Gentle Family Fun in Beautiful Belize
Tour Introduction
A wonderfully relaxing programme suitable for families with younger children who wish to experience the beauty of inland and coastal Belize yet with minimal time spent travelling. After staying in our lovely spa lodge in the Maya Mountains, where you might have ridden bikes and horses and paddled Canadian canoes, spend a full week by the sea for coral reef snorkelling or perhaps diving, and certainly swimming. Wonderful winter sunshine in a friendly Caribbean country – what could be better?
Full Itinerary
Upon arrival into Belize, you will be met and transferred by road along the Western Highway to the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains.
Staying at Chaa Creek Cottages. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available, Included in your price are visits to the Natural History Centre, Butterfly Farm and morning guided walks to look for birds and other wildlife.
Staying at Chaa Creek Cottages. Includes Breakfast.
Day at leisure. The lodge has a large network of trails offering excellent horse riding, walking and mountain biking. Canoeing is available on the river. The excellent new spa offers a wide range of massages; beauty treatments and alternative therapies to sooth and relax.
Staying at Chaa Creek Cottages. Includes Breakfast.
Day at leisure. Optional activities available. Close to the lodge are the majestic Maya Mountains, containing the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Here can be found the Rio On Pools, providing refreshing natural swimming, Rio Frio Caves and Thousand Foot Falls.
Staying at Chaa Creek Cottages. Includes Breakfast.
Pick up from the lodge and transfer by road to Belize City. Board scheduled flight to the small Caribbean Island of Ambergris Caye. Check-in to your two bedroom villa apartment.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure. The palm tree covered island is located on the famous Belizean barrier reef with good diving and snorkelling offshore. Close to the island is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and behind the island is a large shallow lagoon where manatees can be found.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure. Optional activities include: snorkelling, diving, boating, windsurfing, swimming, exploring by buggy.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure to relax and explore. Optional activities available.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure to relax and explore. Optional activities available.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure to relax and explore. Optional activities available.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Day at leisure to relax and explore. Optional activities available.
Staying at The Villas at Banyan Bay. Includes No Meals.
Transfer to the airstrip and catch domestic flight back to Belize International Airport.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Overview
The English/American- owned lodge, the longest established in Belize, is located near San Ignacio in the far west of Belize. Its accommodation nestles among bird-filled tropical gardens in a magical river valley with wild forest facing from the opposite karst limestone bank of the Macal River.
Chaa Creek has a large network of trails through its 365-acre reserve offering excellent horse riding, walking and mountain biking. Canoeing is available on the river and the excellent spa offers a wide range of massages, beauty treatments and alternative therapies.
Close to the lodge are the majestic Maya Mountains, containing the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Here can be found the Rio On Pools for a refreshing natural swim, Rio Frio Caves and Thousand Foot Falls. The lodge is also close to the Guatemalan border which has good handicraft and duty free shopping and a couple of hours away are the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal.
The 23 comfortable cottages have been individually designed with palm thatched roofs and furnished with locally made crafts and furniture and both local and international artwork. You can heighten your experience by choosing to upgrade to a Complete Garden Suite, an Orchard and Spa Villa, Macal Cottage or Tree Top Suite, all equipped with private Jacuzzi.
Chaa Creek boasts one of the best restaurants in Belize, and a lively well-stocked bar. There is a butterfly breeding centre and a small natural history museum on site. Ten per cent of all accommodation revenue goes towards local environmental and social programmes.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Private bathrooms, restaurant, bar, wooden patio, Wi-Fi, swimming pool.
Local Wildlife
The river basin is home to a plethora of wildlife including jaguar and Baird’s tapir (although they are rarely seen). More frequently observed wildlife includes black howler monkeys and the abundant birdlife of the region, which includes specialities such as pine siskin and orange-breasted falcon.
Optional Activities
Half day canoeing down the unspoilt Makal River to San Ignacio to (vehicle return to lodge). Excursion to the nearby Mayan ruins of Xunantunich. Full day trip to the famous Tikal Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Full day guided tour of Vaca Falls and Chumpiate cave in the Maya mountains. Visit the spa for a range of alternative therapies and beauty treatments. Horseback riding and mountain biking on forest trails. Trip over the Guatemala border for handicrafts and duty free shopping.
Banyan Bay
Overview
The newly renovated Banyan Bay offers accommodation on Ambergris Caye in spacious, fully equipped two- to three-bedroom self-catering villas, perfect for families. The resort has a large swimming pool (including children’s pool) and is located approximately 20 minutes’ walk from San Pedro Town right by the Carribbean Sea. There is a restaurant at the water’s edge and the lodge can even arrange babysitting.
The coconut palm-covered island of Ambergris Caye is located on the Belize Barrier Reef, famous for great Caribbean diving and snorkelling. Offshore where the reef meets the open ocean there are excellent wall dives and a mix of reef and pelagic species. Closer is Hol Chan Marine Reserve and leeward is a large shallow lagoon where manatees can be found. The small town of San Pedro has a lively, friendly atmosphere and a variety of good restaurants serving fresh seafood, including lobster, and other local dishes.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Pier 366 Seafood House, bar, freshwater three teired swimming pool (including children’s pool), spa, on site dive shop, watersports centre, laundry service, babysitting service and high speed WIFI in all of the suites and public areas.
Local Wildlife
The marine life of the Barrier Reef, including Shark and Ray Alley for close encounters with nurse sharks and large stingrays; watching the magnificent frigatebirds soaring overhead and the pelicans dive for fish.
Optional Activities
Reef visits by boat, snorkelling, diving, fly-fishing.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights within Belize included
Best Visited:
December to May
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
Banyan Bay has fully equipped kitchens and there is a local grocery shop, so save yourselves money by preparing your own breakfasts and lunches then treat the family to dinner at a restaurant.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
I have been travelling for many years and have been lucky enough to visit many exciting, far flung exotic places. However, this trip to Belize has knocked the socks off anywhere else I have been. I would recommend (and have been already) people with a sense of adventure to go asap….. It is a truly amazing place and I can now die happy. I was also very pleased with the service you provided and hopefully will be booking with you again. Thanks for organising a wonderful trip.
