 290 species of birds such as the endangered Scarlet macaw, Montezuma oropendula, Collared aracari, Keel-billed toucan, and King vulture as you walk the trails hoping to catch sight of an elusive jaguar. Return to the ranger station to catch your breath before hiking to a waterfall. Plunge into a refreshing pool and have fun on the natural waterslides. Eat lunch before returning to the lodge where you will say good-bye to the naturalist guide. Overnight at Jaguar Reef Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  FREE DAY!
Your last full day in Belize is yours to plan as much or as little as you like! Sleep late, lounge on the beach, swim in the pool, or borrow one of the complimentary kayaks and paddle the blue waters off shore. Hop on one of the lodge's bikes and pedal into the nearby village of Hopkins to experience Garifuna culture. Or bike 10 minutes to Iguana Lodge, Jaguar Reef's new outpost on the Sittee River. Explore the pristine river water by kayak looking for iguanas, manatees, crocodiles, turtles, parrots and parakeets. Or try your luck with the complimentary spin casting gear and fish the Sittee for grouper, snook, snapper, or tarpon. Complete the afternoon with a family game of bocce, badminton, cards or dominos. Overnight at Jaguar Reef Lodge or similar. [BLD]

Learning to snorkel is easy in the calm, shallow waters of Belizes cayes.

DAY 7 :  SNORKEL THE BARRIER REEF
Check out the strange coral formations and swim amongst a variety of brilliantly colored tropical fish as you explore the marine environment on a full day snorkeling and swimming adventure. Boat through a string of mangrove cayes, home to an impressive variety of marine life including angel and parrot fish, sergeant major, barracuda, eel and the occasional stingray or harmless nurse shark. Continue out to the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the world. Your guide will swim along with you pointing out the dazzling array of tropical fish and brain and hydrocorals, sea fans, feather plumes, sponges and sea cucumbers. Enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch with plenty of time for beachcombing before further exploring the reef and returning to the lodge by mid afternoon. Don't forget the sunscreen! Overnight at Jaguar Reef Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  FLY HOME
Enjoy a last dip in the ocean and shake out the sand before packing up and boarding your short flight from Dangriga back to the Belize International airport in time for your international departure. (Local flight included.) Laugh about your good times on the way home and start planning your next family adventure! [B]

Note: There is a BZ$70 (US$35) airport departure tax that must be paid upon departure from Belize.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453