Take the Long Way: These are Two of My Favorite Road Trips

I love leisurely road trips!  What could be better than packing a picnic and hitting the road for an adventure?  Whether you simply enjoy a scenic drive or you’re seeking new discoveries, here are my top two choices for beautiful road trips and where to stop along the way.

The Hummingbird Highway

The winding, weaving, rolling roadway between the country’s capital city of Belmopan and the cultural capital, Dangriga, is nothing short of stunning.  About 50 miles of asphalt runs between mountains, through valleys and past streams and tidy rows of citrus fields.  The landscape is inspiring and the drive alone is worth the trip, but there are also so many wonderful places to stop off along the way, so taking your good, sweet time is recommended.  

 

Heading inland from the coast, you can stretch your legs and take a refreshing dip in a lovely natural pool at the base of a waterfall at Billy Barquedier National Park.  They have several hiking trails for visitors to choose from. The big draw here, though, is swimming in the fresh, cool waterfall.  After you’ve worked up an appetite splashing around in the forest-rimmed river, continue along to Country Barn Café for homemade ice cream and yogurt.

No road trip along the Hummingbird would be complete without a pit stop at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park.  This park directly on the highway is renowned for its freshwater cenote that glows an eerie and beautiful blue hue as the sunlight filters through the forest’s canopy and illuminates the pool.  On the other side of the park is St Herman’s Cave. Visitors can enter the cave with flashlights on their own to a predetermined point. Or, they can enter with a guide for deeper exploration.  Tubing along the lazy river within the cave is a unique and relaxing experience that people of most ages and fitness levels can enjoy.

 

If I have time, I love dropping into the dazzling Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge for lunch and a quick hike.  The artisanal, wood-fired pizza from Don Tonito’s cliffside pizzeria is the perfect pre-hike power-up.  The resort’s property expands into the foothills of the Maya Mountain Range and is bordered by the mighty Sibun River.  Resort guests could spend days traversing the many trails that cut through orange groves and over streams by suspension bridge. For day trippers, head straight for the lookout tower trail which rewards climbers with a spectacular view from a vista on the mountainside.

Similar: Effortlessly Go From Beach to Rainforest on a Road Trip in This Central American Country

More of a day destination than a pit stop, Ayala’s Natural Pool and Adventures in Aqua Viva, just before Belmopan, is a wonderful park to whittle away an afternoon at.  A natural spring feeds crystal clear water to the picture-perfect pools. Plus, there’s plenty of grassy lawn space to stretch out on.  Barbecue grills and kayaks are available for use and a six-run zipline course zig zags over the recreation area.

Chiquibul – The Road to Caracol

Belize’s beach towns and numerous cayes get the lion’s share of glory and the majority of the country’s visitors. But if you’re an intrepid traveler looking to explore off the beaten path then the Mountain Pine Ridge will hold a special appeal.  The route to Caracol, the country’s largest archaeological site and an ancient Maya city bigger than the celebrated Tikal in neighboring Guatemala, is currently being improved and paved.  You’ll probably want to provision yourself in Georgeville with plenty of road trip snacks and beverages before setting off. Restaurants and watering holes along this route are few and far between.

 

Embark on a journey reminiscent of the River Styx leading to the Underworld.  Visit Barton Creek Cave Reserve and explore subterranean ceremonial chambers by canoe.

Take a hike to Big Rock Falls. There, feel the power of the pounding current; hear the roar of the rushing river.  Have a swim at the bottom of the falls and let the water wash away all your worries.  This is a peaceful place to enjoy nature and quiet self-reflection.  If you’re looking for company and a livelier swimming spot, join the weekend warriors and local families at Rio On Pools just a bit further along the road.

 

The striking Rio Frio Cave is a can’t-miss.  The immense, cathedral-like cave is a short detour behind the now-defunct logging town of Douglas Da Silva.  Nature nuts will want to probe the pristine Chiquibul National Park. It’s home to Belize’s highest peak, Doyle’s Delight, as well as Central America’s largest network of caves.

Featured: Belize’s Hummingbird Highway. Photo by Tom Hines