Keel-billed Toucan in Belize

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

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Customizable Itinerary

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

Countries Visited

Belize

Places Visited

Chan Chich, Gallon Jug Reserve, Laguna Seca, Lamanai...

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Suggested Duration

12 Days

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.

Customizable Itinerary

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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

$6,900 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.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.94 stars based on 124 reviews.

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Belize Vacation Review: ATM Cave, Snorkeling, Laughing Bird...
"We received outstanding service from Zicasso’s travel company....

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Belize Trip Review: Great Blue Hole, Nature, Nurse Sharks,...
"We were a small group that wanted individualized attention...

Reviewed By Lori T.

Belize Tour Review: Maya Culture, Snorkeling, Fishing, Wildlife,...
"We had an unforgettable journey to Belize. Zicasso’s tour...

Reviewed By Dietrich F.

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