Belize: Rainforests, Reefs & Ruins (Plus)

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Belize

  Welcome to Belize! Home to Mayan ruins, monkeys, and most importantly: you for the next 10 days! Get situated, get properly sunscreened, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.

  Today's highlights:

  • Land at the airport and meet a waiting EF representative.
  • Transfer to your hotel to check in and check out your room.
  • Get familiar with the area around your hotel with an introductory walk with your Tour Director in Belize City.
• Day 2: Explore the Altun Ha Ruins + Welcome Dinner

  Experience the ruins of a once-thriving city in the Belizean jungle and see what Pre-Columbian life was like for the indigenous peoples of Central America.

  In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

  Today's highlights:

  • Immerse yourself in Mayan life as you explore temples, homes, and recreational sites at Altun Ha Ruins with a local expert.
  • Head to Ambergris Caye for appetizers, drinks and some relaxation after a full day of playing archaeologist.
• Day 3: Snorkeling at Hol Chan + Optional San Pedro Food Tour

  Make an expedition to the warm waters of Hol Chan off of Ambergris Caye. After a quick lesson in the art of snorkeling, dive on in and join a guide for an astounding underwater experience among a spectacular array of marine life.

  Today's highlights:

  • Glide past the colorful coral formations that Belize is known for as you snorkel through the world’s second largest barrier reef.
  • See turtles, nurse sharks, sting rays, jacks, tarpon, and many other marine species as you share the warm waters.
  • Enjoy Ambergris Caye’s sunny vibes the way the locals do—blissfully.

  Belize Food Tour (extra cost)

  Belizean food is influenced by many different cultures within the country that make Belize unbelizeable. Sample some Belizean favorites and learn about how Mayan cuisine seeped its way into the vibrant foods of Belize.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 4: Travel to San Ignacio via Belize City

  Dry off from yesterday’s water party and head into inner-Belize. San Ignacio is the pastel-colored gateway to the Guatemalan rainforest. Enjoy the friendly small town atmosphere for the day.

  Today's highlights:

  • Gawk at the Belizean countryside as you venture inward towards Guatemala.
  • Arrive in San Ignacio and chill out at the edge of the jungle.
• Day 5: Explore the Mayan Ruins of Guatemala

  Welcome to the jungle! Tikal, Guatemala once rivaled Ancient Rome in size and splendor. Today you’ll explore its impressive Maya temples, ball courts and the many excavated buildings that housed over 100,000 people.

  Today's highlights:

  • Wake up to the sounds of the jungle in San Ignacio.
  • Collect another passport stamp as you enter Guatemala.
  • Join a local guide for an in-depth tour of Tikal’s six magnificent ancient pyramids.
  • Fuel back up with an included lunch—much needed after climbing the 221 feet to the top of Temple IV.
• Day 6: Ziplining & Cave Tubing on the Southern Coast

  Trade in archaeology for adrenaline today on the Southern Coast of Belize. You’re in for a heart pumping helping of ziplining, a mellow dose of lazy river cave tubing, and plenty of beach time.

  Today's highlights:

  • Give a hearty howler monkey goodbye to the rainforest as you board your bus headed for the coast.
  • Reach speeds of nearly 50mph cruising above the canopy on a zipline.
  • Slow down with a lazy river float through a wild series of sacred Mayan caves.
  • Feast on an included barbeque lunch—feel free to nap off the food coma later on the beach.
• Day 7: Free Day on the Southern Coast + Optional Snorkeling in the Cayes

  Be free today to do Belize your way. You have the beach at your fingertips and your new BFFs to share it with. Take it easy on the Southern Coast all day and all night.

  Free time suggestions

  Belizean Cuisine: The food in Belize is a bit like Mexican food, but with a unique twist from Mayan, Garifuna, Kriol and other cultures. The result is fabulous, and you must be sure to try ceviche, conch fritters, fry jacks, or anything that looks tasty to you!
  Beach Time: Grab a book, download a podcast, order a cold drink, and plop yourself down on the golden sand for the day. Be sure to flip over once in awhile for even tanning.

  Snorkel at Turneffe Atoll (extra cost)

  Want more time to snorkel? Buckle up! Time to take your snorkeling to the next level with Snorkeling in the Southern Cayes.  With over 1,000 documented species of fish in the Caribbean Sea, you’re sure to see something special!
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 8: Free Day on the Southern Coast + Included Dinner

  Much like eating potato chips, once you’ve had a bit of Belize’s natural beauty, you crave so much more of it. Get your fix today by surrounding yourself in all its glory on the beach, or wherever you choose to spend your free day. Enjoy an included dinner in the evening.

  Free time suggestions

  Belikin Beer: Kick back and sip a Belikin, the premiere beer brand of Belize, preferably under a coconut tree.
  Water Sports: Rent a kayak or paddle board and live it up in the lazy surf of the Southern Coastline.

• Day 9: Return to Belize City + Farewell Dinner

  After a wonderful time on the Southern Coast, it’s time to return to Belize City for one final day in paradise. Spend your bus ride scheduling your “take me back to Belize” Instagram posts, and swapping numbers with the friends you made on the trip before one final dinner together.

  Farewell Dinner
  Share some last laughs and revisit the best moments of the trip at this included farewell dinner with the group.

  Today's highlights:

  • Make a pit stop in the vibrant seaside town of Dangriga en route to Belize City.
• Day 10: Fly Home

  Goodbye, friends!
  Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, make sure to take one more group photo and grab that final drink. But this isn’t goodbye because you can always get the gang back together for another trip soon. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, we have a couple ways to keep your vacation going.

  EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

  1. Double the fun
  Many of our trips line up back to back. Give us a call and we’ll help you add another destination—and save big while you’re at it.

  2. Go ahead or stay behind
  Extending your trip is easy. During checkout, you’ll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for a $30 fee. We’ll adjust your flights accordingly, but you’ll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside the tour.

  Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.