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Cave interior showing pillars, Mountain Pine Ridge, BelizeSnorkeling off the Placencia coast of Belize

Reef and Ruins

Belize is a small but incredibly diverse country, both in its people and its natural heritage.  So diverse, in fact, that many visitors have a hard time deciding what to see and do while they're here - - or how to go about putting everything together for a complete Belize vacation.

So, we decided to help by partnering up with Mariposa Beach Suites in Placencia and Ek' Tun Lodge in the western interior of the Cayo District.

Together, we've developed a couple of trips that will let you experience not only the sun and sea of Belize's Caribbean coast, but also its incredibly beautiful and adventurous western interior  - - including caving and/or birding, exploring Belize's jungle, cayes and reef, canoeing its tropical rivers - - even a trip that includes a 2 night foray into Guatemala to visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal.


Ek Tun Cabana ExteriorThis trip begins with 3 days and 3 nights in your own private cottage at Ek' Tun Lodge on the banks of the Macal River in the Cayo District, with toucans, Howler Monkeys and the rare orange-breasted falcon just outside your door. 

During your days at Ek' Tun Lodge, you'll be canoeing the Macal River, hiking through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve jungle, exploring a private cave or birding, and visiting the Cahal Pech or Xunantunich Mayan ruins of Belize.

Mariposa - the Veranda, Placencia, BelizeThen you're off to Placencia for 5 days and 4 nights based in your private junior suite (with full kitchen) at Mariposa Beach Suites, literally just steps away from the Caribbean. 

In Placencia, you'll spend your days exploring Creole Fishing off a caye, Placencia coast, Belizeand Garifuna fishing villages and snorkeling, swimming or just "hanging out" on the beautiful cayes off the Placencia coast - including a day-long reef hop to our famous Meso-American Barrier Reef, named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations, and the second longest living coral reef in the world. 

Cost per person is $1,800 USD (double occupancy) and includes the following:

3 days/3 nights lodging in a private cottage at Ek' Tun Lodge, including breakfast and dinner each day

5 days/4 nights lodging at Mariposa Beach Suites in Placencia Village

1 full day guided jungle and mountain hiking, including Maya mounds and terraces, birds and wildlife, scenic vistas and a private cave

1 full day of unguided canoeing on the Macal River and exploration of the Cahal Pech and/or Xunantunich Mayan ruins (full day of guided cave exploration of the private Halal Dar cave may be substituted for an additional $65 USD per person)

1 full day guided snorkeling and/or fishing in the Inner Cayes off the Placencia Coast, including lunch

1 full day guided snorkeling and/or fishing at the Meso-American Barrier Reef, including lunch

Round-trip airfare between Belize City International Airport and Placencia airstrip via Tropic Air

Round-trip transfer by private vehicle and boat between Belize International Airport and Ek' Tun Lodge in the western Cayo District of Belize

Ground transfers between Placencia airstrip and Mariposa Beach Suites

Trolling gear (spinning gear loaners also available)

Note:   Overnight kayaking and camping trips on the islands (cayes) off the Peninsula coast may be substituted for snorkeling/fishing trips.  Contact us for more information.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1:   Arrive Belize City; pick up at Belize City International Airport, ground transport to Macal River; boat transfer to Ek' Tun Lodge (boat transfer is approximately 10 minutes); dinner at Ek' Tun Lodge; overnight at Ek' Tun in private cottage

Day 2:   Breakfast at Ek' Tun; full day guided jungle hiking/cave exploration (including birding, if desired) lunch included; dinner at Ek' Tun; overnight at Ek' Tun in private cottage

Day 3:   Breakfast at Ek' Tun; full day unguided Macal River canoeing trip (lunch on your own), which can include exploration of Cahal Pech and/or Xunantunich Mayan ruins and butterfly hatcheries; ground transport for canoes and guests back to Ek' Tun; dinner at Ek' Tun Lodge; overnight at Ek' Tun in private cottage

Day 4:   Breakfast at Ek' Tun; ground transport to Belize International Airport; air transfer to Placencia airstrip; ground transport to Mariposa Beach Suites; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (meals on your own)

Day 5:   Free day to explore Placencia and Seine Bight Villages; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (meals on your own)

Day 6:   Full day of guided fishing and/or snorkeling in the Inner Cayes off the Placencia coast, including Laughing Bird Caye National Park; lunch included; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (breakfast and dinner on your own)

Day 7:   Full day of guided fishing and/or snorkeling at the Meso-American Barrier Reef off the Placencia Coast (itinerary may include Silk Cayes, Ranguana Caye, Pompion Caye, Round Caye, Tarpon Caye); lunch included; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (breakfast and dinner on your own)

Day 8:   Depart Placencia via Tropic Air for return to Belize City International Airport (meals on your own).

Trip does not include gratuities (service charge has not been included for lodging, ground transport or guided tours), meals other than as specifically noted above; Belize departure tax ($20 USD per person); international airfare; souvenirs, personal items or alcoholic beverages.

All trips subject to availability.   Price valid through May 31, 2003.

Tikal, GuatemalaThis 10 day/9 night trip gives you the best of the Belize coast and rainforest, and also sends you off to explore the famous Mayan ruins of Tikal. 

Best of all, you don't have to worry about border crossings, selecting a hotel or getting back to Belize - all your travel details are pre-arranged.  Plus, the trip includes the very scenic drive between Ek' Tun Lodge in the western Cayo and the Peten region of Guatemala where Tikal is located, and enough time to really explore the ruins and do some shopping in the Flores markets.   Ek Tun Cabana Interior, Macal River, Belize

As with our 8 day/7 night Cayo and the Cayes trip, you begin with 3 days and 3 nights in your own private cottage at Ek' Tun Lodge on the banks of the Macal River in the Cayo District, with toucans, Howler Monkeys and the rare orange-breasted falcon just outside your door. 

Canoeing on the Macal River, BelizeYour activities while at Ek' Tun include hiking through the Mountain Pine Ridge jungle, cave exploration (including birding, if desired), and a guided canoe trip down the Macal River visiting unexcavated ruins, Cristo Rey Village, an iguana hatchery, the Rainforest Medicine Trail and other area resorts. 

Your Tikal adventure begins when you depart Ek' Tun in the early morning by private vehicle for the Peten region of Guatemala and the Tikal National Park.  The trip is about 3 hours and your driver will take you directly to your Tikal National Park hotel to check-in, agree on a time for pick-up the next morning and book your Tikal guide (guide not required, but strongly recommended).  After your hotel check-in, you spend your afternoon exploring the ruins. 

Mariposa Exterior, Placencia, BelizeThe following morning is spent with more Tikal exploration, and then ground transport to Flores for relaxation, a good evening meal at one of the area's restaurants and an overnight in a Flores hotel.  The next day, you'll take in the Flores markets and then fly back to Belize City for your air connections to Placencia, with  lodging in a junior suite (full kitchen) at Mariposa Beach Suites.

DocksideWhile in Placencia, you'll have time to explore our local Creole and Garifuna Villages, plus have two days on the Caribbean for snorkeling, fishing, swimming, or just hanging out - - both in the Inner Channel Cayes and on the Meso-American Barrier Reef. 

Cost per person is $2,300 USD (double occupancy) and includes the following:

3 days/3 nights lodging in a private cottage at Ek' Tun Lodge, including breakfast and dinner each day

1 day/1 night lodging in Tikal National Park

1 day/1 night lodging in Flores, Guatemala

5 days/4 nights lodging at Mariposa Beach Suites in Placencia Village

1 full day guided jungle and mountain hike, including Maya mounds and terraces, birds and wildlife, scenic vistas and a private cave

1 full day of guided canoeing on the Macal River including guided exploration of unexcavated ruins, Rainforest Medicine Trail, Cristo Rey Village, iguana hatchery, butterfly farms and area resorts (full day of guided cave exploration of the private Halal Dar cave may be substituted for an additional $45 USD per person)

1 full day guided snorkeling and/or fishing in the Inner Cayes off the Placencia Coast, including lunch (angler's lunch or shore lunch depending on activity selected)

1 full day guided snorkeling and/or fishing at the Meso-American Barrier Reef, including lunch (angler's lunch or shore lunch depending on activity selected)

Ground transportation between Ek' Tun and Tikal National Park

Ground transportation between Tikal National Park and Flores (ground transport to Flores markets and airport included)

One-way airfare from Flores, Guatemala to Belize International Airport via Tropic Air

Round-trip airfare between Belize City International Airport and Placencia airstrip via Tropic Air

Transfer by private vehicle and boat from Belize International Airport to Ek' Tun Lodge in the western Cayo District of Belize

Ground transfers between Placencia airstrip and Mariposa Beach Suites

Snorkeling and trolling gear (spinning gear loaners also available)

Note:   Overnight kayaking and camping trips on the islands (cayes) off the Peninsula coast may be substitute for snorkeling/fishing trips.  Contact us for more information.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1:   Arrive Belize City; pick up at Belize City International Airport, ground transport to Macal River; boat transfer to Ek' Tun Lodge (boat transfer is approximately 10 minutes); dinner at Ek' Tun Lodge; overnight at Ek' Tun in private cottage

Day 2:   Breakfast at Ek' Tun; full day guided cave/jungle hike, (including birding, if desired), lunch included; dinner at Ek' Tun; overnight at Ek' Tun in private cottage

Day 3:   Breakfast at Ek' Tun; full day Macal River canoeing trip including exploration of unexcavated ruins, Rainforest Medicine Trail, Cristo Rey Village, iguana hatchery, butterfly hatchery, area resorts; overland transport for canoes and guests back to Ek' Tun; dinner at Ek' Tun Lodge; overnight at Ek' Tun in private cottage (full day of guided cave exploration of the private Halal Dar cave may be substituted for an additional $55 USD per person)

Day 4:   Breakfast at Ek' Tun; early morning departure for ground transport to Belize/Guatemala border; ground transport by Guatemalan guide to Tikal National Park; Tikal hotel check-in, tour of Tikal ruins (guided or unguided - guide recommended); overnight Tikal National Park; lunch and dinner on your own

Day 5:   Continue Tikal ruins tour; ground transfer to Flores; check-in at Flores hotel; rest, relax and explore Flores; overnight in Flores; meals on your own

Day 6:   Ground transport to Flores markets and on to Flores airport; depart Flores for Belize City International Airport via Tropic Air; connecting flight to Placencia; ground transport to Mariposa Beach Suites; overnight in junior suite (full kitchen) at Mariposa; meals on your own

Day 7:   Free day to explore Placencia and Seine Bight Villages; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (meals on your own)

Day 8:   Full day of guided fishing and/or snorkeling in the Inner Cayes off the Placencia coast, including Laughing Bird Caye National Park; lunch included; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (breakfast and dinner on your own)

Day 9:   Full day of guided fishing and/or snorkeling at the Meso-American Barrier Reef off the Placencia Coast (itinerary may include Silk Cayes, Ranguana Caye, Pompion Caye, Round Caye, Tarpon Caye); lunch included; overnight at Mariposa Beach Suites (breakfast and dinner on your own)

Day 10:   Depart Placencia via Tropic Air for return to Belize City International Airport (meals on your own).

Trip does not include gratuities (service charge has not been included for lodging, ground transport or guided tours), meals other than as specifically noted above; Belize departure tax ($20 USD per person), Belize border crossing fee ($15 USD per person), Tikal guide, international airfare to or from Belize; souvenirs, personal items or alcoholic beverages.  (Add $70 USD per person for pre-payment of Tikal guide and border crossing fee.)

All trips subject to availability.   Price valid through November 1, 2003.



 

Please contact us for additional information by emailing us at info@destinationsbelize.com.

Home Page for Destinations Belize, Specializing in Saltwater Fishing, Snorkeling, Sailing, Kayaking, Camping, Caving and Mayan Ruins and Jungle Adventures


Please note: services and goods in Belize are subject to a 10% general sales tax (GST).  Hotels/resorts must charge a 9% hotel tax on accommodations.  By law, all rates quoted for goods and services must include the GST, but quoted hotel room rates need not include the hotel tax.  All of our package rates include both GST and hotel taxes.  As required by law, rates for tours quoted on our Website include the 10% GST.  Many hotels and resorts also impose a service charge.  We have included service charges in package rates unless specifically stated otherwise. 

Send email to mtoy@destinationsbelize.com.    Please Note:  Belize (and particularly Placencia) has significant  phone and Internet service problems.  If you do NOT receive a response to your email within 24 hours, please try resending - we HOPE that will get your message through .)

Mailing Address:  General Delivery, Stann Creek District, Placencia, Belize

Phone: 

Belize: 
       Land Line:  523-4018 (from outside Belize dial  011-501-523-4018) 
       Cell:  610-4718  (from outside Belize dial  011-501-610-4718)
       Fax:  Use US Fax (see below)

U.S. Fax or Voice Mail Messages:  1-603-452-4797

Last modified: August 22, 2009

Our Philosophy

İMary V. Toy, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006