Belize: Mainland Wildlife Service Adventure

Arrive into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for a welcome dinner in the Maya Centre Village and an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.

Overnight: Cockscomb Dormitory, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Over the next 3 days, you’ll dive into hands-on community service work at the Wildlife Reserve. You’ll begin with a presentation on Mayan culture at a Maya Centre in a small Mopan Maya village where you can experience the traditional Maya lifestyle and culture. The type of service work you will participate in at the reserve will be determined based on community need at the time of your program. Examples of past projects include clearing trails, fixing up cabins, and helping with beautifying and infrastructure projects at the park. 

During your time at the park, you will learn about the reserve’s efforts to protect endangered species native to Belize, especially jaguars and its diverse bird population, and explore its beautiful waterfalls, mountain views, and nature trails.

Join your group for a post-service debrief in the evenings, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community.

Overnight: Cockscomb Dormitory, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

After breakfast, say goodbye to the Cockscomb Basin Reserve and head to the Cayo district, with stops along the way at St. Herman’s Cave and the Inland Blue Hole National Park for some exploration and swimming.

Overnight: Cahal Pech Resort, San Ignacio

Today we will head over to the San Antonio Women’s Group, an organization made up of nine Mayan women, with a goal to “empower women and inspire the children” in the community. The women started the cooperative to find a way to earn an income, learn new skills, and share their traditional knowledge not only with visitors but with the younger generation. This small community has its roots in Mayan traditions and practices subsistence agriculture. The Women’s group aims to encourage continued education of the young people in the community and break the cycle of poverty.

At the co-op today, you’ll learn more about their initiatives and break into groups for some hands-on learning about their traditional skills, including making corn tortillas from scratch, pottery, and embroidery. 

Overnight: Cahal Pech Resort, San Ignacio

Spend your last day in Belize exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave!

Clothing: Shorts and t-shirts recommended, hiking boots or close-toed tennis shoes are required. Also bring a change of clothes for after the hike. 

This beautiful hike will take you through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, across streams, through mazes of rocks, past tight corners, and around beautiful cave formations. You’ll stop in the main chamber to learn more about the fascinating artifacts and formations before heading back. 

Wash up at the hotel for your farewell dinner. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Overnight: Cahal Pech Resort, San Ignacio

Transfer from San Ignacio town to the Belize International Airport in time for your flight.

Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure. 

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways is happy to book your flights as an optional add-on service.