Belize Reef & Ruins — Self-Launched
12 days · Belize & Guatemala
Exodus charges £2,600
No-markup version: ~£1,180 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Exodus's 12-day Belize Reef & Ruins tour: Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, the Maya temples of Lamanai, Caves Branch cave tubing, San Ignacio and Mountain Pine Ridge, the Guatemala border crossing to Tikal, and island time on Caye Caulker with Hol Chan snorkelling. Everything the guided group does, but booked yourself using public buses, shared shuttles and water taxis — at roughly a third of the price.
Day-by-day
Belize City to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
Crooked Tree, Belize
Land at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) and take a taxi or the local bus north to Crooked Tree village — about 50 minutes from Belize City. Crooked Tree is a small Creole village on a lagoon inside the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, named for the crooked cashew trees. Check into a guesthouse or lodge on the lagoon, then head out for a cold Belikin beer and a plate of rice and beans while the birds come in to roost. Book your Lamanai boat tour and any lagoon trips for the next days directly with your lodge on arrival, or via GetYourGuide in advance.
🚌Taxi from BZE airport to Crooked Tree ~£30 per car, or chicken bus from Belize City ~£2
🛏Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar lagoon guesthouse (approx. £40/night double, £20pp)
- →Local bus or taxi from Belize City to Crooked Tree
- →Settle into a lagoon-side guesthouse
- →Sunset birdwatching from the village causeway
Sanctuary hiking & sunset lagoon cruise
Crooked Tree, Belize
Wake early — the bird song here is genuinely the alarm clock. Walk the sanctuary trails on your own or with a local village guide (arrange the night before, ~£10-15pp) looking for jabiru storks, crocodiles, monkeys, otters and freshwater turtles; wetlands here support some 286 bird species. After lunch and a siesta, join a 3-hour sunset boat trip on the lagoon — book through your lodge or a village boatman for around £20-25pp, shared between a handful of guests. Migratory species peak December to May, but residents are around year-round.
🚌Walking; boat trip included in activity cost
🛏Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar lagoon guesthouse (£20pp)
- →Self-guided or local-guide sanctuary hike
- →Three-hour sunset lagoon boat trip
- →Wildlife spotting: crocodiles, monkeys, jabiru storks
Boat to the Maya temples of Lamanai
Lamanai, Belize
Take a boat up the New River to Lamanai ("Submerged Crocodile") — the largest Maya ceremonial site in the region, with more than 800 structures buried in jungle on the shore of the New River Lagoon. The boat ride itself is half the fun: spider monkeys, crocodiles and river birds the whole way. Climb the High Temple (33m) for the view over the lagoon and canopy. Most operators run this as a full-day trip from Orange Walk or Crooked Tree; a shared boat with other travellers keeps the cost around £45-55pp including entry and lunch.
🚌Shared river boat (part of the day tour)
🛏Bird's Eye View Lodge or similar lagoon guesthouse (£20pp)
- →New River boat cruise to Lamanai
- →Guided walk of Lamanai's temples and stelae
- →Climb the High Temple viewpoint
Howler monkeys & Caves Branch cave tubing, then San Ignacio
San Ignacio, Belize
Head west to San Ignacio today. Break the journey at the Community Baboon Sanctuary — a grassroots conservation project protecting around 4,000-5,000 black howler monkeys across 52sqkm (entrance ~£5, guides ~£10). You will hear them before you see them. Then continue to Caves Branch for cave tubing: grab a tube and float through a cave system the ancient Maya believed was Xibalba, the underworld (~£35-45pp booked direct or via GetYourGuide). Arrive San Ignacio in the late afternoon — a laid-back, multicultural town of Mestizo, Creole, Lebanese, Chinese and Mennonite families.
🚌Collectivo/shared van or local bus from Crooked Tree to San Ignacio via Belize City ~£8-10
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in San Ignacio (approx. £18-24pp)
- →Community Baboon Sanctuary howler monkey walk
- →Caves Branch River cave tubing
- →Evening wander around San Ignacio market and Burns Avenue
Mountain Pine Ridge & Maya coffee farm
San Ignacio / San Antonio, Belize
Hire a shared van or join a small-group day trip into Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve — Caribbean pine forest that looks nothing like the rest of Belize. Walk to the mouth of Rio Frio Cave (a 20m-tall entrance opening into a huge chamber) and swim at Rio on Pools, where mini waterfalls have carved granite into natural plunge pools. Lunch at Green Hills Butterfly Ranch to watch the full butterfly lifecycle plus a hummingbird feeding station. End the day with a Maya coffee experience at the Mesh family farm in San Antonio village — handpick-to-cup, and a decent brew at the end. Day trip with shared transport ~£45-60pp.
🚌Shared van day trip (included in activity cost)
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in San Ignacio (£18-24pp)
- →Rio Frio Cave walk
- →Swim at Rio on Pools
- →Green Hills Butterfly Ranch and hummingbird garden
- →Maya coffee farm tour and tasting
Free day in San Ignacio — ATM cave option
San Ignacio, Belize
Keep this day free and take the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave tour — the standout optional in the region. It starts with a swim into the cave mouth and ends at the Crystal Maiden, a calcified Maya skeleton that sparkles under torchlight. Numbered-entry permits mean you must book ahead (roughly £80-95pp with transport, guide, lunch and permits). Lighter alternatives: a chocolate-making tour in San Ignacio (~£20), a short walk up to the Cahal Pech ruins (~£5 entry), or the local market and Iguana Rescue Project.
🚌Tour transport included; walking around town
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in San Ignacio (£18-24pp)
- →ATM cave tour (book ahead, permits limited)
- →Alternative: Cahal Pech ruins walk or chocolate tour
Xunantunich, then cross into Guatemala
Tikal / Petén, Guatemala
Take a local bus or collectivo to San José Succotz and cross the hand-cranked ferry to Xunantunich — one of Belize's most important Maya sites, six plazas and 25-plus temples, with El Castillo rising 40m above the main plaza for a panorama over the Mopan River valley into Guatemala. Continue to the Benque Viejo / Melchor de Mencos border, then a shared shuttle or colectivo onward to Flores or directly to the Tikal area (roughly 1.5-2 hours). Check into a jungle lodge near the park gate; there's a small ceramics museum at Tikal worth an afternoon look.
🚌Local bus to Succotz ~£2; shared shuttle across border to Tikal ~£20-25; exit fee at Belize border ~£15
🛏Jungle lodge near Tikal (approx. £25-35pp)
- →Xunantunich ruins and El Castillo climb
- →Hand-cranked ferry crossing at Succotz
- →Border crossing into Guatemala
Sunrise Tikal and full guided tour
Tikal, Guatemala
Get up before dawn for the sunrise tour of Tikal — 52sqkm of classic Maya ruins wrapped in Petén jungle, and the jungle soundtrack at first light is unforgettable. Buy your entry at the gate (roughly £20 for a day ticket; sunrise entry is a separate permit). After breakfast back at the lodge, take a guided walk of the main temples, palaces, plazas, tombs and residences — around 3,000 separate buildings, and a population estimated at 90,000 at its peak. Keep eyes up for howler and spider monkeys, toucans, coatimundis, and tarantulas if you look in the right places. Guides gather at the gate or can be booked online for ~£25-35pp.
🚌Walking or lodge shuttle to park gate
🛏Jungle lodge near Tikal (£25-35pp)
- →Sunrise at Tikal (permit + ticket)
- →Guided tour of Temples I-VI, the Great Plaza and acropolis
- →Jungle wildlife spotting
Back to Belize — rum stop and Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker, Belize
Shuttle back across the border to Belize City, then swing by Travellers Liquors — home of One Barrel Rum — for their heritage centre tour, a look at the bottling line, and a tasting flight of Belizean rums and rum cocktails (around £10-15, book ahead). From the Belize City water taxi terminal, take the San Pedro Belize Express or Ocean Ferry across to Caye Caulker (about 45-60 minutes, ~£15-18 one way). Check into a seafront guesthouse, go straight to the Split for a swim, and find a beach bar for sunset.
🚌Shared shuttle from Tikal to Belize City ~£25; water taxi to Caye Caulker ~£16
🛏Beachfront guesthouse on Caye Caulker (approx. £30-40/night double, £15-20pp)
- →Travellers Liquors rum heritage centre and tasting
- →Water taxi to Caye Caulker
- →Sunset at the Split
Hol Chan Marine Reserve snorkelling
Caye Caulker / Ambergris Caye, Belize
Full-day snorkel trip to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve ("Little Channel") and Shark Ray Alley, a few minutes' boat ride south of Ambergris Caye. Hol Chan protects coral, sea grass and mangroves that shelter sea turtles, West Indian manatees, two dolphin species and an enormous number of reef fish, while nurse sharks and stingrays crowd Shark Ray Alley. Trips run from Caye Caulker docks for roughly £45-60pp including gear, park fee and lunch — book the afternoon before at any dive shop on Front Street, or reserve through GetYourGuide. Bring a waterproof camera.
🚌Snorkel boat from Caye Caulker (included)
🛏Beachfront guesthouse on Caye Caulker (£15-20pp)
- →Guided snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- →Shark Ray Alley with nurse sharks and stingrays
- →Marine park fee and gear hire
Free day on Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker, Belize
A slow day on the island. Swim off the Split, walk the sandy lanes, rent a kayak or paddleboard (many guesthouses include them, otherwise ~£8/hour), or head to Koko King beach club across the channel. If you want more water time, add a half-day manatee-watching or sunset sail for ~£30. Eat everything: fry jacks for breakfast, ceviche and grilled lobster if it's in season, and a cold drink watching the sun drop into the reef.
🚌Walking; optional bike hire ~£5/day
🛏Beachfront guesthouse on Caye Caulker (£15-20pp)
- →Kayaking or paddleboarding
- →Optional manatee-watch or sunset sail
- →Island walk and beach time
Water taxi to Belize City and depart
Belize City, Belize
Take the morning water taxi back to Belize City (~£16) and continue to Philip Goldson International Airport by taxi (~£25 per car, or a shared shuttle for ~£10pp). Flights home. If you have a late departure, the Museum of Belize and the Swing Bridge area make a decent couple of hours, and the water taxi terminal has left luggage.
🚌Water taxi ~£16; taxi or shared shuttle to BZE airport ~£10-25pp
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Water taxi to Belize City
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,180 | £2,600 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,420 per person (55%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,180
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Belize Reef & Ruins — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,180 per person for 12 days in Belize & Guatemala. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £2,600 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,180 — a saving of roughly £1,420 (55%) per person.
How long is the Belize & Guatemala trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Belize & Guatemala.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, wildlife trip through Belize & Guatemala, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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