Our Upcoming Adventure to Central America
It’s been a while since we’ve boarded an airplane and had to exchange currency. Aside from a few snowboarding adventures in British Columbia, our last trip was to the white sandy beaches of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic back in December.
For our next adventure, we’re heading back to jungles of Central America. We will be spending most of May traveling to Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
This will be our third trip to the region but the first time visiting Belize and Guatemala. Our trip highlights are to experience the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system on the planet, and the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in northern Guatemala.
Tikal is often considered to be the eighth Wonder of the World because it’s one of the largest archaeological sites of pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It has been on our travel short list for quite some time now, so we’re thrilled that the day is almost here!
Although we prefer to arrive in a new country without a set itinerary, we’ve already lined up a fairly loose schedule. The plan is to arrive in Belize City and head straight to Flores in Guatemala, where we’ll visit Tikal and hang out by the lake for a few days. Then we travel to the jungles of Belize and will enjoy a slice luxury at the Ka’ana Boutique Resort in the Cayo District.
We then leave the Belize jungles behind and travel to the Caribbean coast. We haven’t decided on an exact route or itinerary, but we will visit the popular islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. While in Caye Caulker, we will join Tsunami Adventures on a snorkelling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark and Ray Alley.
Our goal is to spend a week on the islands of Belize, enjoying beach life, scuba diving and afternoon happy hour. We’re told that May and June is the best time to see the gentle whale sharks that frequent the area, but this may require us to travel south to Placencia or Dangriga. We’re undecided if the extra travel is justified but we’ve always wanted to swim with whale sharks, so we’ll be on the lookout for a last minute holiday deal.
We then leave Belize and travel north up the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Our flight home departs from Cancun, but most of our time will be spent in the Mayan Riviera. We’ve been invited to experience the luxurious EcoTulum Resort and Spa, a rustic seaside resort located just outside of Tulum.
It’s shaping up to be a fantastic trip that will include a healthy mix of outdoor adventure, culture and relaxation!
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Have you visited Belize, Guatemala and/or the Yucatan Peninsula?
Do you have any advice or recommendations for us?
Share your feedback in the comments section below
Exciting news, guys! Sounds like there will tons of diving and snorkeling up ahead, a nice change from all the snowboarding and skiing, no?
Indeed! We love the mountains in the winter but its time to switch gears and get into the water sports! Super excited to see Tikal
How awesome! I’ve never been to American continent yet but I have a wild dream about South America including Central America. Can’t wait to read your stories! Jungles!!! 🙂 Yay!
Thanks for stopping by Juno! We’re pretty exicted to explore the jungles of Belize and Guatemala
Can’t wait to hear more about the stories. Looking forward to it.
Can’t wait to have the stories to share! Cheers Sarah
Hi guys, we miss these three countries so much, we’d love to just come with you and join you on your trip 🙂 I think we’ve given you enough tips for Belize but here’s one for the Riviera Maya in Mexico: There is a small beach near Tulum (on the way to Playa del Carmen) called Akumal. It was always empty and it was one of the prettiest beaches we’ve seen around there – truly Caribbean! Looking forward to hearing about your Central America adventures at TBEX.
You guys have been very helpful! Thanks again
See you in Vancouver in a couple months 😉
Awww…sad that your travels won’t bring you through our neck of the woods in Honduras (but we are a bit of a pain in the a$$ to get to!)
Looks amazing though, and I am sure you will have an awesome time. Right now, I’m beginning to think that we’ve been here too long (it’s so BLOODY HOT!) but after the winter you’ve had, I’m sure you will enjoy the blessed sun!
We will have a few extra days so we’ll see what we can do. We’d love to meet up in Honduras for a few days. As it approaches we’ll let you know!
Looking forward to finally meeting you guys when you pass through the Mayan Riviera!!!
Absolutely! Looking forward to it Earl.
We’ll contact you as it approaches.
Likely end of May as we move up towards Cancun.
You guys will have a fantastic time in Belize!
I hope so! 😉
You must go to Lanquin on your way back from Tikal – honestly my biggest reco for Guatemala – total nirvana.
Thanks for the reco, we’ll look into it!
Sounds like it’s going to be a fantastic trip, guys! Can’t wait to read all about it =)
Thanks guys!
If you pass through San Marcos, Guatemala look us up. You should come here to climb the Tajumulco Volcano, Central America’s highest. You can also visit the highest human communities in Central America here.
Would love to climb a volcano while we’re down there, but not sure if we’ve got enough time! We’ll definitely look into it and see if its feasibile. Thanks for the invite! 😉
Hey guys,
Great to hear about your upcoming trip.
Here are some ideas.
Once in Tikal, try to see the dawn or sunset from the top of one of the big pyramids. The park opens super early.
In Belize’s Cayo District there are tons of things to do. There are a lot of visit-yourself Mayan ruins like Cahal Pech and Xunantunich. The biggest site in Belize is Caracol. However, you need a guide for that one because is deep in the jungle.
Since, you are going to Tikal and the Mexican Riviera, maybe you don’t want to spend your time in the Cayo District looking at Mayan ruins. For something different consider doing the ATM Cave. The inside contains pottery and human bones, the remainings of Mayan rituals and sacrifices. This activity is a little bit expensive and rough but worth it.
To relax you can do river tubing or go to one of the many waterfalls in the area.
Hope you guys have a fantastic time.
Thanks for the great tips Ruth!
We are thinking of doing the caves and tubing when in the Cayo District.
Cheers!
Tikal is great! Try to stay in the park overnight. Once the bus loads of tourists leave, the place is quiet and all to yourself. Magical.
Thanks for the tip Matt – I think we’ll be taking your advice.
We’re looking into the Jungle Lodge that is located inside the park.
My wife and I are heading there in Dec. We are going to the same places listed. Have fun!
Excellent! Be sure to stop by to see our reviews 😉
I have done the Mayan Riviera twice, and have also went to Belize. Your Belize itinerary sounds good, and I have heard good things about the Hol Chan Marine Reserve tour. I didn’t get to experience that section, unfortunately, but did get to see the reef in other areas. Good stuff! 🙂
We’re looking forward to exploring the jungles, beaches and history – should be a great adventure!
How fun! As a diver the great blue hole is a spot that is on my list. I would also love to see the Jaguars.
Not sure if we’ll make it to the Blue Hole. We went to the Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt, it was okay but mostly a novelty thing.
Would love to catch sight of a jaguar (though we’re told its extremely rare to see them)
I haven’t been to any of these but my wife has been to Guatemala. I am not a big beach person but it looks so appealing right now. I think I need a vacation! I’ve gone a LONG time without one (or maybe just having two kids makes it feel that way – no, it’s been a LONG time!) So hope you have fun (and Noooooo…I am not envious at all!)
Haha… we’ll be sure to have a tropical beverage in your honour! 😉
Hey guys, I’m actually making plans to move there early nxt year to a small island called Utila, Honduras. When excactly are you heading on your adventure?
We will be there in 3 weeks. Starting to count down the days now.
I’m green with envy y’all! 🙂