Caribbean reef adventure! Belize English-speaking Central American jewel offers barrier reef second largest world 190 miles UNESCO World Heritage snorkeling diving paradise. Caye Caulker laid-back island "Go Slow" motto no cars golf carts bicycles Split swimming area, Hol Chan Marine Reserve nurse sharks sting rays swimming, Great Blue Hole 300m diameter 125m deep underwater sinkhole diving bucket list Jacques Cousteau famous stalactites limestone formations. San Ignacio Cayo District jungle adventure Mayan ruins Xunantunich El Castillo pyramid 130ft climb panoramic views carved stelae, Cahal Pech hilltop ruins, ATM Cave Actun Tunichil Muknal sacred Mayan underworld skeletal remains Crystal Maiden pottery artifacts swimming wading through underground river cathedral chambers spelunking adventure. Cave tubing Caves Branch floating inner tubes through limestone caves stalagmites stalactites lantern-lit mystical Mayan underworld. Diverse activities reef ruins caves rainforest compact country.
Day 1:
Arrive Belize City, water taxi transfer Caye Caulker island (45min), settle beachfront cabana, evening Split sunset swimming|
Day 2:
Snorkeling full day tour (Hol Chan Marine Reserve swimming nurse sharks sting rays colorful fish, Shark Ray Alley, coral gardens turtle sightings possibly)|
Day 3:
Optional Great Blue Hole diving expedition or leisure island "Go Slow", kayaking mangroves, beach bars|
Day 4:
Water taxi Belize City, shuttle San Ignacio western Cayo District (2hrs jungle drive), settle riverside lodge|
Day 5:
Xunantunich Mayan ruins (hand-crank ferry crossing, El Castillo pyramid climb 130ft panoramic views Guatemala border visible, carved stelae Plaza), Cahal Pech sunset|
Day 6:
ATM Cave adventure (Actun Tunichil Muknal hike wade swim underground river, Mayan pottery skeletal remains Crystal Maiden, cathedral chambers, guide required)|
Day 7:
Cave tubing Caves Branch (float inner tubes through limestone caves stalagmites lanterns mystical), afternoon return Belize City|
Day 8:
Morning leisure or optional Lamanai ruins, departure flight