100% customisable travel idea
Family adventures in Belize Mayan cities, jungle and the Caribbean
Belize - Lamanai - San Ignacio - Placencia - Hopkins
A pocket-sized country and a grand adventure
Your journey through Belize
Short distances, exchanges in English or Spanish, a wide range of activities to keep both older and younger children entertained, and a warm welcome: Belize truly has everything to charm the whole family - provided you don’t miss out on the most important thing... nature! For a complete immersion in the lush heart of Belize and its idyllic coastline, we have selected accommodation that blends seamlessly into its surroundings and is perfectly suited for families: palm-thatched cabins in the heart of nature with Mayan ruins nearby; an eco-lodge hidden within the nature reserves; and waterfront hotels just steps from diving and snorkelling sites. At each stop-off, you will find a wide range of activities, some of which are already scheduled in your itinerary: walks and learning experiences in the jungle, a visit to the pre-Columbian ruins of Xunantunich, canoeing through mystical caves, a cooking and calligraphy workshop with a Mayan family, and snorkelling in Laughing Bird Caye National Park. You’ll enjoy all of this in complete safety, accompanied by professionals offering expert advice and equipped with all the necessary gear. And, of course, should you encounter any minor setbacks or have an irresistible urge, you’ll always have the assistance of our on-site concierge.They’ll love it in Belize!
Speeding past the parents on the steps of Mayan sites; hiking (yes, really!) and playing adventurers in the tropical jungle, amused or slightly scared by the cries of howler monkeys; paddling through the coolness of caves while watching for bats; being gently awakened by birds chirping and other exotic whistles; enjoying a breakfast of delicious fritters, plantains and fresh fruit juice; marvelling at the incredible colours of reef fish; getting chills in the jaguar reserve; tasting coconut-based specialities; floating down the river in an inner tube; dancing to Afro-Caribbean rhythms…
Itinerary
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.
À la carte
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.
Ziplining and tubing in the Caves Branch caves
We begin by gaining some altitude and soaking up the greenery. Head to the canopy, the highest part of the tropical forest, for a vertiginous series of zip lines. At 150 metres (492 feet) above the ground, the view is breathtaking and the adrenaline is at its peak. Back on land, we hop into an inner tube to glide across the water to the Caves Branch caves. A guide will lead you through these underground twists and turns, revealing an unsuspected flora. Everything is included: equipment, entrance fees and a Belizean lunch.Monkey River cruise
The best way to explore the river and its inhabitants is to board a boat. In search of howler monkeys, turtles, birds, iguanas, crocodiles and many other species that nest in the mangroves, you move slowly through the labyrinth of mangrove islets. With a bit of luck, you might even spot manatees, which are protected mammals.Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve
This reserve, covering more than 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres), is the only one of its kind dedicated to the preservation of the jaguar. It is an ideal place for birdwatching and jungle exploration. The trails cater to different levels of hiking and allow you to encounter howler monkeys, agoutis, brocket deer and even peccaries. Although nearly 50 jaguars have been recorded there, it remains very difficult to spot them during the day - so keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars around your neck! A swimming break in the transparent waters of a waterfall is a well-deserved moment of relaxation after a walk in the forest and a river tubing descent.
Why visit Belize with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Belize
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- CO2 absorption
