Day 1 • Arrive in Cancun

Your Appleseed Expeditions guide will meet you upon arrival in Cancun, Mexico. Here you will go through an orientation meeting where you will become familiar with the program.

Day 2 – Snorkel with Whale Sharks

Whale sharks gather just north of Isla Mujeres in a seven mile radius to take advantage of the plankton rich waters created by the joining of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Snorkelers and divers will learn about the interaction between plankton and food chain dynamics as they interact with these giant whale sharks.

Day 3 – Transfer to San Pedro, Belize

This is an all day travel adventure that leaves Cancun either late in the night of Day 2 or in the early morning of Day 3, in order to catch the water taxi in Chetumal to San Pedro, Belize.

Day 4 – Snorkel at Holchan Reef

Due to the protected status of the area, the nurse shark population has exploded. In waters as shallow as 5 feet, large schools of nurse sharks, grouper, snapper and barracuda abound. Along each side of the cut grow healthy stands of corals and seagrass in shallow water, perfect for the beginner snorkeler.  It is common for snorkelers to swim with giant sea turtles in this area.

Day 5 – Volunteer with Ocean Academy

Today you will volunteer with this ocean conservancy program. Ocean Academy prepares students for careers relevant to conservation science. Appleseed students will help with preservation programs and a variety of work that helps local students.  This volunteer work ranges from data collection to helping with students with preservation programs.

Day 6 – Transfer to Belize and Volunteer at Liberty Children’s Home

After breakfast your group will take a water taxi to the Belize mainland. In the afternoon you will spend  time mentoring and serving the local children at a local children’s home.

Day 7 – Visit the Xunantunich Ruins

Your group will explore these mysterious ruins with your local guide. Xunantunich means “Stone Woman” in the Maya language and, like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown.

Day 8 • Cave Tubing & Belize Zip Ride at Caves Branch Outpostg

Explore the Caves Branch River and its winding waterway through the ancient caves via inner tubes. Thousands of years ago these caves where inhabited by the Maya. Become a “Zip rider” as you connect to a series of overhead cables criss-crossing the rainforest canopy. Hike through the rainforest with a naturalist who will discuss symbiotic relationships and ecological diversity.

Day 9 • Head Home

Head home after your wonderful Mexican/Belize adventure

Itinerary subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including availability with vendors, weather conditions and flight schedules.