Maya Ruins and Coral Reefs
Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel
Territory: Central America
Region: Belize
Trip Price: $5,280
Duration: 12 days/11 nights
Trip Begins/Ends: Belize City / Belize City
National Parklands:
All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.
No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities
Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration
High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun
The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process
We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.
The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.
The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!
Your lodge in the Orange Walk District is less than a mile from the spectacular Maya ruins of Lamanai, which are accessible by boat or dirt road. Lamanai (the accurate, original name translates as “submerged crocodile”) had an exceptionally long occupation, from about 1500 BC to 1680 AD. Spread across 950 acres, this is the one of the largest Maya ceremonial sites in Belize, with stunning buildings and carvings. Speaking of crocodiles, don’t miss the sunset croc-spotting cocktail cruise on the New River.
Settle into your next perfectly situated jungle ecolodge, this time in the Cayo District along the remote Macal River near the Guatemala border. Each day brings unique adventure. On your first day, explore a Maya ceremonial cave by canoe with a private guide. The next day brings exploration of another incredible Maya site, Actun Tunichil Muknal, which means “Cave of the Crystal Sepulcher.” The cave cradles a calcified human skeleton containing minerals that sparkle, leading to the name. Your guide will explain the significance of the site. On your last day in the area, cross the border into Guatemala for a private guided tour of the most famous Mayan ruins of all, Tikal. This ceremonial center in the heart of the jungle contains superb temples and palaces.
Time to leave the jungle behind and soak up some sun on the Caribbean coast! Your luxury boutique hotel is set on the largest island in Belize’s extensive barrier reef, second largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. You’re perfectly positioned for snorkeling, diving (the Great Blue Hole!), and fishing in these clear blue waters—and for relaxing on the beach and wandering the gardens. One of the best snorkeling sites in the world, renowned for its visibility and abundance of sea life, is a 10-minute boat ride away. You might see turtles, rays, nurse sharks, lobster, eels, corals, marine mammals, and lots of colorful fish!
Transfer to the regional airport for the 15-minute flight to Belize City for your international connections.
Located less than one mile from the spectacular Mayan ruins of Lamanai, the Outpost Lodge is a fabulous choice to explore the ruins and so much more! The terrain in this part of Belize is lush, lowland jungle with prolific wildlife and plenty of ways to explore. The New River provides both access to the area by boat as well as the perfect venue for a cocktail cruise or for spotting crocodiles after dark! The jungle is a fascinating ecosystem to discover, both by day and by night. With so much to see and do in this remote jungle paradise, we’re sure you’ll love your stay!
Nestled along the remote Macal River in the Cayo District, near the border with Guatemala, Black Rock Lodge is a wonderful jungle ecolodge. The location in the Mayan Mountains is ideal for explorations of Maya indigenous sites, including the most famous city of all – Tikal, just across the international border into Guatemala. Black Rock offers a great combination of wilderness, wildlife, attractive accommodations, and unforgettable adventures!
For a truly perfect beachy getaway, look no further! Victoria House is a luxury, boutique, beachfront hotel with 42 guestrooms, an impressive swimming pool looking out over the Caribbean, thoughtfully appointed guest accommodations, and impeccable service. From this ideal location on Ambergris Caye, you’re perfectly positioned for snorkeling, diving, or fishing excursions in Belize’s world-renowned waters, or simply to enjoy an umbrella cocktail in the sand!
When my forever-adventuring mother initially suggested the trip, I thought, “Palm Springs?” It seemed out of left field, as our family trips typically revolve around National and State Parks with lots of hiking. After visiting, I can see why she was so excited to travel to the Coachella Valley. Each day was a special treat […]
We love the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Not only is it in our backyard, it’s one of the wildest regions in the lower 48. A visit to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is the trip of a lifetime — but one trip is hardly enough. That’s why we’ve put together three itineraries for trips through […]
In the world’s first national park, winter is a season of extremes. Extreme beauty and extreme conditions make Yellowstone National Park a winter wonderland like you’ve never seen before. Active days in the powdery snow give you a chance to see Yellowstone’s highlights: geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and wildlife. Spectacular days give way to cozy […]
Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada is a place where high peaks tower over neighboring valleys, and roaring mountain rivers cascade over granite ledges. From early inhabitants like the native Ahwahneechee, to conservation advocates like naturalist John Muir, Yosemite has always been an inspirational natural wonder. Yosemite played an early role in the idea […]
