A Belize Reef and Rainforest Family Adventure
Tour Introduction
This is truly a reef and rainforest family tour par excellence. Educate your children and yourselves by direct immersion in the lowland jungles and warm Caribbean waters of the small Central American nation of Belize, the only former British colony in Central America. Stay in a charming, small and friendly jungle lodge for three nights, then take a speedboat out to a coconut-palm fringed coral island for five nights on the edge of the second longest barrier reef in the world. Hike rainforest trails in search of monkeys, birds and other fascinating wildlife; marvel at ancient Maya ruins; learn about butterfly natural history; explore limestone caves by canoe; glide thrillingly down canopy zip-lines; snorkel on colourful coral reefs; go boating. All these experiences and more await adventurous parents and offspring who want to bond and commune with nature in the warm New World tropics at eminently affordable prices.
Full Itinerary
Met on arrival at Belize International Airport and transfer by road to Macal River Camp. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to try some of the included on site family activities. Perhaps take an evening walk to see nocturnal species.
Staying at Macal River Camp . Includes Lunch.
Day at leisure. Perhaps walk the trails through the 300 acre private reserve, with your guide to learn about the local flora and fauna of the rainforest. In the afternoon float on inner tubes down the cool river or just enjoy swimming.
Staying at Macal River Camp . Includes Lunch.
Day at leisure to enjoy included on site activities. Optional activities available.
Staying at Macal River Camp . Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Pick-up from lodge and transfer by road along the scenic Hummingbird Highway south to Dangriga. On arrival at Dangriga, connect with your speedboat transfer to idyllic South Water Caye. Located right on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the 15-acre island is known as perhaps the most beautiful of all the reef cayes and is within a designated marine reserve.
Staying at Pelican Beach Resort. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available.
Staying at Pelican Beach Resort. Includes All Meals.
Morning boat trip for snorkelling. Afternoon at leisure.
Staying at Pelican Beach Resort. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available.
Staying at Pelican Beach Resort. Includes All Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available.
Staying at Pelican Beach Resort. Includes All Meals.
After breakfast, transfer by boat to Dangriga. Catch a domestic flight to Belize International Airport.
Includes Breakfast.
Tour Accommodation
Pelican Beach Resort
Overview
Located within a designated marine reserve right on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef (a World Heritage Site), the 15-acre island of South Water Cay is perhaps the most beautiful of all the inhabited reef cays. Situated on the lovely southern end of the cay on a coral sand beach adorned with coconut palms, the hotel consists of a main wooden period building, Pelican’s Pouch (once a Convent for the Sisters of Mercy) with five rooms on top and a restaurant below plus five separate wooden cottages comprising eight units. The accommodation is fairly simple and uses sustainable technology such as solar power and captured rainwater. There is excellent snorkelling right off the beach and diving can be arranged at a resort on the island or from the mainland: the reef drops off to 2000ft just thirty yards offshore allowing fabulous wall dives. The resort is owned by a prominent local family, the Bowmans, who once owned the entire island and others nearby; the food is excellent and the Belizean staff are very friendly and quietly efficient.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Five separate cabanas comprising eight units: Osprey’s Nest (two rooms, each with double and single beds, shared balcony) shared private dock, sea views; Heron’s Hideaway (for honeymooners, with dbl bed and sea views); Sandpiper Suites (duplex - one dbl, one dbl plus sgl, beach view); Egret’s Escape (first floor unit, dbl bed); Kingfisher Cottage (first floor unit with dbl bed, lagoon and beach views). All have composting loos and hot water showers. The main building, Pelican’s Pouch, has five large first-floor rooms, en suite toilet and basin, shared hot showers on ground floor, east facing verandah with hammocks, restaurant, bar, dining room with large deck. On the property are a boat dock, hammocks, canoes and Lazer sailboats for the use of guests.
Local Wildlife
Snorkelling for eagle rays, stingrays, nurse sharks, tarpon, corals, reef fish; Man ’O’ War Cay for large numbers of roosting magnificent frigatebirds and yellow-footed boobies. Around the island, pelicans dive constantly for fish, frigatebirds soar overhead and hermit crabs scurry along the beach, pure white and fringed by coconut palms. The island’s resident ospreys can be observed hunting for fish and tending their nest above the radio mast.
Optional Activities
Swimming, snorkelling (gear for hire), diving (no dive shop – tanks and gear can come from a mainland operator or nearby resort), canoeing, sailing, boating, birdwatching, bone fishing, drop-line fishing, kite surfing (bring your own gear), exploring the island (you can generally walk anywhere), visiting other islands, mangrove tour, relaxing in a hammock.
Macal River Camp
Overview
The camp, set on the banks of the Macal River in western Belize, has very clean and comfortable permanent wood and canvas cabins with separate shared toilet block with hot water showers. Breakfast and dinner are taken communally on site.
The camp is attached to the English-American owned Lodge at Chaa Creek, the longest established upmarket lodge in Belize.
The lodge property has a large network of trails offering excellent horse riding, walking and mountain biking. Canoeing is available on the river and you can also access the facilities at the main lodge including the restaurant, bar, swimming pool and luxury spa.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Shared bathroom facilities, large thatched Palapa offering comfortable dining
Local Wildlife
The river basin is home to a plethora of wildlife including jaguar and Baird’s tapir (although they are rarely seen). More frequently observed wildlife includes black howler monkeys and the abundant birdlife of the region, which includes specialities such as pine siskin and orange-breasted falcon.
Optional Activities
Half-day Canadian canoe trip down the unspoilt Macal River to San Ignacio town (a vehicle will take you back to the camp). Excursion to the nearby Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and Caracol. Full day or overnight trip to the famous Tikal Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Full day guided tour of Vaca Falls and Chumpiate cave in the Maya mountains. Visit the full-service spa at the Lodge for a complete range of alternative therapies and beauty treatments. Horse riding and mountain biking on forest trails. Short trip over the Guatemala border for handicrafts and duty free shopping.
Route Map
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Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights within Belize included
Best Visited:
December to May
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
I have been travelling for many years and have been lucky enough to visit many exciting, far flung exotic places. However, this trip to Belize has knocked the socks off anywhere else I have been. I would recommend (and have been already) people with a sense of adventure to go asap….. It is a truly amazing place and I can now die happy. I was also very pleased with the service you provided and hopefully will be booking with you again. Thanks for organising a wonderful trip.
