- Explore the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, home to birds, crocs and monkeys
- Hop over to Guatemala to tour Tikal, a wonder of the ancient Mayan civilisation
- Float along the Caves Branch River to see the Mayan underworld
- Snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a vital underwater habitat
- Enjoy the laid-back island life of Caye Caulker
![Belize Reef & Ruins](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_80,f_auto,c_lfill,x_w_mul_0.47,y_h_mul_0.49,g_xy_center,w_360,h_270/exodus-web/2023/06/shutterstock_565615033.jpg)
Belize Reef & Ruins
- Home
- Central America
- Belize
- Culture
- Belize Reef & Ruins
Reviews
Add your own reviewAccurate
Mayan ruins and the reef off the coast of Belize
Most Inspirational Moment
Tikal
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. The night before we returned to Belize from Guatemala, our guide, Jorge, suggested an early start to make sure we could get to the crossing point early and not join a huge queue (we'd seen it on the way in). We duly got up for an early start with our packed breakfasts provided by the hotel and made it to the crossing point for it to open. By the time we got to the front the queue was well over double the length and the day already starting to get hot. A brilliant move on our guides part. Additionally, very knowledgeable on the bird life and generally keen to show us his country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Beware the humidity, take very lightweight clothing, including some with long sleeves. Keep drinking the water. You will need more than you realize.
Belize
It didn’t get off to a good start as the prearranged taxi that I paid £114 for wasn’t at the airport I waited for about 20mins then thought I should get a local taxi which quoted me $50 for the ride to Crooked Tree which was about 20km So I think Exodus ripped me off charging so much for a poor service The arranged taxi did eventually turn up and said he’d been there all the time which was a lie as it’s a v small airport and I would have seen him
The trip itself was great with a lot packed in and an excellent guide Jorge who was unfailingly good humoured and v helpful and kind He even offered to lend me his glasses when I lost mine! The accommodations and food were all good The Jungle Lodge in Guatemala didn’t offer any drinking water except in plastic bottles which rather goes against Exodus policy The ATM caves were interested but I felt were a health and safety hazard as there would have been limited access for rescue services or evacuation Also the ancient artefacts were on the ground just taped off so could easily have been damaged by visitors and some already have been. I felt the administering authority should have taken better care eg providing walkways,emergency exits etc Finally I felt Caye Caulker was marred by a lot of plastic pollution bottles etc along the shoreline and the corals out at the reef were bleached I know that’s not an Exodus issue but maybe you feed back to the resort how to improve the tourist experience
Most Inspirational Moment
Dawn at East temple Tikal
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent Really considerate to improve the tourist experience eg setting off early to avoid the queue at the Guatemala border
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t go with Exodus taxi if you’re not in the group transfer
We would like to thank Kim for her feedback. We were pleased to learn that she enjoyed her holiday and felt that her tour leader, Jorge, added value to the trip, but we’re sorry that she had difficulty at the start regards to her arrival transfer.
We request that our drivers are at the airport 15 – 30 minutes before the customers arrival time as we don’t want our customers worrying that they have no-one waiting for them in a new country. There are 2 exits at the airport, one of which leads outside where all drivers wait with their respective signs. The driver mentioned that he walked around with his sign looking for Kim until he eventually reached her, so this may possibly be the reason she was unable to locate him at first.
We’re regret that Kim feels overcharged regarding her transfer costs, however, it is possible that the taxi thought she wanted to visit the Bird’s Isle Restaurant in Belize City instead, as this is about 18km away from the airport and correlates more with the price that she was quoted. The distance to Bird’s Eye View lodge is 46.3km from the airport and we believe that this would have reflected closely to what she was initially charged.
We appreciate Kim’s comments regarding safety at the ATM caves. The guides undergo specialized training before being granted their license to the ATM cave, including rescue training. They are required to carry a backpack with all the necessary rescue equipment and the cave management has a set procedure for emergency rescues. Due to the mineral formations of the cave it’s not possible to create another entrance or build additional walkways as the idea is to preserve the natural integrity of the cave. A lot of the artifacts are within guests’ reach and the tape is meant to serve as a buffer between the artifact and guests, as well as a marker to guide guests on where to walk. To further protect the artifacts, cameras and phones are not allowed as the guide would have explained before entering the cave and generally visitors are respectful and abide by the rules.
Regarding her comments on the use of plastic bottles, we do request that customers bring along a refillable bottle as outlined in our trip notes. We also offer them a reusable bottle at the beginning of the trip. We will pass on her comment to the hotel; however, this is how they serve water at the restaurant. Whilst we appreciate that we are not going to be able to dramatically change local circumstances through tourism, we assure Kim that we continuously engage with our supplier partners, sharing best practices on environmental initiatives such as eliminating sing-use plastics.
We’re grateful for the time she took to leave a review and hope that we can welcome her on future trips with us!
– Emma Cambers, Product Manager
Daily delights
A new trip that exceeded expectations. Early starts for birds and sunrises and fascinating insights ( and climbs!) into Mayan culture, finishing with Caribbean laid back vibe and a day swimming with nurse sharks and rays!
Most Inspirational Moment
Every day brought memorable moments, from sunset boat trip at Bird's Eye View, listening to and watching Howler Monkeys, the sunrise from Temple IV at Tikal and snorkeling with nurse sharks and rays, and seeing a manatee.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jorge was great. Shared his knowledge and passion for Belize, history, culture, and his expert knowledge of birds and the flora and fauna of Belize. We loved his sunrise birding walks. He also gave us a guided tour of Cathal Pech and a market tour on our free day. You couldn't ask for a more helpful, supportive, knowledgeable guide. Luis Fillippe, our guide in Tikal was superb, bringing Mayan culture to life and a great bird spotter too. Keldon, our driver was careful and we felt relaxed on the bus.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes which were helpful. If on the group flight to Houston be careful boarding the correct Hotel bus...there is a North and South Hotel and the bus is not clearly marked..we ended up at the wrong hotel late at night! United Airlines include Belize departure tax in the ticket. Purified Water was available on the minibus and hotels to refill water bottles, no problem. Our 'Keen' closed toe sandals ideal for walking to Caves Branch Rover tubing and Rio waterfalls wading through rivers. Sunscreen ( reef safe) and insect repellent a must. US dollars accepted everywhere in Belize and we used our credit card in hotels. Credit card also in Guatemala although money changers came onto bus at the border to change dollars to Quetzales if needed.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Saturday
10 Nov 2024 09 Nov 2024
Thursday Friday
21 Nov 2024 22 Nov 2024
Availability
Guaranteed (Limited)
Land Only Trip Price 4 320 €
Optional Single Supplement +900 €
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead but there are only 2 spaces left. Do not delay your booking!
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
24 Nov 2024 23 Nov 2024
Thursday Friday
05 Dec 2024 06 Dec 2024
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 4 140 €
Optional Single Supplement +900 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
05 Jan 2025 04 Jan 2025
Thursday Friday
16 Jan 2025 17 Jan 2025
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
19 Jan 2025 18 Jan 2025
Thursday Friday
30 Jan 2025 31 Jan 2025
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
02 Feb 2025 01 Feb 2025
Thursday Friday
13 Feb 2025 14 Feb 2025
Availability
Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
16 Feb 2025 15 Feb 2025
Thursday Friday
27 Feb 2025 28 Feb 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
02 Mar 2025 01 Mar 2025
Thursday Friday
13 Mar 2025 14 Mar 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
09 Nov 2025 08 Nov 2025
Thursday Friday
20 Nov 2025 21 Nov 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
23 Nov 2025 22 Nov 2025
Thursday Friday
04 Dec 2025 05 Dec 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
07 Dec 2025 06 Dec 2025
Thursday Friday
18 Dec 2025 19 Dec 2025
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price 4 800 € Book with 1 200 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +948 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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