Belize has so much to offer — let’s explore the diverse landscapes and unique history of this beautiful Central American country. Home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef, and the highest concentration of Mayan archaeological sites, Belize is rich in natural and cultural experiences.

From the dazzling Caribbean Sea shorelines to the dense Cayo Rainforest, you’ll enjoy getting up close to the people and places that make this an unforgettable journey. Imagine hiking around the 1,500-year-old ruins of Xunantunich, canoeing through underground caverns, snorkeling with marine life, and sampling Mayan-style hot chocolate at a cacao plantation. We’ll also get the opportunity to meet local tortilla makers, school children, and cattle ranchers to learn first-hand about their way of life.

Only a few short hours from anywhere in the United States, Belize is easy to reach and waiting to welcome you!

See more details below and click the REGISTER NOW button above to join us.

It’s a natural and cultural gold mine, home to the world’s second largest barrier reef, and the highest concentration of Mayan archaeological sites.

You can combine hiking, kayaking, and swimming all within an afternoon’s adventures.

It’s in a nearby time zone, allowing for less jet lag and recovery time both before and after the trip.

It’s a Caribbean paradise. Natural beauty surrounds you at all turns.

We’re partnering with Classic Journeys who share our belief in “creating authentic connections by immersing you into the history and culture of a people and place.” Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times, and the editors of T+L say, “Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”

St. Olaf Travel helps alumni, families, and friends of the College explore other cultures, histories, cuisines, and more. One of our goals is that in encountering other viewpoints, we will deepen our understanding of our own perspectives.

This itinerary is subject to change.

Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, your program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. BLD indicated included group meals.

Sunday, November 5                Arrive Belize City
Flights departing your home town will likely arrive in Belize City the same day. Make your way to the group hotel. We’ll start the program with a welcome dinner. Overnight: Belize City, Meals: D

Monday, November 6                Belize City – Cayo Rainforest
This morning we’ll head for the nearby Cayo rainforest, one of the finest in Central America. Our first stop is a cacao plantation. Many of us love chocolate, but the story of how it’s created might be different than you expect. We’ll learn about growing cacao beans and try our hand at grinding them in the traditional method. We’ll also get a taste of the original Mayan-style “hot chocolate.” Then we’ll make our way to our eco-lodge that’s nearly hidden in the midst of its own private nature preserve. Lunch on your own. At our group dinner tonight in San Ignacio town, we’ll enjoy the foods of Belize: a melting pot of Indian, Chinese, Nigerian and Central American cultures. Overnight: Cayo Rainforest, Meals: B, D

Tuesday, November 7               Cayo Rainforest/Visit San Antonio
In San Antonio, the local women still make ceramics like the ancient Mayans did. We’ll visit their cooperative to see them at work, and they’ll show us the traditional way of grinding corn and making tortillas on a fire hearth. Add some roasted chicken and handmade salsa, and our group lunch is served. Just steps away, we’ll visit San Antonio’s local village school. Because our group is small, the school welcomes our visit, and we can spend time with the kids and teachers. (You may wish to consider packing pens, pencils, and notebooks as gifts for the children.) This afternoon, we’re headed underground. In the limestone bedrock of Belize, great caverns are common, and the Mayans believed they were entrances to the underworld. We’ll float aboard canoes through the cave in search of pottery and other artifacts amid the fascinating rock formations. Dinner on your own. Overnight: Cayo Rainforest, Meals: B, L

Wednesday, November 8          Cayo Rainforest/Visit Xunantunich Ruins
Fuel up on the hotel breakfast, because we’re about to have a fun and fascinating Indiana Jones kind of day. First stop: the cattle ranch and stables owned by the tour operator’s friend Carla. We have the choice of climbing into the saddle or taking a scenic walk through shaded forest, over the lazy Mopan River by a hand-cranked ferry, to the 1,500-year-old ruins of Xunantunich. Nobody knows for sure why the city was abandoned around 750 A.D., but we’ll learn a lot about its history on a guided stroll around the site. Right at the center, there’s a 130-foot-high pyramid called El Castillo, and from the top we can see all the way to Guatemala. Later in the village, we’ll enjoy an al fresco group lunch. Dinner on your own. Overnight: Cayo Rainforest, Meals: B, L

Thursday, November 9              Cayo Rainforest – Ambergris Caye
We’ll take a quick flight to Ambergris Caye, an island right next to the Belize barrier reef. Then, we have a mostly free day to take advantage of the many amenities and activities at our accommodations, including two pools, bocce ball, and bicycling. If you’d like, hop into a sea kayak on your own or with our guide to explore the coastline and its amazingly clear water. Then, we’ll come back together for a group dinner and share stories of our day with each other. Overnight: Ambergris Caye, Meals: BD

Friday, November 10                Ambergris Caye/Visit Hol Chan Reserve
This morning, we hit the water! From the decks of our tour operator’s friend Steve’s catamaran, we’ll follow him as he dives for lobsters and fish that one of his family members (and on-board chef) will turn into the freshest seafood lunch you’ve ever eaten! We’ll have an opportunity to try our hand at fishing if you choose. Timing our visit for when the tourist boats have all headed back to shore, we’ll stop at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It is among the best snorkeling we’ll find anywhere – shallow, clear, and warm water. Our tour operator provides all the gear. We’ll come nose-to-fin with incredible sea life in the barrier reef. The coral forest is almost beyond words, with dazzling schools of fish flashing through clear water. Sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and docile nurse sharks are common sights. It’s an experience you won’t forget. Tonight’s farewell dinner is the perfect capstone to a fantastic day of sun and sea, and a superb week together. Overnight: Ambergris Caye, Meals: BLD

Saturday, November 11            Ambergris Caye / Belize City
A return flight to Belize City is included with the program fee. (The timing of this flight will be provided closer to departure.) Then, continue on your individually booked flights. Meals: B

You’ll experience a variety of eco-cultures, including the city, rainforest, local ranches, and water explorations. And, you’re going with a top team in the region, Classic Journeys. Each of their guides is local and veteran—they know these sites intimately, focusing on the history and far-reaching cultural influence to add to your understanding and appreciation. Private and exclusive experiences abound throughout the program.

To fully participate in this program, you should be able to walk up to five miles per day over possibly uneven terrain (e.g. cobblestones or aged sidewalks), climb stairs that may not have handrails, keep pace with an active group of travelers, deal with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing a different culture, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.

You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about routine vaccinations. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

We recommend you be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any recommended boosters for your age or health group, before departure. You should plan on seeing your family physician or a travel doctor at least four to six weeks prior to departure, preferably earlier, to talk about recommended vaccinations for this destination. For more information on travel health, visit cdc.gov or who.int.

The travel insurance included with your program fee covers illness overseas, including covid. You can read more, including the full FAQ and a Summary document, on our Travel Insurance page.

Inclusions and exclusions vary from program to program. Please read the following details closely.

The program fee is $5,988 per person. Based on double occupancy, it includes a St. Olaf host, Classic Journeys tour escort, local guides, roundtrip flight Belize City-Ambergris Caye, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the program, gratuities to group guides, drivers, group meal servers, and limited medical coverage while overseas. A supplement of $995 applies for single occupancy.

Airfare to and from Belize is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the program fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: International Airfare • Airport transfers • Any passport and visa fees • Any recommended immunizations or vaccinations • Baggage and trip cancellation insurance • Alcoholic beverages, including at group meals • Laundry • Dry cleaning • Phone charges • Room service or other items of a personal nature • Expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities • Lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on program itinerary.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to program vendors to guarantee group rates. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our payment terms are more flexible than before. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the program.

Deposit due:                        $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:        Full refund ($500) until March 14, 2023. If the deposit is made after March 14, 2023 there is no refund.

Interim payment due:       $3,000 by March 15, 2023
Refund if you cancel:        $1,500 until June 30, 2023

Final payment due:            July 1, 2023
Refund if you cancel:        None, unless the program is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Read the Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver.

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport. It should have at least six months’ validity past the program return date. No visa is required for tourist visits of 30 days or less.

Take a look at the International Travel section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.

Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, safety overview, and more.

Hold the dates of November 5–11, 2023, but do not book flights until we can confirm the program is a go. Meanwhile, check out our tips on Booking Your Flights.