Activities & Tours - Ka’ana Boutique Resort

Mayan Ruins, Kayaking, Horse Back Riding, Nature

Xunantunich -Maiden of the Rock

The ruins of Xunantunich (pronounced: "Shoe-nan-too-nitch") are accessed by a short crossing on the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry and private road leading to the ancient temples, courtyard and museum. Located on a natural limestone ridge offering outstanding views over the surrounding villages and into Guatemala, this major Mayan ceremonial centre features several major temples. The largest pyramid "El Castillo" has been partially excavated and explored. The climb to the top is broken half way to admire the West Freize. Your guide will explain the cruelty of the Mayan warriors in the ball park where players often lost their heads whether they were the winners or losers! The guide will lead you through a journey back into the fascinating world of the Mayan culture. Once on top you will have a chance to take in the stunning views as a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding mountains and valleys opens up before you. The climb and descent are taken slowly and with caution but the efforts of the climb are well worth the rewards.Stop on the way back at a mini market in Succotz on the Mopan River, offering local crafts made form cloth, slate, wood, fabrics and other natural products.

Tour duration: 09:00 am- 1:00 pm
Price per person: $90 (1 pers.); $45 (2 pers.); $35 (3 pers.) ; $30 (4 pers. and more)
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, guide, and water
Price does not include: US$ 5.00 per person park entrance fee
Don't forget to bring: Good walking and climbing shoes (no high heels), bug spray, sun cream, and money for souvenirs

Tikal - "City of Echoes"

After a 6:30am "Tikal Breakfast" and prompt departure at 7am, you will enjoy an entertaining and interesting transition from Belize to Guatemala and experience the border crossing. Compare the border towns of Benque Viejo del Carmen in Belize and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala. On the ride to Tikal you will already see the differences in the two countries. Don't be surprised to see a number of animals meandering across the main road including wild pigs, cows, chickens, donkeys, exotic birds in flight, and Mayans dressed in typical clothing and carrying over sized water pots on their heads. You'll make a brief stop at Lago Petenitza for a restroom break, pictures and a souvenir stop at La Caoba.

Tikal itself comprises over 3,000 structures set in 55 square kilometers and is situated in Guatemala's largest protected area. Tikal is the largest known City from the ancient Mayan civilization, which at one point counted as 130,000 people. Tikal went through a devastating depopulation in 1500 BC for reasons that are still largely unexplained, though famine and civil strife is widely regarded as a possible cause as the huge population ran out of locally obtainable food sources. Within the city are fine examples of temples, courtyards, residential complexes. According to National Geographic magazine (August 2007), Tikal was considered the Greatest Mayan Metropolis in Central America and was one of the most dominant cities in the Mayan Kingdom.

Take a gentle amble through the rainforest primary growth with a chance to see Coatimundi, or Quash running around and hear the famous howler monkeys. Sightings of Spider monkeys are possible as well as Toucans and other exotic birds. Lunch is served in one of the local eateries and there is also a chance to shop for Tikal souvenirs before heading back to Belize. It is a long day but the rewards of this "Phenomenal Spectacle" are absolutely worth the journey.

Tour duration: 09:00 am - 5:00 pm
Price per person: $340 (1 pers.); $180 (2 pers.); $130 (3 pers.) ; $110 (4 pers.) ; $95 (5 pers. and more)
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, tour-guide, Tikal tour guide, vehicle sanitization, vehicle entrance fee, road tolls, lunch, water and soft drink.
Price does not include: US$ 20.00 per person entrance fee, US$ 18.75 Belize Departure tax
Don't forget to bring: bug spray, camera, sun cream, spending money for fees and souvenirs, and current valid passport.

HORSEBACK RIDING TOURS

Mosey on down between the lanes of Green Acres' orange grove to the beautiful banks of the Sibun River. Here we'll cross the river by horseback and turn into the cocoa fields of the Hershey Company. The cocoa bean was, and still is, used as the main ingredient for the production of chocolate. The cocoa fruit was highly revered by the Maya who also traded the seeds as currency. Your guide explains how this coveted fruit, dubbed as the "Food of the Gods", as it was known among the Maya, is cultivated and used today.

The Hershey fields are also home to several unexcavated Maya temples and structures - the largest site in the Sibun Valley Area. Ride around, between and atop these remnants of ancient civilization, while delving into the history of the elite family who once dwelled here. Dismount at the cocoa plant to enjoy a mini tour and learn how the bean is prepared for shipment.

We round 'em up at lunch time and head back for a fresh grilled lunch served family style under the open air thatched palapa. Menu includes BBQ with our homemade sauce, corn on the cob, home style baked beans, flour tortillas with ice tea and fresh fruit. Don't worry if it's your first time on a horse, all riding levels can be catered to - from the novice to the experienced. Our gentle beginner horses and attentive wranglers teach you a few basic tips to communicate with your horse. Practice the moves first before heading off down the trail. Experienced and intermediate riders can enjoy lengthy canters and riding abreast rather than nose to tail. Splash into the cool waters of the Inland Blue Hole, a natural limestone spring, on the way back. The spring flows from an underground cave into another cave. Also at the Blue Hole is the Hummingbird Trail for views of flora and birds.

Tour duration: 08:00 am - 12:00 pm
Price per person for Full Day: $110 (1 pers.); $70 (2 pers.); $60 (3 pers.) ; $50 (4 pers. and more)
Price per person for Half Day: $95 (1 pers.); $55 (2 pers.); $45 (3 pers.) ; $35 (4 pers. and more)
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, tour-guide, horse water and soft drink. Full Day Tours include lunch and swim stop at the Blue Hole.
Price does not include: US$4 per person Blue Hole park entrance fee, US$25 per person riding fee. Half Day experience does not include lunch nor Blue Hole stop.
Don't forget to bring: Bug spray, camera, sun cream, hat, sunglasses, long pants, and covered shoes.

Enjoy a drive across rivers, jungle trails, orange orchards, and along the Chiquibul Road through the Mennonite Community of Barton Creek - be sure to have a smile and a wave for the horse drawn buggies. We'll arrive at the Barton Creek Outpost where the setting is reminiscent of childhood secret places discovered on a hot summer day. Hidden within this small Community, are the remnants of an ancient Mayan civilization silently waiting to be explored in the cool, dark watery underground caverns of Barton Creek Cave, which was a center for ritualistic activities including human sacrifices, fertility rites and bloodletting. Stretching one to two miles underground, this ancient wonder can be explored only by canoe. Drift along and marvel at the glittering stalactites and stalagmites, some 50 feet in length; the eerie remains of human bones; centuries old clay pots, some in perfect form, and tiny remnants of cultural Mayan artifacts. Take a plunge in the cold underground river if you dare for a truly incredible experience.

Tour duration: 09:00 am - 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Price per person: $120/pp (2 pers.); $105 (3 pers.); $95 (4 pers.); $85 (5 pers. and more)
This is a shared tour. For private tour, add US$60.00 per person.
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, tour-guide, water and soft drink, canoe, entrance fee, life jacket, and head lamp.
Don't forget to bring: Don't forget to bring: Bathing suit, sunscreen, insect repellent.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

An exciting drive followed by a 45 minute trek including wading across 3 rivers gets you to the "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher", one of the most impressive caves in the Maya Lowland. Located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, this cave was a sacred place to the Maya of Belize, who first began to use the entrance during the early classic period. It was not until the late terminal classic period that the Maya traveled deeper into the Cave to conduct their ceremonies. The cave system consists of a series of chambers, ending in a large Cathedral where sacrificial ceremonies once took place. Here lay those individuals sacrificed to the gods of the underworld. Visitors to this cave have the opportunity to travel into the Maya past and witness a living museum where the human sacrifices and artifacts can be viewed in their original context.

Tour duration: 08:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price per person: $350 (2 pers.); $175 (3 pers.); $125 (4 pers.); $100 (5 pers. and more).
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, tour-guide, water and soft drink, lunch, fresh fruit, head lamp, safety helmet.
Price does not include: US$15 per person park entrance fee.
Don't forget to bring: Bathing suit, sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes, or sneakers recommended, as well as money for the entrance fee.


Cave Tubing at Jaguar Paw

Invigorated is just one of many words that describe how guests feel after experiencing one of Belize's most popular excursions. Turning off the Western Highway, the drive through orange groves, colorful bougainvillea, and rolling green hills brings you to the entrance of Jaguar Paw Cave. With inner tube and headlamps in hand, begin the one mile walk along a lush, tropical trail which passes through a shallow portion of the river; walk through caves before reaching a stunning lagoon surrounded by steep limestone walls. Along the way, our tour guide will point out various species of towering trees, exotic plants and explain their medicinal properties. View birdlife native to Belize and other parts of Central America. Taste a termite if you dare! The moment you enter the cool waters, the mystery of "Xibalba" (pronounced "Shee-bal-ba") the underworld of the Maya takes hold. Float along the darkness gently pushed by a current or led by your guide into two large chambers, both impressive sanctuaries used by the Mayans for sacrificial rituals. Plunge into darkness if you are brave enough to turn off your headlights, and listen to the sounds of the cascading waterfalls and bubbling rapids. How close you'll get before turning your light back on is up to you! Upon exiting the caves, continue floating along the river bank for thirty minutes until returning to our embarkation point. On your way out keep a lookout for exotic birds and animals as you gently float along the jungle lined river. There's even a chance for a Tarzan swing!

Tour duration: 08:00 am - 12:00 pm
Price per person: $115 (1 pers.); $65 (2 pers.); $50 (3 pers.); $40 (4 pers. and more).
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, tour-guide, water and soft drink, inner tube, life jacket, and head lamp
Price does not include: US$5 per person park entrance fee, lunch.
Don't forget to bring: Bathing suit, sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes, or sneakers are recommended.

Cave Tubing & Zip Line at Jaguar Paw

Enjoy the Cave Tubing at Jaguar Paw experience as previously detailed and then continue your all day adventure with a zip line tour: For those who want to experience more adventure, Jaquar Paw Resort offers zip lining, which is an aerial trek through the broadleaf rainforest. The tour features an intricate harness system of pulleys on horizontal traverse cables which lets you "zip" 100 - 124 feet between treetop platforms secured 70 feet high at canopy level. This level literally gives you a bird's eye view of all the tropical palms and trees. Start with a ten minute hike through the rainforest to the starting platform, and then take flight through the forest with the birds - a truly unforgettable experience!

Tour duration: 09:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price per person: $130 (1 pers.); $80 (2 pers.); $65 (3 pers.); $55 (4 pers. and more).
Price includes: Transportation to and from the hotel, tour-guide, water and soft drink, lunch, inner tube, life jacket, and head lamp
Price does not include: US$5 per person park entrance fee, lunch; US$55 Zip Line Fee.
Don't forget to bring: Bathing suit, sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes, or sneakers are recommended.