Best of Belize : Culture, Nature & History - 10 Days

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Belize's many cultures and culinary traditions are revealed on this 10-day tour traveling to islands and on the mainland. Climb through the former palace of Maya rulers in Xunantunich, and walk through deep caves to see the underwater sacrificial burials at Actun Tunichil Muknal. Take a break from history lessons as you swim in the bliss of Lime Caye's clear waters and taste a feast of Garifuna dishes rich in coconut and fish in Hopkins. Relax into the island lifestyle as you experience Belize.

Highlights

Explore Xunantunich and learn about Belize's ancient Maya history
Swim and snorkel in the clear blue waters of Lime Caye
See the burial place of the Crystal Maiden in Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves
Learn about chocolate production and Garifuna culture in Hopkins

Brief Itinerary

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Arrive in Belize City	Belize City
Day 2	Transfer to Cayo District, Visit the Belize Zoo	Cayo District
Day 3	Mountain Pine Ridge Hike	Cayo District
Day 4	Explore Xunantunich	Cayo District
Day 5	Day Trip to Lime Caye & Snorkeling	Cayo District
Day 6	Transfer to San Ignacio & Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves	San Ignacio
Day 7	Transfer to Hopkins Village & Cahal Pech Maya Temples Tour	Hopkins
Day 8	Garifuna Culture & Culinary Tour	Hopkins
Day 9	Cacao Farm Tour & Chocolate Lunch	Hopkins
Day 10	Return to Belize City, Depart

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City

Belize City is the starting point for your Belize exploration

Welcome to Belize! At the airport, meet your driver to transfer to your hotel in Belize City. On the east coast of Central America, Belize is known for its barrier reefs, jungles, Maya ruins, and chocolate. In Belize City, spend some time relaxing at your hotel or get out to explore. Visit the Museum of Belize to learn about the country's Maya history, or visit the Old Belize marina for fresh air.

Belize is also known for its butterflies. Take an optional blue morpho butterfly tour on a butterfly farm. Learn about morpho butterflies native to parts of North America, South America, and Central America. Learn about the cycle of how these butterflies come to life, beginning with a pale green egg, changing into caterpillars, transforming into dormant pupas, and finally, lifting their wings as dazzling "Belizean Blues." At the end of the day, enjoy a ceviche meal at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Transfer to Cayo District, Visit the Belize Zoo

Today's destination is Cayo District, about two hours south of Belize City. The western part of Belize is a starting point to explore parks, ecological reserves, and archaeological sites, including caves, pyramids, and Maya ruins. On the way to Cayo District, stop at the Belize Zoo, home to more than 100 species of birds and mammals. Get your camera ready to spot the animals that call this area home. You may see tapir, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, margays, scarlet macaws, and toucans. Spend a couple of hours here and then continue to Cayo District and your hotel.

Day 3: Mountain Pine Ridge Hike

Hike through Moutain Pine Ridge and explore its caves and waterfalls

Mountain Pine Ridge covers an area of more than 500 square miles (1,295 sq km). Spend the day hiking here, exploring its cool pine forests, tumbling streams, lush river valleys, limestone caves, and waterfalls. Take a dip in the most popular of the waterfalls, Hidden Valley, which drops 1,500 feet (457 m). Explore Rio Frio Cave, one of the largest in Belize, at 65 feet (19 m), and marvel at its limestone formations. Then go for a swim in Rio On Pools with its mini waterfalls before finishing the hike and making your way back to your hotel for the evening.

Day 4: Explore Xunantunich

Wander through Xunantunich and learn about ancient Maya culture

The Maya have modern-day and ancient connections in Belize, making it a country rich in Maya history and archaeological sites ready to explore. Xunantunich was one of the first Maya sites in Belize to be excavated, and to see it, board a hand-crank ferry at San José Succotz village to cross the Mopan River. Explore the site's temples and plazas and climb up to El Castillo, the largest pyramid. From here, you will have a panoramic view of western Belize and eastern Guatemala.

After your tour, stop for lunch at a local restaurant to try traditional dishes such as rice and beans with grilled meat or ceviche. At the end of the day, relax at your Cayo District hotel.

Day 5: Day Trip to Lime Caye & Snorkeling

Relax on Belize's lime caye and embrace the slow pace of island life

Belize has more than 400 cayes (or "keys") with mangroves and white-sand beaches, making them the perfect island getaway. Lime Caye, 39 miles (64 km) off the coast of Belize and Punta Gorda on the mainland, is your destination today.

Get on a boat with your gear ready because the caye, home to more than 100 species of coral and 500 species of tropical fish, is a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Whether you choose to relax on the boat, swim, or lay out on the beach, enjoy your time in this tropical paradise. The caye is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of a full day, sail back to your Cayo District hotel.

Day 6: Transfer to San Ignacio, Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves

cave entrance in belize — Entrance to the Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves

Today, journey to Actun Tunichil Muknal (also called ATM), or the "Cave of the Stone Sepulchre." See the cave's stalactites and stalagmites, and Maya artifacts. As well, learn about the history of the sacred burial place of the woman known as the "Crystal Maiden" and the remains of 13 other sacrificed people of various ages.

From San Ignacio, it's about a two-hour drive to the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, where you can hike to reach the cave. Pass through the jungle and three stream crossings for approximately 45 minutes. From the cave's entrance, swim across a small spring-fed pool using a rope to assist you and wade through knee-high water to reach an underground maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers. After the cave tour, hike back to the car for a picnic lunch and then return to San Ignacio.

Day 7: Transfer to Hopkins Village, Cahal Pech Maya Temples Tour

Cahal Pech pyramid in San Ignacio, Belize — Explore the mysterious Cahal Pech pyramid

Today, your driver will take you from San Ignacio to Hopkins on the coast, traveling approximately two hours and 15 minutes east along the George Prince and Hummingbird highways, passing through citrus orchards. Your destination is Cahal Pech, once the royal palace of an ancient Maya ruling family. Explore its plazas and more than 30 structures, including temples, an altar, residential buildings, ball courts, and a sweat lodge built high above the banks of the Macal River. To learn more about the site's history, spend time at the visitor center to see a scale model, paintings, and a film revealing the palace's past.

At the end of your tour, return to Hopkins, a village with a rich Garifuna culture—Garifuna people are descendants of Africa and Indigenous Americans. Try some Garifuna dishes, such as fish and coconut stew and cassava bread, and spend a relaxing evening in Hopkins.

Day 8: Garifuna Culture & Culinary Tour

In a Garifuna cooking class, learn about the many ways to use a coconut

Today, learn more about Belize's Garifuna people through a cultural and food tour. Cooking, eating, dancing, and playing the drums are all part of the experience.

First, learn about coconut, one of the main staples of Garifuna cooking. Your hosts will explain how coconuts are harvested, husked, and grated to be prepared for specific dishes. See how milk is extracted from a coconut to be used for stews, bread, and a variety of desserts. Put on an apron and join in preparing an abundant meal with your hosts, including fish, cassava-based dishes, and coconut stew. Eat lunch with your hosts while learning about life in Hopkins and Belize. At the end of the meal, enjoy drumming and music during a performance that you can join.

Day 9: Cacao Farm Tour & Chocolate Lunch

Chocolate Maya Immersion Tour — Cacao has a long history in Belize

Belize has a small and robust chocolate industry. The country is also one of the earliest places where cacao was consumed. In early Maya culture, cacao was the main ingredient of a bitter and spicy drink—which is much different than the chocolate we may eat now. Today, learn about the ingredient's history and how it was a staple for the Maya on a cocoa farm and medicinal plant tour. Sample hot chocolate and chocolate bars, and make your own chocolate using stone tools to grind the beans into a paste, add spices, and then make it malleable to form into bars or to create a chocolate drink.

On the second part of the chocolate tour, see that chocolate isn't only an ingredient for dessert but also the main ingredient for lunch at the Ixcacao Maya Belizian Chocolate Factory. Try a traditional chicken dish with chocolate sauce that has an extra kick. At the end of the tour, go back to Hopkins for dinner to enjoy your last night in Belize.

Day 10: Return to Belize City, Depart

Say goodbye to Belize, its cayes, reefs, and underwater creatures

Enjoy your last morning in Belize as your driver will pick you up in Hopkins for a transfer to Belize City, traveling about two hours and 15 minutes. From the airport, catch your flight home or on to your next destination.