Maya Ruins, Belize

Highlights of Belize

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

$5,895pp(ex. flights)

Our classic adventures through Belize incorporate the jewels of the tiny country that packs a punch – from tracking jaguar and river tubing to exploring manatee-inhabited lagoons and barrier reef snorkelling.

With its wonderful mix of culture, wildlife and history, we can curate a fully-tailored trip bursting with extraordinary experiences for solo travellers, honeymooners and families alike.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Manatees Jamaica 1

Swim with Manatees

Visit Belize’s stunning beaches, taking to the shallow coastal waters to paddle with manatees.

Cabana, Blancaneaux Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize 2

Jungle Hideaways

Experience vast jungles and exotic coastlines, staying in unique hand-picked properties.

Aerial view of Great Blue Hole, Belize 3

The Great Blue Hole

Travel to the iconic sink hole for a snorkelling or diving expedition, or join a flight-seeing trip.

Lamanai, Cayo District, Mayan Architecture, Belize 4

Maya & Creole

Explore archaeological sites and ancient cultures of Xunantunich and Lamanai.

Why we like it

Suited to both outdoor enthusiasts and those who simply endeavour to dip their toes in the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a pint-sized tropical playground. In a place where intense jungle hikes are rewarded with secluded waterfall pools, ancient Maya ruins nestle in dense jungles and scenic flights allow for birds’ eye views of the Blue Hole, we can tailor a bespoke trip that suits all activity levels and interests. As the country is so small, it is possible to visit a number of exotic destinations either in the company of an expert private guide or while travelling independently. Plus, when it comes to accommodation, we know the most thrilling family-friendly jungle hideaways, the most romantic infinity pool cabins, and everything in between.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Belize City - Cayo District

  • Days 2-4

    Cayo District

  • Day 5

    Cayo District - Orange Walk District

  • Days 6-7

    Orange Walk District

  • Day 8

    Orange Walk District - Ambergris Caye

  • Days 9-11

    Ambergris Caye

Day 1

Belize City - Cayo District

Days 2-4

Cayo District

Cabana, Blancaneaux Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize

Experience vast jungles and exotic coastlines, staying in unique hand-picked properties.

Day 5

Cayo District - Orange Walk District

Days 6-7

Orange Walk District

Jaguar

Go on a jaguar tracking expedition in the highly remote Orange Walk District.

Day 8

Orange Walk District - Ambergris Caye

Days 9-11

Ambergris Caye

Manatees in Belize

Take to shallow coastal waters to paddle beside nuzzling manatees.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Lamanai archaeological site, Orange Walk District, Belize
Lamanai archeological site, Orange Walk District, Belize

All Alone at Ancient Maya Ruins

Despite sitting in the shadow of towering Maya metropolises such as Mexico’s Chichen Itza to the north, Guatemala’s Tikal to the west and Honduras’ Copan to the south, Belize boasts hundreds of highly impressive and lesser-known unique archaeological sites of its own. In the company of an expert local guide or archaeologist, travel to the remote ruins of Caracol, accessible only by rough and unpaved tracks.

Owing to its extremely remote location, intrepid visitors to the ruins often find themselves alone – except, of course, from the noisy toucans and monkeys. Other notable sites include idyllic Lamanai, which boasts magnificent central plazas, and atmospheric Xunantunich, which is encompassed by galleries of forest.

Jaguar, Belize
Jaguar, Belize

Jaguar Tracking Expeditions

In the highly remote Orange Walk District, reachable by a little-travelled overland route that passes incredible ruins or an exclusive private charter flight, there is much more to see than citrus trees and sugar cane farms. In this biologically rich area of jungle, savanna and wetlands, the chances of spotting an elusive jaguar are favourable. In the company of knowledgeable expeditionary guides, move through vast terrains of tropical forest to track these fleeting big cats, as well as pumas, ocelots, margays and jaguarundis.

Tiger Fern Waterfall, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize
Tiger Fern Waterfall, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize

Explore the Jungle: Canoeing, Biking & Horseback Riding

It is difficult not to be jungle-centric when exploring Belize, but the Cayo District is no one-trick pony. In some of the country’s most rugged terrains, we can arrange tubing adventures through ancient ceremonial cave networks, canoeing trips atop meandering rivers, horseback journeys in verdant forests and rappelling expeditions down thundering waterfalls. With an abundance of challenging valleys, creeks and rivers to traverse, the jungle is also an awe-inspiring location for off-the-beaten-track mountain biking. Much of your time will be spent on exploratory excursions, keeping a watchful eye out for wildlife that includes all five of Belize’s indigenous big cats.

Snorkelling, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Snorkelling, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Play in the Sea: Gentle Giants & the Great Blue Hole

From the soft white sand of Ambergris Caye to the tranquillity of Placencia, Belize is an opportune place to explore dramatic ocean ecosystems. Take to shallow coastal waters to paddle beside nuzzling manatees, a memorable experience that often results in close encounters as these gentle giants give in to their innate curiosity. Perhaps journey to Shark-Ray Alley to mingle with sharks and rays or try world-renowned snorkelling at the famed Barrier Reef. The jewel in the stone of the Caribbean Sea, the Great Blue Hole, doubles as the holy grail of diving sites, and we can arrange diving expeditions amongst ancient stalagmite and stalactite formations. Those without diving experience can still experience the majesty of the geological phenomenon by snorkelling or joining a flight-seeing trip.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Chan Chich Lodge £££££

  • Belize
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Chan Chich is a jungle lodge located in the lower plaza of an ancient Maya city in a 140-acre private nature reserve in the middle of the rainforest. There are 15 thatch-roof cabanas, all fully screened with ceiling fans and private facilities. All are accessed via shaded stone pathways and each offer spacious accommodation with a walk-in wardrobe large bathroom and a wraparound veranda strung with an oversized hammock.

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Matachica Beach Resort £££££

  • Belize
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Matachica has 31 casitas, including a two-bedroom villa. Each thatched villa, made from local materials, is decorated to reflect the colour and vibrancy of Central America through soft furnishings and paintings. The villas are spacious and all have Matachica’s trademark mosaic bathrooms as well as a/c, ceiling fans, private patios with hammocks and daily a maid service. There is a pool for all guests to enjoy, an award-winning Spa and should the weather not play ball for a day, there is a movie room.

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Blancaneaux Lodge £££££

  • Belize
  • Wilderness

Tucked into a remote region of the Maya Mountains and overlooking the gentle rapids of the Privassion River, Blancaneaux Lodge has 20 sophisticated cabanas and villas. Each palm-thatched cabana has an expansive wraparound sun deck, a Mexican-tiled bathroom with a Japanese style bathtub.

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The Lodge at Big Falls £££££

  • Belize
  • Boutique

The Lodge at Big Falls is a delightful retreat located close to Punta Gorda, in Toledo, southern Belize. Here you have easy access to Belize’s natural wonders and archaeological treasures and the hotel offers a range of eco-tours designed to introduce you to the local Mayan people and culture.

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Turtle Inn £££££

  • Belize
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Turtle Inn is a rustic, Indonesian-style beach resort on a narrow stretch of fine pearly white sands. It sits on Belize’s southern coast, just two miles from the sleepy village of Placencia hosting a collection of thatched cottages and villas, including the film director’s, Francis Ford Coppola, own Pavillion House.

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From $5,895 Per person

When to travel

Belize in January

January to March is the driest and coolest time of year in Belize. It is the ideal time to explore the jungle and Mayan architecture, or simply relax on the beach. It is peak season, so it is worth booking in advance to secure the best accommodation.

Belize in February

January to March is the driest and coolest time of year in Belize. It is the ideal time to explore the jungle and Mayan architecture, or simply relax on the beach. It is peak season, so it is worth booking in advance to secure the best accommodation.

Belize in March

January to March is the driest and coolest time of year in Belize. It is the ideal time to explore the jungle and Mayan architecture, or simply relax on the beach. It is peak season, so it is worth booking in advance to secure the best accommodation.

Belize in April

April and May remain a good time to visit Belize, with mainly dry weather across the majority of the country. Heat and humidity increases but there is still very little rainfall. A quieter time to visit, outside of Easter

April and May are a great time to go diving and watch Whale Sharks at Glover’s Reef, part of a protected marine reserve called the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR), off Placencia.

Belize in May

April and May remain a good time to visit Belize, with mainly dry weather across the majority of the country. Heat and humidity increases but there is still very little rainfall. A quieter time to visit, outside of Easter.

April and May are a great time to go diving and watch Whale Sharks at Glover’s Reef, part of a protected marine reserve called the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR), off Placencia.

Belize in June

June and July bring the start of the rainy season, although showers tend to be short and sharp in the afternoon and evening. The Annual Lobster Festival marks the start of the lobster season, and it is the perfect time to indulge in the wonderful fresh seafood of the country.

Belize in July

June and July bring the start of the rainy season, although showers tend to be short and sharp in the afternoon and evening. The Annual Lobster Festival marks the start of the lobster season, and it is the perfect time to indulge in the wonderful fresh seafood of the country.

Belize in August

August to October is the main rainy season, with the chance of tropical storms and the occasional hurricane. Visitors numbers are low and some lodges close, but if you don’t mind a few showers it’s a quiet time to travel.

Belize in September

August to October is the main rainy season, with the chance of tropical storms and the occasional hurricane. Visitors numbers are low and some lodges close, but if you don’t mind a few showers it’s a quiet time to travel.

Belize in October

August to October is the main rainy season, with the chance of tropical storms and the occasional hurricane. Visitors numbers are low and some lodges close, but if you don’t mind a few showers it’s a quiet time to travel.

Belize in November

November and December see the country dry up, and humidity drops. The country is quiet until Christmas and New Year when accommodation is harder to come by.

Belize in December

November and December see the country dry up, and humidity drops. The country is quiet until Christmas and New Year when accommodation is harder to come by.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Why Choose Steppes?

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