The Essential of Belize
Your journey can be tailored to your wishes.
Nine days from the Maya heartland to the Caribbean. Cruise the New River to the temples of Lamanai, climb El Castillo at Xunantunich, reach Caracol deep in the Mountain Pine Ridge, wade into the ATM Cave, then cross to Ambergris Caye to snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley.
Specifications
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Style: private journey, Maya archaeology, jungle and reef
Best season: December to April, the dry season
From €2,350 per person*
Itinerary
From Belize City to the Cayo jungle and on to Ambergris Caye. Tap the title that interests you and we will take you straight there.
Details
Day 1 — Belize City to Burrell Boom
On arrival at Belize City International Airport you are met by your driver and transferred to an eco-friendly resort on the banks of the Belize River, surrounded by tropical forest. Time to settle in and enjoy the garden before dinner.
Night in Burrell Boom, dinner included.
Day 2 — Lamanai
After breakfast, a full-day private excursion with an English-speaking guide to the Maya site of Lamanai, whose name means “submerged crocodile.” The approach is a 40 to 45 minute cruise up the New River through the rainforest. You then explore the Jaguar Temple and climb the High Temple for a panorama over the canopy. The on-site museum displays pottery and temple carvings.
Night in Burrell Boom, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 3 — Xunantunich and San Ignacio
Head west to San Ignacio. En route you visit Xunantunich, one of the best known Maya sites in Belize. Set on a limestone ridge, its pyramids and stucco friezes are striking, and from the top of El Castillo the view opens over the Mopan River valley. Continue to San Ignacio and settle into your room.
Night in San Ignacio, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 — Caracol and Rio on Pools
Into the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve for waterfalls and natural pools, then on to Caracol, the largest Maya city in Belize, dominated by the Caana pyramid, the “Sky Palace.” The tracks can be muddy in the rainy season. On the way back, a swim at Rio on Pools, a series of natural cascades.
Night in San Ignacio, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 5 — The ATM Cave
A full-day adventure to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. You wade across three rivers, then swim, climb and hike into the cave system the Maya knew as Xibalba. Inside are pottery and human remains offered to the rain god Chaac in the 9th century. Good physical condition is required and cameras are not allowed inside.
Night in San Ignacio, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 6 — Ambergris Caye
Transfer to the Belize City ferry terminal and board the water taxi to Ambergris Caye and San Pedro, the former fishing village made famous by the song La Isla Bonita. The island sits close to the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, near the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Great Blue Hole, and its waters are alive with colourful fish, rays, dolphins, turtles and manatees. Arrival in mid-afternoon.
Night in San Pedro, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 7 — Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley
A half-day snorkelling trip to the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. At the Hol Chan Marine Reserve you swim alongside turtles, octopus, parrotfish and nurse sharks, then continue to Shark Ray Alley, where nurse sharks and stingrays gather in the shallows. The afternoon is free, either a golf-cart run north to Secret Beach or the resort pool.
Night in San Pedro, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 8 — Mexico Rocks
North to Mexico Rocks, added to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in 2015. This shallow patch reef, and neighbouring Tres Cocos, offers clear water and easy snorkelling over colourful corals, with fish of all sizes, shrimp, lobsters and other marine life.
Night in San Pedro, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 9 — Departure
Return your golf cart at the San Pedro ferry and take the boat back to Belize City, where a driver transfers you to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport for your flight home.
End of our services.
Pricing
A private journey with your own driver, English-speaking guides on the excursions, and dedicated AZORA care throughout your stay.
THE ESSENTIAL OF BELIZE
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS · PRIVATE JOURNEY
INCLUDED
✓ Accommodation for 8 nights
✓ Transfers and the excursions listed in the programme
✓ Meals listed in the programme
✓ English-speaking guide where specified
✓ Taxes and administrative fees
✓ Follow-up and assistance
NOT INCLUDED
✗ International flights and any domestic flight not listed: check our airline comparator to find the best options
✗ Meals and drinks not listed
✗ Tips and personal expenses
✗ Anything not listed under included
*Indicative starting price per person, double occupancy, land services only, excluding international flights. The final price varies with the number of travellers, the season, availability and the length of the stay.
Good to know
- English is the official language of Belize, which makes travel and exchanges with locals unusually easy in Central America.
- The ATM Cave requires good physical condition. You wade, swim and climb, and cameras are not permitted inside.
- The tracks leading to Caracol can be muddy during the rainy season, and access may be adjusted on the day.
- On Ambergris Caye, getting around is by golf cart rather than car.
- Reef-safe sunscreen is strongly recommended in the marine reserves.
- Entry requirements change, so always check the official sources for your nationality before you travel.
When to go to Belize
The dry season runs from December to April and is the most comfortable window for this itinerary, with clearer water for snorkelling and easier jungle tracks. The rainy season runs from June to November, when showers are usually short but the roads to Caracol can be muddy. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the highest activity between August and October. We will advise the best window for your dates.
Customise my trip
This nine-day itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed package. Add days on Caye Caulker, swap the ATM Cave for a gentler day, extend the reef time, change the hotel standard or the departure date. Tell us what you have in mind and we build the journey around it.
The Essential of Belize FAQ
How long is the Essential of Belize tour and where does it go?
It is a 9-day, 8-night private journey from Belize City to Burrell Boom, Lamanai, Xunantunich, San Ignacio, Caracol, the ATM Cave and Ambergris Caye.
How much does the trip cost?
From €2,350 per person, based on double occupancy and land services only. International flights are not included.
What language is spoken in Belize?
English is the official language, alongside Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna and Maya languages. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America.
When is the best time to visit Belize?
December to April, the dry season, is the most comfortable period. The rainy season runs from June to November, and the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer or in good shape?
The ATM Cave day requires good physical condition, with wading, swimming and climbing. The snorkelling is done from a boat with equipment and guides. Both can be replaced with gentler alternatives on request.
Is the journey private?
Yes. You travel with your own driver on the mainland and join small guided excursions for the Maya sites, the cave and the reef.
Can the itinerary be tailor-made?
Yes. Every AZORA journey is designed to measure, so the pace, the length and the experiences can all be adjusted.
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