A lavish retreat from upscale jungle lodge to postcard-perfect private island

Southern Belize: Punta Gorda to Ray Caye

Trip Duration

8 days/7 nights

When to Go

November-July

Pricing Guide

from $4,500 pp

Trip Duration

8 days/7 nights

Pricing Guide

from $4,500 pp

When to Go

Nov-Jul

Discover southern Belize on this 8-day journey, from the untouched rainforests of Toledo to the barefoot luxury of Ray Caye. Hike to hidden waterfalls, visit cacao farms, and savor Garifuna-inspired cuisine before retreating to a private island resort. Snorkel, kayak, and sail by day, then fall asleep to the sound of the sea.

Destinations

Punta Gorda & Ray Caye

Trip Highlights

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Day by Day

17 Miles East, Placencia, Belize Punta Gorda, Belize

Rainforest roots & rich traditions

Punta Gorda

Day 1: Into the deep south
Arrive in Belize and board a short flight to Punta Gorda, the country’s lush and little-known southern tip. A guide greets you on arrival and whisks you through rainforest roads to your hilltop jungle lodge, where the air is thick with birdsong and the views stretch endlessly across the canopy.

Day 2: Ancient stones & sacred caves
Walk the quiet grounds of Lubaantun, an atmospheric Mayan site built from rounded-edge slate. Then continue to Blue Creek village, where you’ll share a meal with a local Maya family and learn to make fresh tortillas. End the day with a wade into Hokeb Ha Cave, a cool and sacred cavern once believed to house the Rain God.

Day 3: Chocolate & rum in the jungle
Spend the morning exploring a cacao plantation, tasting the fruit and making your own handmade chocolate bars. In the afternoon, head to a sustainable rum distillery tucked in the forest. Tour the sugarcane fields and sip small-batch Copalli Rum where it’s crafted—from stalk to still to bottle.

Island escape in the coral sea

Ray Caye

Day 4: From jungle to jewel-toned sea
Fly north to Placencia, then hop aboard a boat to the private island of Ray Caye. Arrive to open ocean views and white sands, with your oceanfront suite waiting. Slow your pace, breathe in the salt air, and let the quiet of the island settle in.

Day 5: Paddle by day, stars by night
Glide through calm waters by kayak, watching pelicans dive and rays pass beneath your boat. After sunset, set sail on a private stargazer cruise. Sip champagne and marvel at the constellations overhead, guided by your captain—or simply enjoy the stillness of the sea.

Day 6: Beneath the surface
Cruise out to the Belize Barrier Reef, a living wonder of color and motion. Snorkel among sea fans and coral towers as parrotfish and stingrays swirl around you. Return to the island in time for sunset and a cocktail by the shore.

Day 7: Sun, sea, and serenity
Today is yours to savor. Float in warm shallows, lounge in a hammock under the palms, or take a paddleboard out across the reef. That evening, dine by candlelight on the beach, toes in the sand and stars above.

Day 8: Farewell to the reef
Soak in a final sunrise before your return boat and flight to Belize City. Depart refreshed, with the rhythm of the island still in your bones.

Where You'll Stay

Copal Tree Lodge, Punta Gorda

Nestled within thick tangles of rainforest on a private 12,000-acre reserve, Copal Tree Lodge's jungle surrounds are home to howler monkeys, toucans and a host of other creatures, as well as a prolific organic farm, which feeds the lodge’s exquisite farm-to-table menu. Each private suite has a balcony complete with a soaker tub overlooking the landscape, perfect for taking in the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

Ray Caye Resort, Ray Caye

Set amidst the beautiful scenery off the coast of Placencia, Belize, Ray Caye features dazzling views of clear blue crystalline waters. This private island feels deserted in all the right ways, providing a sensorial experience of Belize that encourages guests to unplug. Amenities include a natural, saltwater pool, dining under the stars, kayaks, stand-up-paddleboards, kayaks & hobie cats.