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5-Day Belize Dream Vacation
Day 1 You'll See:
- Anderson’s Caves Branch Adventure Company
- Anderson’s Waterfall Cave Expedition
- Anderson’s River Cave Expedition
Day 2 You'll See:
- Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
- Caracol City Tour
Day 3 You'll See:
- Placencia Beach Time
- Secret Garden Restaurant
- Monkey River Tour
Day 4 You'll See:
- San Pedro Shopping
- Free Time
Day 5 You’ll See:
- Blue Hole
- Shark Ray Alley
Day 1 -
Anderson’s Caves Branch Adventure Company- Welcome to Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Adventure Company and Jungle Lodge, an extremely rustic Jungle River Camp that has evolved into a luxury jungle lodging and adventure camp. Your group will have several different unique, thrilling, and all-around beautiful opportunities for fun, with over eight different cave adventures, numerous signature tours, jungle excursions, horseback riding, zip lining, snorkeling, and even underground river tubing. Relax in the two-tier jungle pools aside hot tubs, rappel 300 feet down the cliff face into the famed Black Hole, or get lost on an inner tube in an underground cave. This place is perfect for personal adventures, romantic getaways, or just amazing learning and exercise opportunities! Learn all you can about the mysteries of the Mayan underworld, enjoy being active in some of the most gorgeous and hidden spots in Belize, and make memories you will never forget!
Anderson’s Waterfall Cave Expedition-While here at Ian’s, your group will be lucky enough to take part in one of their most popular adventures, the Waterfall Cave Expedition. This thrilling eco-tour will take you hundreds of feet under the limestone mountain ridge and allow you to safely explore the River Cave. Enjoy the six different waterfalls as you and your group take on this challenging and intense, but very much worth it, tour course. See amazing crystal formations and historic ancient Mayan ceremonial centers hidden inside the cave chambers, a truly misty and magnificent region that sheds some light on Mayan mystery. One thing before you embark on this adventure: be sure to wear comfortable and slip resistant climbing shoes if at all possible and wear comfortable clothing to get down and dirty in the depths of the cave.
Anderson’s River Cave Expedition - We know very well that you may not have the time or energy to do another full Caves Branch Tour, but we have included this as an additional option for the day. Or perhaps, this is a more relaxing, though still quite thrilling, option for exploration adventure than the aforementioned waterfall climbing. The River Cave expedition at Ian’s is one of the most unique tours available, less intense than the waterfall tour but equally as interesting. During one of these tours your group will take part in an underground expedition in which you will explore ancient Mayan ceremonial centers, pottery, artifacts, altars, blades, jade, and even footprints from Mayan Shaman and priests from 400 A.D., all from the comfort of an inner tube floating down the river! Learn even more about the Mayan world’s mysteries here in Belize, as well as interesting geological facts about the cave and river system.
Day 2 -
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve - Start your second glorious Belize adventure-filled day at one of the most heavily visited Belize reserves, Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. This nature-filled expanse of 300 square miles is located in Cayo, Belize, and is the oldest and largest protected area of the sort in Belize. This reserve was established in 1944 and has since then provided hundreds of thousands of visitors with some of the most absolutely gorgeous local views. Enjoy the overall sharp contrast to the surrounding Belize tropical landscape, the new scenery replacing frequent palm fronds with pine needles. The pine forest holds deep ravines, massive granite expanses, Mayan mountains, and countless meandering rivers, streams, waterfalls, and pools. For a bit more adventure, save plenty of time to see Rio Frio Caves, the largest set of limestone caves in the country, as well as the deep pools and giant rocks of nearby Rio Pools.
Caracol City Tour - Head over to Cayo Adventure Tours Company to take part in your next big adventure, the Caracol City Tour. This history-filled mystic Mayan tour revolves around the most extensive Mayan site in Belize, an ancient city that sits high atop the Vaca Plateau. Located within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is officially 1,600 feet above sea level. This high and mighty ancient city used to go by the name of Oxhuitza and was the most powerful Mayan kingdom on earth, holding just about 80 square miles, 30,000 structures, and in its peak time over 150,000 citizens. In the heart of this site you and your group will find the crown jewel of Caracol, Caana, meaning "Sky Palace." This massive pyramid is today almost fully restored to its original splendor, a massive 135-foot ancient creation. From the top of this pyramid, you can take in the absolute best panoramic views of the surrounding forest-clad Belize mountains and valleys.
Day 3 -
Placencia Beach Time - The Placencia Peninsula in Belize is home to the longest stretch of beach in the entire country, a true barefoot perfect sandy getaway. This beachy Belize paradise is the most popular sea vacation spot in the country and stretches over three villages and beaches, including Maya Beach, Seine Bight, and Placencia Village. Most of this coastal wonderland known as Placencia Village is considered to be a "tourist strip" area predominated by bars, shops, shacks, and eateries along the golden sandy coastline. Seine Bight and Maya Beach are more quiet places to relax, each with some of the most gorgeous fine white sand beaches. Grab your friends, grab your swimsuit, and get ready to enjoy a morning full of shallow emerald waters, gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea and mainland mountains, and an all-around spectacular sun and sand filled adventure at Placencia!
Secret Garden Restaurant - You and your group are in for a true lunch treat as you find your way to the Secret Garden Restaurant and Coffeehouse on the Placencia Peninsula. Secret Garden is "hidden" in the center of town, in a lush jungle-like oasis in the midst of the warm Caribbean setting. The entire company is actually the Secret Garden Spa, the 12 year old small business that has taken hold of Placencia Village. The unique style of the laid-back Bohemian cafe setting supports a seriously creative menu, a self-described Asia de Caribe cuisine, a mix of Spanish, Caribbean, and Creole with a Pan-Asian flavor and technique of cooking. A sophisticated meal in the open-air garden will bring you such popular and locally loved items as the signature stacked ceviche, local snapper with wasabi guacamole, red chili sauce and lime essence, and even Caribbean jerk chicken. Your group will definitely not regret finding this local secret!
Monkey River Tour - Welcome to Monkey River, the coastal watercourse in Southern Belize that rises in a grand manner in the majestic Maya Mountains. The beautiful river ends in the clear Caribbean Sea, right near Monkey River Town over 60 miles from the river's source. This river provides some of the best local scenery, wildlife viewing opportunities, historic and cultural wisdom found only in Belize. Starting the tour just 12 miles south of Placencia, this portion of the Monkey River and surrounding tropical rainforest is chock full of the most interesting local flora and fauna, the latter including such critters as iguanas, crocodiles, toucans, tarantulas, deer, jaguar, and even the region's namesake, howler monkeys. See several local jungle trees and learn all about various herbal medicines from common plants within the jungle, you'll even get the chance to stop at the small town of Black Coral for lunch at any of the local eateries if you work up an appetite.
Day 4 -
San Pedro Shopping - Start your day today in San Pedro, with some serious local shopping plans. The downtown area of San Pedro allows visitors and locals alike to stroll through the city exploring the wide variety of local handmade and international items for sale. Most of the best shopping within the city happens on the stretch of road from Barrier Reef Drive, along Ambergris Caye, each street dotted with shops, eateries, and galleries full of the widest variety of products typical of Belize. There are 16 great shops to explore on the front street and six on the central street! Our favorite choice for gift shopping here is Sea Turtle Gift Shop, with arguably the best selection and deals in San Pedro. After you’ve discovered all the great local art, jewelry, wines, art, clothing, bamboo, and wooden items, travel guides, Cuban cigars, music, and so much more feel free to roam the town and explore all you can!
Free Time - You and your group have had quite a busy few past days, so after some San Pedro shopping you should all enjoy a day in San Pedro or Ambergris Bay to do as you please. Shop the day away, eat to your heart's content, visit a local gallery, or just find another blissful Belize beach spot, it’s all up to you this evening!
Day 5 -
Blue Hole - Your last day in Belize will take you to the biggest, bluest, and possibly most beautiful natural attraction Belize has to offer, the Great Blue Hole. This giant submarine sinkhole located right off the coast of Belize is a true diver's paradise, a top-notch world-class destination for recreational scuba divers and snorkelers who desire to explore the abundant local coral formations and tropical fish in this region. Considered to be the largest discovered underwater sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll just about 70 kilometers from the mainland. This massive circular geological wonder sits at an astounding 300 meters across and 124 meters deep, originally a limestone cave formed over 150,000 years ago. Your group can tour from the air with a flyover, tour by boat with a day of sailing, or just head out and explore the dark depths and clear outskirts of the landmark (or maybe more fittingly sea-mark)!
Shark Ray Alley - Welcome to Shark Ray Alley, a part of the Belize National Parks and Natural Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries programs. This area in the Caribbean is named among the top seven spots for animal dives in the Caribbean by a popular and acclaimed diving magazine. Located just inside the reef, south of Ambergris Caye, this highly popular diving, touring, sailing, and snorkeling spot offers several various tours, each one focusing primarily on the wildlife found within these waters. Be sure to bring your camera because you and your group will have many opportunities to glimpse any of the several nurse sharks or southern stingrays at play. It is almost a guarantee you will see a shark, whether from the boat or during a dive or snorkel session, hence the area’s name, Shark Ray Alley.
