WHEN YOU GO

Explore this cave: The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (belize.com/ actun-tunichil-muknal) is in an area known as the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. This is a tropical jungle so your guides will prepare you with suitable jungle hiking gear. The ATM cave is about a 45-minute drive from San Ignacio, Santa Elena or Belmopan. From the ATM site’s parking lot, expect a 40-minute hike to the cave entrance. The entrance to the cave is through 3.6 metres of water, so the government oversees the site to ensure licensed guides take in visitors. Tour prices vary, starting at $95 (U.S.), depending on which tour company you go with. Do this trip: This 10-day National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures Explore Belize trip (gadventures.com/trips/explore-belize) enables you to explore diverse aspects of Belize, from Mayan ruins to Garifuna culture to beauti- ful white-sand beaches and tropical jungles. The tour is now on sale for $1,799 (Canadian). The price includes your arrival transfer, several tours, transportation to destinations and to/from included activities, as well as hotel stays and some meals. Fly: I flew WestJet (westjet.ca) from Toronto to Belize City. In November, WestJet will bring back its seasonal direct flights from Toronto to Belize City, with flights that are just over four hours. Stay: Midas (midasbelize.com) in San Ignacio is a good mid-range choice, where you can grab some pool time and a rum punch the night before you head out to Actun Tunichil Muknal, which is about an hour’s drive from the hotel. Go: Visit November to mid-April, during the country’s dry season (which is also peak season). Do your research: travelbelize.org/home