Leslie Hsu Besner and Family
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in San Ignacio
Upon your arrival at Belize International Airport (BZE), you'll head through immigration and meet our representative, who will transfer you to Chaa Creek. The drive will take approximately two hours. Take time to unwind after your day of travel.
Overnight Chaa Creek
Day 2
Exploring the ATM Caves
Start your day with a delicious breakfast, with many ingredients grown at Chaa Creek’s organic Maya farm. Then, meet your guide and set out for your tour of the ATM Caves.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is often considered one of Belize’s most remarkable natural and archaeological sites. Located near the town of San Ignacio, this cave system contains a series of vast chambers that have yielded important Maya artifacts and remains, making it an important location for ongoing archaeological research as well as a distinctive underground ecosystem.
Your journey begins with about a 45-minute hike through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, where you’ll walk beneath dense tropical forest. Along the way, your guide will point out local plants and wildlife that inhabit the reserve. The trail includes three river crossings; the first comes right at the beginning, where you’ll wade through chest-high water and use a rope to help pull yourself across. By the time you reach the cave entrance, you can expect to be completely soaked!
Your tour through the cave takes about three hours on average. You will be swimming and climbing in the dark (with headlamps), and sometimes squeezing through tight spaces. Tour guides are required for visits to the cave to preserve the skeletons and artifacts contained within, and help you safely navigate the labyrinth of interlocking chambers. All of the everyday artifacts found in these caves have been left as they were, and your tour guide can provide you with a fascinating insight into how the former residents of this part of Belize once lived.
After this thrilling day of exploration, return to Chaa Creek and take time to freshen up and relax. Then, enjoy dinner by candlelight as you listen to the cacophony of night time noises.
Overnight Chaa Creek
Day 3
Exploration of your choice
Today, you have a free day to explore San Ignacio as you wish. You’re welcome to relax in your jungle paradise or set out on an adventure.
Chaa Creek boasts 400 acres of private reserve containing well-maintained trails for horseback riding and hiking. The resort is situated near the Macal River, which allows for a relaxing canoe ride through the jungle. Chaa Creek also features a Natural History Center, Butterfly Farm, and Rainforest Medicine Trail. For those looking to learn more about the history and culture of the Indigenous Peoples of Belize, cultural tours and visits to ancient cities, temples, ceremonial caves, and archaeological sites are available. With these experiences, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Maya, Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole, and German Mennonite cultures.
Overnight Chaa Creek
Day 4
Transfer to Placencia
After breakfast, it’s time to leave the jungle and head to the tropical seaside village of Placencia! To break up this three hour drive, your driver will make a stop at Mayflower Bocawina National Park. You can take some time to watch for the diverse species of birds that call this area home, hike, or visit the waterfalls. There’s also a ziplining course and waterfall rappelling option for those looking for a thrill!
Continue on to Naïa Resort And Spa, check in, and enjoy an evening at leisure. For dinner, savor local flavors as you listen to the rhythmic lapping of the waves and breathe in the salty air.
Overnight Naïa Resort And Spa
Day 5
Giving Back with Local Families
Today, after breakfast, meet the director of a local nonprofit organization that works to improve traditional farming systems through research and climate change studies for a better tomorrow.
Set off into the rural countryside of Belize and meet the families who live in the area. Then, you'll take on a project and work in support and solidarity with a local family. Many families in the region are subsistence farmers who will significantly benefit from your shared work.
There are a variety of possible projects, some examples include:
- Building fuel-efficient stoves to replace inefficient stoves reduce harm
- Building chicken coops
- Planting gardens and/or coconut and fruit trees
- Building compost digesters
- Building for sanitation, ie. latrines and water catchment systems
Enjoy a simple lunch with the community before heading back to your hotel.
Overnight Naïa Resort And Spa
Day 6
Private Catamaran Sail And Snorkel
This morning, after an early breakfast, set out for a full day of sailing aboard your private catamaran.
During this full-day outing, you’ll cruise across clear Caribbean waters aboard a 38-foot catamaran and snorkel colorful patch reefs before spending the afternoon on a small tropical island. Once ashore, you can swim, explore, relax on the beach, or simply enjoy the laid-back setting while a traditional Belizean BBQ lunch is served on the sand.
The excursion visits one of two islands: Moho Caye or Laughing Bird Caye, located within Laughing Bird Marine Reserve. Both offer clear water, accessible snorkeling, and quiet beaches. The day includes lunch, drinks, snacks, park fees, and use of snorkeling equipment.
Then, return to your hotel with the evening free to unwind.
Overnight Naïa Resort And Spa
Day 7
Day at Leisure
Today, you have a free day to enjoy at leisure.
If you’d like, you can complete another day of volunteering. Alternatively, you can take time to relax by the beach or with a treatment at the resort’s luxury spa. If you’d like to explore Placencia as a family, there’s a variety of fun activities to choose from! Whether you’re interested in lagoon kayaking, bird watching, horseback riding, a chocolate or spice tour, fishing, or snorkeling, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Overnight Naïa Resort And Spa
Day 8
Departure Day
After breakfast, say goodbye to the beach and transfer to Placencia Airport. Take a regional flight from Placencia to Belize City and arrive in time for your international flight.
