Turf and Surf Getaway

Introduction
Coast & Interior Belize

Adventures in Belize - horseback riding, the Mayan Ruins of Tikal or Caracoal and three days on the beach!

Your adventure will start on the banks of the Mighty Belize River, central to all of Belize. A ranch is nestled in the verdant jungle with over 120 horses, 80 head of cattle, an abundance of tropical birds, a few monkeys, and  is complete with a resident jaguar on property! Here  the horses roam free and huge iguanas laze in the branches above the bamboo. The lush land all around is surrounded by evidence of the ancient Mayan civilization and the region's historic logging tradition. Home to the finest equestrian center in Belize, the ranch can cater to riders of all riding levels. There is riding instruction available for  the novices and there are brisk and more challenging outings for the experienced riders who come to stay here. You can certainly expect something  unique for this vacation - awaken each day to the shimmering glow of dawn materializing through the tropical haze and the well kept horses, lush pastures, delicious meals, and friendly people will keep you in a good mood throughout the day and into the night.  The quiet river, gentle breezes, ancient trees, and brightly colored parrots will speak to your soul.  There are miles of trails under the heavy forest canopy surrounding the property, some with amazing, long canters though the jungle - an exhilarating experience!

Take a break from the horses and we will go on a splendid sightseeing trip to the Mayan Ruins of Tikal or Caracoal (with minimum of participants (3/2) or else a full day of riding).

After four days of discovering the jungle landscape, you will move the adventure over to the coast, either by ferry or a short flight, to explore beautiful San Pedro on the Ambergris Cayes. It is a small island full of life, yet with quiet  and relaxing beaches. A nice 3-star beach hotel with an ocean view suite will keep you comfortable and cool after a day of activities under the sun. There are many exciting activities to choose from each day*. We recommend the half day snorkeling trip to Holchan and Shark Ray Alley as it is a must for visitors to San Pedro and an excursion that you will not soon forget. You can also join a snorkeling trip with the Manatee Watch or live the lifestyle with a Belizean BBQ on the beach!  We will take care of all your airport transfers and lodging with breakfast each day ... the rest is up to you to design!

*activities for Surf portion of trip are not included in the package price & arranged locally!

Accomodation

The Jungle Accommodations:

Cabanas with roofs made from jungle bay leaf thatching are uniquely designed. Crafted by the Banana Bank craftsmen with fine Belizean woods, they are, in themselves works of art. Each cabana has a solarium bath, a sitting room and two bedrooms, each room with a queen size and single bed. Four to six family members, friends or groups traveling together can be easily accommodated in each cabana. Carved doors, original oil paintings and jungle ambiance create a truly memorable surrounding.

The dining room has an exotic feel to it. The tone is set by the soaring thatched roof. Carved banisters, pink gypsum stonewalls, and rich local hard wood paneling make this a beautiful place to enjoy. Our meals are served family style and are widely reported to be some of the best in Belize. The family atmosphere provides a setting for lively discussion between guests from different parts of the world and diverse interest. Menus vary but center around the kind of home cooking we call "grandma's food" although our girls cook up some of the best local cuisine found in Belize.


The Beach Accommodations:



Located on the Caribbean shores of Ambergris Caye and resting gracefully on the finest beach, this resort is just far enough south of San Pedro Town for real tranquility. Our Ambergris Caye Resort is a luxurious haven in one of the most scenic places on earth - San Pedro, Belize. This hotel consist of one, two, three and four bedroom suites with full kitchen and living room. The suites are all furnished with Belize-made Rattan furniture, decorated with ceramic art and hand woven tapestries from the Yucatan. There are two freshwater swimming pools at the hotel.

For the "Surf" portion of your trip, we have included only breakfast so as to give you the best flexibility during your activity days and for evening dinners.
Start your Day with...
• Eggs Benedict with Smoked Ham
• Belizian Banana Pancakes
• Apple Cinnamon French Toast

There are several nice beach restaurants close by. The hotel has an excellent restaurant as well at the "El Divino".

This elegantly appointed restaurant features both outdoor seating and indoor air-conditioned split level dining with high ceilings, local artwork and private booths. The wonderfully decorated lounge invites you to enjoy the islands's largest selection of drinks, cool tropical cocktails and of course, martinis.

A spacious yet intimate setting creates a romantic ambience with exquisite food presentations that taste as delicious as they look. Our Chef puts food first and insists on top quality and absolute freshness in all the ingredients. A tempting selection of fresh seafood, USDA meats, pastas and more add to your dining pleasure. You can expect the higest quality in a "decontracte" ambience, excellent food at excellent prices and the finest service in all of San Pedro.

Dinner entrees selections include...
• Filet Mignon & Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Cabernet Sauce
• Sauteed Shrimp, Herb Pest Couscous & Flavoured Oils
• Pork Chops, Steak, Fries & Warm Apple Chutney
• Steamed Local Lobster tail with Saffron Risotto
• Pan-Seared Grouper & Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Grapefruit Beurre Blanc
• Sauteed Snapper over Black Bean Salsa with a Caribbean Citrus Sauce 

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Home to the finest equestrian center in Belize, the Turf section of this trip will give you something different. If you've ridden over mountains, prairies and park lands we know your expectations are high. Can the tropics show you anything you haven't already seen?

ABSOLUTELY!

You awaken to the shimmering ethereal glow of dawn materializing through the tropical haze. Horses are roaming freely and grazing in green pastures surrounded by the palms. The day is young and a sudden rush of excitement fills the air. It's time to ride!
The ranch is big, beautiful and boisterous. Miles of jungle and riverside trails are awaiting you. There are opportunities to experience horsemanship in a variety of ways!

Horses - About 100 head (we had 8 colts just this spring) of well-kept, mixed breeds, predominately quarter horse stock. This combination provides sturdy but agile mounts is necessary to negotiate the river terrain and jungle trails. We whisper train our horses!

Activities - We will offer our guests the opportunity to participate in the hands on experience of interacting with all our horses. In the arena and round pen, communication between horse and rider begins to meld. We use concepts as presented by John Lyons and Pat Parelli, two of the most popular horse clinicians in the United States, and they are the basis for our horsemanship. Key words are communication, trust and discipline.

A variety of activities can be arranged, including barrel racing, gymkhana events, overnight rides - itineraries that may be flexible. While we mostly ride western, we do have two sets of English saddles and tack for your use. There are miles of jungle trails for you to explore!

Itinerary

Rates and Dates for Turf and Surf Getaway

Dates Note: arrival can be any day of the week

Other Info
Meeting: Belize City
Airport: Belize City
Transfer: Belize City/ San Pedro Airstrip

Climate:
Belize weather features a temperate climate with by 2 distinct seasons, the rainy and the dry.  Rainfall during the rainy season occurs between June and November with rainfall averages ranging between 60 inches/1,524mm in the north to 160 inches/4,064mm in the south. Except for the southern regions, the rainfall is variable from year to year. Average temperatures range from 81°F / 27°C along the coast to 69°F / 21°C in the hills. The coldest month is January and the warmest temperatures are experienced in May.

Remember that you are in a subtropical climate so dress lightly - we recommend cotton clothing rather than synthetics.

A poncho, in case of rain, will be provided. For the horseback riding, jeans (single seamed) and light boots or ankle high shoes are most suitable.

You don't need electrical adapters if coming from North America!

Plenty of water will be provided to you. Bring a bottle or camel-back if you wish.

In San Pedro, the streets are sandy and unpaved so be sure to leave your fancy clothes and high heel shoes at home!