ALL TRAVELERS MUST BE VACCINATED FOR COVID-19
Rain Forests. Beaches. Waterfalls. Mayan Ruins. Barrier Reef. Belize has it all!
Belize is a beautiful country in Central America, bordered by Guatemala to the west and south, Mexico to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize has a very diverse population with many cultures and languages. While English is the official language, the most commonly spoken language is Belizean Creole. We will be staying in a village called Placencia, which is a peninsula in southern Belize where life slows down and souls are rejuvenated.
Sustainable Tourism in Belize
Belize has been listed by "Ethical Traveler" in the top ten ethical destinations to visit this year. It has been a rising star in eco-tourism for the last decade. With the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere, hard work has resulted in UNESCO's removing Belize from the danger list. Belize also boasts beautiful rainforests which cover 70% of the country, with over 103 protected areas. In 2018, Belize banned off-shore drilling and in 2019 banned single-use plastic and styrofoam products. Their commitment to eco-tourism has intensified due to Covid-19. The pandemic has given Belize the opportunity to reflect on how to make tourism even more eco-friendly. The country has launched an ambitious plan to make its tourism sector even more sustainable.
Initial Itinerary
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Our itinerary allows you to take some time for yourself to either relax by the pool or beach, or go off on a different activity that might not appeal to the whole group. It provides the perfect combination of relaxing vacation, sight-seeing tours and cultural experiences. (KWT reserves the right to make slight changes to the itinerary if needed.)
Activity level for this trip: Moderate - you must be able to carry your own luggage, climb stairs, get in and out of a van, boat and golf cart (yes, they use golf carts to get around), walk at least 1 hour, be comfortable on boats, and ok with flying is small airplanes. (Women with mobility issues should consult their physicians.)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
Travelers will fly into the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. Since we will all be coming from different places, arrival times will vary, but we assume most people will arrive between 2-4pm. We then take a 30 minute "puddle jumper" flight from Belize City to Placencia where we will be staying. Our private home sits right on the Lagoon ! We'll settle in, have a Welcome toast to celebrate the beginning of our adventure, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. (Meals: D)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH
We will take the morning to relax and enjoy our property where we will have use of kayaks and paddleboats, the beach, the pool, etc. After lunch, we'll head down to Placencia Village, a funky, artistic fishing village, which is known for having the smallest "main street" in any city on the planet according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Only four feet wide, this street is the heart of Placencia with a wide array of stores, bars, cafes and restaurants. Dinner will be prepared for us by our private chef back at the house. (Meals: B, L, D)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH
Today we will travel to the village of Hopkins where we will learn about the Garafuna Culture. The Garinagu people trace their roots back to 1635 when two ships carrying west African slaves were shipwrecked near St. Vincent. For over a century, the Africans and the indigenous Arawak people intermarried, thus forming a new ethnic group, the Garinagu. This will be an interactive, participatory experience involving preparing a meal and having a drum lesson.
(Meals: B, L, D)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH
Today is our day to head out on the water, soaking in the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. We will be out at sea on a private boat, stop at an island for swimming, snorkeling and a cookout for lunch. Upon returning home, they'll be time to relax before dinner again prepared for us by our chef. (Meals: B,L,D)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH
Today will be a free day to do whatever you (or we) want to do. We could stay home to enjoy the pool, walk 5 minutes over to the Placencia Resort, where we will have pre-approved access to their beautiful sea-side beach and pool with a swim-up bar, or go on another tour. The options are endless.
(Meals: B,L,D)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH
Today we experience the beauty of the Belizean jungle and visit one of the Mayan ruins. We'll see gorgeous waterfalls where we can swim at the base, and an amazing variety of birds and wildlife. Lunch will be provided and a wonderful dinner will be prepared for us at home by our private chef. (Meals: B,L,D)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH
November 19th is the most important national holiday in Belize known at Garifuna Settlement Day. Across the nation, this day is filled with parades, lively music, drumming, dance and fabulous food. It is so exciting to be able to experience this huge cultural event! At the end of the day, we will have our farewell dinner at home, once again prepared by our wonderful chef. (Meals: B,L,D)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH
Sadly, our trip comes to an end today. We will fly back to airport in Belize City where we will say goodbye to our newfound friends, hoping we travel together again soon.
