Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Miami Beach - San Ignacio - Hopkins
100% customisable for you
Your adventure begins today. Head to the airport, fast-track through security and relax in the lounge before boarding your ten-hour flight to Miami.
When you arrive in the Sunshine State, we’ve arranged a private transfer to your hotel for the next three nights, located in lovely Miami Beach. After you’ve unpacked and settled in, why not start exploring? Make a beeline for a palm-fringed beach (there’s no shortage nearby) and relax after all the travelling. Or, wander the local boutiques and galleries before finding a spot for dinner – consult our Dossier for a list of our favourite eateries in the area.
For the first full day of your trip, set out to discover Miami Beach on two wheels. We’ve arranged a day’s bike hire, complete with a helmet, bike lock and handy city map. Eye-catching Art Deco architecture can be found throughout the city, but pedal through the vibrant Art Deco Historic District – home to the iconic Ocean Drive – for the best examples. Spend some time admiring these beautiful buildings before heading to the Bass Museum of Art for an inspiring collection of contemporary works. Soak up the atmosphere of the pedestrianised Lincoln Road, where you can shop ‘til you drop, enjoy cafe terraces and peruse independent galleries. Then, cycle to the white sands of South Beach which is lapped by turquoise waters and dotted with colourful lifeguard towers.
Swap the city for nature today, with a boat tour of nearby Everglades National Park. Sprawled across the tip of the Florida peninsula, this is one of the few parks in the country that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the largest subtropical wilderness in the USA, home to an extraordinary array of aquatic habitats and myriad birds, reptiles and amphibians, including endangered species like the American crocodile, West Indian manatee and Everglade snail kite. Your two-hour boat trip is led by an expert guide, who will help you spot these elusive species along the way.
Back in Miami Beach, sample some of the city’s iconic dishes on your final night. Cuban sandwich or stone crab, anyone?
Say goodbye to the states and hello to Central America, as you board a two-and-a-half-hour flight to Belize City. Upon arrival, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel in jungle-clad San Ignacio, around a two-hour drive away.
Your home for the next three nights in a lodge beside the Macal River. We’ve left your first day free for you to spend as you please. Relax in your lodge’s gorgeous grounds, head out for a birdwatching excursion or take to the water on a river boat trip. When the stomach rumbles start, return to your lodge to tuck into nourishing homemade dishes and sip delicious coffee from neighbouring Guatemala.
With two days to explore the San Ignacio region, discover the beautiful Actun Tunichil Muknal cave with a knowledgeable local guide. Uncovered in 1989 and open to the public since 1998, this three-mile-deep cave is only accessible via swimming. Wade through the spectacular cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and look out for the well-preserved skeletons from a Mayan ritual sacrifice over 1,000 years ago, including the famous Crystal Maiden.
After touring the cave, why not admire the rainforest from 490ft above the treeline? Fly through the foliage on a zipline near the Caves Branch River. Other highlights include the archaeological Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, and the bustling San Ignacio Market.
Today, you’ll be privately transferred to the beautiful Belizean coast. Your destination for the next four nights is Hopkins, a tropical paradise replete with powder-soft beaches and crystalline waters. Settle into your beachfront hotel before making the (very short) journey to the Caribbean Sea for a refreshing dip. There’s no better spot to while away the hours. Feeling peckish? Enjoy a range of seasonal dishes at the hotel’s restaurant before getting a good night’s rest, ready to explore the underwater world tomorrow.
The next three days are yours to relax, rejuvenate and explore the Belizean coast. Why not dip beneath the waves? Home to a thriving coral reef, Belize’s underwater world is best explored by snorkelling or diving. Catch a boat to Laughing Bird Caye, a protected national park and part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spot everything from hammerhead sharks and turtles to over 230 fish species, as well as plenty of birdlife. We can even arrange guided night dives, where you can spot nocturnal creatures like octopuses and lemon sharks.
If you’d prefer to stay on land, Hopkins is a great base for exploring inland, including the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve (home to around 50 jaguars), the mangroves (where you can spot endangered manatees) and Placencia (best known for its palm-lined beaches). At sunset, visit one of the village’s many bars, sit back and relax with your feet in the sand and the rhythm of reggae in your ears. Bliss.
Sadly, your holiday to Miami and Belize comes to an end today. Bid Belize a fond farewell and take a private transfer from Hopkins to Belize City, where you’ll catch a flight back to Miami. From here, you have a ten-hour overnight flight back to the UK, arriving the next day (hopefully) with the sunshine in tow…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
