Feeling bogged down by the daily dose of mind-numbing gridlock, pushy salespeople, recurring nightmares of unfinished tasks on your ever-expanding to-do list? Maybe you’ve endured one too many excruciatingly long meetings that could have been an email. It’s time you cash in on some of that hard-earned PTO you’ve accrued over the past few years and take the trip of a lifetime. Heck, you deserve it.
Quick Facts:
Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Although it’s a rather small country, Belize contains many wildly diverse ecosystems. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Your escape to adventure in paradise is closer (and much cheaper) than you think!
To ensure your trip seamlessly spans from rain forest to ruins to reef–make sure you select resorts wisely. Some act as a one-stop-shop for adventure tours (including equipment and gear) led by local guides to unique, off-the-beaten path locations. Resorts like the Mariposa Jungle Lodge and St. George’s Caye Resort, for instance, tremendously simplified our trip by providing safe and quick transportation (by land and sea) from airport to both resorts.
Jungle Day Expeditions:
Embark on short hikes through the jungle led by your guide to a cave opening that swallows a crystal-clear river where your cave tubing adventure begins. At some point during the cave float, switch your headlamp off and tune in to the sounds of dripping stalactite’s and cave waterfalls while your guide shares the history of these vast caves and the mysteries of the Mayan world
Explore the utterly engulfing Rio Frio Cave in the morning before you arrive at the scorching Caracol Mayan Ruins. After a long day of exploration, make sure your guide stops by Big Rock Falls on the way back to the Lodge. Here you can swim around in the river’s pools and do some serious cliff jumping! The Mariposa Jungle Lodge is the only resort that offers these custom tours – and will arrange a night hike through the jungle to descend into Bol’s Museum Cave. Here you can sit inches from intact Mayan elite remains and feast your eyes on rare artifacts.
Dive the Belize Barrier Reef & Enjoy All-Inclusive Island Life:
Our cheerful captain escorted us to the utterly breathtaking private island of St. George’s Caye. The island’s resort is minutes away from world class diving for all experience levels. You can start your morning by leaping off the dock of your bungalow for a morning swim, with evenings spent reliving the day’s thrills among other guests at a Sunday beachside dinner. Those who enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, or sailing around the island (like us) find this place to be an absolute haven.
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Experience San Pedro Town:
San Pedro is bustling with friendly faces in a sea of vibrant colors, music, and culture – just make sure you rent the local vehicle of choice – golf carts to see it all! Be sure to snorkel among nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley. Before you leave, kick back and relax in a tube at the Palapa Bar, where they lower buckets of beverages from their over-water bar and grill. If you’re lucky, a few manta rays will join you in the shallows.
By Kelsey Elgie Domier
