From Rainforests to Reefs: A Pristine Nature and Wildlife Tour of Belize

Keel-billed Toucan in Belize

What to expect on this itinerary

Sharks surrounding a reef, jaguars in the rainforest, and the rarest of birds are just part of Belize’s natural experiences offered. There are so many ways to explore with canoeing, biking, snorkeling, diving, sunset cruising, hiking on trails, and through caves. This 12-day tour will immerse you in the rainforest and reef to give you the feeling of a landscape that remains mainly untouched and mysterious. Your sense of adventure will be complemented by superb wilderness lodges.

Countries Visited

Belize

Places Visited

Chan Chich, Gallon Jug Reserve, Laguna Seca, Lamanai, Laughing Falcon Nature Reserve, Blue Creek Village, Lubaantun, Ambergris Caye, Punta Gorda

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Chan Chich – Introductory Walk in the Belizean Rainforest

Your international flight lands in Belize City, where you will be met by your local guide at the arrival gate. Transfer to a domestic charter flight and soar into the interior, flying across the rainforest canopy to the very remote Gallon Jug Reserve. Cut off from major roads and seemingly forgotten on the map, the reserve epitomizes Central America’s wildlife world. Large cats roam freely, rare birdlife thrives, and monkeys provide a sunset lullaby. Touch down and settle into the luxury lodge, enjoying the feeling of being so engulfed by nature. This afternoon you will head out on an introductory wildlife walk, chance to get the legs moving and discover what’s on offer in the reserve.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Flight
Tour
Day 2

Chan Chich – Canoeing, Birdwatching and Nighttime Safari Drive

Day 3

Chan Chich – Wildlife Spotting on Route to the Submerged Crocodile Maya Ruins

Day 4

Chan Chich – Customize the Adventure in the Rainforest

Day 5

Punta Gorda – Biking, Hiking, and a Sunset Cruise

Day 6

Punta Gorda – Sacrificial Caves, Maya Encounters and Lubaantun

Day 7

Punta Gorda – Day of Bird-watching or Snorkeling with a Chef

Day 8

Ambergris Caye – Relaxed Day on the Beach

Day 9

Ambergris Caye – Shark and Ray Full-Day Snorkeling

Day 10

Ambergris Caye – Experiences With the Great Blue Hole and Belize Reef

Day 11

Ambergris Caye – Free Day on a Picturesque Islet

Day 12

Belize City – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the Central American rainforest by spending a week in two contrasting nature reserves
  • Embrace the wild wonder of Belize Barrier Reef, with Ambergris Caye an ideal base for exploring the underwater world
  • Go in search of legendary cats on a nighttime safari drive, with jaguars and ocelots among those that roam in Chan Chich
  • Experience the serenity of a nature safari on the water, your trip including a sunset cruise along with canoeing, kayaking, and other river journeys
  • Uncover Maya heritage that is hidden deep in the rainforest, such as sacrificial caves, ruined cities, and a local village
  • Snorkel with small sharks and rays as you head out on Belize Barrier Reef adventures
  • Enjoy sublime bird-watching and find other wildlife as you take guided walks through the rainforest
  • Customize the rainforest experience to your liking, with a variety of guided hikes, self-guided mountain biking, river excursions, and local snorkeling
  • Discover the Great Blue Hole and the Caribbean landscape that makes Belize so unique

Detailed Description

Belize has long gone under the radar, which has had a great impact on maintaining one of Latin America’s best-preserved landscapes. The rainforest is raw and wild here, dotted with the remains of old Maya civilization. Jaguars continue to roam as monkeys call from the treetops as rare birds gather around the rivers. It will not just be the individual sightings, as you immerse yourself in the rainforest and nature is with you at all hours of the day. There is more though, as the untouched rainforest is only one side of Belize’s nature. There is also the reef, the longest chain in the Northern Hemisphere a destination for increasingly intimate encounters. Sharks and rays are among the marine cast, providing a complement to days on the beach.

This luxury nature safari combines three exotic Belize destinations. You will spend the first week in the rainforest beginning with several nights in Chan Chich, Western Belize, and then several more at Punta Gorda in Southern Belize. Fly next to Ambergris Caye, a small islet surrounded by Belize Barrier Reef. Your final few days will combine adventure under the water with tranquility above it, including the famous Great Blue Hole along with the lesser-known gems of these Caribbean waters. Your three destinations are connected by light aircraft, so you will essentially travel from wilderness to wilderness to white beach, with nothing too urban interrupting the experience. Your accommodation has been specifically chosen to elevate the natural experience, including a lodge roused by monkey song on the site of an old Maya plaza.

Chan Chich is superb for rare wildlife spotting, with a nighttime safari your best chance of spotting cats like jaguars and ocelots. There is a great range of activities available ranging from canoeing to guided bird-watching, mountain biking, and sunset cruises. The next day, you will travel along the river to Lamanai, the mysterious Maya ruins in the heart of nature. Punta Gorda continues your customized wildlife experience. It is a wonderful place to see birds, and you will see where the rainforest meets the reef. Spend a day encountering Maya civilization, visiting sacrificial caves, the ruined city of Lubaantun, and a local Maya village. Once on Ambergris Caye, you can have a full day of snorkeling in a marine reserve, including some experiences with the Great Blue Hole, and lots of quiet time on the sand.

To read about our travelers' experiences in beautiful Belize, click here. For more itinerary options, browse our other Belize vacation packages.

Starting Price

$5,500 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 194 reviews

Elisha B.
Belize Travel Review: Placencia, Mayan Temples, Snorkeling, Local Cuisine, 9-Day Trip

The country was gorgeous and the trip was perfectly planned to suit my family’s needs. We loved all of the excursions, the food was delicious, and the guides were expert and kind.

See more

Denise E.
Belize Vacation Review: Jungle, Beaches, 1 Week

The trip was exceptionally and thoughtfully planned. Zicasso's travel specialist took the time to understand the general vision through questions, suggested ideas, and consideration of feedback before presenting and refining the trip. The travel company continued to provide updates and check-ins before and during the trip as well, confirming scheduling as needed. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with the travel company.

See more

steven H.
Belize Vacation Review: Snorkeling, Boutique Hotel, 1 Week

I have traveled extensively around the world with various companies. I think Zicasso's tour company may be the best. They were very responsive and flexible to the changes I needed to make during the trip and the concierge they assigned to me in Belize was awesome.

See more

Jill S.
Belize Trip Review: ATM Cave Tour, Snorkeling, 6 Nights

Zicasso's travel agents were helpful and quite thorough.

See more

Aaron M.
Belize Tour Review: Placencia, Underground Waterfalls, Street Food, 10 Days

The trip was great. The accommodations were great. The process was easy and Zicasso's travel agency was responsive to any and all inquiries.

See more

Peter P.
Belize Trip Review: Mayan Sites, History, Culture, ATM Cave Experience, Snorkeling, Caracol, 8 Nights

Zicasso’s travel agents were incredibly attentive to details, understood what we were looking for in a vacation, and created a perfect eight-day vacation in Belize, balancing our interests! They were available for questions on WhatsApp and responded immediately to any questions we had before and during the trip. Top-notch all the way through.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
Zicasso in the News