Discover Belize - Natural History Museum of Utah - Sold Out!
February 22-March 03, 2025
Double Occupancy: $6000 per person
Single Occupancy: $6400 per person
Airfare is not included.
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Join Go Learn as we partner with the Natural History Museum of Utah for this exciting adventure to discover the wonder and beauty of Belize. Led by Jason Cryan, Executive Director of the NHMU, you’ll immerse yourself in the tropics by joining us on this “mountain to sea” journey. From watching beautiful birds in the steamy jungle to exploring caves used by ancient Mayans to swimming with brilliantly colored fish on the world’s second-largest coral reef, this trip is designed to excite, inspire, and delight your senses. Escape with us on a Central American adventure that’s sure to replenish your spirit.
Trip highlights include:
Welcome to Belize! Today is about getting settled into Belize with a convenient hotel close to the airport in Belize City. If you have energy and time you may want to explore the Maritime Museum, Belizean history, or the House of Culture, formerly the Governor’s mansion. There are restaurants in the hotel and around the area for you to find dinner before getting a good night’s sleep.
Hotel: Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza near airport in Belize City *check-in at 3pm
Activity Level: Low
Breakfast in the hotel before meeting your Natural History Museum of Utah trip leaders Jason Cryan and Kiley Morgan, along with expert Belizean nature guide Nathan Forbes. Our mountains-to-sea journey begins with a tour of the Community Baboon Sanctuary, a conservation model that has spawned a new wave of community conservation projects in Belize and internationally. The main goal of this project is to create local protection of the black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) and its habitat by encouraging a stewardship ethic in landowners.
Next, settle in and enjoy the landscapes of central Belize as our local drivers take us to the Mystic River Resort, nestled on a steep bank of the beautiful Macal River just outside San Ignacio on the western border of Belize. A serene oasis with the sounds of birds, rustling trees, soft breezes, and breathtaking views, Mystic River will be our base for three nights. We’ll gather in the bar for a welcome cocktail and a healthy local dinner on-site. For those wanting to explore the nocturnal jungle, we’ll end the evening with a night nature walk, likely discovering a fascinating array of insect biodiversity and nocturnal animals.
Hotel: Mystic River Resort, San Ignacio
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
Start the day with an early-morning bird walk with Nathan, an expert in Belizean birding! We may see toucans flying overhead, hummingbirds feeding at flowers, or kiskadee calling from a branch. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll make our way to Barton Creek Cave, a cathedral-like wet cave discovered by Peace Corp volunteers in 1970, nestled in the mountainous jungle of Cayo District. Listed as #3 in a list of “9 of the World's Most Unusual Cave Destinations,” Barton Creek Cave will delight and amaze you as you glide through the cave in a two-man canoe, observing breathtaking, live mineral formations. After lunch, we’ll visit the Belize Botanic Gardens for native botany and medicine trail. Later, we’ll gather for an evening discussion, enjoy another wonderful dinner together, and explore the nighttime jungle again.
Hotel: Mystic River Resort, San Ignacio
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
After another morning bird walk and breakfast, we’ll venture out to nearby Xunantunich (shoo-nahn-too-neech), one of Belize’s impressive Mayan archaeological sites. Getting there is half the fun, with a free hand-cranked cable ferry taking us across the narrow Mopan River. You’ll enjoy a free afternoon to relax by the pool or read in a hammock. We can also arrange for a visit to a local butterfly breeding enclosure or a cooking class, if you’d be interested in paying for those activities and going on your own. Evening discussion, dinner, and optional evening walk.
Hotel: Mystic River Resort, San Ignacio
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
After our customary bird walk and breakfast, we’ll bid the Mystic River Resort farewell and board our bus for a drive to the Belize Zoo, the “Best Little Zoo in the World.” At the Zoo, we’ll be personally introduced to the amazing animals of Belize through the lenses of rescue and conservation. After lunch at the Zoo, we’ll head back out on the road, driving south through the Belizean capital, Belmopan. We’ll stop along the way for a tour of Marie Sharp’s hot sauce factory (by this point in the trip, you’ll all know about Marie Sharp’s hot sauce!), where the famous pepper sauces are manufactured by the “Queen of Habanero.” Next, we’ll head to Bocawina Rainforest Resort, a gem in the heart of the Maya mountains in the Stann Creek District. There, we’ll enjoy the comforts of a boutique eco-lodge in a Central American rainforest with waterfalls cascading into crystal jungle pools, resplendent tropical birds and wild cats roaming a 7000-acre National Park. As is our custom, we’ll gather to reflect on our experiences and enjoy a Belizean dinner, followed by an optional night nature walk in this different ecosystem.
Hotel: Bocawina Rainforest Resort & Adventures
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
Following breakfast at the resort, we’ll venture into the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, known as the first Jaguar Preserve in the world and considered a haven for the endangered jaguar. It is home to 200 jaguars and an impressive diversity of plants and animals–including margays, deer, ocelots, pumas, howler monkeys, tapirs, and about 330 species of native and migratory birds. We’ll explore the beautiful hiking trails in the Jaguar Preserve as we make our way to a gorgeous, hidden waterfall and discover tropical flora and fauna. In the evening, we’ll gather for our discussion, enjoy another gourmet dinner, and contemplate the nocturnal rainforest.
Hotel: Bocawina Rainforest Resort & Adventure
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
After our usual morning activities, we’ll board the bus and set out for Maya Center, a small Mayan community just outside the Jaguar Preserve. There, we’ll learn about all phases of chocolate production by the Saqui brothers: Narcisso and Julio. Narcisso is a cacao farmer who will lead us into his cacao grove and show us how this amazing tree produces the raw materials of chocolate. Julio operates Che’il Chocolates, where we’ll experience how dried cacao beans are transformed into the world’s most important confection. If time permits, we may also explore the adjoining Mayan Museum (a small, but rich, showcase of traditional Mayan culture) and do some quick shopping at the Maya Center Women’s Art Center. After our adventures in Maya Center, we’ll drive to the coastal city of Dangriga–one of the centers of Garifuna culture–for lunch before climbing into a water taxi for transit to South Water Caye. After we arrive on the Caye and settle into the tropical paradise of Pelican Pouch Resort, we’ll let the stress of the modern world wash off as we leisurely test out our snorkel gear and gather for discussion and dinner.
Hotel: Pelican Beach Resort, South Water Caye, Dangriga
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
On South Water Caye, you’ll find that our itinerary slows down, allowing you to relax and enjoy this idyllic private island with award-winning beaches. During the day, we’ll board a boat and head out to the Caribbean for a guided snorkel adventure, discovering the tropical fishes of Belize’s renowned coral reef. After dinner, you’ll have the opportunity to discover nocturnal marine fauna in a night snorkel adventure.
Hotel: Pelican Beach Resort, South Water Caye, Dangriga
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Low
After an island breakfast, we’ll board a boat to Carrie Bow Cay, one of the Smithsonian’s networks of tropical research stations. On Carrie Bow, we’ll tour the scientific facility and learn about marine research in Belize. Next, we’ll explore a different and unique marine habitat by snorkeling along living mangroves. Some afternoon downtime back at Pelican’s Pouch will prepare us for dinner and an evening program highlighting Garifuna culture–one of several distinct Belizean ethnic populations (along with Creole, Mestizos, and Maya).
Hotel: Pelican Beach Resort, South Water Caye, Dangriga
Meals: B, L, D
Activity Level: Moderate
After an early breakfast, the water taxi will transport us back to Dangriga, where we’ll make our way to the local airport and board small Tropic Airplanes for a short flight back to the Belize City airport. You’ll be ready to either meet your afternoon flight home, or extend your stay in Belize having made lifelong new friends, and with wonderful memories of this Go Learn Adventure.
Meal: B
Dr. Jason Cryan is The Sarah B. George Executive Director of the Natural History Museum of Utah, the largest natural history museum in America’s intermountain west. Part of the University of Utah, NHMU serves the entire State of Utah with world-class exhibitions, educational programs, and offsite outreach initiatives.
Jason’s academic background includes degrees earned at the University of Vermont (B.A., Zoology) and at North Carolina State University (M.S. and Ph.D., Entomology). An evolutionary biologist, Jason specializes in the biodiversity and evolution of remarkably charismatic insects (treehoppers and their relatives) that are entomologically famous for having bizarre shapes, bright colors, and interesting behaviors. Jason’s research has taken him around the globe on expeditions to study insect biodiversity in approximately 25 tropical countries.
Jason has been a museum-based scientist and administrator for more than two decades. He began his museum career as a researcher at the New York State Museum (Albany, NY), where he directed research in the NYSM’s DNA sequencing laboratory from 2001-2012. Jason then moved to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh, NC) where from 2012-2020 he held the dual roles of Deputy Museum Director and Director of Research & Collections. Jason joined NHMU in 2020 as its fourth executive director, and proudly works with the Museum’s leadership team to shape the vision for the museum’s future and the strategic priorities to help it get there. He represents NHMU in several national museum organizations and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the US National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-US).
Jason has deep experience in leading groups to explore the Central American country of Belize. His first visit to Belize was in 1997 – a honeymoon trip with his new bride. He returned to Belize twice in subsequent years for his entomological field research. More recently, from 2013-2020, he led annual trips to Belize for groups of educators and museum members from North Carolina, helping participants discover the amazing biological and cultural diversity of this gem of a country.
Kiley Morgan is an outdoor enthusiast and the Manager of Philanthropy and Major Gifts member at the Natural History Museum of Utah. For nearly 10 years, she has worked at the Museum to design unforgettable experiences that connect people with the wonders of the natural world. She has planned and led group trips to destinations throughout the Intermountain West, as well as personalized travel with Museum scientists to global destinations like Patagonia, Argentina, Death Valley, and more. Growing up in Park City, Utah, Kiley developed an early love for exploring nature, which has helped guide her career. She studied Spanish and Communication Studies at the University of San Diego before returning to the mountains and Salt Lake City.
Pre-departure
Like all Go Learn journeys, the adventure begins at home. We will meet about a month or so before the trip to discuss travel logistics and packing. This trip may appeal to travelers from all over the U.S. and we are happy to send you information you’ll need ahead of time if you cannot join us in person.Our journey does not end with the day we leave Belize! A trip reunion a month or so after return is a wonderful capstone to an unforgettable and enriching edu-vacation, as we like to call our journeys!
Weather
February is a great time to escape the winter months and enjoy one of the driest months in Belize. We can expect warm sunny days with consistently pleasant temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees. You will want to bring a light jacket/sweater for the evening breezes but rarely does the evening temperature drop below 70 degrees. The ocean during this time is always good for a dip, as temps average a pleasant 80°F (26°C).
Activity levels and restrictions
In order to fully explore the sights on our itinerary, participants should be in reasonably good health and not subject to major mobility challenges. This trip will involve moderate walking/hiking, canoeing, snorkeling and swimming in tropical temperatures and humidity. We will be taking advantage of Belize’s beautiful diverse landscapes: deciduous dry tropical forest; rainforest and offshore barrier cayes. We will spend time on boats in the oceans, snorkeling and you will have plenty of opportunity to swim. We consider this trip to be a Level 2 with the understanding that there is a considerable amount of hiking and activity.
Learn More about our .
Be sure to pack comfortable shoes! We will rely on the private shuttles, boats and one Tropic Air flight for our transportation. Our full itinerary will leave you happily exhausted at the end of each day.
Dates
February 22-March 3, 2025
Size
Trip is limited to 20 participants
Cost
Double occupancy: $6000 per person
Single occupancy: $6400
Payment options are available upon request. Contact golearn@utah.edu for information.
See for payment and cancellation details.
Included
Not included