Top Belize City Day Trips

Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Lamanai, one of the top sights in Belize. Cruise along the New River, spotting exotic wildlife as you make your way toward the awe-inspiring archaeological site. A short jungle hike will lead you to impressive temples, plazas, and stone carvings buried deep in Belize’s rainforest. Round-trip hotel transport and lunch by a tropical lagoon are included in this full-day tour.

Take a journey down the mystical New River Lagoon to discover more than 3,000 years of Belize’s Mayan history at the Lamanai ruins. Encounter exotic birds, crocodiles, turtles and howler monkeys on a river cruise as you venture deep into the jungle, where a powerful ancient civilization once thrived. Learn about the life and customs at the mighty Maya as you explore sacred temples and stone carvings, ceremonial plazas and a ball court on a guided tour of the archaeological site.

Explore Belize’s vibrant culture and fascinating history with a 5-hour private tour of Altun Ha and Belize City. Follow your guide through the ancient Maya city’s towering pyramids as you learn the story behind this important site, and see the precious jade artifacts excavated from royal tombs. Return to the recent past in Belize City, and pass by an historic swing bridge and stately British homes that are a remarkable contrast with the city’s colorful and bustling modern life. 

The atmospheric ruins of Xunantunich are some of the most-visited Mayan ruins in the world. During your stay in Belize, ensure you don’t miss the ancient archeological site on this 6-hour tour of Xunantunich, including cave tubing. Ideal for adventurous travelers, this excursion allows you to explore the Mayan ruins, hike through exotic rainforest, and ride an inflated inner tube down rivers running through darkened caverns. Entrance fees and round-trip transport from your Belize City hotel are included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.  

Learn about the ancient Maya civilization on a private day trip to Xunantunich, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Belize. Travel there with a personal guide for ease of navigation and save time researching the guidebooks. Climb to the top of El Castillo for views over the jungle and discover hieroglyphics of Maya beliefs inscripted in the stucco friezes. A barbecue lunch in town is provided.

Learn about 3,000-year-old Mayan civilization with a visit to Altun Ha, then go tubing in the Branch Rivera Caves during this 6-hour adventure from Belize City. At Altun Ha, walk through the two ancient plazas that once served as center of commerce for 10,000 Mayan residents trading jade and obsidian. With your adventure guide, hike 30 minutes to the entrance of the cave, then hop on an inner tube and float through the underground network of rivers. No experience is necessary; this activity is suitable for participants of all fitness levels. A traditional Belizean lunch with refreshments and round-trip transportation from centrally located Belize City hotels, the airport or the cruise port are included. 

Taking a journey into the Mayan underworld at Actun Tunichil Muknal, or the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will be one of the most enlightening, epic, and unique experiences of your life! Recently deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, the ATM cave is not only beautiful geologically, with its crystalline stalactites and stalagmites, but also historically, as is a natural museum of ancient Mayan artifacts, as well as a sacred burial place. This is the final resting place of the “Crystal Maiden”, an ancient Mayan ceremonial victim.

Strap on a headlamp for Belize’s most exhilarating caving adventure at Actun Tunichil Muknal, better known as the ATM Cave. Hidden deep in a natural reserve, the ancient cave system can only be explored with a guide, so let an expert lead you safely through narrow passageways, glittering chambers, and up steep ladders. Come within inches of ancient pottery and human remains, remnants of mysterious Mayan ceremonies held here more than a thousand years ago.

Discover a ruined Maya city and float through a series of flooded caves with a 6-hour private tour from Belize City to Altun Ha and the Caves Branch River. Explore broad plazas and towering pyramids as you visit the archeological site with your guide, and see the precious treasures excavated from the Temple of the Green Tomb. Hike through a lush forest to the Caves Branch River, then go tubing through soaring caverns as your headlight illuminates cave walls that glint with crystal formations and stalactites.

Discover what makes Lamanai one of Belize’s most impressive Mayan ruins on this full-day tour that takes you through an excavated ancient city that rises mysteriously out of the jungle. Look for native wildlife including birds and crocodiles on a river cruise to the archaeological site, where the ruins of the Jaguar and Mask Temples and ancient Mayan palaces beg exploration. See fascinating artifacts like clay pots and temple carvings at the on-site museum, and round out the day with a typical Belizean lunch at a restaurant.

Snorkel among the vibrant coral gardens of the world’s second-largest barrier reef on a day trip from Belize City. Cruise across the cool blue Caribbean to a spot with shallow depths and clear waters, ideal for admiring colorful sea fans, finger coral, and sponges teeming with fish. At a second stop, dive into waters churning with throngs of (harmless) nurse sharks and sting rays, and then reward your bravery with rum punch and a beach break on the laid-back island of Caye Caulker.

Travel to Jaguar Paw, a tropical oasis situated beside the Branch River. Hike about 30 minutes to the launch site; along the way your guide shares information about the medicinal plants along the jungle path, and how they were used by the ancient Mayas and still used by locals today. Enjoy a relaxing float through a fascinating underground cave system, followed by a delicious lunch of local foods and fresh juices.

Swim among sea turtles, sting rays, and tropical fish at one of Belize’s top snorkeling spots on this day trip from Belize City. Cruise across the turquoise Caribbean to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a protected channel in the Belizean barrier reef that draws countless sea creatures. After plenty of time in the water here and at a nearby turtle garden, soak up the laid-back vibes of Caye Caulker with free time to explore and grab lunch on the popular resort island.

Splash into one of Belize’s top dive spots on a snorkeling tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Swim among colorful coral reefs teeming with fish in this protected channel, and then feel the thrill of snorkeling among a throng of harmless nurse sharks and stingrays during a feeding frenzy. Relax with a rum punch back on board the boat, and spend some time exploring the laid-back island of Caye Caulker on this memorable voyage.

Channel your inner archaeologist while exploring Belize’s lush tropical landscapes and ancient history by land and by water. Look for wildlife such as howler monkeys and crocodiles on a cruise down the River Wallace, a historic trading channel. After this aquatic adventure, travel inland to the Altun Ha archaeological site for a guided tour of this once-mighty Mayan city, where you can climb stone pyramids for views over the surrounding rain forest.