Maya mountains and jungle holidays
Maya mountains and jungle holidays at a glance
Belize’s interior is one of Central America’s loveliest and least explored regions, where wildlife sanctuaries, dense rainforest and Maya archaeological sites combine to create a rich landscape for exploration.
In northern Belize, wildlife-rich forests and sugar cane fields surround important Maya sites like Lamanai, where almost 700 structures lie hidden amongst the jungle. Further west, the Cayo District gives access to the scenic Macal River and some of the country’s most dramatic natural landscapes.
The rugged Mountain Pine Ridge region provides a striking contrast to the rainforest, with gorges, waterfalls and forest trails that make it one of Belize’s premier adventure destinations.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Maya mountains and jungle
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
The unspoilt interior of Belize harbours some of Central America’s loveliest landscapes and a host of little-visited Mayan sites.
When to visit Maya mountains and jungle
December to May is generally the best time to visit, with December to March typically the busiest stretch.
The dry season here is less pronounced than in other areas of Belize due to the northeast trade winds being forced over the mountains forming rain clouds. In March and April the heat can be intense but it remains fairly dry.
With the start of the rainy season comes high temperatures, humidity and increased rainfall. However, it can be cooler the higher you climb, especially around Doyle’s Delight and Victoria Peak which are both over 1,100m.
Top Things to do in Maya mountains and jungle
Belize’s jungle interior offers a rewarding mix of archaeology, wildlife, rivers, caves and active adventure – there’s a real spread of things to do in Belize jungle country, whatever pace you’re after.
Float along in an inner tube as the Caves Branch River weaves in and out of a spectacular network of caves in Belize.
Visit the Mayan ruins of Lamanai by road or part kayaking along a picturesque river.
Try out wild swimming in the clear waters of countryside rivers and sinkholes.
Take a guided tour of a mystical cave where the remains of the ‘Crystal Maiden’ and other possible sacrificial victims were uncovered alongside ancient artifacts.
Take a guided tour of the largest known Mayan site in Belize, occupying a remote rainforest location.
Zip across the treetops in a lush tropical rainforest reserve in Belize’s Mayan Mountains.
Accommodation in Maya mountains and jungle
Our properties here range from luxury jungle lodges and riverfront retreats to wildlife-focused eco lodges, giving direct access to Belize’s rainforests and archaeological sites.
Unique and tranquil luxury hideaway owned by Francis Ford Coppola, with eclectic style and a touch of Hollywood glamour.
Bocawina is a friendly eco-lodge in the Belizean jungle interior offering a range of outdoor activities such as zip-lining and rapelling.
Luxurious cabins built into a 1,200 year-old Mayan temple, surrounded by jungle rich in bird and animal life.
Buried in a dense forest bristling with wildlife, the relaxing thatched wooden cabins of Gaia Riverlodge are complemented by eco-friendly adventures and activities in a peaceful setting.
Hidden Valley is a welcoming countryside lodge in the Mayan mountains of Belize’s unspoilt interior.
Jungle lodge beside ancient Mayan ruins, in the midst of diverse wildlife habitats. Choose from a wide variety of adventurous excursions within the natural surroundings.
Jade Jungle Resort (formerly Pook’s Hill) is a remote rainforest lodge in the Mayan Mountains of Belize, with just a handful of thatched cabins visited by exotic birds and monkeys. relax or enjoy organised outdoor activities.
Enchanting nature retreat tucked away in a lushly forested valley, offering great opportunities for outdoor adventure.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Maya mountains and jungle
Group Maya mountains and jungle Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Kinkajou: Best of Guatemala and Belize
Places visited: Antigua and the highlands · Lake Atitlan and villages · Maya mountains and jungle
12 days from £3,217
Tropicbird: Highlights of Central America
Places visited: Granada · Leon · Suchitoto · Antigua and the highlands · Lake Atitlan and villages · Maya mountains and jungle
19 days from £4,804
Tailor-Made Maya mountains and jungle Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Active Belize: Jungle and reef adventure
Places visited: Maya mountains and jungle · Caribbean cayes and coast
11 days from £3,750
Luxury Belize: Nature, wildlife and Caribbean cayes
Places visited: Maya mountains and jungle · Caribbean cayes and coast
11 days from £3,885
Luxury Guatemala and Belize: Tikal and the Caribbean
Places visited: Antigua and the highlands · Maya mountains and jungle · Caribbean cayes and coast
15 days from £5,400
Signature Belize: Rainforest, reef and ruins
Places visited: Maya mountains and jungle · Southern Belize · Caribbean cayes and coast
12 days from £3,860
Signature Guatemala and Belize: Culture and Caribbean
Places visited: Antigua and the highlands · Lake Atitlan and villages · Maya mountains and jungle · Caribbean cayes and coast
15 days from £3,795
Value Belize: Mayan mountains and Caribbean caye
Places visited: Maya mountains and jungle · Caribbean cayes and coast
10 days from £1,930
FAQs about visiting Maya mountains and jungle
Maya mountains and jungle is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to go Belize's Mayan mountains?
The best weather conditions are during the dry season Dec-May. It can be cool in the highlands in winter, while the jungle areas are hot and humid all year round. There’s a low risk of tropical storms or hurricanes Jun-Nov. The busiest time for tourists is Dec-Mar.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What's the official language of Belize Mayan mountains?
English.
- How do I get local currency in Belize Mayan mountains?
Belizean dollar. Notes can be obtained from money exchanges and from banks which will supply advances on a debit or credit card. There are few, if any, ATMs outside Belize City where you can use a UK credit or debit card.
- What's the time difference between Belize Mayan mountains and UK?
GMT -6 hrs.
- What places combine well with Belize Mayan mountains?
A beach stay on one of Belize’s coral cayes, accessible from Belize City by air or boat; a visit to neighbouring Guatemala, with its Latin and Mayan cultural heritage, there’s a road link to the Mayan ruins at Tikal in the jungle Petén; southern Mexico, crossing the land border at Chetumal.
- How do I get to Belize Mayan mountains?
The north: fly from Belize City to Gallon Jug (30mins) followed by a short drive to Chan Chich. By road and river via Orange Walk from Belize City to Lamanai (2hrs). For the Macal River, travel from Belize to San Ignacio, 115km.
- What are the best Maya sites to visit?
We’d point you towards Caracol, Lamanai and Xunantunich among the region’s archaeological highlights.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.