GREAT ADVENTURE TRIPS IN BELIZE

 

Belize has it all for the adventurous spirit, with 45.3 percent of its territory under protection, including marine reserves. This makes Belize ideal for flora and fauna to flourish making it perfect for adventure tours.  Not only will you be amazed at the nearly 600 bird species and exotic wild cats that Belize is home to, but the second largest reef on the planet is just offshore with a myriad of sea creatures and corals.  Belize was also part of the Mayan empire making it a world-class archaeological destination with ruins and temples that transport you back to another era when the Mayans were the most sophisticated civilization in the ancient Americas.  When it comes to adventure travel, Belize offers it all. From snorkeling with sharks to visiting skeleton-filled caves, here is our pick of exciting adventure tours in this bucket list-worthy destination.

 

Barrier Reef

 

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most expansive and beautiful parks within the country of Belize, beginning along the Caribbean coastline and rising along the Maya Mountains. Despite being without roads, businesses, or even hunters, the Basin is world-famous for being the sole nature reserve within the region that features free-roaming jaguars. Whether you want to go on a short day hike or a multi-day adventure, Cockscomb Basin affords visitors many opportunities to see tropical birds, waterfalls, mountain views, ancient forests, and a veritable menagerie of creatures like amphibians, butterflies, deer, monkeys, reptiles, and the national animal, tapirs.

 

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Mayan Ruins

 

Xunantunich is one of the best-known Maya ruins. It’s a 22-acre complex with 25 palaces and temples, a ball court where Maya games were played, the pyramid of Il Castillo, and many ancient homes. El Castillo is one of the tallest Maya pyramids. A climb to its top rewards you with a breathtaking view over the Cayo District of Belize and into neighboring Guatemala. Archaeologists discovered an enormous royal tomb at Xunantunich in 2016 and they believe that it’s the tomb of a king who ruled the powerful Snake Dynasty. This is the first major find that provides clues about the Snake Dynasty since most of the records about it were destroyed. You can learn all about the ongoing work taking place at this important historical and archaeological site. The name Xunantunich comes from the Yucatec Maya language for “Stone Maiden” or “Maiden of the Rock.”

 

Lamanai

 

Actun Tunichil Muknal

 

Exploring the cavernous Actun Tunichil Muknal, also known as the “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher” can be quite a life-changing experience. Descend into the Maya underworld and leave your concerns about the world at the entrance for several hours, as your professional guide leads you through all that there is to see within. The “ATM” Cave recently received the accolade of “#1 Sacred Cave” by National Geographic, not only for its natural beauty but for the many crystalline stalagmites that developed in the bowels of the earth and also for its role as a sacred burial site to the Maya. Contained within the ATM Cave lays the “Crystal Maiden,” a Mayan sacrifice, as well as 13 other men, women, and children.

 

Actun Tunichil Muknal

 

Caracol

 

Off the beaten path through the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve rugged terrain, landing into the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, you will find the largest Maya site in Belize, Caracol. ’ It covers about 75 square miles of jungle. Caracol was first occupied around 1200 B.C and abandonment started around 950A.D. At the peak of its glory, the city housed about 15,000 people in the tall man-made structure called ‘Caana’ (sky palace.) A recent excavation at Caracol found evidence on glyphs of a triumphant victory over the famous city of ‘Tikal’ in Guatemala, naming the city the powerhouse of its time.

 

Caracol

Dive the Great Blue Hole

Ambergris Caye is fortunate enough to have some world-class dive sites just steps away from the shore. With over 100 dive sites within 6 miles, you can be assured to have great canyon dives.  Most dives are just east of the barrier reef and canyon dives are running east and west. Dive into the famous Blue Hole where you will descend to a depth of 130ft to see the underwater world that Jacques Cousteau saw so many years ago.  If you are lucky, a school of Reef Shark will be swimming around you.  Dive into the Lighthouse Atoll and see the Red Footed Boobie Birds. The Aquarium Wall dive will leave you mind-blown and you will be nothing but impressed by nature's underwater marvel.

 

Great Blue Hole

 

Hol Chan

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, rightly so, is the most popular snorkeling destination in Belize. The word Hol Chan means ‘little channel’ in the Maya language; as such, it has always been a natural hangout for marine life.  It was identified as an abundant area for marine life and so over 35 years ago it became a reserve. The reserve covers about five square miles and is about nine miles North East of Caye Caulker and is also close to Ambergris Caye. The channel is about 30 feet deep, and since no fishing is permitted in the reserve, it is rich with sea life of every description. Snorkelers can expect to see abundant angelfish, blue-stripped grunts, schoolmaster snappers, and hundreds of other varieties. It is also known for the green moray eels living in tiny caves along the wall.

 

Hol Chan

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