Overview
Experience Belize’s natural wonders with your students! With its diverse population and rich wildlife, Belize is a treasure trove of culture and ecology. Visit ancient Mayan ruins, explore river caves in Cayo, canoe along Barton Creek, and take a canopy tour through the tropical jungle. Discover the Belize Zoo and visit a local school.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Belize City
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Day 2
Lamanai Maya ruins excursion
Cruise by boat along the New River Lagoon through lush jungle alive with birds, iguanas, and crocodiles. Arrive at the ancient Maya city of Lamanai for a guided exploration of its temples and plazas. Climb the High Temple for sweeping views, visit the Mask and Jaguar Temples, and experience how history and nature intertwine in this remarkable rainforest setting.
Day 3
Travel to San Ignacio
Nestled among forests and rivers, San Ignacio was once a stronghold of Mayan resistance against Spanish rule. In 1641, Mayan priests famously mocked the Catholic Mass to provoke missionaries. Later, the city welcomed British loggers who defied Spanish authority. Today, San Ignacio retains its independent spirit and laidback charm.
Canopy zipline & cave tubing excursion
Float through sacred Mayan caves on an inner tube, admiring stunning rock formations and ancient artifacts as you drift along underground rivers. Then, soar through the rainforest canopy on bridges and cables surrounded by vibrant wildlife. For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply.
Day 4
Xunantunich Ruins guided visit
Explore six plazas and more than 26 temples and palaces in this ancient Mayan city. Stand at the steps of El Castillo, the largest pyramid and second tallest structure in Belize, and see if you can spot the legendary “stone woman” with fiery red eyes who is said to haunt the site. Climb to the top of the village for a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can even see the border between Belize and Guatemala.
Barton Creek Cave canoeing
Day 5
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center visit
Explore this 29-acre zoo for a chance to see native Belizean animals such as jaguars, ocelots, iguanas, and more. Learn about the zoo’s mission to raise awareness and share knowledge about Belize’s wildlife as you visit each animal in its natural habitat.
LEAP Belize School Visit
Visit a Belizean school to meet local students and see the differences between schools there and schools at home.
Fly to Ambergris Caye
Day 6
Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Alley snorkeling tour
The Reserve cuts through the coral reef and extends to the mangrove forest along the shore, offering a unique cross-section of three ocean habitats. The mangroves act as nurseries for young fish, the seagrass between the trees and the ocean provides food, and the coral reef is home to a wide variety of sea creatures. In Shark Alley, friendly rays and nurse sharks glide through the clear water.
Secret Beach visit
Visit one of the most stunning private beaches in Belize and enjoy some relaxing free time. This beach is regularly cleaned and located on the west coast of Ambergris Caye, an area not affected by sargassum seaweed.
Day 7
Free time in the morning to explore
Fly to Belize City
Day 8
End tour
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.