Belize Reef & Ruins
Experience Overview
Cramming an astonishing range of cultural and natural wonders into a relatively small package, Belize is the adventure world’s best-kept secret. On this activity-packed trip, we navigate jungle trails, float through the Mayan underworld, snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef, and cross into Guatemala to visit one of the most important and impressive Mayan ruins in the world, Tikal. The adventure is capped with a stay on Caye Caulker, the quintessential palm-strewn, white-sanded Caribbean Island.
Profile
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (lodge), 9 Classic nights (6 hotels, 3 lodge) — Three nights at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and three nights on Caye Caulker — Some moderate walks (maximum: two to three hours) — Travel by private minibus and boat — Reasonable fitness required
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (lodge), 9 Classic nights (6 hotels, 3 lodge) — Three nights at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and three nights on Caye Caulker — Some moderate walks (maximum: two to three hours) — Travel by private minibus and boat — Reasonable fitness required
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
It is suitable for those with an adventurous spirit; the pace is manageable and the included activities are doable without prior experience. To visit numerous areas of natural beauty, we must take some long drives, sometimes across bumpy roads. We also travel by boat to and from Caye Caulker. Border crossings can sometimes be delayed with significant queues and formalities. Being in the tropics, most of the region is hot and humid, particularly during summer and inland.
Eating Drinking
There are 11 breakfasts, six lunches and three dinners included.
Breakfast is always provided in hotels and generally consists of bread, eggs, ham, fruit, juice and coffee. Although meat plays a key part in many Central American dishes, vegetarians can be well catered for. Please advise us on booking of any special dietary requirements you may have.
Transportation
We use a private minibus throughout the trip with air-conditioning. To reach Caye Caulker, we travel by water taxi, a high-speed boat service.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Bird’s Eye View Lodge, Crooked Tree Village, Crooked Tree
Phone: +501 670-8138
Airport: Belize City Airport (BZE)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 23mi (37km) from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight route from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Due to the distance between the airport and start hotel, we strongly recommend you join the group transfer.
Please note, details of the group transfer may not be confirmed until two weeks prior to departure. For this reason, we suggest that those wishing to join consider arriving in Belize City one day before the trip starts to ensure they will definitely be at the airport for the transfer. Speak to your sales representative to book pre-tour accommodation. Those booked onto pre-tour accommodation by Exodus will be picked up from their hotel for the group transfer to Bird’s Eye Lodge on the start day of the tour.
If you would like further information on joining this trip or to arrange a private transfer, please speak to your sales representative.
Notes on booking flights with us for this trip
Travellers on some flights are required to stay overnight in USA (Houston or Miami) on the outward journey due to flight schedules. The cost of the hotel is checked by your sales representative at the point of booking and added to the price. Please note, the tour leader does not accompany the group during this overnight stay. Please speak to your sales representative for further details.
Houston hotel: Courtyard Houston Intercontinental Airport
Address: 15838 John F Kennedy Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77032
Phone: +1 281-449-5400
Miami hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Miami Airport South Blue Lagoon
Address: 777 NW 57th Ave, Miami, FL 33126
Phone: +1 305-262-5400
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Located in the Caribbean, Belize has a subtropical climate with a dry season (December to May) and a wet season (June to November). During the wet season, there are often daily downpours; however, these tend to be quite short so there is still plenty of bright sunshine. For this reason, midsummer is not necessarily a bad time to go. Even during the dry season, rain is possible!
Temperatures remain fairly consistent year-round, rarely falling below 20C (68F) and usually not going much above 32C (90F), with an average 75%-85% humidity. Along the coast, the sea breeze eases the humidity, but in the Belizean jungle (and that of Guatemala), it can be pretty sticky. The main hurricane season is between August and October. Water temperatures remain a relatively constant 23C (73F).
Spending Money
The Belize dollar exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of $2 Belize dollars to US$1. We recommend taking the majority of your spending money for the trip in US dollars cash, as this is the most convenient currency to exchange and rates are better than for other currencies. You can exchange currency at most banks and hotels.
When departing Guatemala to enter Belize there is a payable departure tax of US$20 ($40 Belize dollars) per person. There is also a departure tax from Belize of US$35.50 plus a US$0.75 security screening fee, however, the Belize departure fees are often included in your flight ticket, so you do not have to pay separately. Please check your flight ticket for confirmation.
For meals not included in the trip price, budget US$10-US$15 for lunch and US$15-US$20 for dinner in standard restaurants (not including drinks).
In the main tourist areas, it is possible to spend more than this, but it is also possible to find much cheaper places to eat. Beer generally costs approximately US$2‐US$3 and house wine is around US$4‐US$6 per glass. Soft drinks and mineral water are around US$1-US$2 per bottle.
Optional excursions
San Ignacio (all tours are shared)
— AJAW Chocolate tour (one hour). Chocolate-making process, education and sampling: US$15 per person — Cahal Pech Maya site (on own). Explore the ruins of a Mayan royal family: US$5 per person (entrance fee paid on site) — Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave tour (six hours). Adventure into a wet cave to view the Crystal Maiden and underworld remnants of the Mayan civilization. Participating guests must be comfortable with maneuvering through caves, tight spaces, crawling and swimming/wading through water illuminated only by headlamp: US$125 per person (minimum: four people). Note: space on tour is limited, we recommend guests interested in the ATM tour pre purchase with us at the time of booking to ensure your space on the excursion.
Tipping
While tipping is not compulsory, it is a large part of the Latin American service culture. For the tour leader and main tour driver, we suggest around US$40-US$50 to be shared between them, in favour of the tour leader. Local certified guides will accompany us for destination specific activities and site visits, it is customary to tip them approximately US$3-US$4.
You may wish to form a ‘tip kitty’ with other group members to facilitate the distribution of tips to local guides/drivers.
Highlights
— Join a small group of like-minded adventurers to discover the best of Belize — Stay within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, home to birds, crocs and monkeys — Travel into Guatemala for a sunrise tour around the jungle ruins of Tikal — Float along the Caves Branch River in an inflatable tube to see the Mayan underworld — Enjoy the laid-back island life of Caye Caulker and the Belize Barrier Reef - the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere — Snorkel in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a vital habitat for sea turtles, manatees and dolphins
Trip Details
Product Code: 4066
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: service.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: ABZ
Starts: Belize City, Belize
Finishes: Belize City, Belize
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— 11 breakfasts, six lunches, three dinners — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughoutAccommodation
Hotels and lodgesWe stay six nights in hotels and five nights in destination lodges. (Those on the group flights will have an extra hotel night in Houston en route) In Crooked Tree and Tikal, we stay in lodges surrounded by tropical forest and the sounds of the jungle. In San Ignacio, we can enjoy the pool and view from our hotel perched on a hill overlooking the river valley. While in Caye Caulker our 3 star hotel has island flair and comes with a pool, private beach and rooftop lounge. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (nights 1-3) Bird’s Eye View Lodge is located in the heart of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is known as the top neotropical birding site in Belize. The lodge offers modest rooms, air-conditioned rooms, a bar and full restaurant serving delicious local and international cuisine. San Ignacio: Cahal Pech Resort (nights 4-6) Cahal Pech Village Resort is perched on a hill overlook the town of San Ignacio. The in addition air-conditioned rooms, this relaxed resort also has two pools, a bar, restaurant and is a stone's throw from the Mayan site of Cahal Pech. Tikal: Tikal Jungle Lodge (nights 7, 8) Tikal Jungle Lodge is in the heart of Tikal National Park and a short walk from the ruins. The rooms feature architectural decorative details and amenities designed to deliver a relaxing experience in the middle of the jungle. The restaurant serves international cuisine, and the bar offers a variety of cocktails to enjoy at the bar or poolside after a day of exploring Tikal. Note - in accordance with park regulations, power generators run with limited service in rooms from 10pm-6am (powering ceiling fan, one nightlight and one outlet). Caye Caulker: La Isla Resort (nights 9-11) After all our exploring the Mayan world, it’s time to relax a bit. La Isla Resort is a beachfront hotel centrally located in Caye Caulker and a short walk to everything. The rooms are bright and functional with air-conditioning. The resort has a relaxing pool, free to use kayaks and paddleboards, as well as rooftop lounge area to watch the sunset. Worth knowing Single rooms can be booked for an optional single supplement, subject to availability at the time of booking.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,125 ($594 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive in Belize and travel to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, named for the ‘crooked’ cashew trees that grow around the lagoon. Wetland areas weave throughout, providing a habitat for some 286 bird species, the migratory jabiru stork being the most famous. Crocodiles, monkeys, otters and freshwater turtles also reside here. It’s a peaceful destination with an interesting community and history; the village of Crooked Tree is thought to be the earliest European settlement in Belize. Tonight, we enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (or similar)
Wake up fresh to beautiful bird songs. In the morning, we join our guide to explore the on-site hiking trails, looking for the birds and other amazing animals that live here. Back at the lodge, we have lunch and relax. Later this afternoon, our wildlife tour continues with a three-hour guided sunset boat trip on the lagoon. Migratory birds tend to visit between December and May, but plenty of resident species are seen throughout the year. From our small boat, it’s easy to appreciate the tranquillity of the sanctuary. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (or similar)
This morning, we venture by boat to the Mayan temple of Lamanai (meaning Submerged Crocodile) on the shores of the New River Lagoon. It is thought to be the largest Mayan ceremonial site in the region with more than 800 structures deep in the jungle. As we cruise, our guide points out the resident bird species and wildlife, including spider monkeys and crocodiles. We then explore the glories of the site, including the High Temple, where we can ascend 125ft (38m) to the top and take in breath-taking views of the complex. Accommodation: Bird’s Eye View Lodge (or similar)
This morning, we head west to the town of San Ignacio. Along the way, we visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, a grassroots conservation project that protects the endangered black howler monkey (there are no baboons in Belize, but this is the name used in the local Creole dialect). The reserve provides 20sqmi (52sqkm) of forest for the estimated 4,000 to 5,000 resident black howler monkeys – you’ll certainly hear their calls as you enter the sanctuary! Our adventure continues when, following a short river ford and hike, we each sit in an inflatable tube and float down the Caves Branch River. Our gentle journey takes us through a series of caves once thought to be Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. As we go, our local guide reveals the mysteries of life after death in the religion of the ancient Maya. After, we continue to San Ignacio, a laid-back town with a mixed population of Mestizo, Creole, Lebanese, Chinese and Mennonites. A great example of multicultural Belize. Accommodation: Cahal Pech Resort (or similar)
Today we take a break from the jungle and explore the scenic beauty of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. It was established in 1944 to protect and manage this unique Caribbean pine forest habitat and noticeably contrasts to the rest of the tropical country. We will take a nature walk on our way to explore the spectacular Rio Frio Cave – whose entrance alone is 65ft (20m) tall and opens into an immense cave chamber. Afterwards we enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the scenic “Rio on Pools”, where a series of mini-waterfalls has worn the granite into inviting pools. Lunch will be followed by an opportunity to visit the pools (a great spot to cool off from the heat). The reserve is also home to a variety of wildlife, including white-nosed coatis, tapirs, ocelots, cougars and jaguars. Resident birds include native stygian owls, blue-crowned motmots, king vultures, keel-billed toucans, parrots, bluebirds and woodpeckers, which are joined by visiting orange-breasted falcons and tanagers. We end the day with 2 unique experiences on our way back to San Ignacio. First, we visit a Butterfly Farm that supports a local conservation project and is abuzz with hummingbirds. Secondly, we will learn about and enjoy a craft coffee experience that incorporates Mayan harvesting and preparation techniques. Accommodation: Cahal Pech Resort (or similar)
We have a free day to enjoy San Ignacio and the surrounding area. There is a range of optional activities, including a visit to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (ATM for short). This popular full-day cave tour starts with a short swim into the Mayan underworld to view the Crystal Maiden, the crystalised skeleton of a young woman whose bones have calcified and now sparkle. San Ignacio is lovely to explore and there are short excursions available from town, including a chocolate tour or a walk amid the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech – see the Extra Expenses & Spending Money section of the Trip Notes for more. Accommodation: Cahal Pech Resort (or similar)
On our way to the Guatemalan border, we visit Xunantunich, one of the most important Maya sites in Belize. The centre is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The largest pyramid here, El Castillo, rises 130ft (40m) above the main plaza and offers an impressive panorama over the Mopan River valley and into Guatemala. After exploring, we cross into Guatemala where we meet an additional local guide, driver and vehicle to transfer us to the Tikal Jungle Lodge, where we spend the next two nights. Accommodation: Tikal Jungle Lodge (or similar)
We rise early to enjoy a sunrise tour of Unesco-listed Tikal, nearly 20sqmi (52sqkm) of classic ruins surrounded by the dense jungle of Petén. We take a tour of the city, visiting the main temples, palaces, squares, tombs, residences and religious monuments. The area was thought to support a population of 90,000 Mayans at its peak and there are some 3,000 separate buildings to explore. Tikal is also a superb area for observing jungle wildlife and visitors regularly see howler monkeys, spider monkeys, toucans, weaver birds, coatimundis and even tarantulas (if you know where to look and wish to find one!). After a full morning touring Tikal with our guide, we have lunch and return to the lodge to enjoy an evening soundtracked by the jungle. Accommodation: Tikal Jungle Lodge (or similar)
We leave Guatemala this morning and journey back to Belize City. Here, we visit Travellers Liquors (home of the much-loved One Barrel Rum) for a history lesson in rum-making at their heritage centre. This features the bottling process, product sampling, Belizean cocktail-making tips, and opportunities to sample and purchase vintage-edition rum. We then head to the Belize City water taxi station where we take a boat to the Caribbean island paradise of Caye Caulker. Here lies the delicate coral of the Belize Barrier Reef, which provides food and shelter to a dizzying number of tropical fish, with manatees, nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles sharing the warm turquoise waters. Accommodation: La Isla Resort (or similar)
Just off the southern part of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize and a few minutes’ boat ride from Caye Caulker, is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (the name means Little Channel in Mayan and is named for the natural break in the reef here). This area is an important marine habitat, providing refuge for a huge number of fish, coral, several sea turtle species, West Indian manatees and two dolphin species. Nurse sharks also congregate in Shark Ray Alley, a popular dive site. Bring your waterproof camera, today we join a full-day snorkelling tour in the reserve to see a wide selection of the marine life in these tropical waters. Accommodation: La Isla Resort (or similar)
Today has been left free to enjoy the laid-back spirit of Caye Caulker. Spend your day relaxing by the pool, the beach or take a stroll to explore this charming island town atop the reef. Paddleboards and kayaks are also available free of charge from the hotel. Don’t forget to grab a cold beverage as you watch the sun set on your Belizean adventure. Accommodation: La Isla Resort (or similar)
This morning, we wave goodbye to our island paradise and return to Belize City by water taxi and begin our return journeys home. If you’d like to spend more time in or Caye Caulker, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Ian Jack - Traveled, March 2024
Accurate Mayan ruins and the reef off the coast of Belize Most Inspirational Moment Tikal Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent. The night before we returned to Belize from Guatemala, our guide, Jorge, suggested an early start to make sure we could get to the crossing point early and not join a huge queue (we'd seen it on the way in). We duly got up for an early start with our packed breakfasts provided by the hotel and made it to the crossing point for it to open. By the time we got to the front the queue was well over double the length and the day already starting to get hot. A brilliant move on our guides part. Additionally, very knowledgeable on the bird life and generally keen to show us his country. Advice for Potential Travellers Beware the humidity, take very lightweight clothing, including some with long sleeves. Keep drinking the water. You will need more than you realize.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/24/2024
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