Rainforest, Tikal & Southern Coast
Combine the pristine rainforest and barrier reef of Belize with striking Guatemalan ruins
Days: 8 | From: $4,890/per person
- Includes accommodations at first class hotels that reflect the best of local culture
- Includes excursions and tours with superb guides
Discover fascinating archeological sites around Belize's Cayo District before exploring the beaches and barrier reef located off the coastal town of Placencia.
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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
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At a glance
- Cayo District
4 nights: discover fascinating archeological sites - Placencia
3 nights: explore the beaches and barrier reef located off this coastal town
All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.
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Sample itinerary
Welcome to Belize!
Arrive to Belize City, where you will be met by a local guide for your private transfer to western Belize. Your home for the next few days is a thatched cottage in a boutique jungle lodge, set in a hilly section of the rainforest right along the lovely Macal River. The western part of Belize is the country’s best-kept secret: beautiful rainforest, excellent accommodations, and a variety of extraordinary excursions.
Accommodations: Chaa Creek, 4 nights
Chaa Creek is composed of 23 palm-thatched cottages and offers a unique, luxurious base for adventures in the rainforests of Belize. This private, 365-acre nature reserve sits along the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Explore the nature trails that wind around the property, and get to know the local wildlife: a diversity of exotic jungle dwellers make their home in the area, including peccaries, jaguars, monkeys, and over 300 species of tropical and migratory birds. The lodge offers a restaurant, spa, infinity swimming pool, butterfly exhibit, organic farm, and horse stables.
*Includes: DinnerActun Tunichil Muknal Cave
Enjoy an adventurous caving trip to Actun Tunichil Muknal, one of the great archeological caving experiences of the Americas. Here, you can journey far into a winding cave filled with relics from ancient Mayan rituals. Prefer to stay topside? There are plenty of other options for exploring the area as well.
Full day trip to the ruins of Tikal in Guatemala
Travel over the border into Guatemala to see the ruins of Tikal. One of the most impressive Mayan sites in Central America, Tikal is a sprawling complex of temples and residential structures, with several temples that rise above the jungle canopy, providing sweeping views of the surrounding rainforest environment. The site is also home to a wide variety of jungle wildlife, including monkeys, toucans and many other species. Spend the day exploring the ruins, then return to Belize in the late afternoon.
Free day to Explore and Relax
Enjoy a day to relax and explore the Cayo District and the natural beauty that surrounds your lodge. Options include horseback riding, hiking, canoeing on the Macal River, bike riding, or visiting nearby Mayan ruins. If you would rather have an extra day at the beach, rather than in the Cayo District, an alternative is to add another day to your beach stay rather than here.
Transfer to the Beach in Placencia
Drive down to the Caribbean coast in the southern part of Belize. Your route takes you down the Hummingbird Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in all of Central America. Journey from highland to lowland rainforest, with sweeping views of the mountain range that runs through the center of Belize. Arrive to your beach hotel, one of the premier boutique hotels in the area.
Accommodations: Turtle Inn, 3 nights
This 25-room seafront resort blends the wonder of nature with luxurious amenities. Individual thatched cabins, decorated with handcrafted Balinese furnishings and naturally cooled by the ever-present sea breezes, house each individual accommodation. Steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean ocean. The offshore coral reef offers some of the best diving and scuba in the world, and the hotel’s dive shop accommodates the needs of both beginners and experienced divers. Inland hikes to hidden lagoons, canoe trips up the Monkey River, and short bicycle rides into the local, typically Belizean town add to the guest experience.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerSnorkeling on the Barrier Reef
Take a private snorkeling excursion out to the Barrier Reef. You’ll make stops at some of the classic snorkeling spots and also visit one or two of the islands that dot the reef. Enjoy a barbeque lunch before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Free Day to Relax and Explore
Enjoy a leisurely day on the beach, or try one of the area’s many activities: snorkeling, boat trips, excursions to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, exploring local jungle rivers, visits to small local Mayan villages, and more.
Depart for home
Head to the airport in Placencia, where you will take a short flight takes you to Belize City to connect with your international flight home.
Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary
Add 3 nights at Ambergris Caye, where you can enjoy a variety of activities on the island and the surrounding reef.
Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.
Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Reviews From This Trip
Why Travel with Vaya?
We're TRUE specialists
We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.
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From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.
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Our discerning sensibility and good taste go beyond just choices in hotels and top guides; we have a walk the walk commitment to the environment and are genuine leaders in conservation efforts.