On this 8-day, 7-night tour of Belize, you’ll have an action-packed, family-friendly itinerary that takes you to see the highlights of the Maya world as well as some of the most beautiful parts of the landscape. This trip covers a variety of territory, allowing you to cover most of the tiny country of Belize in just one week. With the help of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll leave the jungles of the mainland behind to explore the Caribbean and the island of Ambergris Caye, and then return for a side-trip to Tikal National Park in Guatemala, which is home to one of the most well-known and breathtaking Maya sites in the world.

Note: Because this tour takes you to Guatemala, please make sure you have a double-entry visa for Belize. Breakfast is included each day, and some days also come with a stop for lunch.

Day 1: Arrive

Land at 3:30 PM and meet your guides at the airport. Then, your group will board a shuttle to a hotel in San Ignacio, where you’ll spend two nights.

Day 2: Maya Temples and Rio On Pools

Your day begins with a visit to Caracol, which reached its height of influence around the 8th century. Excitingly, this site is also home to the tallest structure in Belize, a 143-foot (42.5 m) temple where archaeologists have discovered royal burials.

On the way to the site, you’ll hike through lush, primary rainforest – land that has remained undisturbed since the time of the Maya. You’ll see and hear lots of birds and monkeys, making the walk an excellent introduction to Belizean wildlife.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, where you’ll make stops at the Río Frio Cave and the Rio On Pools. The Rio Frio River created the limestone cave, and creates a series of pools that make for lovely natural swimming holes.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 3: San Ignacio - Flores, Peten (Guatemala)

After breakfast and check-out, you’ll take a short drive to the Belize-Guatemala border. You’ll go through immigration and then make your way to Santa Elena, a small town on the island of Flores. This is where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Once you’ve checked in to the hotel you’ll have a bit of free time to check out the town. At handicraft stores, you’ll see artistic traditions passed down from the Maya, whose descendents account for most of the population here. Flores also has a good selection of bars and restaurants for you to experience.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 4: Tikal National Park

Today, you’ll spend the day hiking through the jungle and exploring Tikal. During your 4-hour tour of the site (which includes a stop for lunch), you’ll see the most important monuments and learn about the history of the site – including the war Tikal waged with Caracol. You’ll cover a huge swath of the site, including the famous roofcomb structures of Temple III and Temple IV.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Flores - San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

Check out of the hotel and then take a short drive to the Mundo Maya International Airport, where you’ll find the Tropic Air Ticket Counter and check in for your 8:30 AM flight. The flight lands in Belize at 9:30 AM, and then you’ll take a connecting flight to bring you to San Pedro, a small town on Ambergris Caye.

Check in to the hotel where you’ll spend the following 3 nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Snuba Adventure

“Snuba” combines the east of snorkeling with underwater exploration – a tether connected to the boat supplies you with air so you can dive a little deeper and get a good look at coral and tropical fish. You might also see rays, sea turtles, and small sharks.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Free Day

On your last full day on the island, you can choose from an impressive list of optional activities. If you want to see more of the Caribbean, consider signing up for a tour of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, an impressively biodiverse reserve on the southern end of the island. You might also spend the day reef fishing or snorkeling. If you have the proper certification, you could also go scuba diving at one of the many stunning reefs and atolls in the area.

Alternatively, you could also spend the day relaxing, shopping, or exploring the island in a golf cart.

Meals: Breakfast

*Day 8: Farewell Belize *

Check out of your hotel, and then transfer to the airport, where your flight will bring you back to the Belize International Airport in Belize City.

Meals: Breakfast