Plan a trip

North by Water

Crooked Tree, then the New River to Lamanai, then Sarteneja and Corozal Bay, then Caye Caulker.

An aerial view of a dark river winding through flat, green forest and wetland that runs to the horizon.
Fruit and vegetable stalls under a big shade tree, with people, bicycles and delivery tricycles in front.
A glossy black groove-billed ani, a bird with a heavy curved bill, standing on dry fallen leaves.
A calm, glassy bay under a clear blue sky, with palms and low buildings along the shore in the distance.

Overview

A week that moves almost entirely by water. You start among the wading birds of Crooked Tree, take the New River upstream to Lamanai, spend a night among Sarteneja's boatbuilders, and finish on Caye Caulker with your feet in the sea.

It's the route for birders and boat people, and it works well in the dry months when the lagoons shrink and the birds gather.

The route, stop by stop

01 · The north · 4 nights

Crooked Tree lagoon, the New River to Lamanai, then Sarteneja and Corozal Bay.
Road from BZE, about 1 hourCheck before you travel

02 · Caye Caulker · 3 nights

The Split, Hol Chan, and a hammock.
Boat towards the cayes, then water taxiCheck before you travel

How the nights split

  • Reef: 3 nights
  • River: 4 nights
  • Coast: 0 nights
  • Best months: February, March, April, MayCheck before you travel

Good for

  • Birders
  • Families
  • Travellers who've done Cayo before

Worth knowing

Lamanai can be a day trip from Crooked Tree or a night nearby.

Fly home from Caulker via BZE, or take the water taxi.

Other routes

Each one is a starting point, not a package.

All routes
10 to 11 nights

River to Reef

A river lodge in Cayo, down the Hummingbird Highway to Garifuna Hopkins, then out to South Water Caye or Glover's Reef.

  • Cayo → Hopkins & Dangriga → Glover's & South Water
  • Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, DecCheck before you travel
  • Works with children
A still, green river between banks of dense forest, seen past the railings of a bridge.
8 to 9 nights

Three Atolls

Ambergris, then Turneffe, then Lighthouse Reef by private boat or atoll lodges, and a short flight back.

  • Ambergris Caye → Turneffe Atoll → Lighthouse Reef
  • Best: Mar, Apr, May, JunCheck before you travel
  • Best for adults and older teens
An aerial view of white surf breaking in lines over a reef, with green-blue water behind it.