Belize
Belize multi-sport adventure vacation
Outdoor Bound has constructed a spectacular multi-sport vacation, packed with jungle adventures, ruins and cultural tours, zip lines, river tubing, rappelling and snorkeling. As we travel over three distinct regions, we will explore some areas that are highly protected, untouched, and experience pristine natural resources. We also include an optional four-day rainforest climb to a remote peak, if you want to amp your vacation up to intense. This trip is a perfect balance of rugged jungle adventure, physical challenges, culture and relaxing beach days. Most days, we end the adventure wiht a refreshing dip in cool flowing water before ending the day at the lodge. You will get a taste of each of the unique ecological regions of this remarkable country.
Event Details
- Day 1 Zip Line and Cave Tubing
- Day 2 Exploring Mayan Caves & Night Canoeing
- Day 3 Jungle Tour
- Day 4 Jungle Hike, Big Roc Falls & Caving
- Day 5 Rappelling the Black Hole Drop
- Day 6 Snorkeling in Barrier Reef
- Day 7 Final Farewells
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Package Details
Trip Includes
- All accommodations
- All meals
- All transportation (excluding airfare)
- All sport-specific equipment
- All activities (climbing, caving, rappelling, snorkeling, canoeing, hiking, swimming, canopy tour, Mayan ruins)
- Experienced guides
- Warm Belizean hospitality!
What Is Not Included
- Round-trip air transportation from the US to Belize You will need to arrive in Belize City by 12:00 noon on March 21. The tour departs from the airport.
- Airport taxes and entry visa fees
- Guide gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal items
Accommodations
Our trip will include lodging at three different locations.
The first two nights we will be in the Cayo District, at resort hotel near Mayan ruins. This unique hotel offers our guests an invigorating view of San Ignacio and surrounding local sites. Enjoy landscaped gardens, a swimming pool overlooking San Ignacio and dining on the outdoor terrace.
The third and fourth nights will be spent in a very rustic lodge in the middle of the jungle, at a research center. Accommodations are private rooms with two beds and there are separate male/female bathrooms with showers on each side of the lodge. Scientists and researchers use this facility for study; these simple accommodations put you in a true off–the–beaten–path experience of the Belizean jungle! At dawn you will see flocks of scarlet macaws fly overhead, hear troupes of howler monkeys at night, and possibly wake up to jaguar paw prints on the research trail paths!
Our last two nights will be spent in a charming beachfront hotel that is 50 feet from the ocean. Just steps from your room are hammocks and beach chairs nestled in the sand. Meals are served at the adjacent open-air restaurant, with views of the ocean.
Single Travelers
If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 1
Welcome to Belize!
Your flight will touch down today in Belize City at Philip Goldson International Airport. You will need to arrive in Belize City by 12:00 noon on March 21. The tour departs from the airport. Belize is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with over 40% of its land area protected in parks and natural reserves. Once everyone has arrived, you will officially meet your guides before setting out on our first adventure. After a short drive you will find yourself suspended on a zip line 80 feet above the forest floor where you will explore the canopy of the Belizean jungle. You will see the natural landscape from an entirely new perspective as you soar from one tree platform to the next harnessed to steel cables strung between the trees. Each leg of the ride will cover a distance anywhere from 100 to over 300 feet in length.
After you have rappelled back to the ground, you are off to a wet and wild adventure, cave tubing! You will have headlamps and a wonderful local guide who will point out fascinating underground formations and history as we skim through the cave in pristine, cool flowing water. Finally, we will escort you to your hotel where you can venture out to mingle with Belizeans, explore any of the 34 nearby structural Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins or simply relax by the pool.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 2
Explore the Belize Underworld
After breakfast, you will move from soaring above the trees to exploring the lost underworld. Ancient Mayans used caverns in the depths of the jungle for traditional ceremonies and burials. Many ancient Mayan artifacts still exist, perfectly preserved inside these caverns. You will see burial chambers with calcified remains, ceremonial vessels, and many other cultural artifacts that were left by the Mayan civilization. In this full day’s journey, you will trek over rivers and through the jungle to follow the traditional pathways once used by the Mayans to access the caves. Today the caves remain almost entirely untouched. While spelunking, you will witness first hand how the caverns were used over the last 2,000 years. After emerging from the caves, you will eat a hearty dinner to refuel and, as dusk approaches, launch our canoes into one of Belize’s wild rivers. Paddling with the easy current, you will steadily make your way up the river at the perfect time of day to witness animals coming to the riverbank for water. Afterwards, bask in the silence of the night under the star-filled sky as you return to the comfort of your bed for a good night’s sleep.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 3
Mayan Ruins, Waterfalls & Night Jungle Tour!
Today, you will head out into the jungle to explore Mayan ruins that, according to hieroglyphics on the site, date back to 1200 B.C. The forest surrounding the ruins remains undisturbed and some of the trees are over 500 years old. You can listen to the calls of exotic birds and the din of howler monkeys. The heart of the ruins consists of tombs, plazas, a central acropolis, two ball courts, reservoirs, and a pyramid, which is still one of the tallest buildings in Belize. After a dusty day exploring the ruins, we will stop off at a beautiful succession of clear ponds for a dip. Slide down the many smooth granite boulders into the cool water or just soak your feet. You will also have another chance to cool off at a crystal clear swimming hole at the bottom of a breathtaking 150-foot waterfall. A short walk away you will get the opportunity to see the largest cave in Belize (65 feet high). A quarter mile in length, this cave is home to sulfur-deposited colored stones, large dripping lime stone stalactites, gigantic boulders and a river that forms pools of water with small cascading falls. Thousands of years ago this cave used to be part of a system that the Mayans used to bury their dead. After we are done spelunking, we will visit the famous Pools at Rio Frio — a series of natural pools and waterfalls where you can scramble, sunbathe, swim and refresh yourself! This is a continuous series of pools formed by large granite boulders. Many of the pools are connected by small waterfalls. The smooth surface of the boulders make natural water slides and a great place for a swim or a hike.
From there, we will drive out to Las Cuervas for the night. Nestled in the heart of the Chiquibul National Park, Las Cuervas is a center that was designed to help explore, research and conserve the Mayan Forest. A frequent pit stop to scientists and explorers from all over the world, they will provide us with dinner, which will be followed by a night jungle tour. After returning to the research center, we will settle there for the night.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 4
Chiquibul National Park
Following a hearty breakfast we will depart from Las Cuervas and venture deeper into the Chiquibul National Park. Chiquibul has been protected since 1956 and an official National Park since 1991. An ecological wonderland, this national park is so remote that portions of it have not even been mapped yet! A favorite of international ecologist community, Chiquibul is home to several extremely rare species of birds, an untouched ecosystem, a tremendous amount of unique flora and fauna, one of the longest caving systems in the world (nine miles long!). Swimming under waterfalls, our local guide will show us remote paths to hike downstream. After a day on the river we will return to the hotel for good food, relaxation and sleep.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 5
Rappelling in the Mayan Rainforest
Far off in the Mayan rainforest lies a massive sink hole over 300 feet deep. Today you will rappel down from the top edge of the sinkhole, through the canopy and to the forest floor. Begin the expedition in the foothills of the Maya Mountains with a rigorous hike to the rappel site. Will yourself to take that first step over the edge and then hang suspended 200 feet over the jungle and relish the view of the mountains. Then lower yourself the next 100 feet through the rainforest canopy. Once you reach the forest floor, you will spend some time caving and climbing at the bottom of the sink hole.
The next adventure takes us to the Blue Hole National Park. This fascinating natural feature is actually a sinkhole formed by the collapse of an underground river channel. The exposed section of the underground Cave Branch Creek tributary can be viewed for about 150 feet before it disappears again beneath the surface. A refreshing dip in the azure-blue pool will be a welcome end to this day’s adventures.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 6
Snorkeling in the Belize Barrier Reef
Besides acres of rainforest, miles of caves, and fields of ancient Mayan ruins, Belize also has hundreds of miles of pristine sun-soaked coastline. Only 11 miles off the coast lies the island of Laughing Bird Caye, which is separated from the Belize Barrier Reef by deep channels. Because of the unique nature of the caye, this reef offers an abundance and variety of multicolored coral habitats and marine life. Today, you will snorkel through the barrier reef. You will float along the surface of Belize’s crystal clear water while exploring the reef’s wonders, including nurse sharks, stingrays, and an array of coral formations. Because of its unique marine habitat, the Caye was declared a protected World Heritage Site in 1996.
Seven Packed Days of Adventure!
Day 7
Final Farewells
Enjoy one more breakfast, prepare for departure and wave good-bye one last time to the staff and your new-found friends. We will then shuttle you back to the airport in time to comfortably make your flight back home. If you are interested in staying an additional day to explore Placencia, relax on the beach and decompress, we can arrange for an additional night’s stay at our charming beachfront hotel. Please contact us for information and pricing.
Preparing for Your Belize Adventure
Weather
The overall climate of Belize can be described as sub-tropical. The humidity, while high, is seldom oppressive for long and is most noticeable only along the coast. The mean annual humidity is 83%, but many days the humidity is masked by the cooling sea breezes. The average temperature in Belize in March is a perfectly comfortable 76 degrees fahrenheit with an average high of 82 and low of 72. The Cayo District, where we will be spending most of our time, has an average of 125 rainy days per year, but March lies in the dry season so rainfall is at a minimum. In the event that there is a thunderstorm it most often occurs around midnight.
Medical Issues
All medical costs are the sole responsibility of the individual. Outdoor Bound highly recommends purchasing international travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Additionally, antimalarial drugs are recommended, as well as vaccinations indicated by the World Health Organization. To determine which vaccinations you may need, please make an appointment with a doctor specializing in Travel Medicine as soon as you can, as several vaccinations are a series.
Your primary physician can help you find a travel medicine doctor.
General Information
Please read our terms and conditions and call us with any questions you may have about the trip. A gear and departure checklist will be sent to you upon booking confirmation.
Pack List
- Hiking Pants and long-sleeved shirts WHY: keeps bugs off, protects you from brush/brambles in the jungle. Great if you have the zip-off pants that convert to shorts.
- Wicking/polyester/synthetic clothing (pants/shirts, etc.) WHY: it is the humid rainforest! Cotton is the worst thing you can wear.
- One good pair of hiking boots/trail shoes.
- High-DEET-content insect repellent (30% or higher). Nasty stuff, but we are going to the jungle. Malaria, Botflies, ticks and Dengue Fever are NOT worth catching.
- Clothing-treatment spray containing Permetherin (available at camping/good sporting goods stores). Follow directions carefully. One bottle treats two outfits (outfit = 1 shirt, 1 pants, 1 pair socks). Good for two weeks, even after a drenching. Be sure to treat your clothes before you travel.
- Sunscreen. We will be 10-15 degrees from the Equator.
- Quick-dry towel (camping towel, etc.) for caving and rainforest days, as well as humid hiking.
- Small daypack or hip pack, for necessities on everyday excursions.
- Headlamp for caving or waterproof flashlight (not essential, but will make the caving and night canoeing much more fun…may spot a Jaguar!! And other critters.)
- Travel alarm clock. We need to be up around 6:00 AM; breakfast at 7:00 AM and leave for excursions at 8:00 AM. We recommend travelling with granola and protein bars if you are a late sleeper. li>
- Earplugs. Bring them, just in case you need a good night’s sleep.
- Mask and snorkel (if you have them) for the last days in Placencia. Rentals are provided free of charge.
- Waterproof disposable camera for the caving and canoeing days.
- Please remember to pack light (one rolling, standard-size suitcase and one backpack/carry-on) and leave behind any flowery, fruity hair or body products. It will only attract bugs. Please, no flashy jewelry or electronica.
Why Outdoor Bound?
Experienced, Fun & Qualified Guides
From cycling across the United States to leading horse treks through New Zealand to scaling Nepalese peaks, Outdoor Bound guides have real-world outdoor experience. Collectively, they have hiked, biked, climbed and kayaked tens of thousands of miles around the globe.
Whether their professional backgrounds are as teachers, personal trainers, artists, environmentalists or business leaders, they all have an extensive knowledge of the natural world and local history. Each guide has also passed a rigorous guide certification program and is trained in wilderness first aid or as a Wilderness First Responder.
Diverse & Interesting Groups
There is no typical Outdoor Bound participant. While ages typically range from 20 to 50, those who come to experience outdoor adventure range from singles to couples, from lawyers to waiters. They are a mix of women and men. While the group is always diverse, you will certainly feel welcome. Our guides go the extra mile to make the atmosphere of each trip social and fun. Many people in the Outdoor Bound community have forged lasting friendships as a result of our trips.
New Experiences
Skydiving, ice-climbing, hot-air ballooning, skiing and hiking every weekend are just a few of Outdoor Bound’s year-round adventures. These trips are accessible to everyone, including the novice, who might feel a little uneasy, the young urban professional trying to get away and even the adrenaline junkie looking for a new rush.
Environmental Awareness
“Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures,” is the Leave No Trace motto embraced by Outdoor Bound. From purchasing bamboo T-shirts to printing with soy-based inks on recycled paper, Outdoor Bound strives to create the least environmental impact possible while on trips and in the office.
Outdoor Bound Belize
Register
Belize
Bringing a Friend or Two?
Please be sure to enter the total number of people in the Qty box. In addition, be sure to include your friends’ names and cell-phone numbers on the final Checkout page. The final discount price is the price per person, multiplied by the Qty you enter.
Reminder about Trip Conditions
We closely monitor snow, ice and related weather conditions before each trip. Lack of snow or similar, unsatisfactory weather/trail/river conditions may lead to changes to the trip or rescheduling or cancellation.
Please consult the individual trip description or Event Calendar for notice of any such changes. Refer to our full Policies page for more information about reservations and cancellations.
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