Discover some of Belize's highlights on this whirlwind five-day adventure. Spot wildlife, including crocodiles and toucans, explore the large Maya site of Lamanai Ruins, and whiz through the jungle on a zipline at Calico Jack's Village. There will be time for relaxation, too, along with snorkeling, kayaking, and beachside yoga at Southwest Caye within Glover's Reef Marine Reserve.

Highlights

  • Explore temples, plazas, palaces, and museums at Lamanai Ruins
  • See the lifecycle of the dazzling blue morpho butterfly
  • Go snorkeling at Glover's Reef Marine Reserve
  • Zipline through the jungle at Calico Jack's Village

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Belize City, Visit Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm Belize City
Day 2 Lamanai Ruins, Wildlife Tour Belize City
Day 3 Transfer to Southwest Caye, Paddle, Snorkel & Relax at Glover's Reef Southwest Caye
Day 4 Transfer to Belize City, Zipline at Calico Jack's Village Belize City
Day 5 Depart Belize City  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City, Visit Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm

Blue Butterfly
The magnificent blue morpho butterfly

Welcome to Belize City! You'll receive a warm welcome from your guide at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport and will be transferred to your hotel. Belize is a small country on the northeast coast of Central America with plenty of opportunities for adventure, nature spotting, and relaxation. Its UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere and the second-largest in the world, and you'll have the opportunity to snorkel to admire the country's underwater world later in your trip.

Today, you'll have your first taste of wildlife in Belize on a trip to The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek. At this popular attraction, you can observe the lifecycle of the iridescent blue morpho butterfly, which is also known as the "Belizean Blue." Start by looking at the pale green eggs at the beginning of the cycle, followed by caterpillars. Next, it's pupae before the show-stopping final stage as a dazzling blue butterfly. If you're lucky, one may land on your shoulder as you look around.
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Day 2: Lamanai Ruins, Wildlife Tour

Lamanai Ruins
Discover the ancient Maya Lamanai Ruins

Today, you'll head out for a full day of exploring, starting at the Maya Lamanai Ruins in northern Belize. Part of your journey to the ruins will be on the water, and as you travel, you'll be able to spot wildlife. Lamanai is one of Belize's largest Maya sites and is set in the jungle. You'll be guided around the many temples, plazas, palaces, and museums within the park's boundaries by expert guides. Highlights here include the well-preserved stucco mask of a Maya ruler and the view from the top of its High Temple.

In the afternoon, after lunch, you'll leave Lamanai by riverboat and go on a birding and wildlife tour along the New River. Your guides will help you to spot all sorts of colorful wildlife, such as iguanas, parrots, toucans, aracari (a small type of toucan), and Morelet's crocodiles. Make sure you have your camera ready to snap what you see. After your busy day, you'll return to your hotel for a relaxing dinner.

Day 3: Transfer to Southwest Caye, Paddle, Snorkel & Relax at Glover's Reef

Sunset at Glover's Reef Basecamp on Southwest Caye
Sunset at Glover's Reef Basecamp on Southwest Caye

In the morning, you'll travel south to Dangriga to take a water taxi beyond the main Barrier Reef to your private base camp on Southwest Caye, which is within Glover's Reef Marine Reserve. Off the southern coast of Belize, Glover's Reef is one of three atolls (a ring-shaped coral reef) in Belize. It's the perfect place to combine outdoor adventures such as kayaking, snorkeling, and diving with relaxation.

Your itinerary here is flexible, so you can choose between options such as sea kayaking, snorkeling the inner and outer walls of the reef, and learning to sail. You'll always have the choice of just relaxing in a hammock with a good book and a cold beverage, too. In the mornings and evenings, you'll be able to attend informative sessions on a range of topics about Belize, the marine environment, and local culture. To finish the day, try your luck in a high-stakes game of hermit crab racing. 

Day 4: Transfer to Belize City, Zipline at Calico Jack's Village

Sunrise yoga
Squeeze in an early morning swim or sunrise yoga session 

Squeeze in an early morning swim or sunrise yoga session before you're picked up to travel back to Dangriga on the mainland. Today you'll have the option of going on an adrenaline-filled zipline adventure at Calico Jack's Village near San Ignacio. Here you can whizz through the jungle on a series of ziplines, testing just how brave you are. While heading up to the first station, take your time to stop and look at the flora and fauna surrounding you, which changes as you ascend to the tree canopies. Continue to Belize City in the afternoon, where you can enjoy your final evening in Belize however you like.

Day 5: Depart Belize City

Belize City
Take in the last sights, smells, and sounds of Belize City

It's the last day of your trip, and you'll be taken to the airport in Belize City by water taxi. As you travel to Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, take in the last sights, smells, and sounds of Belize. Here you'll board your flight for your onward destination. Until next time!

More Great Belize Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Belize? Check out these other Belize itineraries, explore different ways to spend five days in Belize, and discover the best time to visit Belize.

Map

Map of Adventure, Nature & Culture in Belize - 5 Days
Map of Adventure, Nature & Culture in Belize - 5 Days