Y our family adventure begins high in the mountains where the lush, unspoiled beauty of the forest is highlighted by the colorful sights and sounds of exotic birds. Hiking, swimming and canoeing are outstanding in the highlands of Belize, but exploration of the fascinating Maya culture makes your trip truly exceptional.

View ancient Maya artifacts on a canoe trip into a cave; visit the newly discovered ruins of Caracol; or choose to visit the massive ruins of Tikal, in nearby Guatemala. The Maya ruins of Belize are captivating for kids and adults.

Conclude your adventure with a leisurely stay on Belize's beautiful Caribbean Coast. Relax on the white sand beaches and explore the Southern Barrier Reef – the longest reef system in the Western Hemisphere! Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking will keep you active. The wildlife viewing here, including over 250 species of tropical fish, is magical.

2008 Dates

2009 Dates

Dates

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Day 1 – Depart U.S. / Arrive Belize City

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where your Belize family vacation begins.

Days 2 to 4 – Cayo District and Mountain Pine Ridge

Most Belizeans would agree that although each district has its own charms, Cayo stands out above the others – rich in history, culture and especially nature. You’ll explore waterfalls, lush jungles and huge cave systems. Caracol, located in Mountain Pine Ridge, is the largest Maya archeological site in Belize. Spanning almost thirty square miles of high-canopy jungle, this site is home to over 35,000 buildings!

Maya Ruins of Caracol See an active archeological site! These ruins were discovered as recently as 1938, and excavations didn’t begin until 1984, so there is still plenty to uncover. It is fascinating to see the different phases of such an immense archeological dig. Rio on Pools This is an ideal place for swimming, relaxing, sliding around in the waterfall cascades or simply admiring the granite rock formations dating back some 300 million years. Canoe Barton Creek Cave Equipped with flashlights and headlamps, your family will head deep into the Barton Creek cave system, where you’ll maneuver your canoe around magnificent stalagmites and stalactites and keep your eyes peeled for Maya artifacts. San Ignacio This funky small town is good for shopping and absorbing some of the local culture. Here we visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project, where iguanas are raised in a predator-free food-rich environment before being released into the wild. Friends Across Borders meeting (pen pals) Thomson families love this program! Children traveling with us can choose to exchange letters with a local child of similar age before leaving on their adventure. While on the trip we organize a pen pal meeting with a scheduled activity like soccer or hacky sacking. It’s amazing how such interaction can be a real eye-opener for everyone involved.

Days 5 to 8 – Belize Reefs and Beaches

The underwater world of Belize's coral reefs is the greatest stretch of coral in the western hemisphere. It is home to hundreds of species of fish and over sixty species of coral – the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world. It doesn’t get more impressive than that! As you can well imagine, the snorkeling here is second to none.

Snorkel the Southern Barrier Reef You'll have two opportunities to discover this amazing reef system. It's second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, and over 250 species of tropical fish swim in its waters. Stay active by snorkeling, kayaking and swimming, or take a break and relax on the white sand beaches. As you flipper around the Caribbean Sea, you’ll see magnificent fish in their natural habitat, along with eagle rays, moray eels, dolphins, turtles, barracudas and more. Free Day Enjoy the activities and amenities of your resort, hit the beach or just relax.

Day 9 – Depart Belize City / Arrive U.S.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.