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There are some people with an unquenchable thirst for adventure – and for those people, nature made Belize. Home to an expansive coastline, the world’s second largest barrier reef, and a jungle rich with exotic wildlife and hidden Maya temples and pyramids, there’s nowhere else on the world quite like it. Chabil Mar partners with only the best guides in the country to provide one of a kind experiences tailored to a range of tastes.

Here are ten of the best tours available.

1. Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

There’s a reason why the Mayas thought the ATM cave offered access to the underworld. Widely regarded as the best-sacred cave in the world, the ATM Cave demands adventurers who aren’t afraid to trudge through overgrown forests and swim through an underground river. The reward is one of the most sobering and well-preserved sites of human sacrifice in the world.

2. Xunantunich Maya Ruins

Xunantunich, or “Sculpture of Lady”, was once one of the largest cities in the Mayan Empire, and some say it’s still haunted by the ghost of a woman with fiery eyes and a white dress. But if you’re willing to brave the excursion and make a climb to the top, you’ll be treated to some of the most breathtaking views of Belize around.

3. Scuba or Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

The whale sharks that populate Belize’s barrier reef are a far cry from Jaws. These gentle giants are a sight to behold, but they’re just a fraction of the beautiful underwater world you’ll experience when you book a scuba or snorkeling excursion.

4. Explore Laughing Bird or Silk Cayes

These twin islands are some of the best spots in the country for snorkeling or diving, and they’re also a testament to Belize’s commitment to ecological preservation. Silk Cayes is home to a number of preserved species that you won’t find anywhere else, and it’s one of the friendliest adventure destinations for families.

5. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Speaking of preservation, Cockscomb is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Central America. It’s also the number one site in the world if you’re looking to meet jaguars in their natural habitat. The trail system is eminently walkable and provides access to some truly gorgeous waterfalls.

6. Monkey River Tour

Just as Cockscomb is known for their jaguar population, Monkey River is regarded for their thriving population of howler monkeys. This trip allows you to explore on the water and on foot. Even if you don’t catch a glimpse of the monkeys themselves, you’d be hard pressed to miss their signature calls.

7. Zip Lining in the Jungle

Looking for a more immediate adrenaline rush? Zip lining is one of the best options around. The boldest adventurers can start with the 2,300 foot single run, but there are over 12 platforms to try in the Belize jungle, totaling an impressive 2.5 miles in length.

8. Tikal Maya Ruins in Guatemala

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is more than just a crumbling edifice of stone. It’s a remarkably intact vision of one of the most thriving city centers in the Mayan empire. While the five temples are a highlight of Tikal Maya Ruins, there are plenty of squares and palaces to venture into as well.

9. Barton Creek Cave

Belize is a country known for its systems of caves, but Barton Creek Cave is a cut above the rest. It’s second only to ATM in terms of fame. Barton Creek Cave was once an important sacred site for the Mayas, and many of the artifacts of the time are still in place within this cave.

10. St Hermans Blue Hole and National Park

St. Herman’s Cave offers direct access to the Blue Hole – one of the clearest and most refreshing pools for swimming you’ll find anywhere. But the park is also home to the sacred Crystal Cave. This landmark is known for its otherwordly, glimmering crystalline structures.

If you want to go on an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life, don’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Book a Belize vacation package with Chabil Mar today.

Although it’s mostly a technicality, Doyle’s Delight in the Toledo District is the highest point in Belize. Measuring some 3,687 feet (1,124 meters) high, Doyle’s Delight is a peak in the Maya Mountain range that span much of Belize.

Because Doyle’s Delight is just a spur that is slightly higher than the surrounding mountain range rather than a true peak, it had no official name for most of Belize’s history. The current name was coined by the legendary animal rights activist and founder of the Belize Zoo Sharon Matola in 1989. Referencing a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (the author of the Sherlock Holmes books) book “The Lost World” that refers to Belize as a “wild and wonderful country,” Matola named the area Doyle’s Delight.

Although recent scientific measurements have revealed that it is actually eight feet (two and a half meters) shorter, Victoria’s Peak was long considered the highest point in Belize. Victoria’s Peak is a National Monument located in the eastern part of the Maya Mountains inside of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Hiking to Doyle’s Delight is relatively easy due to the shallow slope of that part of the Maya Mountains, but reaching Victoria’s Peak requires difficult hiking, and for much of the year, the trail is impassable. For hikers interested in visiting Doyle’s Delight, there is a small survey marker placed at the point by the British military in 1970.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) is an enormous protected conservation area in southern Belize and the world’s very first jaguar preserve. More than 200 jaguars roam the 150-square mile (400-square km) CBWS, although they are nocturnal creatures rarely seen by visitors. Most people visit the CBWS in order to enjoy the fantastically diverse environment which includes gorgeous tropical flowers, hundreds of bird species, and exotic wildlife, including monkeys and all five of Belize’s big cat species. The CWBS is also home to several lovely waterfalls, deep pools, river rapids, and an unexcavated ancient Maya site that was abandoned more than 1,000 years ago.

If you’d like to attempt to visit Victoria’s Peak or simply admire the view from the surrounding mountains and valleys inside the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the best place to stay is Chabil Mar. Located on the stunning shores of the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize, Chabil Mar is a luxury beachfront resort with lovely villas, a tropical garden, two infinity swimming pools, and a gourmet restaurant and bar.

For more information about Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Modern-day Belize is divided into six districts, and Toledo is the southernmost district. Located in the southeast of the country along its border with Guatemala, Toledo District is home to some of the most pristine sections of rainforest, a bevy of offshore islands that few tourists visit, and several traditional Maya villages which have changed little over the past 2,000 years.

The capital of Toledo District is Punta Gorda, often abbreviated simply as PG by locals. Despite it’s Spanish-language name, Punta Gorda is now primarily inhabited by the Garifuna people, a unique Afro-Caribbean culture that was recognized by the United Nations in 2001 for their music, language, food, and dance.

Located so far south of Belize City, the main entry port for most visitors to Belize, Toledo District is still treated as being far off the modern path. But the recent upgrade to the Southern Highway now makes it quite simple to drive entirely along modern, paved roadways from Dangriga. Punta Gorda is home to both an annual chocolate festival where chocolatiers and cocoa farmers from around Toledo come to show off their wares and the Battle of the Drums that sees Garifuna and Creole drum corps face off during a grueling and yet exhilarating all-night competition.

Outside of Punta Gorda, attractions include some of the finest ancient Maya sites in the country, Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun. Nim Li Punit means “Big Hat” in the local Mayan dialect because the site has several large engravings of ancient Maya rulers, including one chieftain shown in a large headdress or hat. Lubaantun is another ancient Maya site but one that has puzzled archeologists because it was constructed in a far different style than other Maya cities in the region. Instead of mortar, all of the buildings in Lubaantun are made of perfectly sized stone blocks made from slate rather than the more typical limestone.

Besides cultural visits to local villages, other exciting things to do in Toledo District include visiting one of the many waterfalls that dot the landscape. Several of the rivers in Toledo District are also eminently suitable for activities like canoeing and rafting.

Travelers interested in exploring the beauty and wonders of Toledo District can stay at the award-winning Chabil Mar Resort. Located just steps from the beach on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize, Chabil Mar is a full-service luxury resort with elegant villas, a lush tropical garden, and two freshwater infinity pools.

For more information about Belize and the Toledo District, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

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