Adventures in Belize & Tikal National Park: Ziplines, Caves & Reefs - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City (Belize), Transfer to San Ignacio

Welcome to Belize! This Central American gem offers a unique blend of Caribbean charm and Maya heritage, plus plenty of pristine beaches, lush jungles, and rich marine life. Touch down in Belize City and meet your driver outside the airport to transfer two hours to your hotel in San Ignacio, a charming town nestled in the Cayo District. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. You could stay at the hotel and book a spa treatment to unwind or venture out to explore the area.

A good place to start is the San Ignacio Market, where you can find everything from freshly baked goods and aromatic spices to traditional Belizean crafts and delicious street food. Continue to the Belize Botanic Gardens for a leisurely stroll among the vibrant flora, including exotic orchids, towering palms, and medicinal plants. Visit the butterfly garden to watch the colorful butterflies flit gracefully among the flowers. When you get hungry, visit a local restaurant to try typical Belizean dishes like rice and beans, stewed chicken, or tamales (steamed corn dough filled with meat, vegetables, or beans).

Day 2: Transfer to Tikal National Park (Guatemala), Guided Park Tour & Zipline

Leave Belize behind for now as you transfer two hours to Tikal National Park in Guatemala. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to one of the largest and most significant Maya archaeological sites in the world. Spend four hours exploring the park, renowned for its towering pyramids, sprawling plazas, and well-preserved temples that rise from the dense rainforest. Visit the five main temples, including one of the most iconic structures in the park, the Temple of the Great Jaguar. Constructed around 700 CE, this 154-foot (47 m) temple dominates the skyline. 

As you go from temple to temple, you'll cross the Great Plaza, an open space that was once a central gathering area for ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations. After exploring the park from the ground, get a bird's-eye view from the network of ziplines. Complete a safety briefing, strap into a harness, and feel the rush of adrenaline as you zip over the jungle canopy on a 656-foot (200 m) cable perched 131 feet (40 m) above ground. Complete nine different ziplines of varying lengths, each offering panoramic views of the vast rainforest below. After the exhilarating journey, transfer to your hotel in the park for the evening.

Day 3: Explore More of Tikal National Park, Transfer to San Ignacio (Belize)

Wake up to the distant calls of howler monkeys and the soft rustle of leaves in your jungle lodge, and get ready for another visit to the national park to discover any landmarks you may have missed. Head to Mundo Perdido (Lost World), the largest ceremonial complex from the Preclassic period, to see the North Acropolis. The area was used as a royal necropolis, so you'll find plenty of temples, tombs, and frescoes offering a glimpse into the ceremonial practices of the Maya people. Continue to the Central Acropolis, which served as a major administrative, ceremonial, and residential hub. 

Walk among the interconnected rooms and courtyards and listen as your guide explains the activities that may have taken place here. Nearby is the Palacio de las Ventanas (Window Palace), characterized by its multi-story construction, intricate stonework, and unique arrangement of windows. Finally, discover the ball courts, where the ancient residents played a Mesoamerican ballgame with ritual significance. After four hours in the park, transfer two hours back to San Ignacio in Belize. Your hotel has a restaurant, bar, and spa, so you can spend the rest of the day enjoying the amenities. 

Day 4: Day Trip to Actun Tunichil Muknal 

You'll spend today exploring Actun Tunichil Muknal, an intricate cave system nestled in the Belizean rainforest. Your driver will take you through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and park at the ranger station. From there, it's a 45-minute hike to the entrance of the cave, which includes three stream crossings and wading into knee-high water that flows into the cave's underground maze of tunnels, passageways, and chambers. Once you're underground, you'll be greeted by impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations.

The highlight of the site is the ceremonial chamber, where you'll find artifacts like stoneware, ceramics, and even human skeletons left behind by Maya priests and participants in ritual ceremonies over a millennium ago. The most famous of these remains is the "Crystal Maiden," a well-preserved skeleton named for its calcified appearance. After three hours in the cave, trek back to the ranger station and enjoy a homemade picnic lunch with water and soft drinks before transferring back to your hotel in San Ignacio. 

Day 5: Transfer to Belize City, Water Taxi to Caye Caulker

Bid farewell to San Ignacio this morning as you transfer two hours back to Belize City. Break up the drive with a stop at the Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve, where you can explore a network of caves while floating on an inner tube. Grab your helmet, waterproof headlamp, and inner tube, and follow your guide through the jungle for 45 minutes to get to one of the many cave entrances. Hop in your tube and float toward the first of two cave passages. Stay close to your guide so you can learn about the geology and ancient history of the limestone cave system. 

Stop for a snack and a swim in a natural swimming hole before continuing through the last cave. Look up at the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, trying to find the colony of bats that call the cave home. Leave the cave behind and float down the river for another 20 minutes until you reach a parking lot. Jump out of the water and enjoy a homemade picnic lunch before completing the drive to the port in Belize City. Here, you'll board a one-hour water taxi to Caye Caulker, a laid-back island known for its crystal-clear waters, sandy streets, and vibrant local culture. 

Day 6: Free Day on Caye Caulker

Today is free for you to spend as you wish. You could rent a bicycle or golf cart to explore the island's hidden gems at your own pace or enjoy a leisurely stroll through Caye Caulker Village, popping in and out of the charming shops in search of souvenirs. Those who want a more relaxing day can visit The Split, a natural lagoon that was formed when Hurricane Hattie struck in 1961, creating a narrow channel that divides the island into two sections. Today, it's a popular gathering spot known for its crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. 

You can also rent kayaks here to explore the island from the water. Paddle through mangrove forests, to nearby sandbars, or along the island's shores, keeping your eyes peeled for marine life like rays and fish. Stay until sunset to watch the sky transform into a canvas of vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples before grabbing dinner at a local restaurant. Indulge in fresh seafood dishes like conch fritters, lobster ceviche, or grilled snapper. Wash everything down with a refreshing rum punch made with rum, fruit juice, and a splash of grenadine. 

Day 7: Snorkeling Tour in the Belize Barrier Reef

Your penultimate day in Belize is sure to be a memorable one as you set off on a snorkeling trip in the Belize Barrier Reef, part of the second largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Start with a one-hour boat ride across the turquoise Caribbean Sea to a top snorkeling area. Don your gear and jump into the water to discover a whole new world full of colorful coral and marine creatures.

You'll see plenty of tropical fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and clownfish, as well as sea turtles, rays, sharks, and even manatees if you're lucky. As you cruise to different snorkeling sites, you'll learn about the UNESCO-listed reef, its marine biodiversity, and the conservation efforts to protect and restore it. After a day of snorkeling, cruise back to Caye Caulker.

Day 8: Transfer to Belize City, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to Caye Caulker and Belize. Consider waking up early to explore more of the island on your own. You could return to The Split to go swimming or visit a local market to pick up last-minute souvenirs. When it's time, head to the port for a one-hour water taxi back to Belize City. Disembark and head straight to the airport to catch your flight home. Safe travels!