Best of Belize

Arrival to Belize International Airport
Private Minibus Transfer to Cayo District – Unguided
Overnight at Black Rock Lodge – Classic Cabana (1 Queen & 1 Dbl Bed or 1 King Bed)
Cayo District.
Located in the western section of the country and bordering Guatemala’s department of El Petén, the Cayo District is a vast highland stretch of rainforests, ranches, and some of the country’s most remote and rugged terrain. It’s a region you head to not for beaches (there are none), but rather for Maya ruins, extensive cave systems, and the chance to explore the great outdoors on foot, by horse, or in a kayak, raft, or canoe. The country’s capital, Belmopan, is located here, but the real hub of the district is San Ignacio, a small town with colonial-era streets and a funky medley of restaurants and shops. Some of Cayo’s not-to-miss attractions include the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the Barton Creek cave, and the ancient Maya city of Caracol.
Black Rock Lodge – Complimentary Amenities.
– River Tubing.
– Self Guided Mountain Biking.
– Swimming in the Macal River.
– Hiking Trails.
Black Rock Lodge.
Cayo District, Belize.
Category – Simple / Mid Range.
This lodge is set in a stunning and remote location on the banks of the Macal River in the Mayan Mountains of the Cayo District. They have 13 cabins of different categories, a restaurant and bar. Guests can go hiking, biking, horseback riding and tubing all on the property and surrounding countryside. This is a great value lodge and perfect for couples, families and small groups looking for a lodge in a remote & scenic setting.
Facilities: 13 Cabins (No AC), Restaurant, Bar, Tours on Site
Location: Remote location 40mins from Guatemala Border, 40mins from San Ignacio, 2.5hr from Belize City.

Breakfast (07:00am – 09:30am) at Black Rock Lodge.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (Collective/Guided/Full Day/Minibus)
Overnight at Black Rock Lodge – Classic Cabana (1 Queen & 1 Dbl Bed or 1 King Bed)
Actun Tunichil Muknal (Collective/Guided/Full Day/Minibus)
Actun Tunichil Muknal “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher” is one of the most impressive caves in the Maya lowland. Located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest, this cave was a sacred place to the pre-hispanic Mayas of Belize, who first began to use the entrance during the early classic period (300-600AD.) The cave system consists of a series of chambers, ending in a 300 by 50 meter Cathedral where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. Visitors to this cave have the opportunity to travel into the Maya past and witness a living museum where the human sacrifices and artifacts can be viewed in their original context. On the tour, guests will drive to the trailhead and trek for 45 minutes through dense Jungle in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, wading across three streams and learning about the flora and fauna of the Jungle. At the entrance of the Cave guests are outfitted in the necessary equipment. Some swimming will be required and also climbing and caving activity. Guests will spend 3 hours in the cave after which they may also visit a nearby dry cave to see ancient inscriptions and handprints of which the origins are unknown. This is a first class caving and archaeological experience.
Due to the limited number of accredited guides for the ATM cave in Belize this tour might be collective, especially in high season from November through April. Transport to and from the ATM cave will be guaranteed private.
Activity Includes: Private transfers, group adventure guide, admission fees, flashlights & hard hats, picnic lunch.

Breakfast (07:00am – 09:30am) at Black Rock Lodge.
Caracol & Rio Frio Cave & Pools (Private/Guided/Full Day/Minibus)
Overnight at Black Rock Lodge – Classic Cabana (1 Queen & 1 Dbl Bed or 1 King Bed)
Caracol & Rio Frio Cave & Pools (Private/Guided/Full Day/Minibus)
Guests are met at their hotel and transfer into an area of subtropical rainforest in the Maya village of San Antonio. Here we have an opportunity to see the Mestizo culture which is the mix of Maya and Spanish people. San Antonio contains people from two tribes, the Mopan and Yucatec Maya and is a famous village because it was the home of Dr Elijio Panti, one of the last Shaman in Belize. From here we continue up to the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve which is a 106,000 acre, protected national park. In the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, many Belizeans were employed as timber cutters in this area and on our journey we will see testament to that history. Unfortunately this forest was affected by the Southern Pine Beetles in 1999 and so some areas are rather barren but it is interesting to see and learn about the reforestation programs taking place. After the Mountain Pine Ridge we start to see that the mountain changes from Pine Forest to Tropical Rainforest and we enter the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. About 1 hour drive from the Pine Ridge we arrive at the beautiful Maya site of Caracol (which means the Snail), named by the archeologists because they found the lather of the snails on site. The original name is “Oxwitza” which means the sky place. Caracol is the largest archeological site in Belize, covering 30 square miles of thick, high canopy jungle, and includes five plazas, an astronomical observatory and over 35,000 buildings that have been identified. The loftiest among them, a massive pyramid (Caana) capped by three temples and rises over 140 feet above the jungle floor. Guests enjoy a private guided tour of the site with entrances and picnic lunch included. We then return to the hotel and on the way back guests can choose to stop and explore the Rio-on Pools and Rio Frio Caves if they wish.
Activity Includes: Private transfers & guide, picnic lunch, admission fees.

Breakfast (07:00am – 09:30am) at Black Rock Lodge.
Barton Creek Half Day Tour (Private/Guided/Half Day/Minibus)
Free afternoon in Cayo District (Unguided)
Overnight at Black Rock Lodge – Classic Cabana (1 Queen & 1 Dbl Bed or 1 King Bed)
Barton Creek Half Day Tour (Private/Guided/Half Day/Minibus)
Guests are picked up from their hotel and transferred through the Cayo region on through the Mennonite Community of Upper Barton Creek river. The Barton Creek Cave Tour is a low intensity adventure trip which is great for couples and families, offering something for everyone. Equipped with canoes and high powered lights, guests gently paddle along the river into the cave system known as Xibalba (she-bal-ba), Maya for the underworld. Stalactites hang high overhead as you float past impressive calcite crystal formations. Knowledgeable guides discuss the relevance of the cave to the ancient Mayan people and the archaeological significance of this 7.5km limestone Cave system which was used for ceremonial purposes and as a burial site by the ancient Maya people. Guests are transferred back to their hotel when the tour concludes.

Activity Includes: Private Transfers & Guide, Admission Fees, Canoes & Equipment.
Not Included: Lunch.

Breakfast (07:00am – 09:30am) at Black Rock Lodge.
Horse Riding with Lunch Full Day (Private/Guided/Full Day/Minibus)
Overnight at Black Rock Lodge – Classic Cabana (1 Queen & 1 Dbl Bed or 1 King Bed)
Horse Riding with Lunch Full Day (Private/Guided/Full Day/Minibus)
Guests will be picked up at their hotel and will be transferred to Mountain Equestrian Trails for a full day horseback riding. Choose from a number of options:
Waterfalls Ride: This full day ride will take you to the Big Rock Waterfalls. A leisurely picnic lunch and swimming are on the agenda for the next couple of hours. Enjoy riding through vibrantly rich tropical forests. Some areas of the trail are better suited for walking, and others perfect for an exhilarating canter through the woods. Return via a different route.
River Cave Ride: You will ride to the underground river cave, passing through open farmlands and viewing primitive farming techniques of indigenous people, learning much about their culture. You will travel into a beautiful river valley lost in time, resplendent with huge mango, avocado, and citrus trees where you board small canoes and venture about a mile into the cave to view its exquisite beauty. A spotlight will be provided but you are invited to bring along your own headlights or flashlights.
Pacbitun: Located very close to Mountain Equestrian Trails are the ruins of the ancient city centre of Pacbitun. At one time, the grounds of Mountain Equestrian Trails were a part of this city which also extended into the village of San Antonio about 5 miles away. After a picnic lunch we ride to and explore a pottery-strewn underground Mayan ceremonial cavern.
Mountain Pine Ridge Cave Ride: The destination today will be one of the spectacular caves found in this limestone karst region where fragments of ancient Maya pottery and even some intact vessels can be seen. Explore various rooms filled with glorious limestone formations then ride through varied habitats and ecosystems while your guide explains many different medicinal plants and traditional uses of the rainforest.
Activity Includes: Private transfers & guide, admission fees, horse riding, lunch.

Breakfast (07:00am – 09:30am) at Black Rock Lodge.
Private Transfer to Belize City Water Taxi Station.
– Unguided Shared Boat Transfer to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
– Unguided Service(s) from Mata Rocks Resort: Taxi transfer from San Pedro Airstrip.
– Unguided Free afternoon in San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) (Unguided)
Overnight at Mata Rocks Resort – Ocean View Pool Deck Room (1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds)
San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
The largest of Belize’s islands, Ambergris Caye runs parallel to the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef. Once home to the ancient Maya (they created the island by digging a channel between it and Mexico), Ambergris is located 56 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Belize City and is accessible by boat or plane. It’s a popular destination for diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, kayaking, and windsurfing; trips to nearby Caye Caulker and the mainland are easy to plan, too. Formerly a fishing village, San Pedro is the island’s only town; its sandy streets are lined with waterfront restaurants, hotels, tiki bars, and dive shops. Visitors to Ambergris should note that in order to protect the caye’s natural environment, Belizean law prohibits the removal of coastal sea grass. Properties do their best to clean up grass that washes up on shore, but it’s not uncommon to find a bit of sea green next to your cold bottle of Belikin.
Mata Rocks Resort.
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Category – Mid Range.
Mata Rocks is a very sweet, small hotel located in San Pedro town. The owners / managers are on site and offer excellent personalized service to guests. There is a small pool and a beach bar on the small beachfront area. Guests can choose from several categories of rooms.
Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Pool.
Location: San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye – 10min drive from the airport.

Continental Breakfast at Mata Rocks Resort.
Free day in San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) (Unguided)
Overnight at Mata Rocks Resort – Ocean View Pool Deck Room (1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds)

Continental Breakfast at Mata Rocks Resort.
Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour (Collective/Half Day/Boat)
Free afternoon in San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) (Unguided)
Overnight at Mata Rocks Resort – Ocean View Pool Deck Room (1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds)
Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour (Collective/Half Day/Boat)
Hol Chan means Little Channel in Mayan and is a natural break on the barrier reef where ocean depth ranges from 3 to 30 feet. Here guests will enjoy seeing the breathtaking myriad of marine life and huge coral garden, among which are flourishing staghorn corals and sea fans. Shark Ray Alley is a shallow water snorkel where guests will enjoy swimming with the harmless nurse sharks and southern stingrays – this trip is a famous snorkel trip and a “must do” for Belize.
Activity Includes: Snorkel Equipment, transfers and a guide.
Not Included: Lunch, $10 USD park fee per person which guests must pay locally, tips & gratuities.

Continental Breakfast at Mata Rocks Resort.
Free day in San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) (Unguided)
Overnight at Mata Rocks Resort – Ocean View Pool Deck Room (1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds)

Continental Breakfast at Mata Rocks Resort.
Free day in San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) (Unguided)
Overnight at Mata Rocks Resort – Ocean View Pool Deck Room (1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds)