Belize

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

Travel with your group to Belize City. Meet your guide and transfer to our water taxi for St. George’s Caye. St. George’s Caye was the first Capital of Belize and is home to many fascinating stories of colonization, pirates and more.

Day 2 – 4: Snorkeling, Citizen Science and Marine Protected Areas.

Over the next 3 days you will embark on an incredible adventure. Each day we spend our time with local naturalists and scientists to discover the incredible undersea world of the Belize Barrier Reef System—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will snorkel at least once per day on stunning coral reefs and through tranquil sea grass beds seeing a wide diversity of sea life such as sea turtles, tropical fish, rays and skates, and incredible coral reef. We will also assist with the long term monitoring studies conducted at the research center. Topics may include Conch studies, coral reef ecology, sea turtles, dolphins and manatees. We will visit the Ho Chan Marine Protected area and, if you choose, swim with docile nurse sharks!  Each day you will be amazed at what you are experiencing and be inspired by the work you are doing to support local research and conservation efforts. In the evenings, field station staff lead discussions about sea turtle biology and conservation, how marine protected areas work, and manatees.

Day 5: Transfer to the Belize Jungle

After breakfast, we take a boat transfer then bus transfer to our eco-lodge in the heart of the Belizean jungle. Settle in then take a guided hike through the small village to a swimming hole and waterfall.

Day 6: Carocol Mayan Ruins and Rio Caves and Pools

After breakfast we drive to Caracol. The road travels over a series of creeks, through lush tropical forest and pine forest and an area that is home to several species of cats, as well as rare birds. This site is home to the tallest man-made structure in Belize, Canna (sky palace), standing some 143 ft above the plaza floor. The discovery of Alter 23, which shows bound captives, indicates that Caracol was an extremely fierce and war-like center. This tour will be combined with a visit to the Rio Frio Caves and the Rio On Pools on the way back.

Day 7: Final Reflections and Depart for Home

After a busy and rewarding 6 days, take time this morning to sit back, relax and reflect on all that you experienced. We will later depart for Belize City and the airport and our flight home.