Belize Jungle Trip

Looking for a remote jungle setting, luxury accommodations, fresh cuisine, and one-of-a kind adventure? If so, then a jungle retreat in Belize is worth looking into!

Imagine hiking among and over ancient Mayan ruins, horseback riding into Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve, swimming into a cave entrance to see a “living museum” where one can view skeletal remains and artifacts in their original context, making your own chocolate, and if you dare, getting out of your comfort zone and letting a couple of iguanas turn your back, shoulders, and arms into a jungle gym!

Lodging:

We stayed at Ka’ana in February 2019 and would stay there again to see the recently renovated and upgraded suites just completed in 2020. An upgrade wasn’t necessary, as we were impressed the first time around! The food is fantastic, and most of the food is sourced from their organic garden. I certainly miss the meals there, although our two-bedroom villa was also a huge selling point. That said, at the end of the day, it was the available adventures that won us over. 

Adventures:

Belize is an adventurer’s paradise, with majestic jungle and monuments to a rich past at every turn. At Ka’ana, each tour is guided privately by an adventure specialist. Whether you’re a thrill seeker, a history buff, or both, a multitude of exciting excursions await.

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The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Tour:

Hands-down, our favorite adventure was The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave tour. Located in the heart of the Belizean rainforest, in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, this cave was sacred to the Maya of Belize. In later years, the Maya traveled deeper into the cave to conduct their ceremonies. The skeletal remains of human sacrifices conducted centuries ago still litter the floor of the cave.

I want to go back to Belize for no other reason than to explore this cave again, although I am not sure how much longer it will be open. To protect the cave, you are only allowed in with a certified guide, but the guides are struggling to protect this ancient artifact from tourists. Our guide showed us a human skull that had been damaged by a dropped cell phone, which helps explain the current ban on mobile devices in the cave.

The tour’s exercise level is moderate to high. The tour includes hiking one mile and crossing a river just to get to the cave, and more swimming, walking, and some climbing once you’re in the cave. It’s really hard to find the words to share exactly why this place is so awe-inspiring. The pictures on my site are limited to the photos one of the locals took before they banned phones. The ATM cave is now a national park co-managed by the Institute of Archaeology

Mayan Ruins:

Second up in our list of favorite activities was hiking to see the ancient Mayan Ruins. Whether you go to Tikal Mayan Ruins, Xunantunich, or Caracol, go first thing in the morning or late in the evening. There is limited shade, and we were sweating despite the February temperatures. We saw a lot of armed guards at Xunantunich, but I was informed that they were there to protect the border between Belize and Guatemala more than they were there to protect the ancient ruins.

Held within the Belizean rainforest, Xunantunich includes Mayan plazas, palaces, and temples, as well as a modern museum. If you make it to the top of the ruins, you can take in a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The climb is taken slowly and with caution, and the rewards are well worth the effort. Just be advised that there are no guardrails on the stairs or at the top of the ruins. Our boys decided that the best place to horse around was right near the edge, and they just about gave me a heart attack!

Extend your stay:

If fishing, snorkeling, and beach walks are more your thing, extend your stay and spend a few days on the coast. If you have the time, it might be worth splitting your stay in Belize between two extraordinary properties: Victoria House in Ambergris Cay, close to the Belize Barrier Reef, and Ka’ana.

Enjoy adventures in each region! My sister-in-law loved her time at Victoria House; we just wanted something a little more adventurous for this trip and stuck to the jungle. We went during the long President’s Day weekend and didn’t have a lot of time off. It was a quick 3-hour flight from Austin. You can take a helicopter or arrange for a hotel shuttle from the airport. If you have younger kiddos, it might be worth stopping at the Belize Zoo on the way to the resort.