8 Days / 7 Nights

This package will take you through lush jungles, tropical islands and coral reefs. It will also introduce you to Maya and Garifuna culture. Your first stop is the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve, more popularly called the Jaguar Preserve. This park is located just south of the town of Dangriga.  It covers 160 square miles of mountains blanketed by jungle and rivers.  This forest reserve harbors a healthy wildlife population, with over 300 birds species and of course, jaguars.  Sightings of this elusive cat are rare but night hikes offer the best chances at spotting them, as they are nocturnal.  At the entrance of the reserve is the Mopan Mayan village of Maya Center which is where you will stay. It will give you an excellent chance to learn about Mayan culture. Just east of the reserve, along the coast, lies the Garifuna village of Hopkins, a proud culture known for their excellent drumming and dancing, which you will get to see during this trip. Just off the coast is the island of South Water Caye which is perched right on top of the barrier reef. There is excellent snorkeling/diving around this island, including jright off of it's sandy beach. It is part of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve with an interesting underwater topography of walls, pinnacles, pillars and ridges which along with the dozens of mangrove islands supports a healthy marine ecosystem.  Nearby is Carrie Bow Caye, the base for the Smithsonian Institute of Marine Research, where you can visit and learn about marine biology. Along with the many natural wonders around South Water Caye, this island is also great for relaxing where you can relax on a hammock and enjoy the scenery.

Read more about Hopkins, South Water Caye & Dangriga

Itinerary & What's Included:
-  You will be welcomed at the International Airport by a representative of DiscoveringBelize.com
-  The transfer from the Airport to Maya Center Village is not included. You can choose between a rental car, public bus, private transfer by SUV or a local flight. We can easily arrange any of these options for you.
-  3 Nights accomodation at Nutzil Nah Cottages in Maya Center Village (with all meals included), which is right at the entrance to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve.
-  Night Hike Tour of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve
-  Day Hike Tour of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve
-  River Kayaking Tour of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve
-  Tour of Hopkins Village with a Garifuna Drumming & Dancing Show
-  The Transfer from Maya Center Village to South Water Caye is not included. You first need to get to Dangriga which can be done, by public bus, rental car or private transfer by SUV. From Dangriga you'll take a private charter boat to South Water Caye. We can easily arrange any of these options for you.
-  4 Nights accomodation at Pelican's Pouch Resort on South Water Caye (with all meals included)
-  South Water Caye Marine Reserve Snorkeling & Man-O-War Caye Tour
-  Visit to Carrie Bow Marine Research Station & Snorkeling Tour
-  On your last day, the transfer to the International Airport is not included. You'll need to take a private charter boat to Dangriga. From Dangriga you can take a public bus, rental car, private transfer by SUV or a local flight to the Interntional Airport. We can easily arrange any of these options for you.
-  All your meals are included in the trip
-  Equipment and park fees are included in all the tours of this trip          
-  The smile on your face at the end of the trip is free

Doesn’t Include:
-  Departure Tax
-  International Flight
-  Transfers within Belize as specified above, but we can easily arrange any of these for you.

Rates are per person and in US Dollars
Low Season: Nov 15, 07 – May 15, 08
High Season: May 16 - Nov 14, 08

Tutzil Nah Cottages in Maya Center Village near Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve

These cottages are located in Maya Center Village, a small Mopan Maya community located near the Jaguar Preserve.  The accommodations are basic, but are clean and comfortable.  However, it’s your immersion into traditional Mayan life that makes this place worthwhile.  Your hosts, the Chun family, are very personable and will teach you what their way of life is like.  The women usually cook a variety of Mayan and Belizean dishes.  Gregorio, Julian and Ouscal – three brothers – do the guiding for the tours into the Jaguar Preserve.  They are experts in the reserve’s flora, fauna and history and are even mentioned in Dr. Alan Rabinowitz’s book Jaguar (he was the one who pioneered the establishment of the Jaguar Preserve).   

Pelican’s Pouch Resort on South Water Caye

South Water Caye is a small 15 acre island just 14 miles off the coast.  The resort covers the southern end of the island.  It sits right on top of the barrier reef with great diving right off their very nice beach.  The resort features spacious rooms in the main building and private cottages spaced out on the property.  The rooms are comfortable, with a balcony and rich wood interiors.  The property is dotted by palm trees and hammocks sway in the cross winds on your balcony and between coconut trees.  Traditional Belizean meals are served in the restaurant which has an outdoor deck.  This resort uses environmentally friendly technology for its water, power and garbage disposal.  It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the spectacular marine ecology found in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

Night Hike Tour & Day Hike Tour of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve

This is actually 2 separate tours, a day and night hiking tour.  During the day hiking tour you’ll see many of the main attractions within the park.  You’ll see one of the waterfalls where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.  The energetic can climb Ben’s Bluff lookout to get a spectacular view of the mountain range, including Victoria Peak – the highest point in the country.  You’ll also do a float on inner tubes along one of the rivers.  Along the way you’ll learn about the flora and fauna, spot birds and insects and maybe even spot some mammals.  During the night hiking tour you will see the jungle come alive, as many of it's animals are nocturnal. You might spot a pacca, kinkajou, peccary, anteater and maybe even a jaguar if you're lucky.

River Kayaking Tour of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve

The preserve has many waterways that are great for exploring.  The South Stann Creek River is particularly great for kayaking.  During the first part of your trip you will paddle down calm waters.  Keeping your eyes on the river banks you may see birds, iguanas, flowering plants and surely some kingfishers darting in the water for prey.  You are also likely to see some mammals along the banks as they frequent it for water.  After a leisurely lunch you will continue along the River but this time it get’s more exciting.  You will make your way through a series of small but fast white water rapids.  The Stearns soft shell kayaks are perfect for maneuvering these rapids.

Tour of Hopkins Village with a Garifuna Drumming & Dancing Show

Hopkins Village is just 10 miles east of Maya Center Village.  It is a small Garifuna village right on the beach.  You will have a chance to learn about this interesting culture that originated from escaped African slaves.  They are a proud people who still preserve a rich African heritage molded through the decades into something uniquely Garifuna.  Drumming is a big part of this culture and you will get a chance to see a local dancing and drumming group perform for you in their full traditional outfits.  You can take some time and learn to drum yourself or try some of their dance moves.  Along with learning about their history and culture by talking to them you will also get a chance to have a traditional Garifuna meal.  

South Water Caye Marine Reserve Snorkeling & Man-O-War Caye Tour

During this half-day tour, you’ll do some snorkeling and visit a bird sanctuary.  South Water Caye Marine Reserve offers a range of protected reefs and mangrove islands that harbor a healthy marine life.  Your guide will take you to a snorkeling site, of which there are many to choose from: patch reefs, large sinkholes, spur and groove canyons outside the reef and even the wall drop off.  You will also stop by Man-O-War Caye, a small mangrove island.  Here you’ll find large colonies, in the hundreds, of nesting birds like the Frigates and Boobies.

Visit to Carrie Bow Marine Research Station & Snorkeling Tour

On this half-day tour you’ll do some snorkeling and visit a marine research stations.  Just a few minutes south of South Water Caye is Carrie Bow Caye.  Here you’ll find the Smithsonian Institute of Marine Research where many aspects of marine environment and biology in Belize have been studied.  Research has been done on invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, botany, carbonate geology and paleobiology.  More than 100 research papers have been published on the fauna, flora, and geology of the Carrie Bow reef tract.  Your visit here will involve a lecture and tour of the facilities to learn about the science behind the beauty you see through your snorkeling or diving mask.  You’ll also do some more snorkeling visiting 1 or 2 sites within the marine reserve.