Discover The Best of Both Worlds in Belize – Beach and Jungle
It’s been a long 14 months—for everyone. When a global pandemic shuts everything down, a few truths pop up: life is short and there’s still so much of the world left to see. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been ardently plotting your post pandemic priority travel con gusto. And according to The Washington Post, there’s a name for this pent-up demand: revenge travel.
Essentially, it’s the daydreams that we held onto during lockdowns and restrictions—the postponed trips and bucket lists brimming with wanderlust and adventure. Now that we can travel again, we’re ready to hit the road with a vengeance.
But let’s face it, there’s got to be bang for buck. And while that reality does a lot of filtering, the nuggets of the pure deal surface.
And that’s when you realize that little Belize delivers big. Roughly the size of Massachusetts, Belize is a pocket-sized beauty that overflows with lush rainforest canopies, mystical cloud forest vistas, and emerald-green rolling terrain; after all, 61% of its total landmass is forest cover. But it’s not all just jungles.
Belize is also postcard-perfect coastlines and idyllic Belize beach enclaves, boasting one of the highest biodiversity in the entire Mesoamerican Reef region with the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Not to mention, home to three of the four coral atolls in the entire Western Hemisphere.
With a landscape that’s as diverse as the food, the dually Caribbean and Central American country is the escape you’ve been waiting for.
Sun-drenched, Belize possesses unexpected abundances, startling beauty and even archaeological gems. Stunning stand-alone phenomena offshore? Check. Swim above the world’s second largest barrier reef with sea turtles and stingrays by the score. Verdant vistas inshore? Check. Rendezvous with playful howler monkeys, shy agouti and a kaleidoscopic menagerie of nearly 600-species of resplendent birds.
Ridge to Reef: Cayo to Coast
Belize does both its Caribbean and Central American palette justice, aptly balancing sea-faring romance and adventurous authenticity with modern-day conveniences and indulgences—especially when that comes in one convenient all-inclusive package.
On the beach, expect barefoot casual attire on and inside Belize’s interiors, there’s an easy-going ambience for crowd-free solitude inside its lush core.
Inland, The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s 400-acre rainforest reserve is the perfect jumping off point for the picturesque activity hub of Cayo: the district that houses four impressive Maya Sites, the tallest waterfall in Central America, and almost every eco-adventure in between.
Discover it all while staying in sustainability-focused lodges, thanks to all-inclusive Belize Reef and Rainforest packages, with something for every kind of traveler.
Belize Beach & Jungle Itineraries For Families
In Southern Belize, the 18-mile long Placencia peninsula is a long, narrow, sandy strip lined with seaview resorts and some of the finest-sand Belize beaches in the country. After arriving in Belize City, it’s a quick puddle jumper flight (included) to reach Placencia Village—a fun local community, perched perfectly close to Glover’s Reef Atoll, Belize’s best formed atoll at 16-miles long and 7-miles wide. Not to mention, some of Belize’s least-visited cayes remain untouched in impressive marine reserves just a few miles away.
Families can take full advantage of snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef with a Caribbean Beach & Inland Adventure Vacation Package, basing themselves out of Naia Resort. Despite being nestled on a lush 200-acre reserve, you’re never too far from the beach at Naia. The three bedrooms are perfect even for multi-generational families, and the thrills don’t end on the shoreline.
Go wildlife watching with Naia’s included Monkey River Tour where—as the name implies—curious Howler Monkeys eye their visitors. In the water, watch for frogs, iguanas, crocodiles, and even manatees.
Belize Reef & Rainforest Itineraries For Romantics
On the 25 mile long Ambergris Caye, the tumultuous hum of the crashing Belize Barrier Reef is just half a mile away. And in San Pedro Town, beach-bound romantics can find solace in each other at some of the most intimate resorts on the island.
Getting around by (complimentary) golf cart is laid-back and carefree, much like the caye itself. There’s a bohemian edge that swirls with the hustle-and-bustle of island life, which is why we’re venturing up close to its southern edge on its east coast to Victoria House Resort & Spa.
Primed for sunrise, the British-colonial-designed boutique resort has breezy yet luxe accommodations just minutes by boat to Hol Chan Marine Reserve—chockfull of unafraid nurse sharks and manta rays.
Enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine at its Palmilla Restaurant before retiring to your thatched roof cabana. The next morning, venture out to scuba dive or snorkel for an unrivaled love of the reef.
Belize Swimming Suits & Hiking Boots For Explorers
With every room facing the sea in this all-villa resort, guests can start decompressing on arrival to Chabil Mar with a welcome cocktail—rum optional, but highly recommended. After all, you’re in the Caribbean now! Boasting over 400 feet of private beach and pier, explorers can dive head-first into Caribbean Sea-tinged adventures thanks to complimentary use of paddle boards and kayaks.
But that’s not all at this beach retreat.
The beauty of Placencia is that wilderness is never too far away. Just an hour away, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a must, doing wonders for conservation as the world’s first jaguar reserve.
The vast 128,000 protected areas practically begs to be explored, which is where your hiking boots come in. If you’re lucky, you might spot one (or more!) of Belize’s wildcat species, boisterous howler monkeys, rambunctious game birds, and even the boar-like Peccaries of Belize who roam freely inside Cockscomb. Embark from base headquarters to intermediate and even advanced hiking trails for a refreshing reward, with a handful culminating in a refreshing reward: waterfalls.
So with your desire to discover in tow, and your swimsuit and hiking boots in hand, set your sights on the wonders Belize offers above and below the waterline.
If you’re looking for more Belize Beach and Jungle Vacation Packages, or help in organizing an amazing itinerary, reach out to our Belize Travel Specialists who will share curated itineraries just for you.