Active Belize: Jungle and reef adventure
11 days from £3,750
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
The scenic drive to the lodge Pook’s Hill – set at the foot of the Mayan mountains in Cayo District – takes about two hours. This is a tightly forested region of profuse biodiversity populated by a multitude of bird, mammal and foliage species and sheltering the vestiges of Mayan temples. The misty mornings and ancient trees strangled by vines create a magical atmosphere enhanced by secret caves and shimmering streams.
This intimate lodge is set in a grassy clearing surrounded by dense forest and tropical foliage on the edge of Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It’s embedded in natural landscapes: the nearest town of any size is the Belizean capital Belmopan, 20km away, while the drive from Belize City takes about 90mins.
Jade Jungle Resort is a great place to relax, absorbing the sights and sounds of the verdant scenery – howler monkeys lurk in the vicinity – or observing some of the exotic birds which visit the property. There are just 11 simple thatched cabins, each fully screened, with private bathroom. Meals are served buffet-style, taken around a large table where you have the opportunity to mix with your fellow guests.
The veranda bar and lounge (with small butterfly collection) is another popular spot to mingle. If you are feeling like a bit of exercise, wander along the extensive network of trails which reach a couple of natural pools where you can swim or go tubing. For a little more excitement, there are more challenging hikes with caves to explore, and horse riding. The lodge is also well placed for visits to the popular Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) caves.
Prepare for a real Indiana Jones adventure on this excursion into an extraordinary Mayan ceremonial cave, the 5km long Actun Tunichil Muknal. It’s more than evocative of the bloodletting traditions of the Mayans: you’ll actually come across gruesome skeletal remains. You’ll see where the Mayans have manipulated cave formations to create the faces of men and animals, project shadows or serve as makeshift altars.
It’s not all history and death though: bats flit around and tropical fish inhabit the waters. It is quite a challenging exploit: you have to swim under the arch of the cave’s sweltering roof, climb over slippery rocks and spend hours in the dark. But it is a truly unique experience which you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.
This intimate lodge is set in a grassy clearing surrounded by dense forest and tropical foliage on the edge of Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. It’s embedded in natural landscapes: the nearest town of any size is the Belizean capital Belmopan, 20km away, while the drive from Belize City takes about 90mins.
Jade Jungle Resort is a great place to relax, absorbing the sights and sounds of the verdant scenery – howler monkeys lurk in the vicinity – or observing some of the exotic birds which visit the property. There are just 11 simple thatched cabins, each fully screened, with private bathroom. Meals are served buffet-style, taken around a large table where you have the opportunity to mix with your fellow guests.
The veranda bar and lounge (with small butterfly collection) is another popular spot to mingle. If you are feeling like a bit of exercise, wander along the extensive network of trails which reach a couple of natural pools where you can swim or go tubing. For a little more excitement, there are more challenging hikes with caves to explore, and horse riding. The lodge is also well placed for visits to the popular Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) caves.
Mayflower Bocawina National Park, in the southern district of Stann Creek, hosts a carpet of lush jungle, waterfalls cascading over foliage-fringed rocky cliffs and the remains of settlements of the Mayan empire: temples, ceremonial sites and residences. Set in a natural bowl fringed by the Mayan mountains it feels remote, but is in fact only an hour or so’s drive from some of the county’s major towns. Living and thriving in the rainforest are an estimated 238 species of birds; troops of black howler monkeys lurk in the canopy while beneath there are walking trails to explore.
Mayflower National Park is a small nature reserve flanked by the Mayan mountains. It’s not far (less than an hour’s drive) from the Garifuna towns Dangriga and Hopkins on the coast, but situated in a tightly forested natural bowl, it offers a completely different holiday experience.
Nestled in the park is the Bocawina Rainforest Reserve, a property set in tropical tree-dotted lawns devoted to offering guests a bunch of active adventures in the surrounding exuberant landscape. The accommodation itself (13 guest rooms and suites) is simple in design but high quality: choose between traditional Belizean thatched cabins and more modern rooms and suites especially suitable for families and friends, which are spacious with great views. Décor is old-school tropical Caribbean: comfortable, with plenty of wooden features, decorated with flower and animal prints. The semi-al fresco restaurant, Wild Fig, uses fresh ingredients from the local community in its farm-to-table menu, in line with Bocawina’s sustainable tourism guidelines.
During your stay at the lodge you can take part in a variety of activities and excursions. Choose from the guided Bocawina Rainforest trail hike, or, if you are up for thrills, ride the longest rainforest canopy zipline in Central America, with a birds’ eye view over the forest. It takes up to two hours to complete the zip which is four km long, has 14 platforms and nine different runs. Not only is it long, offering you the opportunity thoroughly to get absorbed in the experience and spot birds and mammals high up in the branches, but you can also opt to ride the line at night…with a head torch. This is a rare chance to experience the canopy under the cover of darkness, which has a completely different feel to the daytime adventure: you may spot owls, howler monkeys and bats.
You could also choose to take a two hour walk through humid jungley vegetation to Antelope Falls. It’s a bit hilly, but satisfying for that. Upon arrival you will enjoy views over the rainforest to the Caribbean Sea beyond. For the intrepid, there’s the option to slowly rappel a staggering 75m down the rock-face of the waterfall to a pool of cool clear water at the bottom – a dip here will be most welcome.
Other options include a visit to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve to explore the trails which call at spectacular waterfalls with mountain views, and have great bird-spotting opportunities. Budding historians will be attracted by the chance to visit Mayan archaeological ruins while those of you more interested in contemporary indigenous culture may visit a spice farm and see how local communities source the resources of the jungle in their daily lives for medicine, furniture and jewellery making.
Some of these options have an extra charge, paid locally.
Mayflower National Park is a small nature reserve flanked by the Mayan mountains. It’s not far (less than an hour’s drive) from the Garifuna towns Dangriga and Hopkins on the coast, but situated in a tightly forested natural bowl, it offers a completely different holiday experience.
Nestled in the park is the Bocawina Rainforest Reserve, a property set in tropical tree-dotted lawns devoted to offering guests a bunch of active adventures in the surrounding exuberant landscape. The accommodation itself (13 guest rooms and suites) is simple in design but high quality: choose between traditional Belizean thatched cabins and more modern rooms and suites especially suitable for families and friends, which are spacious with great views. Décor is old-school tropical Caribbean: comfortable, with plenty of wooden features, decorated with flower and animal prints. The semi-al fresco restaurant, Wild Fig, uses fresh ingredients from the local community in its farm-to-table menu, in line with Bocawina’s sustainable tourism guidelines.
It’s a drive of only about 30 minutes from the mountain fringe down to the Garifuna village of Dangriga on the Caribbean coast. From there you’ll embark on a one and a half hour’ boat ride to Glover’s Reef Atoll and a protected marine park. It consists of an elliptically shaped reef measuring 32 by 11km, situated around 64km offshore. You’ll be staying at a unique safari-style camp there, right on the water’s edge, stepping out of your furnished tent onto pearl-white sands – magical.
One of three atolls in Belize, Glover’s Reef Atoll is surrounded by clear waters teeming with marine life. In this idyllic location, you’ll find Glover’s Reef Basecamp, a safari-style permanent tented camp on a small coral islet.
With a barrier reef on one side and lagoon on the other, the location on Southwest Caye guarantees superb opportunities to witness the theatre of life under the seas. The tents have wooden floors, proper beds and kerosene lamps, pitched on sugar-white sands and shaded by palms. Tents also have a private deck with chairs to sit in the evening to enjoy the night sky.
Guests usually stay four nights at the camp, and spend days enjoying guided and self-guided activities including sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and scuba diving. Snorkelling is usually best in the lagoon’s calm waters, where the kaleidoscope of marine life is readily accessible.
Glover’s Reef is a sociable place and the atmosphere is convivial: you’ll soon be swapping traveller’s tales with your fellow guests over a beer at sunset.
The camp is perfect for active families and couples of mixed abilities, offering flexibility and choices in daily guided activities, so that you and your travelling companions can do things together or separately. You can choose between kayaking in the mangroves, stand-up paddling on the surface of super-calm waters (or choppier seas depending on the weather), or snorkelling in the warm, glass-clear lagoon – in places it is less than a couple of metres deep, making the abundant marine life really accessible: view a plethora of dazzling tropical fish, eels and turtles, all thriving among the live coral.
It’s a very relaxed place: the activities offered on any day will depend on the weather and guests’ interests. There’s so much to do (though not all activities are always available, check with us): sunrise yoga, fishing and kayak sailing. You’ll have professional briefings and training on the activities: all of which are guided by skilled specialists in their field: among them are naturalists, fishermen, marine biologists and experienced kayakers.
One of three atolls in Belize, Glover’s Reef Atoll is surrounded by clear waters teeming with marine life. In this idyllic location, you’ll find Glover’s Reef Basecamp, a safari-style permanent tented camp on a small coral islet.
With a barrier reef on one side and lagoon on the other, the location on Southwest Caye guarantees superb opportunities to witness the theatre of life under the seas. The tents have wooden floors, proper beds and kerosene lamps, pitched on sugar-white sands and shaded by palms. Tents also have a private deck with chairs to sit in the evening to enjoy the night sky.
Guests usually stay four nights at the camp, and spend days enjoying guided and self-guided activities including sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and scuba diving. Snorkelling is usually best in the lagoon’s calm waters, where the kaleidoscope of marine life is readily accessible.
Glover’s Reef is a sociable place and the atmosphere is convivial: you’ll soon be swapping traveller’s tales with your fellow guests over a beer at sunset.
Upon arrival by boat back at Dangriga you will proceed to Hopkins, a sunny low-rise village sprawling along the Caribbean coast with flour-white, palm-flecked beaches stroked by turquoise seas. It’s regarded by many as the capital of the country’s Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture, and is as laid-back and informal as you might expect. It is a good spot to view manatees near the mouth of the river or in the sea early in the early morning.
Garifuna – Black Carib immigrants from St Vincent, themselves descended from Nigerian slaves – moved to Belize at the beginning of the 19th century. Their distinct, vibrant culture now defines the cheerful and welcoming village Hopkins, which stretches out languidly along a white-sand beach between the verdant Mayan Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. A dreamy place in which to relax, this fishing village – which hosts a marina at the point where the river Sittee flows out into the sea – also has several small hotels, bars and restaurants. Our favourite lodging is the beachfront Parrot Cove, laid-back and low-rise, with contemporary guest rooms clustered round an outdoor pool and an inner courtyard. There’s a gourmet restaurant with an eclectic menu overseen by one of Belize’s most prestigious chefs, and an equally informal beach eaterie. Complimentary bikes, kayaks and paddle boards are available, but you may choose just to swing in a hammock and watch the sun set.
It’s your last day: situated right on the sands, Parrot Cove is a truly low-key beach resort: kayaks and paddle boards are available as well as bikes and there is a long list of activities and excursions to choose from, but you may be tempted just to swing to and from in a hammock or laze around the intimate outdoor swimming pool.
Garifuna – Black Carib immigrants from St Vincent, themselves descended from Nigerian slaves – moved to Belize at the beginning of the 19th century. Their distinct, vibrant culture now defines the cheerful and welcoming village Hopkins, which stretches out languidly along a white-sand beach between the verdant Mayan Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. A dreamy place in which to relax, this fishing village – which hosts a marina at the point where the river Sittee flows out into the sea – also has several small hotels, bars and restaurants. Our favourite lodging is the beachfront Parrot Cove, laid-back and low-rise, with contemporary guest rooms clustered round an outdoor pool and an inner courtyard. There’s a gourmet restaurant with an eclectic menu overseen by one of Belize’s most prestigious chefs, and an equally informal beach eaterie. Complimentary bikes, kayaks and paddle boards are available, but you may choose just to swing in a hammock and watch the sun set.
It’s a 3 hour drive back to Belize City, where we’ll drop you off at the airport.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Belize - Maya mountains and jungle
Dense jungle, ancient Maya cities, winding rivers and rugged mountain landscapes create one of Central America’s most rewarding adventure destinations in the wild heart of Belize. From hidden archaeological treasures to wildlife-rich forests and spectacular waterfalls, these Belize jungle holidays offer unforgettable experiences far beyond the Caribbean coast.
Belize - Caribbean cayes and coast
Snorkel over coral gardens on the world’s second-largest barrier reef, dive the deep-blue sinkhole of the Great Blue Hole, and slow down on a palm-fringed caye with nothing to do but swim. On Belize’s Caribbean coast, the offshore islands and the mainland shore open onto a UNESCO-listed reef that runs the length of the country.
Belize is fast becoming THE place to go for outdoor adventures in an exotic setting. Ever since independence, the availability of exciting new outdoor activities has mushroomed alongside the opening of jungle and coastal lodges of all standards – so, in this tiny country, the choice for lovers of nature and outdoor challenges is huge.
We’re thrilled to introduce a holiday showcasing four of our favourite properties – a lodge at the foot of the Mayan mountain range, a rainforest resort, a coastal glamping site and a beachfront hotel – which between them offer hiking and rappelling, cycling, kayaking, stand-up paddling and snorkelling, as well as cultural experiences in the surrounding region. But you don’t have to do it all, by any means; you can choose softer, relaxing options on site such as bird watching, manatee spotting of even just sunbathing. The combination of the locations, the friendly and professionally-run properties and the range of activities brings together the elements for a really fun and exhilarating outdoor holiday.
Sally Dodge
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
4 road journeys (longest 3.5hrs). 2 boat journeys ( 1.5 hours each )
- Accommodation
For this holiday we have chosen quality, traditional Belizean style, thatched jungle lodges which blend into the natural environment with bird- and exotic foliage-filled grounds, a glamping-style tent camp and a small, friendly beach hotel with an excellent restaurant. All have plenty of adventurous activities and excursions from waterfall abseiling and ziplining to sea kayaking and snorkelling.
- Meals
Breakfast daily, lunch day 2 (ATM Caves) with full board at Bocawina Rainforest Resort (3-6) and Glover’s Reef Baseamp (6-9) (the latter includes some alcoholic drinks)
- Summary Of Nights
11 days, 10 nights: San Ignacio 2, Mayflower Bocawina National Park 3 , Glover’s Reef 3, Hopkins Bay 2.
- Trip Suitability
This is an active trip which falls between soft adventure and challenging activity. There are no long days of travel on this trip but there are kayaking trips that can last half a day. This holiday is suitable for active adventure enthusiasts, couples; friends; single people; families. Please check that your travel insurance policy covers you for any activities you intend to take part in.
If you have a disability or special requirements, please call us.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 30 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.
- Climate
The best weather conditions are during the dry season late November to May which is when the trip will operate. It can be cool in the highlands in winter, while the jungle areas are hot and humid all year round. There’s a low risk of tropical storms or hurricanes from June to November.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
We will give you a proper check list but bring plenty of light, loose and preferably cotton clothing and quick drying, breathable sports clothes. Good quality, comfortable walking shoes, sports sandals and trainers are appropriate. Recommended kit includes aqua or kayaking shoes, a dry bag, a wide brimmed hat, quick drying towel, a light sports bag, sunglasses, insect repellent, sun cream and binoculars. A portable power bank for your phone is always very handy although you will be able to charge at all destinations. Bring a good water bottle.
- What Is Not Included In The Journey Price
The unit of currency in Belize is the Belize dollar which is fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar .(US dollars also accepted).
- Currency
Cash machines are available Belize City and Dangriga so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency, Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused.
- How To Take It
For the majority of your trip, meals and excursions/activities are included. For other expenses a budget of around US$50 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir.
- Daily Spend
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
- Tipping
Travel insurance is essential.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK THAT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY WILL COVER YOU FOR ALL THE ACTIVITIES ON OFFER INCLUDING ABSEILING.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Insurance
There is an international departure tax of $55 to be paid but most scheduled airlines will include it. There’s also a security tax of about $5 and a small conservation charge.
- Airport Taxes
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements, including advice on yellow fever and malaria tablets. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Vaccinations
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- When is the best time to visit Belize?
The best weather conditions are during the dry season Dec-May. It can be cool in the highlands in winter, while the jungle areas are hot and humid all year.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of Belize?
The official language of Belize is English but many of the population also speak a creole patois.
- How do I get local currency in Belize?
The Belizean dollar is the currency in Belize. Notes can be obtained from money exchanges and also from banks which will supply advances on a debit or credit card. There are ATMs in Belize City where you can use a UK credit or debit card. You may have to get authorisation from your bank first, and withdrawal amounts may be limited.
- What's the time difference between Belize and UK?
The time difference between the UK and Belize is GMT -6 hrs
- Do I need a visa to visit Belize?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need in Belize?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What places combine well with Belize?
A visit to neighbouring Guatemala, with its Latin and Maya cultural heritage, is good to pair with a Belize holiday as there’s a road link to the Mayan ruins at Tikal in the Petén jungle. Southern Mexico is also easy to visit from Belize, as you can cross the land border at Chetumal.
- What are the festivals and cultural and sporting events in Belize?
Belize Carnival, (Feb/Mar). Lively celebrations especially in San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye.
Lobster season: Lobster season starts Jun-Jul, with lobster on offer in all its forms, with drinking and partying.Belize Independence Day: throughout the country, 21 Sep. Parades, processions and parties.
Garifuna Settlement Day, Dangriga, 19 Nov. Includes parades, live music, drumming, dancing, and prayers in celebration of the first Garifuna Afro-Caribbean settlers.
- How long is the flight to Belize from UK?
There are flights via US and European hubs, the journey from London taking around 15.5 hours.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Jade Jungle Resort (formerly Pook’s Hill) is a remote rainforest lodge in the Mayan Mountains of Belize, with just a handful of thatched cabins visited by exotic birds and monkeys. relax or enjoy organised outdoor activities.
A small and friendly beachfront lodge in the Garifuna village Hopkins offering relaxation and water sports on Belize’s Caribbean coast.
Bocawina is a friendly eco-lodge in the Belizean jungle interior offering a range of outdoor activities such as zip-lining and rapelling.
Papagaio
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