Zicasso Travel Stories: The Surprising Diversity of Belize

The compact size of Belize appealed to them, as it made it easy to experience the jungle and beach in a single trip. "Belize is interesting because you can include two different elements in your vacation,” Marci-Beth said. “It’s so compact, which makes it easy to enjoy two segments with minimal effort."

What made Belize truly unique, however, was its cultural diversity. "It's a wonderful mixture of Mayan, Mestizo, and Mennonite communities living together for a very unique culture that celebrates the best of each," Marci-Beth shared.

In the Cayo District, where they stayed at a jungle resort, Marci-Beth and Jeff were impressed by the exceptional hospitality. "The resort was always four steps ahead, anticipating everything we wanted, even when we didn’t realize we wanted it,” Marci-Beth said. “They were so friendly. We felt so taken care of and had no concerns." Despite the presence of other guests, they always felt secluded, except during dinner when the resort hummed with welcoming activity.

The luxury travel experience in Belize struck a perfect balance between rustic ambiance and authenticity, without feeling overly polished. "Every element was very thoughtful and culturally authentic. We never felt touristy," Jeff said. “So much of it was due to our travel specialist's expertise of Belize and understanding of what we wanted to experience most.”

One of the highlights of their jungle adventure was an ATM cave tour, which Marci-Beth described as "probably the most adventurous thing I have ever done”. For Jeff, it was a top-three experience. It involved swimming across a rushing river and through caves with only the light on his helmet to lead the way, shimmying between rock formations, climbing ladders, and hiking through the cave to reach the Crystal Maiden, a preserved human skeleton connected to Mayan heritage and tradition.

After the jungle adventure, the couple transitioned to an island experience. "At the time of planning, we only had a week and were looking for a more relaxing vacation, drawn to the beach element of Belize while minimizing transfer times," Marci-Beth said.

Their travel specialist showed them how to create the perfect balance by frontloading their trip with adventure activities and slowing the momentum along the way. “Jeff doesn't relax until day five,” Marci-Beth said. “Knowing how to balance both of our interests with activities we could do together early in the trip and taper down later provided the right blend of experiences we both wanted.”

The highlight of their beach stay was the overwater thatched bungalow Marci-Beth described as "right up there in my favorite experiences”. With only 25 guests on the island, the couple enjoyed a communal yet private experience, connecting with the small but diverse collection of travelers staying in the private resort.

While not self-described foodies, the couple appreciated the comforting and nostalgic feel of the island's cuisine. "It was like someone's mom was cooking for us each night, but in an elevated way," Marci-Beth said. “As the 20 of us shared a long table for dinner each night, we enjoyed laughing and sharing stories with the diverse collection of guests.”

Throughout their Belize adventure, Marci-Beth and Jeff felt genuinely looked after and tended to, from the attentive hospitality to the personalized activities. Even when Jeff caught a cold and couldn't scuba dive, his guide took him on a private snorkeling excursion, where Jeff could witness the vibrant water and life in the sea. “I could walk off the beach to reach the reef,” Jeff said. “The marine life, the color, the accessibility, it was astounding. I was able to swim with a four-foot shark.”

Marci-Beth and Jeff's trip to Belize, expertly crafted by their Zicasso destination specialist, showcased the surprising diversity of jungle luxury and the exclusive ambiance of overwater bungalows as they enjoyed adventure and relaxation, as well as a unique blend of cultures past and present.

Whether looking for a romantic getaway or a thrilling adventure, you can find inspiration with our Belize vacations and tours. You can find new ways to explore the jungle or the barrier reef with our Belize travel guide.