Discover Belize’s Living Reefs and Mayan Ruins

Harboring 180 miles of soft and stony corals and punctuated by the sapphire depths of the Great Blue Hole, the marine ecosystems of the Belize Barrier Reef beckon travelers in search of a true tropical paradise. National Geographic Sea Lion traces the world’s second-largest reef from tip to tip. Discover turquoise waters by kayak or paddleboard, and land on isolated cays, some no more than patches of sugar-white sand with small scatters of palm trees. Go ashore to explore coastal jungles brimming with colorful birds, neon tree frogs, monkeys, and other wildlife. In Mayflower Bocawina National Park, look for traces of the mystical jaguar and learn about jaguar conservation from naturalists and local experts.

Explore Belize on its own, or venture further—to the ancient ruins of Tikal, once a hub of Mayan civilization. Wander beneath soaring pyramids, try to decipher stone-carved art and hieroglyphs, and discover the spiritual significance of this once-lost city.