Journey through cathedral-shaped caves, spot wildlife along the banks of the Macal River, and explore winding trails in the Belizean rainforest. Then discover the jungle-clad ruins of Tikal, where the ancient Maya once held their royal courts. Conclude your Belize vacation with two days at a beachside hotel on Ambergris Caye - snorkeling, diving, or fishing by day and relaxing to Caribbean rhythms by night. Enjoy this complete adventure with a wide range of what Belize has to offer in just 8 days.
Highlights
Canoe down the Rio Macal and spot Belizean wildlife
Explore the Maya underworld of Actun Tunichil Muknal
Visit Tikal's towering pyramids that rise over the jungle canopy
Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
When you arrive at the Belize City airport, you'll be transferred to your jungle retreat. Time permitting, you may stop at the Belize Zoo, where in typical Belizean fashion animals roam 29 acres in large natural enclosures. Your jungle lodge is tucked next to the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and Roaring River. Surrounded by pristine forest, your days at the lodge will be filled with exploring the lush vegetation of the Maya Mountains and the mysteries beneath.
After a leisurely morning, set out down the Macal River for your first introduction to Belizean wildlife. Your guide will help you spot iguanas, peccaries, coatimundis, and a myriad of bird life. After lunch in town, visit the Maya ruins of Xunantunich, once a major ceremonial site and the second tallest ruin in Belize. From atop, enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Cayo District of Guatemala.
Rise early for an unforgettable adventure into the Maya underworld. You'll begin your journey from your lodge doors, crossing creeks and traveling deep into the Belizean jungle to the opening of the sacred Actun Tunichil Muknal - the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher. At the entrance, you will be equipped with helmets and waterproof headlamps, then wade into the emerald waters that flow from the cave's gaping mouth. Your journey follows the flow of the river through wet and dry caverns surrounded by hanging stalactites and towering stalagmites. Your final destination is the spectacular Primary Chamber, where ancient kings and priests made blood sacrifices to appease the Mayan gods. Your lights illuminate the ghostly outlines of skeletal ritual victims and scattered ceramic shards from ancient rituals. Tunichil is an active archaeological site, so be careful not to disturb the sleeping skeletons and ceramic shards before returning to the light above ground. See Barton Creek Cave for an alternate excursion.
This morning, after an early breakfast, you'll depart for the three-hour drive to the magnificent Tikal ruins, just across the border in Guatemala. Tikal's towering pyramids rise above the thick jungle canopy like stoic sentinels of ancient mysteries. The ancient Maya began building this city around 600 B.C., and for the next 1,500 years the area was an important religious, scientific, and political center. Pyramids were built to honor dead kings, administrative buildings rose, storage houses appeared, and houses for royalty were carved out of the jungle. Tikal became one of the greatest centers of Maya culture and sprawled over 46 square miles with more than 4,000 structures in the main city center alone. Today, the pristine forest engulfing the ruined city is home to howler and spider monkeys, white-lipped peccaries, brocket deer, coatimundis, toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, ocelots, and the seldom seen jaguar. After a tour of the ruins, you will return to your lodge in Belize for your last night in the jungle.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight over the crystal clear Caribbean waters to Ambergris Caye. Settle into your beachside hotel and relax into the Belizean spirit.
This morning you're off on a snorkeling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley for your first introduction to the wonderful world of the Belizean reef. Sea turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, and hundreds of species of fish, corals, and sponges create one of the world's most diverse underwater ecosystems. The rest of the time is available for you to arrange activities locally. You can take a PADI Scuba Diver Resort Course, explore the island by bicycle, rent a catamaran, or just relax on the beach. The island has plenty of services for daytime adventures and nighttime dining.
Today is free for you to arrange activities locally. You can take a PADI Scuba Diver Resort Course, explore the island by bicycle, rent a catamaran, or just relax on the beach. The island has plenty of services for daytime adventures and nighttime dining.
Day 8: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Ambergris Caye and fly back to Belize City in time to connect with your return flight home.
*Please schedule your international flight to depart 12:30 PM or later this day.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for May 12, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for May 12, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,590
Notes
$911 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Gear rental in Jade Jungle Resort
Snorkeling gear (mask, fins, snorkel) is provided on your trip free of charge. Occasionally the snorkeling gear that is supplied is worn, and there may not be enough sizes available to fit every traveler. Therefore, you may want to bring your own snorkeling gear (particularly a mask and snorkel).
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Internal Flights: Belize City - Ambergris Caye - Belize City
Border tax at Belize-Guatemala border $45
Tikal Entrance Fee $20
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue browsing the site if you're ok with this. For more info, please see our privacy policy.
