Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Belize and transfer to Punta Gorda and Copal Tree Lodge
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, Jungle Suite
Meals: Dinner
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, Jungle Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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, Jungle Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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, Jungle Suite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
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, Garden View Villa
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, Garden View Villa
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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, Garden View Villa
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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.
