Belize Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling and Rafting Adventure

Want to kayak to a secluded island, snorkel one of the world’s best coral reefs, hike through the jungle to ancient ruins and raft through an underwater world? Keep reading. Belize’s untouched rainforests, perfectly preserved archeological sites and 185 miles of spectacular coral reef dotted with more than 200 cayes (islands) make it one of the world’s leading ecotourism destinations. The Belize: Paddling a Blue Water Paradise trip with O.A.R.S will take you deep in the Maya Mountains, out to Billy Hawk Caye, the ultimate desert island, snorkeling among the Belize Barrier Reef, and rafting down the Caves Branch River before entering the evocative underworld of the ancient Maya with only headlamps to light your way. This week-long adventure is perfect for active travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs, or outdoor lovers who want to take in the most remarkable natural and cultural jewels the Caribbean has to offer.

Belize: Ecotourism Leader

A world leader in environmentally conscious tourism, Belize has dedicated 40 percent of its land mass to natural reserves, parks and wildlife preserves. Wildlife and plants are the stars of the country, and Belize’s thoughtful government recognized early on that low-impact tourism was the way to grow, while still safeguarding the environment. Similarly, many hotels, lodges and guest houses have committed to sustainable tourism and are dedicated to providing travelers with comfortable, low-impact accommodations and amenities. Because of Belize’s insight and careful growth, visitors today can be awed by more than 4,000 species of flowering plants, including 700 species of trees, see rare endangered species such as puma, ocelot, margay, tapi otter and scarlet macaw, as well as revel in the beauty of the unexploited Barrier Reef.

Birds Rule in Belize

With a good chunk of the country being protected, it’s no wonder the wildlife viewing is spectacular. But with some 600 bird species, it’s clear that birds rule in Belize. Among some of the most spectacular species, are the highly endangered and rare to see scarlet macaw, as well as the jabiru stork, the largest flying bird in the in the Americas with its impressive 5-foot-tall stance and up to 12-foot wingspan. The jabiru are most easily spotted in April and May in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area with impressive wetlands where O.A.R.S. travelers will find themselves at the tail end of their adventure. Widely found around the country, visitors can also be on the lookout for Belize’s national bird, the keel-billed toucan with its identifying yellow face, colorful hummingbirds, kingfishers, motmots, parrots, woodpeckers, tinamous, tanagers and trogons. Many interesting bird species also make the cayes their home. Over a hundred species occur on the Caye Caulker alone, including rare birds like the black catbird, white-crowned pigeon and rufus-necked rail.

Archeological Attractions

The prime cultural attraction in Belize is its wealth of Mayan archaeological sites dating back to as early as 2000 BC when the ancient empire spread over the Yucatan Peninsula. Estimated at 600 sites, some buried deep in the jungle and others found in caves, Belize’s Mayan treasures include buildings and monuments that have been restored, pyramids, temples, ball courts, plazas, carvings and other artifacts, as well as skeletons. Perhaps one of the most intriguing archeological sites can be found on the New River Lagoon in the ancient city of Lamanai. Surrounded by pristine rainforest, remote Lamanai was continuously occupied for more than 3000 years, from 1500 B.C. until 1600 A.D. Excavated beginning in 1974, its spectacular ruins illuminate a period of history that encompasses the early formative years of Mayan civilization through to initial European contact and colonization. With structures ranging from pre-classic temples to the Spanish colonial era, jungle trails, refreshing swimming holes and an excellent on-site museum, Lamanai is worth the visit.