Belize holidays, tailormade

This peaceful country offers brilliant diving and fishing off immaculate Caribbean islands sheltered by the second longest coral reef in the world. Pristine rainforests cover much of its land hiding previously undiscovered Maya ruins, many dating back as far as the fourth century - some still unexcavated.

An exciting range of accommodation mean visitors can stay in charming jungle lodges, country cottages, rain-forest research stations or beach cabanas. All trips are tailormade to encompass the exciting range of activities and areas that Belize has to offer.

Belize City with its old colonial charm acts as a good base to see surrounding sights, which include Belize Zoo, Altun Ha (Maya ruins), Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the Community Baboon Sanctuary. Northwest of Belize is Orange Walk District the home of Chan Chich - a jungle lodge built in the middle of an ancient Maya plaza and 250,000 acres of rainforest. It's a favored resort for archaeology buffs, birdwatchers, naturalists and horseback riders. The lodge offers an adventurer's ambience with a jungle location and rustic architecture.

Nearby is the Rio Bravo Conservation Area. A stay in cabanas or dormitory style accommodation gives you a chance to experience life in the heart of the rainforest. Guided walks and demonstrations are available and all profits are ploughed back into conservation. The Cayo District attracts those who are interested in trekking, canoe rides, horseback trips to hidden waterfalls and quiet safaris in search of animals and flamboyant bird life. Accommodation is available in cottage resorts such as Pooks Hill, Chaa Creek and Blancaneaux Lodge. San Ignacio is a good base to see the nearby sights of Xunantunich Maya ruins, Mountain Pine Ridge, Macal River, Guanacaste Park and Tikal in Guatemala.

At Lighthouse Reef and Half Moon Caye you will find some of the best diving in Belize, the Blue Hole being the most famous. Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, now a national park, is home to many birds, most importantly the red-footed booby, as well as iguanas and loggerhead and hawksbill turtles. There is luxury accommodation on Lighthouse Reef, perfect for those who want isolation away from the crowds.

Dangriga is home to the wonderful Warribaggabagga Dancers and The Turtle Shell Band and attracts divers due to its proximity to the sea. Nearby is Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve, which bustles with wildlife including margay, ocelot, puma, jaguarundi, tapir, deer, paca and hundreds of bird species. Placencia is relaxed and it's easy to do nothing but stretch out on sandy beaches. Activities however do include sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or photographing the rich wildlife in the region. Treks can be made to the Maya mountains, the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve or the Monkey River to see the manatees.Toledo District attracts those who enjoy exploring in 4-wheel drive vehicles and visiting some of the lesser-known archaeological sites. Fallen Stones Lodge is an excellent place to stay off the beaten track.Ambergris Caye has the best variety of accommodation, restaurants and entertainment. It is considered the most developed and successful tourism area of Belize. In contrast St George's Caye is quiet and uncommercialised with accommodation in small cottages. It is a great spot for anyone who wants the quiet, simple pleasures of sky, sea and charming surroundings.

All our trips are tailor made and can encompass a range of activities and areas, the itinerary below is just one example of what you can do in Belize. Contact us for full details.

(Please note we are a UK based company and are only able to help with flight arrangements from the UK.) The dry season is from November to the end of April. May can often be a good time to go as it is the end of the season and much quieter but it is very hot and humid. The rainy season starts at the beginning of June through to October. It does not rain all day but often clouds over at lunchtime and there are downpours in the afternoon. There is a risk of hurricane during August, September and October in the Caribbean and the Caribbean coasts of Central America.

With poverty and lack of education, environmental problems in the third world tend to take second place to filling stomachs and improving deficient health care and education systems. For this reason, buses and lorries still belch black fumes, and locals still throw their rubbish wherever they see fit. Nevertheless things are slowly changing, and tourism is a strong influence in this change. Visitors do not like to see litter all over the place, so people living in and around tourist destinations are beginning to get the message.

One good thing about tourism is that it is uncentralised. Few visitors to Central America stay in the capital cities, hence spending more currency in the provinces and outlying areas. This gives work with good salaries to people who without this may spend their lives as subsistence farmers. It also encourages people outside the capital to make sure their children get an education. You don't need to read in order to till a field, but you do if you are to be involved in tourism.

We always try to use locally owned hotels and local guides at each destination. In this itinerary we draw special attention to Chaa Creek - an award winning eco-lodge situated in the Cayo district of Belize. They believe that by stimulating interest in the environment, natural history and local culture they can demonstrate the long-term benefits of eco-tourism over other environmentally damaging options for development. The goal of Chaa Creek is to establish a model of low impact, sustainable development.

Another way we try to help in Central America is by supporting various charities there. In Belize we have purchased acres of rainforest for protection through Programme for Belize and regularly take orphans and children who have been abandoned or abused on trips to the rainforest in conjunction with Chaa Creek.