11 Days • 10 Nights
Grand Belize: Reef, Ruins & Rainforest
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Caracol and Xunantunich Maya cities
- Cave tubing and Mountain Pine Ridge waterfalls
- The Cockscomb Basin jaguar reserve
- Garifuna culture on the Hopkins coast
- Snorkelling Hol Chan and the barrier reef
- Island life on Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 11-day journey.
Met at the airport and driven west to San Ignacio in the Cayo jungle, you settle into your lodge and enjoy a welcome dinner surrounded by rainforest.
Float through a river cave in the morning and climb the temples of Xunantunich in the afternoon, with jungle wildlife along the way.
A full-day expedition to the great Maya city of Caracol, deep in the Chiquibul forest, with a cooling stop at the Rio On Pools on the way back.
Climb into the pine-clad highlands to explore the Rio Frio Cave, thundering Thousand Foot Falls and the swimming holes of Big Rock, overnighting at a remote forest lodge.
You descend to the Garifuna coastal village of Hopkins, settling into a beachside lodge and soaking up the relaxed drumming culture of this warm community.
A full day hiking the trails of the Cockscomb Basin, the world's first jaguar reserve, among waterfalls, pools, birds and howler monkeys.
Transfer up the coast and fly out to Ambergris Caye, checking into your beachfront hotel in San Pedro for the reef portion of your journey.
A boat trip to snorkel the coral canyons of Hol Chan and swim with nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley, with lunch on the water.
A free island day to dive, kayak, sail at sunset or simply relax on the sand with a rum punch.
A short boat ride to tiny, car-free Caye Caulker for a final, blissfully slow day of hammocks, the Split and grilled lobster.
A last morning by the sea before the boat and flight back to Belize City for your onward international departure.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, lodge dinners 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
- Caracol, Xunantunich, cave tubing, Cockscomb Basin and a Hol Chan 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
Why choose the eleven-day grand tour?
It is the only way to experience all of Belize, jungle, Maya ruins, jaguar reserve, Garifuna coast and two very different cayes, at a relaxed pace with time to absorb each. Nothing of the country's remarkable variety is missed.
Is there a lot of travelling between regions?
Belize is small, so journeys are short, and we use a mix of scenic drives, a domestic flight and boat transfers to keep things easy and comfortable throughout.
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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