Belize active adventure tour

Environment

We compost all organics, and continually strive to reuse, recycle and reduce waste working within the limitations of the country. We believe in keeping our beaches and forests as pristine as possible and therefore leave a destination as we find it, keeping areas free from rubbish and pollution.

We use biodegradable sanitation products (soaps) in our camp, which is key to maintaining a healthy reef system.

The Marine Park Basecamp at Glover’s Reef is a low impact facility designed to be comfortable, but to have a minimum impact to this tropical island. It is powered by solar and wind generated electricity and sources its water from rain catchments.

We use ‘human-powered’ means of transport where were can, including kayaking, snorkeling and Stand Up Paddle boarding to get around and explore the islands, whether it be on the river or out on the sea. Inland transfers are made using smaller modern diesel powered vans.

We are mindful of the need to financially support wildlife and habitat conservation, education and sustainable development in the communities we visit.
Included in this is our continual support and funding for Belize Zoo. We actively support the Belize Zoo and its conservation initiatives. We built the tent cabanas and facilities at the Zoo’s Tropical Education Centre (TEC), and revenue generated from guests stays fund the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

Community

Our philosophy is to support local communities and work in partnership with local and international organizations. Many of our trips are operated in association with, and help to fund the work of the Belize Zoo and the Belize Audubon Society, CONANP and village co-operatives in Mexico. We help sustain the Belizean communities and the environments in which we operate our trips.

We employ local people and use locally-owned lodges and businesses. Participants engage with the local cultures throughout the trip through our local guides and meeting families in remote villages and learn about their culture and taste some of their traditional dishes. The trip is guided by Mayan or Mestiso guides, who are then able to provide participants with a ‘local’s’ insight to theses culturally different parts of Belize.

We employ 30-35 Belizeans as management/staff, and provide comprehensive training at the start of each season. We provide long-term local employment, and offer an incentive to Belizean staff in their third year of employment- proving funds to cover the cost of high school education for their children.

Our trip showcases Belize’s rich cultural and diversity, including visits to its ancient Mayan ruins and caves. We buy local products and take guests to local shops, markets and cultural attractions. IE trips focus on efforts and resources on education initiatives. Aimed at teaching and encouraging Belizean youth to remain at school, education scholarships are provided to children of employees with 3 or more years of service.

Touring guests visiting small village communities we support are encouraged to bring stationary, school supplies and other education-related donations which are provided to village schools.

We work closely and respectfully with local communities to ensure that tourism has a positive impact on the people and their cultures. We provide economic benefit to the off-the-beaten-path locations that we visit, which may not yet be receiving the benefit of tourism dollars. We support basic education and local schools by providing funds, supplies, computers and solar power to the jungle villages that we visit. We employ local people from the villages and use local Mayan guides to lead the trips through this area.