Top 10 Belize Jungle Tours You Won’t Want to Miss 2024
There’s way more to Belize than Sun, Sand, and Turquoise Waters. Half of this incredible country is covered in lush rainforest, offering some of the most unforgettable Belize Jungle Tours you won’t want to miss!
After spending a week in the Belize jungle, hiking to hidden waterfalls, climbing ancient Mayan ruins, and exploring mysterious caves, I’ve gathered my top picks to help you plan the perfect itinerary.
In this guide, you’ll find the top 10 Belize Jungle Tours that promise pure adventure. Whether you’re zip-lining through the canopy like Tarzan or visiting the Mayan underworld, I’ve got all the insider tips and tricks you’ll need.
By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which tours will make your jungle adventure one for the books.
Let’s get planning
Top 10 Belize Jungle Tours You Won’t Want to Miss
These 10 Belize Jungle Tours are packed with all the excitement you crave. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline-pumping excitement or a deeper understanding of Belizean culture, these tours will have you wanting more.
Let’s get into the wild heart of Belize!
1. Waterfall Rappelling
Waterfall rappelling in Belize is your top pick if you want to get an adrenaline rush.
You’ll climb up the side of a roaring waterfall, fully geared up, surrounded by dense jungle. This full-day tour takes you deep into the Belizean rainforest, where you’ll hike through lush trails, explore a cave system, and then tackle seven cascading waterfalls.
With professional guides leading the way, even beginners can take on this challenge.
Reaching the top and looking out over the jungle is an exhilarating reward, making this one of the most unforgettable tours in Belize.
2. Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)
You simply can’t miss out on this extraordinary adventure.
This tour takes you into the ancient Maya underworld, where you’ll hike, swim, and wade through a cave filled with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient artifacts. The highlight is the crystallized remains of the “Crystal Maiden,” an ancient Maya sacrificial victim.
What makes the ATM Cave tour so cool is its mix of adventure and very interesting cultural history. National Geographic has hailed it as the most Sacred Cave in the world.
The only way to explore the ATM cave is with an expert guide.
Fair warning, though, this tour is not for the faint of heart. Navigating through certain spots can be intense!
3. Cave Tubing
Cave tubing is not only really fun, but it’s also a great way to cool off from the jungle heat.
This tour combines a relaxing float down a crystal-clear river with a touch of adventure as you float through underground caves. The Maya once believed these caves to be the entrance to the underworld.
With gentle rapids and neat limestone formations, this tour offers a unique way to explore Belize’s natural and cultural history.
It’s a laid-back and fun experience that you won’t want to miss.
4. Caracol Mayan Ruins
Out of all the ruins in Belize, Caracol is a must-visit, and it’s my personal favorite.
Caracol is the largest and most impressive Mayan site in Belize, with over 35,000 structures.
With a guide by your side, telling you all the history, it’s like stepping back in time. You’ll wander through ancient plazas, towering temples, and palaces that rival even Tikal in Guatemala.
Despite its size, Caracol is much quieter than other Maya sites because of its remote location, which is why it’s my top pick.
Trust me, putting in the extra effort to discover this hidden gem is totally worth it!
This full-day adventure doesn’t end with the ruins. You’ll also get to choose between swimming at the nearby Rio On Pools or Big Rock Falls. P.S. If it were me, I would choose Big Rock Falls!
It’s the perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure, making this one of the top Belize jungle tours you won’t want to miss.
5. Day Trip to Tikal, Guatemala
If you’re anything like me, you’d love to add another stamp to your passport.
Tikal National Park, is just a hop, skip, and jump away from the Belize border, making it a perfect day trip. The best part is that your guide will take care of all the details, so you can just enjoy the experience without any hassle.
As one of the largest and most significant Mayan sites in Central America, Tikal is believed to be the ancient empire’s capital and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s a very popular tour from Belize, but despite its popularity, the area is so vast and surrounded by dense jungle that it never feels overcrowded.
Trust me, crossing the border for this incredible experience is something you won’t regret.
6. Zip-lining through the Rainforest
Flying through the jungle treetops is a must when you visit San Ignacio.
I’m a huge fan of this tour. It’s such a rush and Belize has some of the best courses out there.
If you’ve never tried zip lining before, it might seem a bit scary at first. But trust me, it’s
like riding a rollercoaster—terrifying at first, but once you finish, you’ll be itching to clip
into the next zip line and zoom off again!
What makes this tour even better is that it’s often paired with cave tubing, giving you the best of both worlds.
After an exciting zip-lining session, you can cool off and relax by floating down a crystal-clear river through a cool cave system.
Definitely a tour to consider doing on your trip to Belize.
7. Jungle Pontoon Waterfall Adventure Tour
If you’re wanting an adventure off the beaten path, a jungle pontoon waterfall
adventure tour is just what you need.
From researching loads of reviews, this tour always steals the show as the highlight of
people’s trips. I can’t wait to go back and check this one off the list!
Sure, the journey there might be a bit long and bumpy, but rumor has it the guides are a riot, making every bump totally worth it.
You’ll get to visit three of Belize’s hidden waterfalls and swim and cliff jump at these sites.
8. Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve & Big Rock Falls
This tour is one of my favorite memories of my trip to Belize.
You’ll tour the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and stop at stunning spots like the Rio Frio Cave and the Rio On Pools, where you can slide down slick rocks and enjoy the natural swimming holes.
The highlight of the day for me was Big Rock Falls, a 150-foot waterfall with clear pools to swim in below. The misty spray from the falls provided a nice cool down after a day of hiking and exploring.
Whether you’re swimming, keeping an eye out for the elusive jaguar, or simply soaking up the beauty of the jungle, this tour truly is one of Belize’s best.
9. Horseback Ride through The Belizean Jungle
Being a horse girl myself, I loved these tours!
You’ll get to see the Belize jungle from horseback and possibly see wildlife like never before. Because animals are less afraid of a four-footed beast coming down the trail than a two-legged one.
Here are two of the best horseback riding tours from San Ignacio:
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour: You’ll get to explore the ancient maya ruins from horseback and climb the El Castillo Pyramid. No horseback riding experience is needed, but be ready for a 4-5 hour tour. Of course not all that time will be in the saddle.
Minanha Forgotten Jungle City: Just the name alone sparks curiosity! You’ll have a full-day adventure through the Maya mountains and uncover hidden caves, ceremonial temples, and burial chambers. Expect to spend a lot of time in the saddle on this tour and riding through some rugged terrain. This tour is best for experienced riders.
10. Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
The Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are the closest archaeological site to Belize’s adventure hub, San Ignacio.
You’ll start the excursion by crossing the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry, which is really unique and fun to see.
Xunantunich has over 25 Maya temples and palaces, and the biggest pyramid is called El Castillo. With four sets of stairs, you can climb to the top and look out over the entire Belize jungle and even get a glimpse of Guatemala.
Your guide will unravel the Mayan history and culture with fun stories.
It’s a must-visit site for anyone exploring Belize.
Where To Stay for Your Belize Jungle Tours
When planning, the best place to stay for your Belize jungle tours, San Ignacio, just two hours from Belize City in Western Belize, is the place.
San Ignacio is known as the adventure hub of the country, making it easy to access all the top activities, like Mayan ruins and cave tubing, and even a day trip to Tikal.
The town has a vibrant vibe, with a good mix of local culture and adventure.
When it comes to where to stay, you can pick from hotels, eco-lodges, and luxurious jungle resorts. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay or something more luxurious, San Ignacio has some pretty awesome accommodations.
Here are my top three recommendations for where to stay:
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
San Ignacio Resort Hotel is right in the center of San Ignacio, so it’s a great choice if you want to be close to everything.
The hotel has a really neat animal sanctuary called the Green Iguana Conservation Project, where you can learn about and cuddle with iguanas. It also has an outdoor pool, tennis court, and spa, giving you both relaxation and fun.
The staff is friendly and helpful, and the hotel is gorgeous, making it a solid option for your stay.
Vanilla Hills Resort
When I explored Belize’s mainland, I stayed at Vanilla Hills Resort and absolutely loved it.
My husband and stayed in one of their tree houses with floor-to-ceiling windows, surrounded by jungle. Waking up to the sounds of birds and howler monkeys was amazing.
The resort also has an outdoor pool, a terrace, and a garden, making it a nice place to relax after a day of adventure.
The staff were really helpful, and I’d recommend this spot to anyone who wants to be close to the jungle.
Gaia River Lodge
While I didn’t stay at Gaia River Lodge, I did make a day trip there for lunch and a swim at the stunning Three Sisters Falls.
The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and quite remote, offering peace and quiet that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Also, Big Rock Falls is just up the road, which is a must-visit when in Western Belize.
After seeing how beautiful and calm this hotel is, I definitely plan to stay here on my next trip to the Belize jungle.
Things You’ll Need To Pack For Belize Jungle Tours
Packing for your Belize Jungle Tours is all about staying cool and prepared for adventure. Here’s a handy list of essential things you’ll want to pack:
- Sun Protection: Reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and a lightweight sun shirt with UV protection.
- Quickdry Clothing: Think shorts, hiking pants, tank tops, and swimsuits. The jungle is hot and humid!
- Water Shoes: Useful for exploring the caves and waterfalls.
- Insect Repellent: Essential for keeping biting flies and mosquitos away, especially in the evenings.
- Filter Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with safe, clean water while reducing plastic waste.
- Sand Free Towel: Perfect for rivers and waterfalls, as it shakes off dirt easily, keeping your space tidy.
- Dry Bag Backpack: Ideal for carrying and keeping your belongings dry during water activities
- Waterproof camera: Capture your waterfall adventures without worrying about water damage to your phone.
Resources For Planning Your Trip to The Belize Jungle
These are my go-to resources and the first place I check when planning my trips to Belize. They consistently provide the best deals, helping you stretch your travel dollar further.
Accommodations 🏨
My favorite accommodation booking sites are Hotels.com and VRBO! Start racking up One Key Cash from the get-go, which you can use for future bookings.
Flights & Car Rentals 🛩️ 🚗
Just a heads up – you can score even more One Key Cash by booking your flights and car rental through Expedia. It all adds up, so you can travel MORE!
Activities and Tours 🏝️
Check out GetYourGuide and Viator for all the best tours and activities.
Travel Insurance 🛄
If you’re thinking about scuba diving, caving, or any other crazy adventure in Belize, seriously, grab some travel insurance. I always use Safety Wing.
Travel Credit Card 💳
Rack up those points to slash your travel costs and tick more adventures off your Belize bucket list! Here’s my favorite travel credit card that’ll help you earn free travel fast!
That’s a Wrap: Best Belize Jungle Tours
There you have it.
Your guide to the top 10 Belize jungle tours you really don’t want to miss.
Whether you want to climb ancient Mayan temples or explore mysterious caves, these excursions are the best way to experience Belize’s wild beauty.
So, as you plan your Belize trip, keep these tours in mind. Happy planning.
Talk to ya later!