Belize: A Week Of Adventure And Relaxation

Belize is a Central American country nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. It is known for its incredible shoreline, dense jungles, and rich history. Here is a week-long itinerary to make the most of your time in Belize:

Day 1: Belize City

Start your trip in Belize City, the country's largest city. Explore the historic city centre, visit the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, and stroll through the Fort Street Tourism Village for some shopping.

Day 2: Jaguar Paw and Nohoch Che'en Caves

Take a 90-minute drive to Jaguar Paw, an area deep in the rainforest. Along the way, observe the diverse ecosystems of Belize, from thick mangroves to savannah grasslands. At Jaguar Paw, go on a guided hike through the rainforest, learning about the area's history and medicinal plants. Then, float along the river in inner tubes and explore the Nohoch Che'en Caves, once used by the Mayans for ceremonial purposes.

Day 3: Altun Ha and The Belize Zoo

In the morning, visit Altun Ha, a popular Maya site featuring a human-made lagoon and ancient temples. Then, head to The Belize Zoo, a rescue facility providing a safe home for animals. Here, you'll find jaguars, toucans, scarlet macaws, and tapirs, among other species.

Day 4: San Ignacio

Spend the day in San Ignacio, a charming town in the Cayo District. Visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project to learn about these fascinating reptiles, and explore the nearby Cahal Pech ruins, a shaded ruin site dating back to 1200 BCE.

Day 5: Xunantunich

Just a short drive from San Ignacio is Xunantunich, a prominent Maya site overlooking the Mopan River. Cross the river via a hand-cranked ferry and hike up to the temples, including the tallest structure, El Castillo. Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Day 6: Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

For an adventurous experience, explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, also known as the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre. This challenging tour involves a 45-minute trek through the forest, crossing rivers, and venturing into the cave, where you'll find ancient Maya relics and human skeletons.

Day 7: Ambergris Caye and Hol Chan Marine Reserve

On your last day, visit Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. Go scuba diving or snorkelling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to a diverse array of marine life, including stingrays, nurse sharks, and sea turtles. End your day with a relaxing sunset cruise along the coast of Ambergris Caye.

Explore Mayan ruins, including the Lamanai Mayan ruins, Xunantunich, and Caracol

Belize is home to impressive archaeological remains of the ancient Maya, who ruled over Mesoamerica and built impressive cities in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. With over 600 Maya sites across Belize, the country has the highest concentration of Maya temples in the region.

Lamanai Mayan Ruins

Perched on the New River Lagoon in northern Belize, Lamanai is a sprawling 960-acre Mayan site. Lamanai means "submerged crocodile" in Yucatec Maya, and you'll find plenty of crocodile art and real crocodiles and iguanas basking on the river banks. Lamanai is the longest-occupied known Mayan site in the world, inhabited from about 1500 B.C. to A.D. 1700. The site features three Mayan pyramids, the remains of a 16th-century Spanish church, and several plazas and temples established during Pre-Classic Mayan rule. Visitors can climb the High Temple and explore the Mask Temple, which includes ancient artifacts linked to Maya, Aztec, and Olmec rulers.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is a prominent Mayan site sitting above the winding Mopan River, which you cross via a hand-cranked ferry to reach the site. The site features six major plazas, with the tallest structure, "El Castillo," towering at 130 feet. Visitors can climb the steps of El Castillo for a bird's-eye view of neighbouring Guatemala and the Mopan River below. Xunantunich was a thriving Mayan city during the Classic Period, from about A.D. 600 to 900, and you can see carved stelae and explore the site's many plazas and temples.

Caracol

Caracol is one of Belize's most stunning pieces of ancient history. It is the largest known Mayan archaeological site in Belize, spanning roughly 25,000 acres. The site houses two ball courts, a central plaza, and several smaller structures. Archaeologists estimate that Caracol's population once peaked at 120,000 Mayas in the Classic Period, making it one of the largest cities in the Mayan world. Its most iconic structure is the massive Caana (Sky Palace) pyramid, which stands at 143 feet tall, making it the tallest human-made structure in Belize. Visitors can hike to the summit of Caana to drink in the panoramic views of the surrounding jungle.

Scuba dive at the Great Blue Hole

Belize is a scuba diver's dream destination, with its spectacular barrier reef being the world's second-largest and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Great Blue Hole, in particular, is a must-visit for divers, offering a unique and challenging experience. Here's everything you need to know about scuba diving at the Great Blue Hole.

Location and Formation:

The Great Blue Hole is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, about 65 miles from Placencia. It is a large underwater sinkhole with a circular shape, stretching 300 meters (984 feet) across and 125 meters (410 feet) deep. It was formed during the last ice age when sea levels were lower, and a limestone cave system was flooded as the oceans rose, causing the cave roof to collapse.

Marine Life and Cave Formations:

The Great Blue Hole is known for its impressive cave formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, which divers can explore up close. While there isn't much coral growth or fish life due to the lack of light penetration, divers often encounter Caribbean reef sharks and bull sharks patrolling the depths. The surrounding coral reefs, however, are teeming with marine life, making for excellent snorkelling.

Diving Conditions and Requirements:

Diving the Great Blue Hole is recommended for seasoned divers due to the depth and unique conditions. Good buoyancy control and a calm mindset are essential. The dive typically begins with a descent to a sandy limestone shelf surrounding the hole, followed by a free descent into the darkness. The north and south walls feature stalactite formations, with the south wall also having stalagmites below.

Practical Information:

The Great Blue Hole is accessible via full-day, 3-tank trips from resorts or liveaboard options. The boat ride to the site takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The dive itself lasts around 30 minutes, with a maximum depth of 130 feet. Divers must be Advanced Open Water certified or equivalent and have recent diving experience. Snorkelling is also an option for those who don't wish to dive.

When to Go:

The dry season, particularly April and May, offers ideal weather conditions for diving the Great Blue Hole. This iconic dive site is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a highlight for many divers visiting Belize.

Party on Caye Caulker, a chilled-out Caribbean island

Caye Caulker is a small limestone coral island off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. Measuring about 5 miles (8.0 km) by less than 1 mile (1.6 km), the island is a popular destination for backpackers and other tourists. With a population of around 2,000 people, Caye Caulker is known for its laid-back vibes, beautiful natural setting, fresh lobster, and warm sea breezes.

Things to do in Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker offers a good balance of activities above and below the water's surface. Here are some of the best things to do during your week in Caye Caulker:

• Explore the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve: Check out the 61-square-mile marine reserve, home to gentle nurse sharks and stingrays. Frenchie's Diving offers snorkelling and diving excursions to the reserve, including a stop at Shark Ray Alley.
• Party at The Split: The Split is Caye Caulker's most popular beach and the perfect place to let loose. Listen to live music, dance to reggae, and enjoy a frosty Belizean Belikin beer at the iconic Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill.
• Manatee spotting: Join a boat tour with Caveman Snorkeling Tours to visit the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary and spot manatees in their natural habitat.
• Bike or golf cart around the island: Rent a bike or golf cart and explore the sandy backroads of Caye Caulker. Most guesthouses offer rentals, and it's a fun way to get around and see the island.
• Indulge in local cuisine: Sample the fresh seafood and tropical drinks that Caye Caulker has to offer. Try the Lazy Lizard for a beach club vibe, or Sip and Dip for tables in the water.
• Dance the night away: For nightlife, head to the Sports Bar for cheap drinks, loud music, and a lively crowd. After midnight, the Reggae Bar is the place to be, with a club-like atmosphere.

Where to stay in Caye Caulker

Accommodations in Caye Caulker range from boutique hotels to family-run guesthouses, with some Airbnbs and vacation rentals also available. Here are some recommended places to stay:

• Caye Reef: Apartment-style accommodations with waterfront access and a rooftop jacuzzi.
• Colinda Cabanas: Colorful beachfront suites and cabanas with hammocks and panoramic ocean views.
• Blu Zen: Contemporary two-bedroom condos on the beach, with tropical gardens and a penthouse offering sunrise and sunset views.

When to visit Caye Caulker

Belize enjoys warm temperatures all year round, but the best time to visit Caye Caulker is generally from January to April, avoiding the wet season from June to July and the hurricane season from June to November. For the balmiest water temperatures, visit from May to September.

How to get to Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is easily accessible by high-speed water taxi or small plane. Ferry rides from Belize City take around 45 minutes to an hour. Alternatively, you can fly to Caye Caulker Airport from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City.

Go birdwatching—Belize has over 500 avian species

Belize is a birding paradise, with over 500 avian species. The best time for birdwatching in Belize is all year round. The warm weather means that most native birds can be spotted throughout the year. From December to April, local resident birds are joined by migratory birds escaping the North American winter, so it's a good time to see both Central and North American birds.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Located 33 miles northwest of Belize City, this site contains a 16,400-acre wetland and forest habitat. Species found here include the Jabiru Stork, Northern Jacana, and Morelet's Crocodile. Tours of Crooked Tree can be conducted by boat or on foot.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Just south of San Ignacio, this reserve protects nearly 300 square miles of pine forest, rivers, and waterfalls. The reserve is home to toucans, parrots, and motmots. It's also one of the most likely places in Belize to see the rare Orange-breasted Falcon.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

This 128,000-acre protected area is located east of the Maya Mountains and is home to over 300 avian species. The park has an excellent trail system through tropical forests inhabited by five feline species, howler monkeys, tapirs, and Keel-billed Toucans.

Rio Bravo Conservation Area

This 260,000-acre reserve, located 33 miles west of Belize City, is one of the country's best forest reserves. Over 400 species of avifauna have been identified here, including the Resplendent Quetzal, Harpy and Crested Eagles, and various species of hummingbird and parrot.

Guanacaste National Park

Located two miles from Belmopan, this park protects broadleaf forest near the confluence of the Belize River and Roaring Creek. It's a transitional habitat between the highlands and the coastal zone and is home to over 100 bird species, as well as jaguarundi, agouti, and kinkajous.

Half Moon Caye National Monument

At the southeast end of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, this site is a nesting ground for the Red-footed Booby and the Magnificent Frigatebird.

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker

The littoral forests on these islands are home to the Black Catbird and White-crowned Pigeon, both listed as near-threatened species. The Mangrove habitat and abundant sea grape trees also attract many other bird species.

Take a distillery tour at Copalli Rum

Belize, a small country nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, offers a plethora of attractions for visitors, from its dense jungles and rich history to its stunning shoreline. If you're spending a week in Belize, here's why you should consider taking a distillery tour at Copalli Rum:

• Sustainability and Social Impact: Copalli Rum is more than just a distillery; it's a social and environmental mission. The brand was founded with the purpose of preserving the rainforest and providing the local community in Southern Belize with sustainable economic opportunities. By choosing Copalli Rum, you're supporting an initiative that protects the region's fragile ecosystem and provides fair wages to its employees, making it the largest non-governmental employer in Southern Belize.
• Award-Winning Craft Rum: In just four years, Copalli Rum has garnered acclaim from prestigious publications and won multiple awards. It's a fresh take on rum, crafted from only three ingredients: fresh-pressed sugar cane juice, rainwater, and yeast. The result is a clean, fresh rum that captures the spirit of the rainforest. Their White Rum, Barrel Rested Rum, and Cacao Rum have all received recognition for their distinct flavours and quality.
• Farm-to-Flask Initiative: Copalli Rum is produced at the Copal Tree Distillery, located adjacent to the Copal Tree Lodge and its 3,000-acre organic farm. The distillery is designed to have zero impact on the environment, and the rum is crafted using sustainable practices. The sugar cane is grown and harvested at the Copal Tree Farm, ensuring the freshest ingredients. The distillery also offers a rum bar and cocktail mixology classes for those seeking a spirits-driven experience.
• Unique Tasting Experience: Copalli Rum offers a distinct taste that sets it apart from traditional rums. Unlike most rums, which are distilled using molasses, Copalli Rum uses fresh sugar cane juice, creating a smooth and satisfying flavour. Their White Rum is perfect for cocktails like daiquiris, while the Barrel Rested Rum is richer and sweeter, ideal for sipping neat or mixing in your favourite rum cocktail. The Cacao Rum, infused with organic cacao nibs, adds a rich chocolate twist to your drink.
• Exploration of Southern Belize: Southern Belize is known for its dense subtropical rainforest, exotic wildlife, and rich biodiversity. By visiting the Copal Tree Distillery, you'll have the opportunity to explore this unique region and learn about its ecosystem. The distillery is committed to promoting the spectacular region and its efforts to preserve and conserve the rainforest, marine ecosystem, and local community.
• On-Site Experiences: In addition to the distillery tour, Copalli Rum offers a range of on-site experiences. You can stay at the Copal Tree Lodge, an eco-tourism lodge that showcases the beauty of the region. The lodge provides a true jungle experience while also offering modern amenities and luxurious accommodations. You can also indulge in the Farm-to-Table All-Inclusive Package, which includes Copalli Rum and other premium organic spirits.

Frequently asked questions