9 Day Trip to Belize
Where the jungle meets the sea
Belize is a quiet little country tucked off to the side of Guatemala, south of Mexico, and is often missed in trip planning. On this 9-day trip to Belize, you’ll get to experience all the delights this little nation has to offer, from stunning white sand beaches and coral reefs to picturesque waterfalls, jungles, and rainforests.
You’ll have a chance to travel through an ancient cave and see where Mayans held their ceremonies. They’ve even left bodies and items behind. For even more insight into their culture, you’ll visit Mayan ruins and see how they lived, before moving on to the more modern Garifuna and Creole villages. Meet the friendly people who live here today, as you explore their wonderful country.
Altun-Ha
Archeological site
Nohoch Che’en
Caves Branch Reserve
Cockscomb Basin
Wildlife sanctuary
Placencia beach
Snorkeling excursions
Highlights
Ready to see Belize with your own eyes? Your 9-day trip to Belize begins with visiting the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha and enjoying a hike in the Crooked Tree Sanctuary. From there, you’ll visit the cozy town of Hopkins, explore Placencia, and learn about the history of these areas.
You’ll also have plenty of time to check out the natural side of Belize. Visit Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch, the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, and relax on a beach in Placencia. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit either the Silk Cayes or Laughing Bird Caye, or take a trip up Monkey River. There’s a lot to pack into just 9 days, so get ready for a real adventure.
Itinerary
You’ll begin your 9-day trip to Belize with your arrival at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. Our driver will be waiting for you, and you’ll head to a pleasant jungle lodge deep in the Belizean rainforest.
- Two nights in the Belize district.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel you up for your day. First, we’ll head to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of the most popular birding spots in the country, with more than 16,00 acres of varied habitats, including creeks, swamps, forests, and lagoons. Here, you can find many birds seeking refuge in the wetlands during the dry season. Other animals, including jaguarundi, the Central American river turtle, and the Yucatan black howler monkey, all endangered species, live here, too.
In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the ancient Mayan Temple of Altun Ha. Located just 31 miles from Belize City, the ruin was once a popular city with around 8-10,000 inhabitants. It’s also known for the discovery of the famous jade head that was discovered here and features heavily in Belizean culture.
Altun Ha contains over 500 structures, but most remain buried. Archaeologists have excavated and partially restored two plazas with 13 temples and numerous residences that you can see as you walk through the ruins. You’ll get the chance to thoroughly explore before we return to the hotel.
Once a sacred site to the Mayan people, the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch is now a fascinating look at history. The biggest draw to this archeological reserve is the huge system of limestone caves that wind underground.
During its peak, the Mayan people used the caves for rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices. You’ll take a kayak or tubing tour through the cave. Keep your eyes open so you can see the hieroglyphs and animals painted on the walls and ceiling of the caves. Artifacts ranging from ocarinas to pots and jars still stand on the shelves carved out alongside the river. You’ll also spot skeletal remains left by the human sacrifices here.
After the cave tour, we’ll head to the picturesque village of Hopkins. Here, you’ll be immersed in the Garifuna culture of Brazil. The town was built in 1942 after Newtown was destroyed in a hurricane. Hopkins became a refuge as people fled the persecution in Honduras, looking for somewhere safe to settle. It became a thriving fishing town, but today, it’s a hot eco-tourism spot with a five-mile white sand beach that draws tourists from everywhere.
- Two nights in Hopkins.
Nothing shows you what a place is like more than the food. Today, we’ll do a walking food and culture tour of Hopkins so you can experience it for yourself.
This half-day tour takes you to some of the most interesting restaurants and cafes around Hopkins, where you can taste local dishes that blend Garifuna and Maya cuisines. The result is a delicious explosion of flavor that you’ll remember for years to come.
You’ll also learn about the history of this UNESCO Masterpiece of Humanity town and how Garifuna music and dance shaped the culture here. It’s a great way to learn more about the town and its inhabitants, while also enjoying some amazing food. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
Today, you’ll venture into Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first jaguar preserve. Hiking through the jungle gives you a feel for what Belize was like before settlement, with scarlet macaws, keel-billed toucans, and more than 300 other birds fluttering through the branches overhead.
While the sanctuary was established to protect jaguars, there are a number of animals that live here. These include tapirs, pumas, howler monkeys, ocelots, and others, many of which are endangered.
Before we set off to explore, we’ll stop at the traditional village of Maya Center. Local artisans sell their art and handicrafts, offering you a unique souvenir from Belize. After you’ve had a chance to check out all the wares, it’s time to start walking!
More than 12 miles of trails wind through the jungle, giving you plenty of opportunity to explore. You can hike up to Ben’s Bluff, visit Tiger Fern waterfall, or just wander and see how many animals you can spot. After the tour, we’ll head to Placencia.
- Four nights in Placencia.
As one of Belize’s top beach destinations, Placencia is perfect for snorkeling and swimming, as well as resting on the beach. The town is at the tip of a very long, narrow peninsula, so it has water on three sides.
Placencia has a minimum of 14 Maya sites around the Placencia Lagoon. These were originally part of the salt production and trade system, and Mayans also fished heavily in the area. Later, English Puritans traveled from Nova Scotia to settle here, and in the late 1800s, people came to settle and develop a fishing trade.
You’ll have ample time to spend on the beach and visiting the shops, bars, and eateries in town.
Take the day to relax on the beach and just enjoy the tranquility of Placencia. This beautiful town is worth spending some time exploring. You can also book snorkeling trips from here or go on a whale watching tour. We’re happy to help you book whatever type of adventure you might enjoy.
For your final full day in Belize, you have a choice between visiting Laughing Bird/Silk Cayes or taking a Monkey River Tour.
Depending on the weather, your boat tour will take you to either Laughing Bird Caye or the Silk Cayes. Both options give you a chance to enjoy some amazing snorkeling and to relax on a sandy white beach for lunch.
If you prefer to take the Monkey River Tour, you’ll board a boat that takes you to the town of Monkey River where you can enjoy a Creole meal and some hiking. The village is a beautiful look at traditional life, and the surrounding area is perfect for hiking and spotting wildlife. You can read more about both of these options in the Extensions section below.
Your adventure in Belize has come to an end, but we offer a variety of tours throughout Central America for future trips! We will drop you off at the airport for your flight home today, and we hope to see you again.
map, expenses & price
9-day Trip to Belize
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Eight nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional guides.
-Domestic flights.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
Extensions
ADD-ON
If Mayan history interests you, the ATM Cave is exactly what you need. It’s a portal to ancient history, with the remains of Mayan rituals scattered throughout. Some human sacrifices are still left in the cave, including the Crystal Maiden, whose bones are covered in mineral deposits that look like crystals. You’ll also see pots and jars, pieces of the past tucked away in the caves.
Of course, being a cave, the limestone formations are just as fascinating as the human history. Unique formations are amazing when viewed by flashlight, and the stalagmites and stalactites gleam with crystals and mineral deposits. You’ll have to traverse water to get through the cave, as it is filled with a gentle river, but the hike is well worth it.
add-on
If it’s nature you crave, you can’t get any closer to it than hiking in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. This reserve is unique because most of Belize is jungle and rainforest. However, Mountain Pine Ridge is almost entirely made up of pine forest and broadleaf rainforest. It’s set on a granite base where cougars, ocelots, tapirs, and jaguars make their home. As you hike the area, you’ll find the Thousand Foot Falls, which is Central America’s tallest waterfall at 1,600 feet. You can swim at Rio on Pools or explore the Caracol ruins with Belize’s tallest pyramid, too.
add-on
Ready to see what’s offshore in Belize? It’s no secret that Belize’s Cayes are stunning places to visit, and this extension takes you to the Silk Cayes or Laughing Bird Caye, depending on the weather. The Silk Cayes are part of the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, covering around 26,000 acres of protected waters. Hop into the water and explore stunning coral gardens where nurse sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles, and parrotfish swim. You can also picnic on the stunning white-sand islands with their coconut palms and pristine beaches.
Laughing Bird Caye is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Belize Barrier Reef System. The tiny island is named for the laughing gulls that once lived here. Unfortunately, the gulls moved on due to human activity, but today there are many other birds in the area. It’s also a popular place to snorkel, with the waters full of vibrant corals, tropical fish, and nurse sharks.
add-on
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Monkey River was a booming banana and lumber town. It’s built on the banks of the Monkey River, which runs down from the Maya Mountains. You can take a boat to the village and then start hiking from there. With plenty of wildlife to check out in the area, you’ll have plenty to see. However, the town is also a great place to explore, with traditional Creole practices and absolutely stunning food.
