Compare Mayan Encounter by G Adventures vs Luxury Belize Family Vacation by Wildland Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 12 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,349 | $ 3,750 |
| Price Per Day | $ 112 | $ 469 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Retreats |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | 1 lunch, 1 dinner |
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
| Description |
Trek through jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white-sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico with an adventure that combines the mystery of ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Shop for treasures along colonial Antigua's cobblestone streets and get to know the locals from communities where life sometimes moves at a reggae pace. Explore the ruins of Tikal, snorkel with stingrays, lounge in gorgeous Caye Caulker, and finish up in bustling Playa del Carmen. With accommodation and transport arranged by a Chief Experience Officer, this trip offers the perfect way to discover this region’s unique vibe. |
This luxury Belize family vacation offers some of the most premier accommodations and activities found in Belize. Providing the perfect mixture of comfortable eco lodges and beach-front villas, combined with exciting adventure activities professionally guided by local experts. Watch for iguanas as you paddle down the Macal River, glide past brilliant crystalline stalactites in the depths of the Barton Creek Cave, whiz through the forest canopy on an extensive zip line network, inner tube through an incredible cave system with Mayan relics and imagine ancient times of the Maya exploring the ruins of Xunantunich. Also, make sure you try snorkeling in the clear waters of the Belzie Barrier Reef from your Caribbean beach-front lodge. In addition, you'll see amazing wildlife and other natural wonders with our master naturalist guides. Make your next family vacation a trip to this small Caribbean country and experience Creole, Maya, and Garifuna (African) culture. |
Day 1 Antigua Guatemala
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. We recommend booking pre-accommodation to fully experience this charming city.
Please note that Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying into the Caribbean island nation of Antigua— it's nowhere near the start of this tour!
Day 2 Antigua Guatemala/Rio Dulce
Travel to Rio Dulce and enjoy free time to explore.
Day 3 Rio Dulce/Flores
Travel to the Caribbean town of Livingston by scenic boat ride from Rio Dulce. Enjoy a visit to the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project here. Then, walk around the grounds before a sit-down lunch of delicious local flavours. Continue on to Flores. Located on Lake Petén Itzá, this is an excellent home base for exploring nearby Tikal.
Day 4 Flores
Enjoy a guided tour of the nearby Mayan ruins of Tikal. In the afternoon, opt to relax on the lake or hang out at a café in town.
Day 5 Flores/San Ignacio
Cross the border to Belize. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge area, or see the lesser-known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
Day 6 San Ignacio
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to check out nearby caves, some more Mayan sites or a local conservation project.
Day 7 San Ignacio/Caye Caulker
Travel to Belize City and catch a high-speed water taxi to Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on a G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour. Spend a few days enjoying this island paradise.
Caye Caulker is a relaxed and easy going island with friendly and welcoming local residents. There are dozens of activities around the island and surrounding coral reefs. Try your hand at fishing and barbecue your catch on the beach.
Day 8 Caye Caulker
Spend time enjoying this island paradise. Opt to go on a sailing trip to snorkel with stingrays, nurse sharks and green turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If the boats aren't your thing, just relax, Belizean-style.
Day 9 Caye Caulker
Jump for joy that you get another full day to explore Caye Caulker! Do what you didn't get to yesterday or take the day to just lay on the beach!
Day 10 Caye Caulker/Playa del Carmen
Say farewell to Belize, and travel by boat and private vehicle from Caye Caulker to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
With plenty of options nearby, Playa is an excellent hub for exploring.
Day 11 Playa del Carmen
Enjoy a free day to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm, or visit one of the many cenotes. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.
Day 12 Playa del Carmen
Depart at any time.
Day 1: Arrive in Belize
Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Mystic River Resort
Arrive at the Belize International Airport and receive a warm welcome from our private local guide. We set off across the Belizean countryside, quickly leaving the city on a 2 hour drive to the rain forests of the Cayo District. Overnight at the Lodge at Chaa Creek in a cottage beautifully set in the rain forest. [meals not included]
Day 2: Cave Tubing & Xunantunich
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Mystic River Resort
Get prepared for unforgettable day inner tubing though an expansive limestone cave system of Caves Branch river system. Cross the stream with your inner tube and hike upstream before hopping in the river and floating into a massive cavern with underground waterfalls, limestone formations, and an incredible crystal cathedral chamber. No experience is needed since the trip does not involve technical caving. Eat lunch before heading off to visit the Maya ruins of Xunantunich or “Maiden of the Rock”. The dominant structure of this ruin rises 130 feet, providing an amazing view of the surrounding forest and ancient city below. Explore the ruins and picture ancient Mayan life while your guide gives a detailed description of the historical events surrounding this fascinating area. Return to the lodge for another savory dinner while listening to the sounds of the rain forest. Stay overnight at Chaa Creek.
Day 3: Barton Creek Caves & Zip Line
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Mystic River Resort
This morning we have a special cooking lesson as we visit a local Mayan home to learn to make tortillas. Corn tortillas form the base of the Mayan diet and children not only love to make them, they love to eat them! Our Maya experience continues as we delve into Xibalba (she-bal-ba), the Mayan underworld. The Maya believed that caves served as a connection between the living world and underworld. Our guide takes us into the Barton Creek cave system, one of Belize’s most extensive, with over 4 miles of underground tunnels. The cave was formed by the Barton Creek and so we explore by canoe equipped with high powered lights amongst giant stalactites, stalagmites, and impressive calcite crystal formations. Learn about the rituals that archaeologists believe were performed here and the cave’s importance to the ancient Maya people. Hop out of our canoes and head up to Calico Jack’s zip line course set into the side of the Mayan Mountains. Choose from a variety of courses ranging from 4 platforms and 1,000 ft. to 15 platforms and 2,700 ft. of pure zipping enjoyment (activity not included and to be paid directly). Stay overnight at Chaa Creek.
Day 4: Caribbean Coast
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Chabil Mar Villas
Your morning is at leisure to enjoy Chaa Creek. Sleep in and later visit the Butterfly farm, arise early for an early morning bird walk or just laze around at the pool. If you wish your guide can arrange activities such as canoeing on the Macal River, mountain biking, or horseback riding at additional cost. Following lunch, settle into the van for one of the most scenic drives in Belize as you travel along the Hummingbird Highway through the Maya Mountains to Placencia on the Caribbean Coast. Kick off your shoes, unpack and settle into your beautiful room. Step outside your door to see wonderful ocean views and pristine white sands. Overnight at Chabil Mar.
Days 5-7: Belize Barrier Reef & Free Days
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodationse the extensive Belize Barrier Reef. Check out the strange coral formations and swim amongst a variety of brilliantly colored tropical fish as y: Chabil Mar Villas
With a local snorkeling expert, head out today to explor
ou explore the marine environment on a half-day snorkeling and swimming excursion. The Belize Barrier Reef is the longest unbroken barrier reef in the world. Your guide will swim along with you pointing out the dazzling array of tropical fish, hydrocorals, sea fans, feather plumes, sponges, and sea cucumbers. Return to the lodge for lunch on your own, and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing at the beach. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
The remainder of your stay is at your leisure. Choose to head out on another snorkeling outing, SCUBA diving, fishing or one of the many mainland tours such as Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve. Additional tours and activities can be reserved at additional cost with the concierge desk during your stay. Overnights at Chabil Mar.
Day 8: Depart
Enjoy one final dip in the warm Caribbean Sea and shake out the sand before packing up and returning to Placencia to board your short flight to the Belize International airport in time for your international departure. (Local flight included.) Laugh about your good times on the way home and start planning your next family adventure!
