Belize: Grassroots Service and Cultural Exchange

Belize

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Support local communities with hands-on experience.

In the fertile countryside of Belize, a great local, grassroots non-profit knows how to put extra hands to work! They use appropriate technologies as part of their solution-focused work in rural areas of the country. Elevate travelers can sponsor materials for the following projects. You can assist to help build fuel efficient, child-safe stoves, plant trees in reforestation efforts, establish gardens and orchards for home use, or construct latrines needed by rural families.

You’ll be based at lovely eco-lodges during your stay and will make the most of your time by meeting local Belizeans, eating delicious food, making chocolate with a Maya family, exploring jungle wildlife or ziplining through the canopy, snorkeling the coral reefs and swimming in refreshing, tropical waterfalls.

Suggested Length: 8 days/7 nights
Starts from: $5,500 per person

"The most amazing trip! We will never forget and never be the same. And we will be back! Elevate Destinations was the perfect partner for our adventure and will be planning our future travels."

Leslie Hsu Besner and Family
Belize

Highlights

Put your hands to work and support a grassroots nonprofit organization.
Stay at lovely eco-lodges throughout your stay.
Meet local Belizeans and visit with families.
Explore jungle wildlife or zipline through the canopy.
Snorkel in coral reefs, and swim in refreshing topical waterfalls.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE INTO BELIZE AND TRANSFER TO PUNTA GORDA

Arrive into BZE International Airport, clear customs, and then check in for your next flight, to the region known as Punta Gorda in the Toledo district. This is a beautiful, lush, and forested region, and your lodge is only 30 minutes from the sea.

Upon arriving into Punta Gorda, your driver will be waiting for you in a private vehicle. From here, you’ll transfer to Copal Tree Lodge – a lush haven with stunning views. This will be your homebase while you spend your days with your hosts from the local, grassroots non-profit.

Settle in and relax. Enjoy fresh meals with many ingredients coming from the onsite farm.

Complimentary activities also include self-guided kayaking or canoeing on the Rio Grande River, mountain biking, and hiking through onsite trails

Overnight Copal Tree Lodge

Day 2

PROJECT WORK DAY AND CHOCOLATE MAKING CLASS

Today you will head out to get acquainted with the project and meet the family where you’ll be working. Depart at 9:00 AM and return at 3:00 PM. From 12-1:00 PM you will have a home-cooked lunch with the community.

Projects may include assisting with the following:

Tree planting for reforestation
Assisting to build fuel efficient stoves and latrines in rural communities
Making compost and/or organic and natural pest controls for local farms
Planting gardens with vegetables and fruit trees
Constructing chicken coops

Return to your lodge for the afternoon and enjoy any of the complimentary activities or an optional chocolate-making course.

The class includes chocolate history, creating chocolates from scratch, and creating chocolate confections with ingredients fresh from the farm. Your family will leave with your own creations and a better appreciation for fine chocolate.

Overnight Copal Tree Lodge

Day 3

PROJECT WORK DAY AND BLUE CREEK CAVE ADVENTURE

Today, again you will head out at 9:00 AM to the local community for project work. Take a lunch break from 12-1:00 AM, and then finish up the day before heading back to your lodge.

In the afternoon, after you are done volunteering, head out on fun swimming adventure to the Blue Creek Cave! Go and take an exciting swim in the beautiful limestone caves with beautiful pristine water.

Return to your lodge in the late evening for dinner and relaxing.

Overnight Copal Tree Lodge

Day 4

PROJECT WORK DAY AND FREE AFTERNOON

You’ll be at the project from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Perhaps today you will visit another community and help them with projects on their farms and land.

Return to your lodge to relax and enjoy any of the complimentary activities.

Overnight Copal Tree Lodge

Day 5

DEPART PUNTA GORDA FOR PLACENCIA AND TURTLE INN

Depart Punta Gorda on a short flight to Placencia. Upon landing, it’s a short jaunt to paradise! Arrive to Turtle Inn – a premier eco-chic, luxury resort on the beautiful white sand beach and blue waters. Enjoy your relaxing afternoon.

Overnight Turtle Inn

Day 6

SNORKEL EXCURSION AND TURTLE INN

Today you will head out for a privately guided day of reef snorkeling, with a BBQ lunch on the beach.

The tour begins at 9:00 am. Collect your snorkel gear, and head out by boat to the islands (approx. a 35-60 min ride). Snorkeling destinations will vary from day to day depending on weather conditions and your preferences. Some of the spots you may visit are Laughing Bird Caye, Silk Caye, Ranguana or Pompion Caye.

Lunch will be a delicious and fun barbeque, a Belize specialty! Afterward, transfer to another snorkel spot for the afternoon.

Overnight Turtle Inn

Day 7

MONKEY RIVER TOUR AND TURTLE INN

Ziplining, river tubing and waterfall swimming excursion.

Today, you’ll head out for an exhilarating zipline tour through the jungle, followed by floating on tubes down the river and finally a swim in the impressive Maya King Waterfall.

Overnight Turtle Inn