Ahh! The sun and sea! Fishing, kayaking, snorkeling or diving the second biggest barrier reef in the world… does vacation get any better than this? It does, because Blue Reef Island is also a stone’s throw from some of Belize’s best inland adventures as well! Visit ancient Maya Ruins, fly through the jungle’s canopy on exhilarating zipline courses, swim in secluded waterfalls, horseback over rolling hills of citrus orchards, hike through the world’s only jaguar reserve, and so much more. Belize is a truly special and unique destination for adventurous travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. Blue Reef Island is centrally located to easily reach all the top excursions the country has to offer.
30 minutes to Mayflower Bocawina Rainforest Adventures
From the town of Dangriga (20 minutes by boat from the island), in central Belize, you are a mere 30 minutes’ drive to the Mayflower Bocawina National Park and some of the best birding and wildlife sighting in the country. With miles of well-maintained trails, you could easily spend all day exploring the verdant tropical broadleaf forest; working up a sweat climbing steep paths then refreshing yourself in crisp, clean waterfalls. Many visitors chose to try the 9-run zip lining course that affords spectacular views and an adrenaline rush. For the ultimate adventure, you can rappel down part of Antelope Falls, the park’s iconic 1,000-foot-tall waterfall.
35 minutes to Angel Falls Xtreme Adventures
Angel Falls is the latest and greatest in inland adventures with Belize’s highest and fastest zip line and the most heart-pumping waterfall rappelling. A quick trip up the scenic Hummingbird Highway, Angel Falls sits in the heart of the Maya Mountains. Thick, untouched tropical forests hide clear cascades rushing over limestone cliffs. Push past your comfort zone and tackle the challenge of the thrilling 400 foot rappel- a feat few people back home could brag about completing.
45 minutes to Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve and Butterfly Farm
A short drive down the Southern Highway will take you to the small village of Maya Center where the close-knit community of modern Mopan Maya keep their traditions and culture alive. The women’s co-operative has beautiful handicrafts and chocolate making tours take you through the cacao- harvesting process from bean to bar. Stop here for a life-cycle lesson and butterfly encounter before heading in to the park. Take a hike, there’s trails for every activity level, or grab a tube at the visitor’s center for a lazy river float.
1 hour to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park
A true national treasure, right on the side of the beautiful Hummingbird Highway, St. Herman’s is the country’s most easily accessible cave and cenote. From the visitor’s center, guests can self-lead their own exploration of the cave and surrounding forest during an easy 20 minute hike. Guided tours are available for deeper expeditions and cave tubing. On the other side of the park is a dazzling natural cenote full of refreshingly clean turquoise water. Enveloped in lush jungle and teeming with tiny fish, this stunning sinkhole feels magically secluded but is actually easily reached by well-crafted concrete stairs.
2 hours to ATM Cave
A ceremonial site for the ancient Maya, Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave houses a multitude of artifacts and numerous human remains, most famously that of the Crystal Maiden- an astoundingly well-preserved victim of ritual sacrifice during the post-classic period in Mesoamerica. Important archeological discoveries and fascinating history are part of this challenging tour through wet underground caverns. Stamina, sure-footedness, and no fear of confined spaces are requirements for this Indiana Jones type of excursion.
1 ¾ hours to Belize Zoo
The only place in Belize you are guaranteed to set your eyes on all 5 species of Central America’s wild cats: the jaguar, the puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. The Belize Zoo is a small but superb wildlife park that is ethically operated and conservation-focused. All the resident animals are native to the country and comfortably housed at the zoo only if they cannot be rehabilitated and returned to the wild. An intimate experience, visitors to the Belize Zoo often extol the connections they make with the exotic and curious creatures here.
2 ½ hours to Xunantunich
The tiny country of Belize was once home to more than an estimated 2 million Maya (5 times that of the country’s current population!) and we are profusely pockmarked with archeological sites from this advanced ancient civilization. Xunantunich is the most popular Maya site for visitors, with more than 20 temples and palaces over 6 major plazas, it is mostly excavated and utterly impressive. The tallest temple stands 133 feet and is the second tallest in the country. Even if you aren’t a history buff you will still be enthralled with what the Maya accomplished at their peak when Europe was still in the Dark Ages.
