Arran and Alison Bevis’s relationship with beautiful Belize is a tropical fairy tale all of its own. Arran’s Father, Jim, was brought to Belize in the 1960’s by his father, who pioneered farming rice in Belize, and was raised in the Belizean jungle. Jim is a renowned adventurer, while his wife, Marguerite, is a Registered Nurse and the “go to” authority on any number of jungle maladies. In 1989, Jim and Marguerite developed Mountain Equestrian Trails in the Cayo District, nestled in the foot of the Maya Mountains near San Ignacio, where Arran grew up: he’s now an accomplished horseman, a guide with extensive training in swift water, cave and jungle rescue, and a father himself.
Says Alison: “Arran and I met in Austin, Texas, and in 2001, when Arran returned to Belize, I came with him to manage MET. To me, Belize contained an extraordinary beauty incomparable to anything I’d seen then – or now. These past years we have worked to make MET blossom, and have blossomed ourselves. We were married here, learned much here, and now have three children, all born in Belize: our daughters Sierra (aged 5) and Savannah (2), and new baby boy Sterling Ryder (almost 3 months). This jungle is our home.“
What are your top Belize picks for adventure-seeking families?
1. Cahal Pech and Xunantunich (Cayo District)
I’ve had fun exploring both these Mayan ruins with my children; they are captivated by the ancient remains and I’ve even climbed the ruins with my baby in a sling, so it’s entirely possible to do. You can spot monkeys from time to time at Xunantunich, along with iguanas down by the river. It doesn’t take long to get to either of them, compared to the massive, amazing ruins at Tikal (see below) or Caracol, so you have time to stop in San Ignacio town and enjoy some gelato too!
2. Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave, Mountain Pine Ridge (Cayo District)
I can take any of my kiddos here: both of these places are easily accessible with small children. At Rio On, there’s a variety of depths of water and many natural pools to choose from, so it’s great for swimming with the kids and sliding down the waterfalls. The enormous Rio Frio Cave, with its huge, impressive entrance, is also a great attraction for all ages, perfect for some spooky exploration, and easy to get in-and-out-of.
3. Placencia (Caribbean Coast)
One of my favorite spots to spend a little R& R with the family on the beach is Placencia. It’s a beautiful drive to get here, down the Hummingbird Highway, and it’s useful to have car to get everyone around. There are beautiful beaches and loads of islands surrounding which are amazing to sail around, on calm Caribbean seas. I’ve seen dolphins swimming around the boat, and if you’re there in the right season (April-May) you can see the whale sharks and swim with them too. Tip: Tutti Frutti has the best gelato in Placencia, owned by Italians.
4. La Capitana Pontoon Boat Tour, Vaca Lake (Cayo District)
An awesome, scenic day out for all ages on Vaca Lake: La Capitana and his crew are very helpful with the kids, and I’ve taken my baby on this one too. Some of the sights and waterfalls are a hike from the boat, but are short enough distances for a 5-year-old to walk. If not, the crew are always willing to carry a child or two! There are some sweet natural pools, easy to access with the baby and kids, and I’ve seen both monkeys and kinkajous on this trip. I’m not even sure if I’ve even seen all the spots on offer…it’s always a pleasantly surprising experience.
5. Ambergris Caye (Caribbean Sea)
A developed, tourist-oriented island, perfect for relaxing with the little ones. The main town of San Pedro has lots of little luxury bolt-holes and amazing dining – and the boat-ride to get there from Belize City is fun for kids too.
6. Barton Creek Cave (Cayo District)
An easy-access cave adventure for all ages: you enjoy a canoe ride into this cave, to explore the ancient Mayan underworld within!
7. Belize Zoo (Mile 29, Western Highway)
Plan a trip here for either your arrival or departure day. It is wonderful little zoo located between Belize City and Belmopan (Belize’s capital), with whimsical signs and child-oriented messages about conserving wildlife. It’s home to jaguars and other large cats, tapirs, Scarlet Macaws and even the Harpy Eagle, among lots of smaller creatures. Cheers Restaurant is close to the zoo for a burger, and fries, or a plate of delicious rice and beans and stewed chicken. After that, Jaguar Paw is just up the road and is a great place to stop in and do some cave tubing and zip lining.
8. Horse riding at the Cayo District.
We might be biased, but our rides are the best Belize has to offer!
A half-day horseback tour to La Vega – a lush jungle valley with a meandering creek – is a fabulous option for younger kids. It’s possible to ride with little ones on your horse and take it slow, and jungle horseback riding is something you (and they) will remember for the rest of your life!
A ride to Big Rock Waterfall is a little more challenging, as you have to conquer a short, steep hill to and from the waterfall. Younger children will need floaties here, but you won’t be sorry for your effort, and there are big rocks for jumping into beautiful swimming pools.
A third choice is a full day horseback tour to Barton Creek Cave (see above) for the adults and children old enough to ride. Children too small to ride can be watched by capable caregivers, and driven to meet you at the river cave for family exploration by canoe.
9. A Trip to Tikal, Guatemala
A trip across the border to Tikal in Guatemala, to see the immense, magnificent (UNESCO-rated) Mayan ruins and the abundance of wildlife to be found there, is a fabulous addition to a Belize trip, and is quite an easy – but adventurous – undertaking with little ones.
What are your favorite hidden or off-the-beaten-track Belize treasures, the things that families might usually miss out on?
Alison: Sapodilla Falls in the Cayo District. It’s definitely off the beaten path and requires some hiking, but you’re rewarded by a lovely set of waterfalls and swimming holes in a secluded and wild setting. The swimming is wonderful, but camping out and spending the night there is even better with the family!
Arran: The Macal River winds down from the Caracol hills and offers great canoeing for all ages! There’s a great half-day trip that can lead you down river to the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech (see above), near the town of San Ignacio.
What do you love most about Belize as a place to spend time with your children?
I love that we are outside all the time, surrounded by sheets of green and close to nature: the girls love to help me garden, where birds abound, butterflies flutter, monkeys howl and crickets chirp. We see toucans almost every morning, Sierra and Savannah bring me bouquets of flowers every day, and we still get excited when we sight a cool animal in the neighborhood. There are waterfalls close by, and the beach is just a few hours away. There’s opportunity for an adventure daily!
In the San Ignacio area, I’d recommend the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. It is a great place for the kids, features a swimming pool, and the great, educational Iguana Project that our kids love. The Parrot Nest Lodge along the Mopan River is great for a slimmer budget (though it’s tree-houses, so better for older kids); there you can spot agoutis and kingfishers, along with lots of beautiful birds.
In town (that’s what we call San Ignacio), there’s a little local place called Mincho’s, where you’ll find cheap, delicious Belizean fast food consisting of homemade papusas, salbutes, tacos, and more. They always have a wonderful selection of fresh squeezed juices: tamarind, soursop, coconut water, watermelon, orange juice, which the children love.
What would you recommend travelers to Belize to bring – and what should they leave behind?
Bring a head-lamp and leave the high heels at home! It’s best to dress in layers, so bring tank tops, and long sleeve shirts or sweaters for everyone to layer on, and if you’re going riding you’ll need long pants with closed-toe shoes (hiking boots or sneakers will do fine). Don’t forget your swimsuits, and bring water-shoes for the little ones if going barefoot in rivers isn’t appealing to them. Leave behind your job and your worries….you can always check in as internet is now available country-wide.
What time of year would you recommend for the perfect visit?
February: it’s beautiful and not usually busy. The summer months (June to August) are also great for families, but be prepared for occasional rain showers. The best part about summer travel, however, is that wonderful fruits and vegetables like mangoes, avocados and breadfruit are all readily available.
What would you suggest families avoid in Belize.
I think they’ll remember playing chase in the jungle, climbing the guava tree, searching for chicken eggs, and meeting interesting guests. They’ll recall learning about the plants, birds, and wildlife of the jungle, as well as planting with Momma, playing and learning from Mamarite and Papa (Grandma and Grandpa), taking horseback rides with Daddy and sometimes Momma too, camping on the river, and sharing their world with foxes, snakes, iguanas, tarantulas, monkeys and tapirs
Kids love horses, waterfalls, rivers, and the natural world. Children become fascinated with the lizards, frogs, insects, and hummingbirds we have resident, and it’s a great place to exercise their imaginations. They enjoy playing games in the evenings and the camaraderie of people hanging out together in the Cantina. Many children tell their parents they don’t want to leave, not even to go to the beach.
And finally, you have a lovely babysitter for the evening. What does your perfect date night consist of in San Ignacio?