Compare Belize Family Adventure by Adventure Smith vs Land of Belize by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Arrive Belize

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge

Upon arrival your family is greeted at the Belize City international airport by our local representative and transferred in an air conditioned vehicle to Belize’s Cayo district. If time allows (flights arriving by noon) the perfect family introduction to Belize is to visit the Belize Zoo (at extra cost). Your base of exploration is Chaa Creek, a 365 acre private rain forest reserve and jungle lodge on the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The Lodge at Chaa Creek provides a unique rainforest experience while maintaining an unspoiled ambiance and is comprised of comfortable palm-thatched cottage rooms and suites nestled along the riverside in a setting of unmatched beauty and tranquility. Guests can interact with nature by exploring the river and miles of well-maintained trails, Mayan temple sites, and through a myriad of adventure activities. Wildlife abounds, and some 250 species of birds have been sighted within the reserve.

Day 2: Natural History at Chaa Creek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge

Mac Morpho will be their fluttering guide, as young visitors to Chaa Creek join our naturalist guides on a stimulating journey of discovery. During the course children will have the opportunity to undertake a wide-range of activities including a "Nature Rules" treasure hunt along jungle trails. This is a fun-filled family activity where kids will learn about tropical animals and plants, about insects and life cycles, and about the importance of conserving and protecting the fragile environments that we all share.

Day 3: Kids Canoe Trip

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge

Families and children will experience the cultures and people of Belize during a canoeing adventure downstream on the Macal River to meet a local Belize family in Cristo Rey village. After a walk-about the the children will share a meal and perhaps even help prepare corn tortillas for a traditional meal.

Day 4: Horseback Ride to Xunantunich

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge

As part of the archaeological component of the program, the children will travel back in time on horse back to on-site ancient Maya temples and become junior archaeologists learning about the mystery of a lost civilization. This will also include a guided tour of the ceremonial Mayan temple of Xunantunich.

Day 5: Placencia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Robert's Grove

A morning transfer brings you to the Placencia Peninsula and Robert's Grove; a luxurious beach side paradise. Familes may consider upgraded ocean view accommodations. The afternoon is yours to relax on the beach or book tours locally.

Day 6: Barrier Reef

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Robert's Grove

Families will enjoy a day of snorkeling together. Explore the colorful coral reef system. Watch hundreds of tropical fish that live amidst the lively barrier reef. Enjoy the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean while you are sunbathing, snorkeling and beach combing. Lunch will be served and drinks will be available. This day will be an unforgettable experience.

Day 7: Caribbean Beach

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodations: Robert's Grove

Today enjoy beautiful Placencia as you relax on the beach, have some Spa Treatments or we can help to arrange another trip, to inland or sea destinations.

Day 8: Transfer Out

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Placencia airport for the 40min flight to Belize International Airport in plenty of time for your flight out. This concludes your Belize Family Adventure vacation.

Day 1 Belize City

Welcome to Belize! Your adventure begins in Belize City – located where the Belize River meets the Caribbean Sea, this bustling former capital is full of history and culture. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you'll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, Belize City has plenty to discover. The coastal and maritime museum is on the north side, housed in the beautifully restored former fire station. Also in the north is the Image Factory, displaying contemporary Belizean artists, the National Handicraft Centre and the oldest Anglican church in Central America – St John Cathedral, built in 1812. Tonight, why not head out on a group welcome dinner, recommended by your leader?

Day 2 Orange Walk

This morning, you’ll take a private vehicle to Carmelita, then hop on a boat towards the Lamanai Archaeological site. The boat ride is an adventure in itself, and your leader will help you spot all the colourful birds along the river. Arrive at the archaeological site and take some time to explore the remains of the ancient Mayan civilisation and its unearthed temples. After, head back up the river by boat to the town of Orange Walk, where you’ll spend the night. Tonight, settle into your lodge and enjoy an included group dinner.

Day 3 San Ignacio

This morning, drive to the San Ignacio area, stopping along the way at the San Antonio Women’s Co-op – an organisation formed by local Mayan women as a way to share skills and traditional knowledge while earning an income. Join the local women for a cooking demonstration designed to preserve their culinary heritage, then sit down together for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. 

Day 4 Tikal National Park, Guatemala / San Ignacio

Today, you’ll take a day trip to the UNESCO site and Mayan ruins in Tikal National Park – located just across the border in Guatemala. Among the thick, evergreen jungle are some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Maya civilisation – plus an array of local wildlife, including coatis and howler monkeys. Take in the towering limestone temples and other monuments while pondering the mystery of the ancient city's demise. After, enjoy an included group lunch and then make your way back to San Ignacio. Tonight is free to relax at your accommodation or explore at your own pace.

Day 5 San Ignacio

Today is yours to take on any of the many optional activities available in San Ignacio. Maybe take a day trip to Xunantunich – an impressive Mayan ceremonial centre with panoramic views over the countryside. The east side of one of the temples has a unique moulded wall surface, and the central plaza has three carved stelae (stone slabs). Getting to the site is half the fun as you'll need to take a hand-cranked ferry to cross the river. Maybe head to the caves of Actun Tunichil Muknal – a living museum of Maya relics. Wade through the water until you reach the ceremonial site, where you’ll find ceramic pots and crystallised skeletons preserved by the natural processes of the cave for over 1400 years. If Maya ruins aren’t your thing, consider a trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area to visit waterfalls and warm swimming holes, check out the butterfly garden, or canoe down the Barton Creek cave reserve.

Day 6 Caye Caulker

Today, take a private transfer to Belize City, where you’ll board a water taxi to the island of Caye Caulker. While there are a number of islands off the coast of the mainland, Caye Caulker is certainly the most famous (and arguably the most beautiful). Once you’ve arrived on Caye Caulker, join your leader on an orientation walk to get to know this tiny and laidback island. You’ll notice no cars here, making it a real pleasure to explore. If you fancy, it’s possible to arrange day trips to the other islands or to some spectacular reefs for snorkelling – just chat with your leader about your options. Each island has its own character, but they all have the unmistakable Caribbean pace and charm. This evening, why not get your hands on some freshly caught seafood, often served in causal and colourful restaurants, to a soundtrack of reggae music.

Day 7 Caye Caulker

Your time in Caye Caulker is about taking it easy, so do as much (or as little) as you want with another free day here. If you're interested in sampling some local cuisine, Belize is famous for its barbequed food and some of the best meals are cooked on the roadside! Caye Caulker is also famous for its lobster – not the cheapest meal, but so (so) good. Always make sure that you respect the season – the lobsters can only be caught between June and February. If you’re out of season, how about some grilled shrimp and a lovely rum and coke made with the local firewater?

Day 8 Caye Caulker

There are no activities planned today, and you can depart the accommodation at any time following checkout. If you would like to spend more time in Caye Caulker, just speak to your booking agent.