Our newest Belize IBV is a perfect chance to experience two vastly different, but equally amazing, natural highlights of Belize. You spend the first four nights at the jungle paradise of Chan Chich Lodge.

Chan Chich Lodge, set in a Mayan Plaza dating from the Classic Maya Period of 250 – 800 AD, is located within the 250,000-acre Rio Bravo Wilderness Conservation Area in northwestern Belize. The comfortable lodge and its twelve cabanas are made of local products and are attractively furnished. From your porch you may see Ocellated Turkey parading through the plaza, howler monkeys calling from above, and Crested Guan crashing through the trees.

The extensive trail network could reveal Great Tinamou, Red-capped Manakin, Royal Flycatcher, and Lovely Cotinga, along with a host of trogons, parrots, and toucans. The tracks, and possible sightings of this forest’s secretive cats adds to the excitement of your visit to this incredible wilderness area. You can visit Mayan burial chambers with painted friezes still intact, canoe on Laguna Verde, or swim in a nearby stream, where you might be joined by a playful River Otter. Additionally, Chan Chich has a new swimming pool and spa set in this exquisite jungle setting.

A charter flight takes you to Dangriga, and from there you are transferred by van, then boat to your island home for the next three nights at South Water Caye lodge. Located in the middle of a 62-square-mile Marine Reserve, the tour includes two half-day boat tours, with snorkeling on the magnificent nearby patch reefs, and a trip to the bird-rich local marine sanctuary at Man-O-War Caye. There is plenty of downtime to snorkel or kayak from the beach and to relax in a shady hammock as the aquamarine waters lap onto the beach near your cottage. SCUBA divers can arrange to explore the magnificent southern barrier reefs.