100% customisable travel idea
Family adventures in Belize Mayan cities, jungle and the Caribbean
Belize - Lamanai - San Ignacio - Placencia - Hopkins
100% customisable travel idea
Belize - Lamanai - San Ignacio - Placencia - Hopkins
100% customisable for you
Flight to Atlanta and overnight stopover in a convenient and modern hotel located near the airport, allowing for a stress-free arrival and a good night's rest. Special mention for the outdoor swimming pool and fitness room, which are ideal for unwinding.
Flight to Belize City and private transfer to Lamanai, where you will stay for two nights. The adventure begins… You’ll get a feel for the place as soon as you arrive at the lagoon. You are greeted by the chorus of toucans and the dancing monkeys. The place is completely off the grid as it is an exceptional location on the waterfront that is far from the world and just ten minutes from the Mayan site of Lamanai. The hotel consists of around 20 cabins with exotic palm roofs that blend into the vegetation. Their decor is simple but tasteful and they offer every comfort. The view of the lagoon from the terrace invites you to dream or, on the contrary, to take action!
They will love the itinerary - Watching the jungle awaken in the mist alongside a naturalist guide and learning more about the mysterious jaguar; wandering among the fascinating ruins of the Mayan city, a journey back in time 3,000 years; watching the sunset from a canoe and greeting the manatees; learning the secrets of the jungle's medicinal plants; embark on a night boat safari and perhaps have the chance to come face to face with a jaguar or Morelet's crocodile; set off on a night walk through the rainforest to silently observe the ballet of monkeys, owls and bats...
Private transfer to San Ignacio. Upon arrival, settle in for three nights at an eco-lodge on the banks of the Macal River, in the heart of a magnificent nature reserve. Tucked away in the jungle, it blends in perfectly with its surroundings. To ensure you don't miss a thing, your room's terrace opens onto the garden. An ideal setting for families to get up close to the local flora and fauna and explore the region to discover fascinating Mayan sites and natural treasures.
Things to see and do around the lodge - There are plenty of options for enjoying the lush natural surroundings, especially as your lodge has its own lazy river. Canoes and rubber rings are available for floating down the Macal River, which can be reached after a short walk. Let yourself be carried away by the current and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. During the trip, you will be accompanied by cormorants and kingfishers, and perhaps even turtles if you are lucky. In the morning, you can sit on the terrace and watch the birds feasting on their favourite fruits. You can also visit the botanical garden, which consists of 18 hectares of endemic and exotic plants, or cycle along the nearby trails. At the end of the day, settle down with your family at the perched bar to cool off, enjoy superb views of the forest and continue observing the wildlife.
On your itinerary - a day at Xunantunich and Barton Creek. On the western border of the country, you reach the ancient Mayan city of Xunantunich by crossing the Mopan River on a 19th-century ferry, which is still operated by hand. The ancient ruins are perched on one of the highest plateaus in the region. The largest temple on the site, El Castillo, offers a panoramic view of the Cayo District and Guatemala from its summit. Following in the footsteps of the guide, you continue your exploration of the area and its history by heading to Barton Creek, a cave once used by the Maya for their rituals, which still contains many remains. There, aboard canoes and equipped with torches, you gently paddle through the waters of Xibalba (pronounced ‘she-bal-ba’), which is a maze of impressive limestone caves.
Already planned - Meeting with a Mayan family. The tribe gets to know a local family and immerses itself in the daily life of its hosts by learning about local cuisine and calligraphy. Together, you familiarise yourselves with traditional ingredients and spices before cooking up a dish that is emblematic of the region. In doing so, tips and family secrets passed down from generation to generation are shared. Next, it's time for a Mayan calligraphy workshop to learn more about the meaning of ancestral symbols and characters. An informative and moving encounter.
Optional - Zip-lining and cave tubing.
Private transfer to Placencia. The adventure continues along the way. You start by taking the most beautiful and scenic road in the country, the Hummingbird Highway, which is dotted with numerous viewpoints, accessible waterfalls and gourmet stops. Then you stop at St Herman's Cave, where you make your way through stalactites, stalagmites and other fascinating underground features. A peaceful, refreshing and somewhat mystical atmosphere emanates from these caves, which were also used by the Mayans during the classical period. You have lunch in this beautiful setting before hitting the road again. The hotel where you are staying for three nights is located a short distance from the bustling village of Placencia, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and the lagoon. The spacious and functional villa faces the beach, allowing us to enjoy the waters of this little corner of paradise to the full. All around are vast tropical gardens and lawns bordered by flowers and local trees.
The Placencia peninsula juts out between the sea and the lagoon, which is lined with traditional houses built on stilts. Here, you can enjoy the gentle Caribbean way of life and take advantage of the world's second largest coral reef to don your mask, fins and snorkel. On the land, multiple lagoons and a dense tropical forest line the sea and reveal a few Mayan sites. At sunset, you can enjoy a reggae concert in one of the village's many bars, with your feet in the sand.
On your itinerary - a day of snorkelling at Laughing Bird Caye, which is a marine sanctuary and refuge for hundreds of animal species endemic to Belize, including turtles and corals found nowhere else. The caye is named after the laughing gull. Before diving into the water, you can see the famous gull, as well as brown pelicans, green herons, and pink and white mangroves. Needless to say, what you see underwater is enchanting and a powerful experience.
Optional - Cruise on the Monkey River.
Private transfer to Hopkins, a small coastal village that exudes natural charm and relaxation. It is the stronghold of the Garifunas, a people descended from escaped African slaves, Caribbean Indians and Arawaks. The culture is vibrant and traditional music is ever-present. Stay for two nights in a spacious and comfortable beachfront villa. You can enjoy a 180° panorama of the warm, clear Caribbean Sea from the hammocks that invite you to relax, the private terrace or the resort's intimate swimming pool.
Things to do and experience - Relaxation, a wide range of water sports, Garifuna cuisine based on fresh fish, coconut milk and cassava, drumming workshops, Afro-Caribbean dance and percussion shows, etc. From Hopkins, diving enthusiasts can also explore the coral reef in nearby marine reserves such as South Water Caye, Glover's Reef and Turneffe. Not to mention the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, a nature reserve located 40 minutes away by road.
Optional - The Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve.
Private transfer to Belize City airport and international return flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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