ESCURSIONI A TERRA

Come aboard our luxurious electric launch, the Black Swan, docked at the Harvest Caye Marina, she is totally canopy covered for protection from the sun or rain and has comfortable lounge type seating with throw pillows. Sit back, relax and enjoy a 45 minute educational, quiet and environmentally friendly electric boat cruise along the western coast of Harvest Caye. There will be many photo ops, including a close-up of your beautiful ship, as we exit the marina, also the Harvest Caye Flighthouse, Mayan Mountains and maybe even a docile manatee. Enjoy this totally relaxing, whisper quiet tour with friends or family, while sipping on a complementary rum or fruit punch on-board the Black Swan. Free wifi on board.

Sail hundreds of feet above the waters of Belize in tandem while being towed with a brand new parasail boat on this adrenaline pumping experience.

As you travel out of the marina, your parasail flight-crew will give you an orientation and safety briefing and then prepare you for your exhilarating panoramic flight high above the waters off Harvest Caye Island. It’s a thrilling, once in a lifetime experience that will no doubt leave you with lasting memories of your visit to Harvest Caye.

Cruise the winding Monkey River, looking for wildlife in the surrounding rainforest, and then enjoy a hike with a naturalist that will explain the plants' medicinal uses.

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at a small village near the mouth of the Monkey River, where you will begin a leisurely cruise upstream. Along the way, the guide will provide enlightening commentary about the region's history, including how the economy boomed in the late 19th century when large volumes of bananas were exported.

Little evidence of that thriving time period remains, as the meandering Monkey River is bordered by undeveloped rainforest. Natural beauty and remarkably diverse flora and fauna are now the main attractions.

You can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles sunning on the riverbanks, turtles popping their heads above the water's surface, and iguanas perched in the tree limbs. You might even spot a troop of black howler monkeys screeching in the forest.

Tropical birds are just as abundant along the river, especially wading birds such as herons, brightly colored tanagers and keel-billed toucans, the national bird of Belize. Toucans are easy to spot because of their large, colorful bills and how they croak like frogs.

Once you disembark, you will hike through the surrounding forest while the naturalist guide points out plants with medicinal qualities. For instance, leaves of the soursop are often brewed into a tea that reduces fever, and the wild yam has anti-inflammatory properties.

Discover the ancient Mayan archeological site of Nim Li Punit along with its treasures and visit the Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens to see how they cultivate and harvest exotic spices.

Board your air-conditioned bus for a scenic ride to the archeological site of Nim Li Punit, "Large Hat" in the Mayan Kekchi language. The site was so named due to a depiction on a Maya stela of one of its rulers wearing a very large headdress. This unique Mayan ceremonial site has a small museum and a welcome center where you can see some of the large stelas with well-preserved Maya drawings and writing, as well as artifacts. It also has a ball-court in the center of the complex and an observatory in one of the plazas. The entire site is shaded by a canopy of large trees, providing a comfortable environment for viewing this very interesting Mayan site.

Head over to the Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens and see how vanilla, nutmeg, maze cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper are cultivated. As you travel through the farm via tram, you’ll see how these unique spices are dried and processed for packaging. Afterward, relax in the comfortable guest center where you will have the opportunity to purchase some of the spices that are grown here.

Retreat to the privacy of your own poolside canopy cabana. These uniquely designed cabanas will elevate the status of your island experience providing the perfect mix of rest and relaxation in the lagoon-style pool retreat.

Relax on lounge chairs under your cabana canopy and draw the curtains for additional privacy. The pool also features a fun resort atmosphere with easy access to the bar, retail shops and Landshark Bar & Grill. Pool canopy cabanas accommodate 4 guests.

Depart from the Malacate Pier on your air-conditioned bus for a scenic one-hour bus ride to the picturesque archaeological site of Nim Li Punit, or "Large Hat". Nim Li Punit is in the Mayan Kekchi language. This is the name given to this site, due to a depiction on a stela of one of its rulers wearing a very large headdress. This unique Mayan ceremonial site was built on a hillside overlooking the fertile Toledo lowlands where crops were grown to feed the Mayan rulers that occupied this temple. Here at this well-maintained site, there is a small museum and welcoming center where you can observe some of the large stelas and artifacts that have been preserved. Nim Li Punit, also boasts a well-preserved ball-court in the center of the complex, and a Mayan observatory is also located within one of the various plazas. This entire site is canopied over with large trees, providing a shady comfortable environment for viewing this interesting and beautiful archaeological site.

After your tour, you will head to Spice Farm for a warm welcome, a delicious and traditional Belizean lunch. Here you will be able to purchase various local drinks and souvenirs. It's now time to head back to your ship docked at Harvest Caye, it's been an interesting, fun, and educational adventure, one filled with Mayan history and an excellent overview of Belize's natural wonders.

Stand up Paddle Boarding or SUP, is a fun sport and very easy to learn. With just a few helpful hints from our staff, you'll be able to paddle the lagoon, offering views of local wildlife, flora and fauna. Have young children? Just place them on the board with you, a fun family activity for all ages.

The lagoon on Harvest Caye is the perfect place to discover the fun and ease of kayaking. After a brief orientation on how to use your kayak, you’re free to explore the lagoon on a self-guided tour.

Surround yourself in nature and let your senses heighten as you paddle past tropical landscapes watch for local wildlife. The lagoon and surrounding wetland make for a perfect escape from everyday life.

Love of adventure preferred, no previous experience required.

Spend a sultry day inside the comfort of one of our incredible self-contained retreats that comfortably house up to six guests. Each villa provides a great home base for enjoying your stay on the Cay. Placed on a secluded portion of the island your villa offers a step back in time allowing you the opportunity to build a sandcastle with the kids and for taking a dip in the sea. Rest, relax, enjoy the Caribbean views from your front porch or from the air conditioned interior. Each villa includes private restroom, indoor and outdoor showers, Bluetooth audio, a digital safe, mini refrigerator, beach hammock and your very own Butler and Concierge service. Reserve a luxury beach villa and you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a glorious day on Harvest Caye.

Our wheelchair accessible villa offers all the same luxuries of the Luxury Beach Villas plus wheelchair ramps, extra wide doorways and wheelchair accessible restroom facilities. Also includes round trip transportation in a fully wheelchair shuttle and a specially designed beach wheelchair to access the beach and sea.

Due to limited availability, we kindly request that this villa is reserved for guests that are fully confined to a wheelchair.

The villa provides a great home base for up to 6 guests. Your villa offers a step back in time allowing you the opportunity to rest, relax, enjoy the Caribbean views from your front porch or from the air conditioned interior. This villa includes private wheelchair accessible restroom, indoor & outdoor showers, Bluetooth audio, digital safe, mini refrigerator, beach hammock and your very own Butler and Concierge service. Reserve a villa and you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a glorious day on Harvest Caye.

This is your opportunity to explore amazing saltwater mangrove estuaries, encounter wildlife and learn about the flora and fauna from your nature guide.

Board your sightseeing motor launch directly from the Harvest Caye Marina to explore Mother Nature's amazing saltwater mangrove estuaries and its inhabitants. The seating in your motor launch is comfortable and the canopied top affords protection from the warm tropical sun, so just sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Your experienced captain will slowly maneuver your vessel out of the marina and onto the protected waters of the Placencia Lagoon. He will chart a course towards one of the shallow manatee hang-out areas. More often than not, manatees will be in these areas grazing and relaxing. Your knowledgeable onboard nature guide will provide you with a detailed narrative about the manatees and their life cycle in the tropical waters of Belize.

As your tranquil sightseeing tour continues traveling along the shore of the picturesque lagoon, your captain will enter one of the many mangrove estuaries. These placid creeks are lined on both sides with mangrove trees with their arching root systems and thick verdant green leaves as they provide habitat for many forms of life.

As the passage narrows, your guide will point-out numerous species of flora and fauna, ranging from marine life, to aquatic plants and trees. There will be many species of birds and at times, wildlife that that live on the tropical savannahs might be spotted - you never know what you might encounter.

Kick back, relax and enjoy a complimentary rum punch or water.

Before you realize it, your Captain is entering the marina and your enjoyable marine estuary and lagoon sightseeing tour is drawing to an end. You’ll have plenty of memories and beautiful photos to share with your family and friends.

Float down a slow-moving river on an inner tube and take in the spectacular rainforest scenery while listening to the ambient sounds of the jungle. You will get a genuine feel for rural life while driving through the densely forested countryside on the way to Maya World Outpost, the starting point for your adventure. After a short briefing to help you maximize the tubing experience, you will ease into the river and let the current carry you downstream. Mountain springs feed the river so the water is usually crystal-clear. Along the way, you will pass through a picturesque mountain gorge, over a series of small rapids and under overhanging trees so you will usually be in the shade. The scenery will be ever-changing, which adds to the excitement and makes the trip all the more memorable. Chances are, you will hear squawking tropical birds as they are abundant in the protected rainforest.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Float down a slow-moving river through a pristine rainforest.
• Admire the ever-changing jungle scenery while listening to the sounds of nature.
• Look for wildlife, especially birds such as the keel-billed toucan, Belize’s national bird.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit under your clothes..
• Wear shoes that are appropriate for the water.