When Expedia revealed 2022’s biggest travel trend would be splurge-cations, one or two ideas to create a “GOAT” itinerary in Belize came to mind. That is, to concoct a “greatest of all time” trip that would consist of the best experiences in Belize worth splurging on. After almost two years, travelers are raring to go all out when it comes to their vacations. Budgets have ballooned, which means there are more chances to try once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In Belize, these experiences aren’t a dime a dozen but we’ve still rounded up the best ones worth splurging on for summer vacation.
Blue Hole flyover experience.
Flying over the Great Blue Hole. Image via Astrum Helicopters
Local aircraft carrier Maya Island Air keeps creating long-lasting memories with its Blue Hole flyover tour. Belize’s Great Blue Hole is part of its UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are more ways than one to admire the view. One of them just so happens to be atop a narrow 12-seater Cessna flying mere hundreds of feet above the navy color-tinged cenote. Travelers are struck speechless once they spot the Blue Hole after being about an hour on the plane. However, the underwater marvel isn’t the only thing making the flyover experience spectacular. On the way to the wonder, prepare to drink in views from the stunning Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef.
Helicopter flight over Mountain Pine Ridge.
A bird’s eye view at Hidden Valley Inn.
As if flying over one natural wonder wasn’t enough, you have the chance to see a bird’s-eye-view of the wonders of the Mountain Pine Ridge reserve by helicopter. This phenomenal experience traces meandering rivers in the forest reserve’s unspoiled territory. Prepare to see the colossal Thousand Foot Falls from one of the four seats on the helicopter and admire other spectacular waterfalls in the area. If you thought venturing deep into the jungles was adventurous enough, there’s nothing like soaring through the Maya Mountains for an hour and a half. Travelers are able to add more sights to their itinerary, including Tiger Creek Pools and Falls located in Hidden Valley Inn’s backyard.
Private sunset sailing tour.
Image by Marlena Gomez Photography
Starstruck lovebirds looking to set the bar high at the start of their GOAT trip should book a private sunset sailing tour in Ambergris Caye. A sunset cruise screams splurge-cation and has all the romantic aspects straight out of a movie. You get to see the island from a new perspective, painted against the backdrop of an orange-hued sunset. You and your plus can unwind and relax with a rum punch in hand while gently bobbing along the waves of the Caribbean Sea. Your captain-turned-personal-chef is armed with ceviche freshly made right on the boat.
An Authentic Thai Treatment.
An average, run-of-the-mill spa treatment won’t do when on your GOAT trip. You must choose one artfully created by someone who knows what a great spa treatment entails. Such as the spa services at Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge. The filmmaker created a rejuvenating Zen when he first opened the lodge’s spa center. So much thought and care went into it that Coppola handpicked the massage therapists all the way from Thailand.
Tucked in the Mountain Pine Ridge Region, Blancaneaux’s Waterfall Spa sits on the banks of the Privassion Creek and includes access to a revitalizing hot poot overlooking gushing waterfalls. A Thai massage with views exceptional jungle views would be the icing on the cake to an already GOAT-minded trip as one of the big experiences in Belize.
Header image via Astrum Helicopters.
