Belize Uncovered: Reefs, Ruins & Reggae

Arrive to Belize City and transfer inland to to the town of San Ignacio. Prepare to let the good times roll! Upon arrival attend a welcome meeting and afterwards choose to join the group for a meal at a local spot nearby. This vibrant town serves as the gateway to exploring Mayan ruins, lush rainforests, and adrenaline inducing outdoor activities. Get ready to explore!

Included Experiences

• Arrival Transfer: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
• Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
• Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

Enjoy a full free day to go all out in San Ignacio! Choose from a long list of optional activities to get you out into the wild landscape. Choose to visit the sacred Mayan caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal, check out Barton Creek Cave, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, or visit the ancient ruins of Caracol or Xunantunich. Pretend you're an ancient explorer discovering these places for the first time and make sure to capture photos and videos because you’ll want to look back on this amazing trip when you get home.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: There's plenty to see and do in San Ignacio, and plenty of time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like cave exploring, visiting Mayan ruins, and horseback riding. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Optional Experiences

• Horseback Riding: Choose from one of the 45 horses at Hannah's Stables and ride over farm trails and forested paths, all the way along the river to the Mayan site of Xunantunich. Enjoy a short guided tour of the site before taking a different trail back to the stables. Watch for native birds, including toucans and parrots, listen for howler monkeys, admire orchids and fruit trees and breathe in the fresh air of the Belize countryside.
• Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Visit: The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave has only been open to the public since 1998. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see up to 1400 artifacts, including pottery, tools and vessels used by the Maya for a thousand years. Hike 45 minutes to the cave entrance, wade/swim through deep pools, past calcite formations, to explore this damp, dark place of ritual and sacrifice. With a helmet and headlamp, see the skeleton of the “Crystal Maiden,” a young girl whose bones have calcified over the past 1,100 years, making them appear to sparkle.
• Xunantunich Visit: Hike to the top of this impressive 9th-century Maya centre, set high on a natural limestone ridge, and admire the view of the Mopan River, Cayo District and neighbouring Guatemalan countryside. The tallest temple, El Castillo, is partially excavated and explored and there’s a unique stucco frieze on the east side of the structure. Discover why Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site with intricately carved stellae, 25 temples, and well-preserved palaces.
• Barton Creek Cave Canoeing: Strap on a headlamp, step in the canoe and paddle along an ancient Mayan waterway inside the Barton Creek Cave. Bring your camera to take memorable photos of cathedral rock chambers, stalactites and stalagmites. Upon return, opt to swim at Big Rock Falls.
• Caracol Ruins Tour: Set within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, prepare to be wowed by Caracol. It’s the largest known Maya site in Belize and was once home to an estimated 180,000 people. The site was discovered in the 1920's by a logger looking for mahogany. One of its pyramids, Canaa or “Sky Place”, built in 800 AD and standing 43m (143 ft), continues to be the tallest man-made structure in the country. Bring your walking shoes, water and a sunhat because there’s lots to see here. Tombs, temples, altars, carved stelae and other stone monuments – it’s well worth the effort and easy to be impressed.
• Cave Tubing: Hike through the lush subtropical forest to the entrances of remarkable limestone caves within the mountains. Jump into crystal blue waters, tube down stream, enjoy a cool swim in refreshing therapeutic cave waters in a natural pool formed between two cave entrances, float through some rapids, view sparkling cave formations and learn of cave geology and Maya history during the tour.

Enjoy the scenery today as it changes from inland jungle to gorgeous beach-front paradise. The group will leave San Ignacio for Belize City in the morning. Enjoy free time in Belize City for lunch on your own and then board a water taxi to the laid-back, chill atmosphere of Caye Caulker. Choose to grab a meal at a local restaurant together with the group and let the inside jokes commence. Many laughs and selfies will be shared as the sun sets on this beautiful island.

Included Experiences

• Water Taxi: Jump in and cross the water to the next stop.
• Free Time: Grab some lunch on your own in Belize City and take a short walk to stretch those legs after this morning's drive.

Reach peak relaxation during a full free day in Caye Caulker. Fewer than 2,000 people live here full-time – an eclectic mix of Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna, Creole, and Mennonites, along with a few hippies and retirees. The main street is a sandy pathway and people get around on foot, by bike or golf cart. Choose to pre-book a visit to the Hol Chan Marine reserve, go kayaking, walk around town, swim, or simply work on your tan on a towel in the soft sand. The choice is yours and this is a great way to soak up time on land before taking to the sea on a sailing adventure.

Included Experiences

• Free Time: Spend a full free day in the laid-back, beach-front paradise of Caye Caulker. Enjoy the slow pace of living and be fully present in the moment.
• Big Night Out: Enjoy a night out on the town with your travel friends and truly let your hair down in the chill atmosphere of Caye Caulker.

Optional Experiences

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve Day Tour: Explore the oldest marine reserve in Belize with a full-day tour filled with snorkelling and sightseeing. The tour includes stops at three popular snorkelling destinations – the Hol Chan Channel, Shark and Ray Alley, and Coral Gardens. Stop at two additional viewing spots to marvel at tarpon and manatees. Expect to see an abundance of angelfish, blue-stripped grunts, schoolmaster snappers, and hundreds of other varieties of species in their natural surroundings. Keep your eyes peeled to see green moray eels poking out from their tiny caves. Tour Includes: snorkeling mask, fins/flippers, lunch, assortment of tropical fruit, water, and other snacks.
• Guided Kayak Trip: Follow a guide on a sea kayak tour around the southern portion of Caye Caulker. Paddle around the mangroves and try to spot some of the unique wildlife in the area. (15-20 USD per person)

Live out those island sailing fantasies as the group departs on an actual sail boat from Caye Caulker this morning to Rendezvous Caye. Get ready for some serious fun! Along today’s route the group will visit Goff's or Sergeant's Caye for two distinct snorkeling experiences. These dives offer immersion into the vibrant marine life of Belize’s Barrier Reef System, the world's second-largest in size and biodiversity. After an incredible lunch prepared by your onboard chef, arrive at Rendezvous Caye, a tiny jewel of a sand bank surrounded by breathtaking turquoise waters and abundant marine life. This is your exclusive island escape! Set up tents and enjoy free time to relax. Sunset on Rendezvous Caye is a memory that will last a lifetime, particularly when enjoyed with refreshing rum cocktails and delicious ceviche. Cheers, everyone! The night before your sailing departure travellers will be asked to divide their belongings into two distinct sets. Secure Storage for bulky luggage. This will contain items not immediately required during the sailing portion of the trip. These belongings will be securely stored in a designated area on the vessel. While accessible, it is requested that retrieval from this storage be limited to essential needs, minimizing disruptions and maximizing valuable deck space. And On-Hand Essentials (Personal Day Bag). This smaller bag, such as a backpack or duffel, should contain all personal necessities for daily use throughout the trip. This includes clothing, toiletries, and any other items you'll want readily available without accessing the main storage. This system ensures immediate access to crucial items while maintaining an organized and uncluttered environment on board.

Included Experiences

• Belize Sailing Adventure Day 1: Day one's final destination is Rendezvous Caye. Along the way there will be snorkelling stops to experience the diverse marine life here in Belize's barrier reef system. Your ship will navigate beyond frequented areas into remote, pristine waters of the Southern Cayes, making this feel like a genuine escape. Enjoy the spacious sundeck onboard and stunning views of the Caribbean. The sailing crew will even give those interested a chance at learning the ropes firsthand. Enjoy a fresh lunch onboard before arriving to your island paradise, a tiny jewel of a sand bank surrounded by breathtaking turquoise waters and abundant marine life. Enjoy a beautiful sunset as your chef prepares the catch of the day for dinner. And feel excited knowing you are making memories that will last a lifetime. Tonight, you will sleep in tends on the island.

Sail onwards to Tobacco Caye today with snorkelling at Colson Caye, Southern Long Caye Channel, and Caye Glory where the loggerhead turtle and Caribbean stingrays reside. You’ll stay the night on picturesque Tobacco Caye. The island offers a distinct allure for travellers. It is notably larger than the previous island and sits directly atop the Barrier Reef, making it a prime spot for snorkelling with marine life. Feel the island’s vibrant pulse surrounded by brightly coloured wooden houses and swaying coconut palms. Enjoy free time here to stroll, swim, and hang out with a nice cold beverage in your hand. Tonight, enjoy another glorious sunset dinner featuring the fresh catch of the day. Sleep in dorm style rooms tonight. You’ll want someone to pinch you because this kind of paradise really does feel like a dream come true.

Included Experiences

• Belize Sailing Adventure Day 2: Chow down some breakfast before setting sail to your next destination. There will be some incredible marine encounters today during your snorkelling excursions at Colson Caye, Southern Long Caye Channel, and Caye Glory. At Caye Glory you may encounter magnificent loggerhead turtles and graceful Caribbean stingrays. Enjoy lunch onboard and snacks between snorkels. Spend the night on the larger Tobacco Caye which sits directly atop the Barrier Reef and allows visitors to observe the dramatic spectacle of open sea waves meeting the reef with a mesmerizing abundance of ocean colours and diverse array of bird and marine life. It is possible to stroll the entire island in about 20 minutes and offers a remote feel while still providing an authentic immersion into Caribbean island life. You'll find other brightly coloured wooden houses on the island, some hovering on stilts over the water, and lots of swaying coconut palms. Stay in dorm style accommodation tonight with ceiling fans to blow the sea breeze around. Have a delicious dinner featuring the fresh catch of the day and sit back to observe a beautiful sunset with your travel pals. It's safe to say no one wants this magical experience to end.

‘Ahoy, mateys’ today is your final day aboard your sailing ship. But fear not you have one last long snorkelling opportunity in the Southern Water Cay Channel. So what are you waiting for? Dive in one last time and feel enveloped by the vibrant underwater world of Belize. Anchor off of Southern Water Caye and enjoy the powdery white sand and crystal-clear knee-deep water of island paradise with some farewell cocktails to close out a truly unique and unforgettable sailing experience in the Caribbean. Eat a fresh lunch on the ship and then disembark in the late afternoon in Dangriga. From here, the group will travel by private vehicle to Hopkins for free time. Perhaps, find a fun local spot for dinner and drinks as a group to keep the island party vibes going.

Included Experiences

• Belize Sailing Adventure Day 3: Sail to South Water Caye for a final snorkelling experience in the channel there to encounter more marine life. Dive into the clear water and simply enjoy being in paradise and the vibrant underwater world. Then, spend some time on the picture-perfect beach of South Water Caye with white, powdery sand, and crystal-clear, knee-deep water. Sip a cold beverage and cheers to an unforgettable three days. The group will sail back to Tobacco Caye, gather all belongs, and disembark the ship in Dangriga in the late afternoon. What a unique and memorable way to see and experience some of Belize's tropical cayes.
• Free Time: Enjoy time to yourself in Hopkins. Embrace the chill vibes, find a local spot for dinner and drinks, and commiserate with your travel family about the amazing sailing adventure you just had. Make sure to catch the final sunset colours over the turquoise sea.

Depart at any time.