When I say there’s no wrong time to visit Belize, I mean it. But there are advantages to visiting Belize in the summer, even if it means changing planes when seasonal non-stop flights pause. Hotels are more affordable and there are fewer crowds, with plenty of ways to cool off when daytime temperatures edge close to the 90s. But on top of that, Belize offers far more than just beaches, even though none conjure up a crowded-like-Cancun-during-Spring-Break Caribbean picture. The Central American oasis is actually less than 9,000 square miles, yet covered with nearly 40% of its lands under protection—Belize’s jungles are simply waiting to be explored, and a handful of rainforest lodges make that possible. Besides the joy of being swathed in green, spending the summer in the jungles of Belize also means even more intimate cultural connections, thanks to its close proximity to hidden-away ancient Maya sites and an underground cave system.
Something for everyone, including young kids in tow
Barton Creek cave. Photo © David Diaz
Belize’s jungles are in a sweet spot when it comes to full-on-adrenaline and soft adventures, which is perfect for kids in tow. The latter is especially useful for multi-generational family trips: grandparents can appreciate a slower pace when it comes to doing something together that their grandchild finds equally as exciting to bond over. Think of canoeing into the Mayan underworld, illuminated by a headlamp, with the wet cave of Barton Creek Archeological Site.
Steps of the chocolate-making process. All images courtesy AJAW Chocolate & Crafts.
And what kid doesn’t love chocolate? Make it educational (as if grandparents needed an excuse to give candy before dinner) with a chocolate-making class in San Ignacio Town; fresh, sticky cacao beans are fermented, ground, and sweetened into the glorious paste we all know and love.
Not to mention, the Cayo District is home to the Maya Sites of Caracol, Cahal Pech, and Xunantunich. For animal lovers, donning your inner-Indiana-Jones hat is even cooler on horseback; take your horse on a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River and up the hill to Xunantunich, which means Maiden of the Rock. And after a half-day of exploration, cool off poolside at your resort with fresh-pressed pineapple juice.
Summer state of mind
You’ve chosen where you’ll spend the summer in Belize, but you’ll still need an adventure base to soak up the jungle. We’re suggesting Ka’ana Resort: it’s a breath of fresh air directly off the Western Highway after a 2-hour drive from the international airport. A gravel road, decorated with overhanging palm trees, opens to a quaint, boutique property of 17 secluded suites and villas true to Ka’ana’s Mayan translation: heavenly place. It’s a Small Luxury Hotel of the World, which becomes obvious after your first night. Surrounded by the jungle, summer in Belize can look like yoga on your private deck, an outdoor deep-soaking bath, a spa treatment, or any one of the nearby eco-activities in the Cayo district.
Ka’ana, © Martin Morell
Get into a summer state of mind with a package at Ka’ana Resort, which includes daily a la carte breakfast, 10% off tours and adventures, and 15% off that month’s activity (activity calendar here). All guests need to do to spend a summer in the jungle in Belize is book before June 30, 2022, for stays up to August 31, 2022.
All images courtesy Ka’ana Resort.
