Maya ruins, natural wonders

Central America is awash with nature opportunities ranging from rainforests filled with monkeys and exotic birds to crystal-clear seas teeming with brightly colored fish and sea rays. It also has a wealth of sites that document the ancient cultures that once ruled these lands. Natural Habitat Adventures has a new land and sea tour — Belize to Tikal: Reefs, Rivers & Maya Ruins — that explores both aspects. The nine-day/eightnight trip begins aboard the new National Geographic Quest, a 100-passenger expedition vessel built to get into out-of-the-way spots without sacrificing luxury. While exploring highlights such as the Belize Barrier Reef, there’s the opportunity to snorkel, kayak or try stand-up paddleboarding. There’s a visit to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first jaguar reserve, and Lighthouse Reef Atoll, 55 miles offshore from the reef, whose Half Moon Caye is a nesting area for roughly 4,000 red-footed boobies. The land portion of the trip involves a flight to Guatemala to visit the ruins of Tikal amid the rainforest. The sprawling Mayan city contains stone temples, palaces and other structures that were once home to perhaps as many as 90,000 people. There’s also a visit to Yaxha, near Tikal, which gets few tourists despite being the third-largest Mayan ruin. Pricing for the trip in 2019 is from $5,760 per person, double occupancy. Internal flights are extra. Bookings made by Oct. 31 get free round-trip economy airfare from Miami to Guatemala City or a $350 air credit. Info: 800-543-8917, Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.