June 29: Airport Hotel

If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, one of your leaders will meet you at the hotel and stay overnight with the group. We will send you an email one week prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation and instructions on how to meet your leader. 

June 30: Departure Day, Miami to Belize City

For all travel details, please see the Travel Information document under the Essential Information tab in your digital locker.

June 30 – July 2: Lamanai

Lamanai Outpost Lodge, located deep in the jungle near an ancient Maya city, is the perfect jumping off point for studying Belizean wilderness. Join naturalist guides on various excursions in this remote environment, from a canoe paddle to a night walk. During the day, scout for troupes of howler monkeys, the loudest land animal in the world. As you canoe in the lagoon at sunrise and sunset, keep an eye out for otters and parrots. Learn about a wide variety of birds; over 500 bird species have been recorded in Belize. After dark, search for the endangered Morelet crocodile, bats, frogs, and tarantulas. Visit the Lamanai Maya archeological site that dates back 3,000 years and was once one of the largest cities of the Maya civilization. Over 700 structures are hidden in the jungle, including temples, ball courts, and residences. Spend an afternoon in a Maya community. Gain an understanding of the medicinal qualities of plants from a community member. Learn about their customs and beliefs while you stop by the local school and church, and enjoy a farm-fresh lunch with your hosts. 

July 3 & 4: Monkey Bay

Travel to Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for more encounters with tropical wildlife and inspiration from the individuals working there. The sanctuary was founded by an American Peace Corps volunteer and a cattle rancher who decided that his land was better suited for a wildlife educational center than a cattle ranch. At Monkey Bay, canoe along the Sibun River and learn about local flora and fauna from expert guides. Then, visit nearby conservation groups and learn about local individuals’ efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect endangered and threatened species. Work with professional conservationists in the field monitoring parrot nests. With over 500 species of birds in Belize, Monkey Bay is the perfect place to learn e-birding and identifying migratory species that play a crucial role in the dense tree savannah and beyond. 

July 5 – 8: Tobacco Caye

Take a water taxi to Tobacco Caye, a tiny island located 30 minutes from the mainland city of Dangriga. Spend the last portion of your program learning from scientists and experts at the Tobacco Caye Marine Station (TCMS). After a water safety orientation, spend your first day snorkeling in sea grass, mangrove, and coral reef habitats. Belize’s barrier reef is the longest in the Western Hemisphere and is home to countless marine animals, from eagle rays to sea turtles to over 150 species of tropical fish. Participate in a reef clean-up, and participate in upcycling projects turning plastic into usable bricks. Even though Belize recently banned single-use plastic, plastic remains a top polluter, and TCMS scientists and volunteers collected over 1000 pounds of trash in 2019. Get to know nocturnal species during a night snorkel, and look for octopus, squid, and bioluminescence. Experienced associate professor at Rosemont College, global conservation biologist and Smithsonian Student Travel Expert, Dr. Neeti Bathala, will join you for several days during your stay on Tobacco Caye. 

July 9 – 13: Macal River

Travel to an eco-lodge perched above the Macal River for further exploration of the mainland. Swim, canoe, or tube in the river. Hike through the rainforest and learn about the medicinal qualities of various plant species from your guides. Take a guided horseback ride to nearby Flour Camp Cave, and listen to stories about Maya culture while observing ancient structures and artifacts. Hike through the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Established in 1944, this reserve protects the native Belizean pine forests and covers over 100,000 acres of land. 

July 14: Return Day, Belize City to Miami

For all travel details, please see the Travel Information document under the Essential Information tab in your digital locker. 

July 14: Airport Hotel

One of your leaders will stay overnight with the group. If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, we will send you an email one week prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation.