Compare Belize: Family Eco Adventure by Elevate Destinations vs Explore Belize by G Adventures

Day 1: Arrival

Pook’s Hill

Arrive at Belize International Airport where our local representative will meet you and transfer you to Pook’s Hill Lodge, your home for the next 3 nights.

Pook’s Hill Lodge, situated within a private reserve, is located at the foothills of the beautiful Maya Mountains in the Cayo District of Belize, bordering the Roaring River and Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The lodge encompasses an ancient Maya Plazuela Group. This unique location, coupled with its unparalleled position in the very heart of the country, makes Pook’s Hill a perfect base from which to discover the sights and sounds of Belize. The thatched cabanas and main lodge are located in a small clearing in the forest with lawns leading to the creek and trails below.

Accommodation is simple and hearkens back to a traditional time in Belize, where closeness to nature and the sounds of birds were valued above cell phones!  The cabanas are built with traditional thatch roofs and are designed in harmony with their surroundings. Each private cabana is fully screened and equipped with a private bathroom, hot water shower, ceiling fan, and 24 hour electricity on a 110 voltage system.  The Family Cabana is comprised of 2 units, which are separated by a dividing wall. Each unit has its own private entrance and bathroom and features 1 queen bed and 1 single bed, or 2 single beds.

Go to sleep to the sounds of the surrounding rainforest and swirling river.

Day 2: Cave & Jungle Adventure

Pook’s Hill

Enjoy an adventurous cave / river trip to see ancient Mayan ritual sites where artifacts remain. Choose between Barton Creek where you canoe through the cave or Actun Tunichil Muknal for a more strenuous and adventurous jungle and cave trip with a surprise at the end!

Day 3: Caracol Maya Archaeology Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge

Pook’s Hill

Travel today to through the protected area of the Mountain Pine Ridge and down into the national park of the Chicquibal Rainforest reserve. Enjoy the changing scenery and variation of eco-systems as you arrive to the Caracol Maya archaeology site, the largest archaeology site in Belize. Here guests enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating and beautiful site with its huge central temple Caana rises over 140 feet above the canopy floor offering wonderful views of the surrounding site and rainforest location. After a tour of the site and a picnic lunch guests can explore the Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools before heading back to the lodge.

Days 4-6:  Cotton Tree Lodge, Toledo

Cotton Tree Lodge

Today transfer to Cotton Tree Lodge near Punta Gorda, for the next segment of your vacation.

Nestled between unspoiled rainforest and the banks of the Moho River, Cotton Tree Lodge offers a tranquil retreat on 100 private acres in the undiscovered Toledo District.

Each day begins a new adventure, with locally guided tours to Mayan villages, ancient ruins, waterfalls, and caves. Activities available on the grounds include birding, horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, medicinal plant walks, or simply relaxing in a hammock.

While there is a focus on sustainability, the lodge offers all amenities to keep guests comfortable.  Eleven private cabanas and five Garden Vista rooms are fully screened and have private bathrooms, ceiling fans, balconies, and hammocks. The Main Lodge houses reception, a gift shop, wireless internet access, and a fully-stocked bar. Our restaurant serves Belizean and American favorites prepared with the freshest ingredients from local farmers and an organic garden.

While staying at Cotton Tree, your family will have the option to spend a day volunteering with local faming families through Sustainable Harvest International.

Day 7: Placencia

Chabil Mar Villas

Enjoy a quick flight to Placencia and settle in at Chabil Mar Villas, a beach resort well designed to accommodate families.

Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day sunning on the beach or enjoying the resorts two infinity pools.

Day 8: Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve

Chabil Mar Villas

Today’s tour is for those that are into fun and adventure! You will be transferred from your hotel to the Cockscomb Nature Reserve where your tour will begin with a nature hike: looking for wildlife, discovering medicinal plants and learning about the Park's history and efforts to save jaguar.

After a picnic lunch, enjoy a refreshing tube-float downriver - enjoying the rainforest from a different perspective!  Then hike to the waterfall for an invigorating swim in cool mountain waters and end by descending down to the river for some "rock sliding!" on smooth rocks. Please note that you will need good hiking shoes for this tour, clothes that you don't mind getting wet, insect repellent, and an extra change of clothes. Tour price does not include a fee of US$2.50,which is a donation to the Belize Audubon Society.

Day 9: Reef Snorkeling Tour

Chabil Mar Villas

Full day private snorkeling reef tour with barbecue lunch.

You will be met at the hotel and transferred to the operator's office to pick up your snorkel equipment and for any final preparations. You’ll  then transfer to the dock and board the boat for your transfer out to the reef and to your island destination. The specific snorkeling destination will vary from day to day depending on weather conditions and your preference. The boat transfer out to the reef usually takes 35min to 1hr. The closest destination is Laughing Bird Caye and the furthest is Silk Caye, Ranguana or Pompion  caye. Once you arrive at the designated caye, put on your gear and your guide will give a small briefing. You’ll begin snorkeling from the beach, enjoying a variety of tropical fish and colorful coral formations. Enjoy a break for lunch and relaxation before exploring another snorkel spot in the afternoon. After a fabulous day of snorkeling, transfer back to the mainland and to the hotel.

Day 10

Transfer by flight to Belize International Airport for your international flight home.

Day 1 Belize City/Burrell Boom

Arrive at any time in Belize City and transfer to our hotel, located just near the village of Burrell Boom.

Today is arrival day so there are no activities planned. You are free to arrive at any time to the Belize City airport where you will be met and transferred to our hotel near Burrell Boom village, which is about 30 minutes from the airport.

Hotels vary greatly throughout Central America and even within Belize depending on the location. We do our best to pick comfortable accommodations, but in remote places, options can be limited. It also is important to remember that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Belize (even in upgraded hotels). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control. The heat and humidity of Belize may affect you upon arrival. You may have a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm; it is simply your body’s reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day.

Day 2 Burrell Boom

Enjoy a full day boat excursion to Lamanai—a Maya archaeological site dating from as early as 1,500 BC. Located on the wildlife-rich shores of the New River Lagoon and surrounded by dense jungle, Lamanai is one of the oldest known Maya sites in Central America. Explore the sprawling stone ruins with a local guide, and note the abundance of crocodile motifs at the site; the name “Lamanai” translates as “submerged crocodile” in the regional Maya dialect. Afterward, return to our hotel to relax at the patio bar and pool, or stroll the grounds to spot local wildlife.

Day 3 Burrell Boom/San Ignacio

This morning, we’ll visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, co-founded by National Geographic Grantee Dr. Robert Horwich. This community-run organization is dedicated to the conservation of the Yucatán black howler monkey, locally called a baboon. Tour the sanctuary with a guide and observe these endangered monkeys in the wild. Then head to the village of San Antonio to visit a G Adventures–supported women's cooperative. Try your hand at throwing clay in the cooperative’s pottery workshop, and learn how to prepare corn tortillas using ancient Maya techniques. After lunch, continue to the bustling town of San Ignacio.

The town of San Ignacio is situated on the banks of the Macal River. It is a perfect location to visit the surrounding countryside. All activities here are optional, so the choice is yours: explore the Mayan cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal, containing relics dating back 1400 years, visit the butterfly gardens, or go tubing or canoeing through the natural limestone caves of the region.

Day 4 San Ignacio

Discover the stunning Maya ruins of Xunantunich, built over a thousand years ago on a hilltop above the Mopan River. Climb the steps of El Castillo, the site’s tallest structure, to enjoy panoramic views of the jungle; and wander amid intricately carved stelae and well-preserved temples and palaces. Spend the afternoon at leisure, choosing from a variety of optional activities.

Day 5 San Ignacio

Enjoy a free day to explore San Ignacio and the surrounding countryside. Opt to descend into the spiritual “underworld” of the Maya at the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, an ancient burial site where mysterious rituals took place; visit a butterfly garden to see the brightly coloured local species; or go canoeing or tubing through the region’s breathtaking limestone caves.

Day 6 San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Drive back towards the coast and catch a ferry to Caye Caulker—one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful cayes or islands—located along the Belize Barrier Reef. Settle into your hotel in this breezy island paradise and choose to take a walk through laid-back Caye Caulker village, home to a small but diverse community of local residents and expats.

Caye Caulker is a long thin limestone caye off the coast of Belize. 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. Apart from eating some sensational seafood (lobster is a local specialty), the main activity is snorkelling and boating along the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.

Caye Caulker is very small and has a limited number of accommodations available. For this reason, we often use different hotels, depending on the departure and time of year. Accommodations are a bit rustic, and rooms will have ensuite, electricity and hot water, but due to the remote location, there may be occasional interruptions to these services. The stunning location and natural beauty of this off-the-beaten-track island more than make up for a few minor inconveniences.

Day 7 Caye Caulker

Set out to explore the island on a leisurely bike tour with a local guide from the G Adventures–supported Bike with Purpose project. This afternoon, opt for a snorkelling excursion on the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef on the planet. Come face-to-face with sea turtles, manta rays, parrotfish, nurse sharks, and other fascinating creatures as you swim through the warm tropical waters. In the evening, choose to take a relaxing sunset cruise around the island.

The barrier reef off Caye Caulker is a true wonder of nature. Optional snorkel trips get you up close and personal with nurse sharks and rays, to name a few of the wondrous resident creatures.

Day 8 Caye Caulker

Spend the day at leisure, opting to join a full-day sailing and snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve—the first marine reserve in Belize. Swim alongside schools of tropical fish in this spectacular natural aquarium and visit the Coral Gardens, perhaps spotting a manatee or two among the vibrant coral formations. Cap off the day with a cruise back to Caye Caulker just before sunset. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a popular local restaurant.

The barrier reef off Caye Caulker is a true wonder of nature. Optional snorkel trips get you up close and personal with nurse sharks and rays, to name a few of the wondrous resident creatures.

Day 9 Caye Caulker

Depart at any time. Please book any departing flights no earlier than 11:30 am to ensure you will have ample time to travel to the airport.

Should you wish to have additional post nights in Caye Caulker or Belize City, please ask your sales CEO.

Please book any departing flights no earlier than 11:30 am to ensure you will have ample time to travel to the airport. This trip finishes on Caye Caulker, which is located one hour by water taxi from Belize City (an additional 30 minutes by taxi to the airport). There are frequent ferry departures between 7:30am and 5:00pm. You can purchase your return ferry ticket easily once you get to Caye Caulker.