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Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins and Blue Creek Cave

     Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Maya sites well known for the large amount of stele found there. Nim Li Punit inherited it's name from a carving on the longest of the site's twenty-six stele, depicting a figure wearing a large headdress. In the Maya Kekchi language, Nim Li Punit means "the big hat".
    The site is composed of three main areas designated as the west group, the east group, and the south group. The West group is separated from the rest of the site by a small seasonal creek. This group may have served as an access route to the city in ancient times. It consists of a upper and lower terrace with large plazas on each level.
     The South group is comprised of two of the most fascinating complexes at Nim Li Punit-Plaza of the Royal Tombs and Plaza of the Stellae. Three tombs were excavated in the Plaza of the Royal Tombs in the residential area of the royal family. In the Plaza of the Stellae, 26 stone monuments were found. These stone monuments were used to commemorate and record important political events such as alliances, wars and battles, family trees, and visits from official delegations from surrounding cities.
     The ball court is situated at the midpoint between the south group and the east group and consists of two mounds with a rectangular space between them. At the center of the space is a ball court marker. The rules of the game are not known, but it is clear that the movement of the ball represents the sun, moon, and other celestial.
     After the ruins, you will visit Blue Creek Cave, located in the Toledo District of Belize. Blue Creek Cave is one of the largest underground cave systems in the world. The Maya name for this cave is Hokeb Ha or "Where the water enters the earth".
     The cave is classified as a wet cave with dry routes. You have entered the mysterious underworld of the Maya. Enjoy the cave's beauty as you float out and throughout the cave.
 

Tour price Includes transportation, entry fees, gear and lunch. Tour departs about 7:00 AM and returns around 5:30 PM.

Price per person: US$ 115.00 plus sales tax

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     This major ceremonial center is located on a natural limestone ridge, providing a panoramic view of the Cayo District. The largest pyramid, "El Castillo", has been partially excavated and explored and bears remarkable stucco frieze on its east side. Three carved stelae found at the site are on display in the plaza. Xunantunich is located across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz, near the western border.
     The tour begins at 7:00 am when you are picked up by your tour guide to transport you to the Cayo District. The drive from Placencia to Xunantunich is approximately three hours, with occasional stops to see exotic flora and fauna and breathtaking views of the Maya Mountains.
     Once across the Mopan River from the hand cranked car ferry, you travel one mile to the site, where you are guided along the trails and given the history of the ruin.
     After having lunch, you travel to Blue Hole National Park, and swim in the cool refreshing sunken cave water. After the swim, you then return to Cozy Corner at approximately 6:30 pm.
 

Tour price includes transportation and lunch. This tour has a minimum of two guests.
 

Price per person: US$ 115.00 plus sales tax

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     Located about 18 Miles northwest from Sun Creek, the local Mayan villages of Santa Cruz and Santa Elena manage the 500 acre Rio Blanco National Park. The Rio Blanco Waterfall itself is 12 feet high and the pool at the base of the falls is a popular swimming spot. Up on top of the cliffs above the falls, you can wade through a set of smaller waterfalls and pools that provide cool relief from the sun.
     The Rio Blanco National Park is in the Mayan Mountain Forest Reserve located in western part of the Toledo District. It encompasses 105 acres of land surrounding a spectacular waterfall approximately 100 feet wide and 20 feet high on the Rio Blanco River. The Rio Blanco is a tributary of the Blue Creek and Moho River, which flows into the Gulf of Honduras.
     The Rio Blanco National Park lies within a sub-tropical wet forest biome, creating high biodiversity of flora and fauna, including endangered species such as: the jaguar, ocelot, margay and river otter, among others. The area primarily consists of broadleaf, secondary forest at varying stages of succession due to the milpa-style agriculture practiced in the area in the past. There is a high diversity of lime-loving tree species, dominated by the cohune palm along with many species of orchids, palms and other plants with traditional uses. Wildlife in the area includes many species of residential and migratory bids, terrestrial mammals, amphibians, reptile and fish.
 

Tour price includes transportation and lunch. This tour has a minimum of 2-4 guests.
 

Price per person: US$ 200.00 plus sales tax

     Red Bank Village, in Stann Creek District, is the seasonal home of one of the largest concentrations of Scarlet Macaws in Belize and all of Central America. Every year, from December to March, they migrate to the Red Bank area to feed.
     The macaws are often spotted along the river. It should be mentioned that numerous other birds can also be seen in the Red Bank area including herons, parrots and toucans, to name a few.
      The trip also provides interesting insights into the life of the modern Maya of Belize. It includes a nice spot to swim and enjoy the sandy beach. Bring hiking boots, lightweight long pants and shirt, sunscreen, hats, water, bug spray, a camera and binoculars. Tour price includes professional guide, transportation and lunch.

This tour requires a minimum of 2-4 guests.

Price per person: US$ 70.00 - 95.00 plus sales

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     Paynes Creek National Park is located just about an hour from Punta Gorda by skiff. It contains approximately 39,000 acres of lush broadleaf forest, thick mangroves and wide stretches of pine savannah.
The park is home to jaguar, ocelots and howler monkeys to name just a few. The well known Punta Ycacos Lagoon is an important West Indian Manatee breeding ground.
     Over 300 species of birds live or spend their winters in park, including endangered species such as the yellow-headed parrot, jabiru storks, muscovy ducks and the aplomado falcon.
     Within the park boundaries, archeologists have also uncovered 4 ancient Mayan sites, now submerged under water in the Ycacos lagoon.
 

Tour price includes professional guide, transportation and lunch. This tour requires has a minimum of four guests.
 

Price per person: US$ 145.00 plus sales tax

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The Mayan ruins of Actun Tunichil Muknal are located on the Western Highway in The Cayo District. In the Mayan language, the name means Cave of the Stone Sepulcher.
Artifacts are often looted from caves following their discovery. Because of this, passage through this cave remains known to only to a select few guides who have permission from the Belize Department of Archeology. To this day, the cave has nearly all of the cultural artifacts in place as they were originally found in 1989.
On this tour you will be guided through the lush subtropical forest of the Tapir Mountain National Park to the crystal blue waters surrounding the entrance of this remarkable limestone cave. Through its passages you will encounter centuries old sparkling stalactites and stalagmites and discover hidden chambers full of Maya artifacts and remains that reveal the rituals and ceremonies of a lost world.
You will start your day at 7:00am with a 2.5 hour drive to Teakettle Village in the Cayo District. Upon arrival in you will transfer to an off-road vehicle which will transport you to the Tapir Mountain National Park. Next, gear up for a 45 minute jungle hike where you may see some of Belize's amazing wildlife. This area is home to the Tapir, Jaguar, Howler Monkey, Silky Anteater, White Tail Deer and many more.
You will arrive at a base camp that is used by the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project (BVAR) and stop for lunch. After gearing up with professional cave helmets, lights and waterproof bags, you will venture into the cave to explore the underworld of the Maya. At the entrance to the cave, you will have a short swim through crystal clear cave water, into passages filled with cave formations.
Duration of cave tour is approximately 4 hours. You will return to Placencia arriving at around 6:00pm, just in time for dinner.
 

This all day tour is challenging in its difficulty, and is for the hearty of mind and body. Tour Price includes transportation, lunch, all gear and park entrance fee.
 

Price per person: US$ 190.00 plus sales tax

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    Refresh your mind and body in this unique park with a swim in the sapphire waters of the Blue Hole, a visit to the subterranean depths of St. Herman’s Cave or a hike on the nature trails with their breathtaking views. The park can be found 12 miles southeast of Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway and encompasses 575 acres of riverine forest.
     The Blue Hole is a 25ft deep pool, (Picture 2) so named because of the color of the water. Changing facilities are close by, as is a scenic picnic area which is also a great spot for birding. There are over 5 miles of trails in the park –ranging easy to difficulty. Three of the five species of wild cats found in Belize- The Jaguar, Ocelot and Jaguarondi, have been sighted in Blue Hole National Park.
     While relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery we go the Belize zoo. The Belize Zoo is settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 125 animals all-native to Belize. The zoo keeps animals which were either orphaned, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to The Belize Zoo as gifts from other zoological institutions.
 

A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them.

Price per person: US $ 115.00 Plus Sales Tax

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