Belize
Destinations and Activities
You say our Explore Belize trip looks intriguing but you need a shorter trip? Or maybe you are either a water fan or a jungle fan, but not both? Don’t worry, Belize has lots of options to create a personalized adventure at a reasonable cost that absolutely won’t disappoint. Some examples of destinations, lodges and activities include:
Mountain Pine Ridge: Mountain Pine Ridge is characterized by an unusual stand of tropical pine mixed with broadleaf rainforest. The area can be toured on hiking trails, lazy rivers, horseback, and single track. Clear mountain water awaits you in dozens of caves, waterfalls, and swimming holes. Among the areas highlights are ruins, caves, rivers, and waterfalls in abundance.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve: In a country as spectacularly beautiful as Belize it is difficult to say which protected area is the most beautiful. Regardless of your criteria, wild Cockscomb Basin would be at the top of the list. With one of the best trail systems to explore the area; Cockscomb encompasses almost 100,000 acres of lowland rainforests protected as a jaguar preserve. Should you grow tired from hiking there are numerous places to swim or even float down a river. Contiguous with Chiquibul National Park and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve, this huge protected area holds not only a healthy population of jaguars but many other species of cats, monkeys, birds, and other wildlife. Declared a Forest Preserve in 1984 and finally a Jaguar Preserve in 1986, the park is the culmination of many years of work and perseverance by individuals and national and international organizations. The story of creating the Preserve is fascinating and accessible, because we work with Ernesto Saqui, the first Preserve manager, who tells stories of the early jaguar research in the Park, and how he and other local people came to support the Preserve after initial opposition. His guides can even show the wreckage of the small plane that crashed in the jungle while researchers were tracking the big cats (the scientists survived).
The Cayes and Reef: Warm, crystal clear aqua-marine waters or soft white sand beaches? Oh the decisions to be made! From the Mesoamerican barrier reef to the jewel-like cayes, a wide range of activity can be accommodated here. All manner of watersports are at your disposal including world-class diving, a huge variety of snorkel sites, leisurely kayaking amongst the cayes and mangroves, even fly-fishing. When all those activities wear you out, spend your afternoon relaxing in a hammock swaying gently in the Caribbean breeze on your private caye.
Caving : The region’s mixing of granite and limestone karst geology has created extensive waterfalls and cave systems. Actun Tunichil Muknal, "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher" is one of the most impressive caves in the Maya Lowland. Located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest, this cave was a sacred place to the prehistoric Maya of Belize, who first began to use the entrance during the early classic period (300-600AD). The cave system consists of a series of chambers, ending in a 300 by 50 meter cathedral where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. Visitors to this cave have the opportunity to travel into the Mayan past and witness a living museum where the human sacrifices and artifacts can be viewed in their original context. This is a first class caving and archaeological experience.
Lodging highlight: Five Sisters Lodge is a perfect escape for ecotourists and nature lovers, situated on ten acres of privately titled land in the midst of the national reserve. Each cabana has been carefully designed with local hardwoods, pimento sticks, traditional bay leaf thatched roofs and richly varnished interiors. Each cabin is equipped with hot and cold baths, verandahs and hammocks to provide you with maximum comfort and relaxation. The waterfalls and swimming are just a few hundred feet down a path to the river.
If a custom trip sounds intriguing to you, please feel free to contact us directly for more details or with any questions.
