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The Trip

Belize (formerly British Honduras) is largely covered by tropical forests. Though only 8,800 square miles, the country teems with wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, tapirs, iguanas, Jabiru storks, toucans, and more! Offshore lies a 150-mile-long barrier reef -- the second largest in the world. In these crystal waters are fantastically colored fish, dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and ornate coral formations. Belize is a place of rich and diverse heritage. Geographically located in the region of Central America called "La Ruta Maya," this area has been home to the Maya for 3,000 years. Our itinerary allows us to experience the many different cultural groups of the region as well as explore the country through hiking, swimming, boating, bird watching, and studying archaeology, as well as just relaxing.

Itinerary

Day 1: We'll meet at our hotel near the waterfront in Belize City. Our first meal together will be a welcome dinner where we'll get to know one another and preview our itinerary.

Day 2: After breakfast we'll travel to the Community Baboon Sanctuary where local farmers have given a part of their own lands to preserve the habitat of howler monkeys and have experienced great rewards. We will have an opportunity to hike in the rainforest near the Belize River, where we may see howler monkeys, giant iguanas, and many species of birds. We will also visit the local museum, which contains a wealth of information about the natural history of the area. Next we'll drive to a rustic rainforest lodge that is also a working field station for environmental studies. We'll enjoy an informative and fascinating jungle walk and an evening presentation about the "Programme for Belize," a nonprofit organization that has achieved remarkable success in protecting a corner of Belize as a pristine lowland jungle.

Day 3: Today we'll take a leisurely boat trip on the beautiful New River Lagoon to Lamanai, an ancient Mayan site which was occupied longer than almost any other known Mayan community. Our accomplished guide will provide a tour of the museum and the ruins. After lunch we'll head upriver and then take a bus to Crooked Tree Wildlife Refuge. We will likely see many varieties of wintering birds, including flamingos and roseate spoonbills.

Day 4: We'll tour the Belize Zoo, an important environmental institution in Belize that educates thousands of students each year about the importance of protecting wildlife and preserving the habitat that supports these creatures. We will observe many of the mammals, reptiles, and birds of Belize at the zoo. We'll then travel to Caves Branch resort and go tubing on an underground river. Exploring this incredible river-cave system, we'll see ancient Mayan ceremonial centers, pottery, artifacts, and altars dated to 400 BCE. Lunch will be at the resort or in the cave. Following our cave tour we'll change into dry clothing and drive to Dangriga and our pleasant waterfront hotel.

Day 5: Today we'll drive to a Mayan village where we can shop for crafts and then we'll continue into the tropical rainforest of the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve. We'll hike along trails with a naturalist, learning about the incredible rainforest ecosystem. If we are lucky, we may see jaguar tracks! Optional river tubing is available. We'll enjoy lunch at the preserve, and then return to Dangriga to tour a hot sauce factory and meet a local artist and drum maker.

Day 6: After a relaxing breakfast at our resort on the beach at Dangriga, we'll travel by speed boat approximately one hour to the isolated and pristine South Water Caye, where we'll spend the next couple of days relaxing and snorkeling. This beautiful, half-mile-long sand atoll sits directly on top of the Barrier Reef and offers superb snorkeling opportunities just offshore. Once we get settled into our rooms and have lunch, we'll have a practice snorkel off the beach (for those who haven't snorkeled much), and then take a boat ride nearby to snorkel among the beautiful coral and fish nearby. If possible, we'll try to arrange evening visits to two local reef research facilities to learn about their work and the impact of global warming on this delicate ecosystem.

Day 7: We'll enjoy a full day in paradise on South Water Caye, taking a morning and an afternoon boat excursion to two different nearby locales with excellent coral and fish snorkeling. Or else, if you'd prefer, you can relax and swim/sunbathe on the beach on South Water Caye.

Day 8: After breakfast we'll boat to another excellent snorkeling spot nearby South Water Caye, followed by our final lunch on the island. In the afternoon we'll boat back to Dangriga on the mainland and enjoy our final evening of the trip with a presentation of local Garifuna music, dance, and culture.

Day 9: The trip price includes your flight from Dangriga back to Belize International airport to connect with your return flight back home. The airstrip is right next door to our Dangriga resort and you can either walk or get a taxi ride there. Your flight will be scheduled according to your return flight back home (unless you are planning to extend your stay in Belize).

Getting There

There are numerous flights (some non-stop) to Belize City from major airports in the U.S., such as New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston. Belize, which is one hour earlier than Eastern Time, is only a 2.5-hour flight from Miami. Since we are meeting for dinner on the first day, please plan to arrive at Belize International Airport (BZE) by the afternoon of February 4, 2012. Trip participants will be reimbursed for the cost of taking a taxi into Belize City from the airport. Further transportation details will be sent to trip participants.

Accommodations and Food

All meals are included in the trip price; soft or alcoholic drinks will need to be paid for by participants. All accommodations are in two-person rooms (with either a double bed for couples or two twin beds for singles), except for the second night (at the rainforest lodge/field station), where we will be sleeping in dormitory-style rooms. Depending on how many other guests they have while we're there, we will be sleeping 2-4 people/room in bunk beds. On South Water Caye, our hotel will be eco-efficient and simple, yet very comfortable. The resort there has composting toilets and water is collected rainwater, so we'll be using it sparingly.

Trip Difficulty

We will be hiking, walking, or swimming every day, so you should be in fairly good physical condition. You should be able to climb back into our boat after snorkeling. It is not necessary to have snorkeling experience, but you should be comfortable in the water and be able to swim in order to enjoy it. Our accommodations will always have the basic necessities, but in some places will be rustic. There are two fairly long driving days (approximately five to six hours each) and if the wind is blowing, the boat trip to and from South Water Caye may be somewhat bumpy and wet.

Equipment and Clothing

The climate in Belize at these low elevations is mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Offshore, on the cayes, moderate trade winds usually blow. Evenings could be cool (in the 60s) so a light jacket or sweater may be needed. Although we will be visiting during the "dry" season, there's always a chance of showers, so bring some rain gear. The tropical sun can be strong and sun protection is important. Good walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots are needed, as well as water sandals. You'll also want to have swim fins, mask, and snorkel for our days on South Water Caye. Good quality and proper fitting equipment is essential for maximum enjoyment.

References

Books:

• Barcott, Bruce, The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman's Fight to Save the World's Most Beautiful Bird.
• Lutz, Dick, Belize: Reefs, Rain Forests and Mayan Ruins.
• Jones, H. Lee, Birds of Belize.
• Rabinowitz, Alan, Jaguar: One Man's Struggle to Establish the World's First Jaguar Preserve.

Conservation

Belize is struggling to balance environmental protection and development, especially tourist development. Our visit to Belize will provide economic support for its eco-tourism industry, thereby helping to support local conservation efforts. We will experience how it's possible to have development, which is necessary to house visitors, with minimal impact on the environment. We'll also have an opportunity to discuss environmental issues in our own home communities and regions.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Richard Grayson has been involved with Sierra Club national outings since 1967, when he was a teenager. He has been on 31 Sierra Club national service trips -- 21 of which he has been the leader or co-leader. He is a leader for the Sierra Club International Outings and Northeast Outings Subcommittees and is certified in wilderness first aid. When he is not on Sierra Club trips, he plays a lot of baseball and is still waiting for his long-awaited major league call-up.

E-mail: richard@karengrayson.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
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• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
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