Belize  Explorer 9 Day Belize Jungle and Reefs Adventure Other Costa Rica Tours:  C.R Fantasy | Naturally C.R. | C.R. Highlights | C.R. 12 Day | C.R 10 Day |  Build Your Own C.R. Tour | Listing of Costa Rica Tours Day 1  Upon our arrival, we leave the city far behind us and go directly to San Ignacio, where we relax at our riverside hotel after a long day of travel. Overnight: Overnight: San Ignacio, Cayo District Day 2  We begin our exploration of Belize and the Mundo Maya with a journey to Caracol, a city in the process of being re from the jungle. It's estimated that 180,000 or more people lived in this area at the city-state's peak around 700A.D. Over 35,000 buildings have been identified with the loftiest pyramid reaching 139 feet, Belize's tallest building. On the way back to town, visit the Rio Frio Cave and its incredible mosses and stalactites. The cave has an enormous arched entryway and is the largest river cave in Belize. Then, take a late afternoon dip in a refreshing pool under a hidden waterfall. Overnight: San Ignacio, Cayo District Day 3  Pass through the traditional Mennonite village of Upper Barton Creek on our way to the Barton Creek Cave. The Mennonites came to Belize in 1958 and live traditional farming lives without many modern amenities. Canoe through Barton Creek within a cave system where at times the cave roof is only a few feet above our heads! Drive through the country’s capital city of Belmopan on our way to a modern Mayan city. Spend the evening in dialogue with prominent members of Maya Center and compare this vibrant, growing community to the ancient Mayan city of Caracol visited yesterday. Overnight: Maya Center Day 4  After a morning visit to the local school for a brief exchange, hike in the rainforests of the nearby Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. The reserve was declared a jaguar reserve in 1986 and has one of the healthiest populations of wild cats left in Central America- though they are still rare to spot. After a two-hour hike through secondary forest, we take a short tubing trip down a crystal clear river and end the excursion with a visit to a beautiful waterfall. Bid farewell to our Maya Center hosts as we depart for the coast. From Dangriga we catch a boat that will take us to the tiny island of Tobacco Caye- an island so small we can watch the sun rise and set. Overnight: Tobacco Caye Day 5  The morning is spent snorkeling on the amazing coral reefs off of the beach. The amount of marine life is incredible! After lunch we will go by boat to the offshore patch reefs and spend a couple of hours fishing for our evening’s feast. Overnight: Tobacco Caye Day 6  Our day will be spent exploring the surrounding mangrove ecosystem, visiting nearby islands and enjoying remote island life. Overnight: Tobacco Caye Day 7  Our next day on the beach begins with a boat ride along the jungle-clad coast to the mouth of the Monkey River. This area is teeming with howler monkeys, toucans and a number of species of wading birds. We will explore the surrounding jungle both by boat and by foot. The variety of wildlife is astounding! We spend the night in the small village of Monkey River and get a feel for the rhythms of a small rural community. A night boat trip down the river is optional. Overnight: Monkey River Day 8  After breakfast, transfer by boat to our resort near the larger town of Placencia. Explore the mangrove-lined lagoon and its many tributaries by kayak hoping to spot manatees in this intricate labyrinth of small waterways. In the afternoon, join a group of local children for a beach clean-up project that will give something back to this country that has given us so much. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in town. Day 9  Return to Belize City and board the plane filled with unforgettable memories of our Belizean adventure.     Prices will vary with group size and departure dates US$1659.00  + airfare, insurance and air taxes