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

Belize: A wooden table set for four with plates of breakfast food, coffee, and water glasses on a balcony overlooking lush green trees and foliage in the background.Belize: Aerial view of a large villa with a central pool, surrounded by dense tropical forest and rolling hills under a hazy sky, suggesting a secluded and tranquil setting.Belize: A teal plate filled with chunks of dark chocolate, surrounded by cocoa powder, cocoa beans, melted chocolate, cocoa butter, and spices on a textured blue surface.
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

Belize: A tropical beach with golden sand, calm blue water, and lush palm trees and greenery lining the shore under a clear blue sky.Belize: Two blue bicycles with baskets are parked on a gravel path in front of lush green tropical plants and trees.Belize: A thatched-roof wooden bungalow surrounded by lush green plants and trees, set on sandy ground with stone pathways leading to the entrance. The scene is shaded and peaceful, evoking a tropical retreat.
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

Belize: A person swimming underwater in clear, blue water near a large sea turtle. The swimmer wears blue and white swim trunks and snorkel gear. Sunlight filters through the water, and some seaweed is visible on the sandy seabed.Belize: A blue hammock is tied between palm trees on a sandy beach near the ocean. Green foliage, clear blue water, and scattered terracotta pots create a relaxing tropical scene under a sunny sky.Belize: Two people stand paddleboarding on calm water near a sandy beach with lush greenery, palm trees, and a thatched-roof hut in the background.
Day 8
DEPART TURTLE INN FOR BZE INTERNATIONAL AND FLY HOME

Your driver will take you to the Placencia Airport for your flight back to Belize City International for your international departure.