Belize’s compact dimension and improbable mixture of coastal marine life, jungle and Mayan ruins make it an attractive possibility for household journey. A go to to Belize is usually in comparison with Costa Rica, though Belize has the added advantages of world-class diving, Mayan historical past and a small footprint, making it simple to get from jungle to seashore in lower than three hours – and the bonus of English being spoken in every single place.
We spoke with CB Household Journey Advisor Kiki Humes to take the guesswork out of planning a household trip to Belize. To get essentially the most out of your Belize itinerary, Kiki suggests beginning with a couple of nights within the jungle, adopted by time alongside the coast. In the event you’re keen so as to add a cease within the center, she says, embody two nights on the barely extra distant Lamanai Outpost Lodge for an genuine and numerous jungle expertise.
Belize with kids: an amazing 1-week itinerary
Jungle
The Belize jungle is filled with Mayan treasures and enjoyable for energetic households. We spotlight the exploration of caves, river tubes, mountaineering trails and historic ruins.
The ruins at Xunantunich have been a significant Mayan ceremonial web site and are standard for the stays of plazas, palaces and temples you can freely climb and wander round. Households word that the realm shouldn’t be overrun with vacationers, making for a relaxed and pleasurable exploration. Plan this journey early within the day to keep away from the warmth, as there’s some shade.
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Subsequent up is cave exploration, which is an enormous draw for households. A information is essential to navigating and studying about these Mayan caves, reminiscent of ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknalcave) or Barton Creek Cave, which is usually reached by canoe. River tubing to understand the biodiversity of the area will reward you with its improbable parade — from spider monkeys to toucans and a bunch of different tropical birds.
Time within the jungle is slower, nature-oriented, and infrequently leaves a possibility for leisure and free time within the afternoon, in addition to having fun with the nice and cozy and alluring hospitality of Belize.
Lamanai Outpost Lodge
From the jungle, households can proceed straight to the coast or take a brief highway and riverboat switch to the bungalow-style Lamanai Outpost Lodge. This easy, secluded property close to Orange Stroll City gives a possibility to get even nearer to the terrain of Belize. Lamanai costs embody all meals and actions, however nothing is firmly deliberate. Households are free to decide on intimate experiences and excursions with the lodge’s skilled employees, starting from crocodile encounters to river cruises amongst howler monkeys and visits to close by ruins.
Coast
The coast of Belize has a way more informal, nearly Caribbean ambiance, and the principle attraction (in addition to all of the scrumptious seafood) is the unimaginable diving. The UNESCO-protected Belize Barrier Reef will be simply explored on a half-day or full-day boat journey. Manatees, rays, dolphins and an abundance of fish shall be on vivid show, and it’s not unusual to catch lobster, grouper, grouper or different sea creatures to take again to the lodge and cook dinner for dinner.
After a fast flight from Lamanai to the coast, select whether or not to anchor your coastal keep on land or at sea. Households love multi-day catamaran cruises, with visitor lodging on a spacious, well-staffed boat that has the additional advantage of getting all meals and actions ready on board. A catamaran journey may go well with a bigger household, two households dwelling collectively or a multi-generational group.
Touring by catamaran makes it simple to discover the North or South Cayes (flat islands on prime of coral reefs). The Northern Cayes are nice for a primary journey – you’ll be able to cease within the bustling city of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, in addition to the tiny Caribbean island of Caye Caulker. Alternatively, discover the southern Cayes, that are thought-about a bit extra peaceable. The catamaran employees is able to assist households go to the various small islands by dinghy or to rearrange diving. There may be at all times one thing to do from the boat, reminiscent of fishing, stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking; you too can swap off and easily take pleasure in studying a e book or listening to music within the solar.
If your loved ones would slightly discover the coast from the mainland, San Pedro is the most well-liked base. There’s additionally the extra laid-back Placencia Atoll, which is related to the mainland and gives easy accessibility to actions reminiscent of Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Sanctuary. Different native actions embody a full-day hike to the falls, a zipline trip, a tour of a cacao and spice farm, or a go to to a neighborhood Mayan village. Households love the enchantment of getting round San Pedro and Placencia in golf carts, which will be rented along with a lodge keep.
As a result of its mixture of simply navigable and clear terrain and numerous actions, there’s something for everybody on a Belize trip with kids. Current CB purchasers had this to say about their household journey: “Belize was merely wonderful. Individuals, cultures, historical past, archaeology, ocean exploration, journey, meals. Woof.”
Households ought to know
Belize is finest suited to kids ages 8 and as much as deal with the tempo and actions on supply. Worldwide flights readily serve Belize Metropolis on this really year-round vacation spot. Most households select to go to between Thanksgiving and Spring Break to keep away from the summer time warmth, however it’s price noting that Belize would not have a wet wet season like comparable locations like Costa Rica.
Related hyperlinks:
Browse all household pleasant lodging and actions in Belize on Ciao Bambino
Historic ruins and jungle adventures in Belize with children
High Belize Journey Ideas for Households
Household trip in Panama, with the becoming a member of of continents
25 ideas for visiting Costa Rica with kids
Editor’s Observe: Photographs courtesy of Emily and Adam McMahan.