Compare Explore Belize by G Adventures vs Rainforest & Reef Explorer by Island Expeditions

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.

Days: 1-3

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Stay: Bocawina Rainforest Resort

You will be met in Dangriga and transported to your eco-resort in the Southern Maya Mountains. Once you arrive, you'll get a welcome drink, meet your fellow guests and then choose your guided activities for your next two days of adventure in the rainforest.

Bocawina Rainforest Resort combines all the amenities of a rainforest eco-resort with bright comfortable rooms and private bathrooms, yet still off the grid. This unique resort is located in the Southern Maya Mountains within a 7000 acre Mayflower Bocawina National Park adjacent to the world famous 100,000 acre Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve. Bocawina offers you everything right at your doorstep. Experience Belize’s longest zip line adventure plus the only waterfall rappelling in the country.  Explore on your own and hike to five different waterfalls and unexcavated Mayan ruins 

Included In The Rainforest

• 3 nights in a Mayan room
• Welcome drink & meal plan (3 days)
• Free wi-fi access
• Choice of 2 guided activities/excursions – select from a list which includes ziplining, waterfall rappelling, bird watching, hiking & more!
• Unlimited trail and rainforest hiking
• Round trip ground transfer from Dangriga to Bocawina Rainforest Resort

Days: 4-6

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Stay: Tobacco Caye Paradise Lodge

Enjoy your last morning in the rainforest, then travel by van/boat to your next destination – Tobacco Caye! Settle into your over-the-water cabana…and let the next few days unfold as you wish. Snorkel, SUP or kayak along the reef. Relax with a refreshing drink in the hammock on your deck.

Ready to live on the water's edge? Tobacco Caye is a refreshing yet rustic experience unlike any other in Belize. Perched right on the Barrier Reef you'll find a 6 cabin lodge with everything you need, where you can relax in a hammock right on your own private deck overlooking the warm turquoise tropical seas. Simple living surrounded by tropical fish and exotic birdlife, Tobacco Caye is a gorgeous island covered with palm trees and white coral sand. This five acre caye, is one of the most popular destinations in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. A wonderland for snorkelers and paddlers.    

Included On The Reef:

• 3 nights in an over-the-water cabana
• All meals
• World class walk-in snorkeling from the beach
• Unlimited use of sea kayaks, snorkel sets & SUPs
• Round trip boat transfer from Dangriga to Tobacco Caye Paradise
• Fishing, scuba diving & other guided activities can be arranged for an additional fee