8 Days • 7 Nights
Belize Highlights: Reef & Ruins
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Xunantunich Maya temple and the jungle around San Ignacio
- The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave with its Maya relics
- Snorkelling Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
- Island life on Ambergris Caye and San Pedro
- The world's second-largest barrier reef
- Belize's mix of Maya, Creole and Caribbean culture
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Welcome to Belize. You are met at the international airport near Belize City and driven west through rolling countryside to San Ignacio, the friendly hub of the Cayo district close to the Guatemalan border. Settle into your jungle lodge and gather for a welcome dinner.
A hand-cranked ferry carries you across the Mopan River to Xunantunich, where you climb El Castillo, one of Belize's tallest Maya structures, for a view over the jungle canopy into Guatemala. The afternoon explores San Ignacio's market and the medicinal jungle trails nearby.
One of the world's great adventures: a jungle hike and river crossings lead to the mouth of the ATM cave, where you swim and wade through an underground river into vast chambers holding Maya pottery and the crystallised skeletons of ancient sacrifices. It is humbling, thrilling and utterly unforgettable.
You transfer to the airstrip for the short, scenic flight over the reef to Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island. Settle into your beachfront hotel in San Pedro and spend the afternoon easing into island time along the sandy streets and waterfront bars.
A boat carries you to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the jewel of the barrier reef, where you snorkel over coral canyons alive with turtles, rays, groupers and vivid fish. At Shark Ray Alley you slip into the water among gentle nurse sharks and southern stingrays, with a fresh lunch between swims.
A free day to enjoy island life your way, whether diving the reef, taking a boat to Caye Caulker for its laid-back charm, kayaking the flats, or simply relaxing with a book and a rum punch on the sand.
Another unhurried day on Ambergris Caye. Snorkel again, try a sunset sailing cruise, explore the mangroves by paddleboard, or seek out the best ceviche and grilled snapper in San Pedro.
After a final island breakfast you fly back to Belize City for your onward international flight, leaving with Maya temples and coral reefs etched in memory.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a reef snorkelling lunch
- Airport transfers
- Touring and activities as per itinerary with English-speaking guides
- Domestic transfers between the mainland and the cayes
- All national park and Maya site entry fees
- Xunantunich and ATM cave tours, and a Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkelling trip
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Language & currency: English is the official language of Belize, which makes travel refreshingly easy. The currency is the Belize Dollar, fixed at two to one against the US Dollar, and US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere
- Visa: Many nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive an entry stamp on arrival; check your nationality with us before travelling and carry a passport valid for at least six months
- Best time to visit: The dry season from late November to May is ideal for the reef, the cayes and the Maya sites, while the greener wet season (June to November) brings afternoon showers and is also the Atlantic hurricane season
- The reef and the cayes: Belize sits on the second-largest barrier reef in the world, superb for snorkelling and diving; bring reef-safe sunscreen, as regular sunscreen is restricted in marine reserves to protect the coral
- Health: A yellow fever certificate is only required if arriving from a country with risk of transmission. Bring insect repellent for the jungle, stay hydrated, and drink bottled or filtered water
- Getting around: Belize is small and easy to travel, with short domestic flights and boat transfers connecting the mainland, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) and Caye Caulker; internal transfers are included in your tour
- Money & tipping: Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for local eateries, markets and tips. Tipping around ten percent is customary for good service and appreciated by guides
- Electricity & connectivity: Power is 110V with US-style flat-pin plugs, so US travellers need no adapter. Wifi is available in most hotels, though it can be slower on the remote cayes and jungle lodges
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ATM cave tour difficult?
It is an adventurous full-day trip involving jungle hiking, river crossings, swimming and some scrambling in the cave, so a reasonable level of fitness and confidence in water are needed. It is one of Belize's most extraordinary experiences, but we can substitute a gentler cave or ruin tour if you prefer.
How do I get between the jungle and the island?
A short, scenic domestic flight (or a boat option) connects San Ignacio's region with Ambergris Caye, and this internal transfer is included and arranged for you.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with any meals specifically named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a reef picnic lunch. Belize's food, from fresh seafood to Creole and Maya dishes, is a highlight, so most lunches and dinners are left free for you to explore.
Are internal flights and boat transfers included?
Yes — all transfers within Belize, including the short domestic flights or boat rides between the mainland and the cayes, are arranged and included so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Belize?
Many nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive an entry stamp on arrival. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book; a passport valid for at least six months is needed.
When is the best time to visit Belize?
The dry season from late November to May offers the best conditions for the reef, cayes and Maya sites. The green season (June to November) is quieter and lush but brings afternoon showers and falls in the hurricane season.
Is Belize suitable for non-divers?
Absolutely. The reef is wonderful for snorkelling straight off the beach or boat, and there is a wealth of jungle, wildlife, cave and Maya-ruin experiences on the mainland, so you do not need to dive to love Belize.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes — every itinerary is a starting point. We can adjust the balance of reef and jungle, add nights, change islands or lodges, and tailor the activities to your interests and pace.
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