Belize: Marine Life Science Survey

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. Drive to the dock and take a ferry to St. George’s Caye Island and settle into your accommodations at the Research Station and Field School. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. You’ll also gather your snorkeling gear and have a welcome dinner at the Research Station.

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

Overnight: St. George’s Caye Research Station

The accommodations at the St. George’s Caye Research Station are comfortable yet rustic. The small island does not have a public water or electric company, so power is generated each night and water conservation is an important part of island life. Bunk rooms are screened in, but there is no hot water or air conditioning. 

Be ready to jump into your survey research over the next 3 days with guided morning and afternoon excursions to monitor coral reefs, sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and queen conch populations. You will be trained in a variety of sampling techniques and will help collect data at various study sites from the water and the boat. 

There will be leisure time in the morning and after lunch each day, during which you can relax at the field station or take advantage of opportunities to swim, snorkel, or kayak. You’ll also explore the historic St. George’s Caye island.

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: St. George’s Caye Research Station

Take a full day trip to the nearby Hol Chan Marine Reserve off of the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. Established in 1987, Hol Chan is Belize’s oldest marine reserve and encompasses three square miles of beautiful marine habitat, including coral reef, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest. You’ll spend the day exploring the shallow patch reefs and visually comparing fish abundance in areas inside and outside of the reserve.

Overnight: St. George’s Caye Research Station

Pack your bags and a backpack with your swimsuit, towel, shorts, and tennis shoes/water shoes, and a change of clothes. After breakfast, you’ll pack up and say goodbye to your friends at the Research Station before heading to Belize City.

On your way to the City on the Western Highway, you’ll discover the Cave Branch River and its winding path through the Maya Mountain, home to numerous ancient caves once inhabited by the Maya. On arrival at Jaguar Paw, you’ll adventure on a 45-minute jungle trail hike. Your guide will point out various plants, roots, and herbs once used by the ancient Maya. The entrance tunnel that heads into the underground cave system is the start of an “eye opening” adventure. Get your own flashlight and hop on an inflated innertube to float through the dark cave system, assisted by the gentle current. Intricate crystalline formations line the caves and stalagmites and stalactites add to the serene opulence of nature. 

After your cave tubing adventure, head to the hotel in the city and wash up 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: Biltmore Hotel, Belize City

Transfer from the hotel 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.