Belize It! Culinary & Culture Tour

Food Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Belize City and travel by private transport to Black Rock Lodge in the Cayo district, the interior of Belize where you’ll find lush jungle and a diversity of cultural influences. We are booked at a beautiful lodge in the jungle truly off the beaten path. It is about 7 miles down a dirt road with limited wifi, so prepare for a true retreat! Note, units are not air conditioned, but the jungle is cool at night and the cabins are beautiful. Get ready to immerse yourself in nature with amenities and in comfort. We’ll convene for a delicious dinner made with produce grown on the lodge property and then rest and relax before our first big day.

Day 2

This is your day! You will be amazed by the mountains that surround you, the river below and the birds that come to feed. Hike the mountain trails, book a guided birding tour with one of the resident guides, or just stare at the mountains and swim in the spring fed pool with a drink in hand. We might hear howler monkeys at night! This is true paradise. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a rum tasting and cocktail making class using fresh produce from their gardens.

Day 3

Today is a full day starting at 9 am. We explore the history and food of the Cayo region. We’ll start the day with a tour of Cahel Pech which means “place of ticks” in Yucatec mayan. Don’t worry! That’s from the time when it was pasture and the ruins were just being uncovered. From there we head to the local market which is bustling with local produce, crafts and delicious food. We’ll enjoy lunch at the market before heading to a cooking class with a local Mayan women’s cooperative.

Day 4

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast from the jungle lodge before heading to our next location. On the way, we will visit Belize’s famous rum distillery still in the original family and grab a delicious local lunch! We’ll sample rums and learn the history of rum production in Belize before heading to the island of San Pedro. We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner upon arrival. San Pedro is a great island to explore by golf cart, or just relax by the pool at the hotel! 

Day 5

Wake up and spend the morning as you choose! Perhaps take a walk, head to secret beach in a golf cart or just enjoy watching the sea with a book and drink in hand. San Pedro is a beautiful, friendly, and safe town to explore as is Ambergris Caye. Later in the afternoon we’ll enjoy a pupusa making class, which will be our delicious dinner.

Day 6

Today we’ll experience the fabulous aquatic life of Belize, taking a snorkeling adventure to nearby waters to snorkel. Snorkeling in this area is a must do activity! You’ll see rays, turtles, and all kinds of fish, and end our experience with a fresh cooked lunch (catch of the day!). In the evening we’ll enjoy a group dinner and a chance to shop for last minute gifts.

Day 7

Departure day. After breakfast, we’ll take a short flight back to Belize City, and catch our flight home.

COST: FROM $3249/pp BASED on double occupancy. Guaranteed Single Occupancy add $899

INCLUSIONS:

• 6 nights lodging in boutique hotels and lodges, all with pool access
• Almost all meals throughout the duration of the trip as listed including breakfast daily (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)
• All activities including the private tours, classes and more as listed
• Regional and local transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles or small airplane
• Expert local guides
• On the ground concierge services
• Tips for all included meals

Please note: Alcoholic beverages and bottled water are not included unless specified in the itinerary. Tips to housekeeping, for meals that are not included and for guides/excursions are not included.

Deposits/Payments

Total cost pp: $3249.00 or $3349.00** See below for price difference based on room selection at Black Rock Lodge.

Deposits/Payments: To hold your spot in the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This can be paid by check (address below), Zelle or Paypal/Venmo (may incur fees). 

Remaining balance due on or before 90 days before the tour or Nov 5, 2025.

After Nov 5th, 2025 there are no refunds on any of the amounts paid due to cancellations.
You can also choose to send full payment in advance of the course/tour.

Any bookings after Nov 5th, 2025, full payment required at time of booking to reserve spot.

Flexible Booking/Cancellation:A $500 non refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. Your final payment is due 30 days before the tour. The non-refundable deposit can be transferred one time only to another trip if you cancel before 90 days before the tour. After that the deposit is forfeited.

Refunds and adjustments: There will be no refunds or adjustments for unused portion of the tour.

If Otehlia Travels cancels the tour, all fees paid MINUS your $500 deposit (service fee) will  be refunded. We require trip insurance or a signed waiver in case of unforeseen events that result in the cancellation of your trip. Full payment due 90 days before departure. 50% refund before 90 days before the trip (minus deposit). 25% refund 89-31 days before the trip (minus deposit). No refunds within 30 days of departure date.

Mail your deposit and fill out the submission form below to hold your spot. Send deposit to 2521 Hoard Street, Madison, WI 53704. Make check payable to Otehlia Travels, LLC. Please fill out booking form even if mailing in deposit. Zelle and Paypal transfer accepted for no additional fee; credit card payments incur a 5% processing fee – please make a note in the booking form.

PRICING based on Black Rock Lodge accommodation selection

**All price points offer the Premier rooms at Sunbreeze Hotel which offers partial ocean and pool views.

Tour Policies and Procedures incl. Covid updates

Covid Protocol and Safety Measures:

We will adhere to local mask mandates and safety protocol.

If you test positive and must quarantine, you will be fully responsible for any fees associated with your stay including but not limited to health care costs and lodging. By joining the tour each participant voluntarily agrees to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability or expense of any kind that they may experience or incur in connection with their Madison Eats Food Tours trip and its activities.

Cancellation and Refund: If Otehlia Travels cancels the tour, all fees paid MINUS your $500 deposit (service fee) will  be refunded. We strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events that result in the cancellation of your trip.

Travel Insurance: Otehlia Travels requires travel insurance for all travelers with at least basic coverage for trip cancellation, delay or interruption. Two companies that offer insurance that I recommend are AIG or Allianz. You can get a quote from AIG and also Allianz offers it. You definitely need to read the fine print regarding Covid-related coverage. You would purchase your own coverage. There are various levels, but at a baseline, you want trip cancellation or delay, and medical emergency – Once you reach out to a provider, you can see the basic coverage and additions. For travel to Cuba, Cuba requires medical insurance and that is usually included in your ticket purchase (flight). We travel to Cuba under “support for the Cuban people”.

A) Minimum Group Size:

Otehlia Travels’ trips are priced based on a minimum group size that varies by trip, making our trips financially viable to operate. Otehlia Travels reserves the right to cancel any trip if the trip does not attract the minimum number of clients required to make the trip financially viable. Otehlia Travels will not, however, cancel a trip due to minimum group size any later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the trip. In the event of cancellation, Otehlia Travels shall not, in any case, be responsible for nonrefundable expenses incurred by the client, including, but not limited to airline cancellation fees or insurance purchases.

Alternatively, clients may choose to pay a small group surcharge that would be assessed to each guest in groups that fall below the minimum group size, which avoids us having to cancel the trip.

B) Force Majeure:

Otehlia Travels reserves the right to cancel a trip at any stage prior to the scheduled departure due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events which make it unviable for Otehlia Travels to operate our planned schedule. In such a case, Otehlia Travels will, at its own discretion, refund a portion of the trip price (less incurred costs and the non-refundable deposit), reschedule the tour, or offer an alternative tour. Should the client choose to purchase “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) insurance coverage, and the tour becomes unviable for Otehlia Travels to operate or reschedule, Otehlia Travels will cover the client’s CFAR deductible up to 25% of the price of the tour.

BOOKING AMENDMENTS

If you wish to change your booking in any way, you must contact us as soon as possible and we will accommodate your request to the best of our ability. Surcharges may apply.

SUBSTITUTION OF A CLIENT

If any member of the party is prevented from traveling because of the death, injury or serious illness of the passenger, close relative or friend, redundancy or jury service, it may be possible to transfer the booking to another suitable person (acceptable to Otehlia Travels) provided that written notice is given at least 30 days prior to departure. An administration fee of up to $150 may be imposed by the company to cover non-refundable costs. Airlines may impose 100% cancellation charges and the cost of a new ticket.

Photography release: The tour participants permits Otehlia Travels, LLC to photographs, films, images, text, testimonials of participants for its own commercial use without compensation to participants.

Any dispute related to these terms and conditions or the program itself, directly or indirectly shall be settled solely in the courts of Madison, WI. In such litigation, Wisconsin law will apply.

*Does not include round trip airfare to Cancun, airport taxes, personal expenses, housekeeping and instructor/guide tips, Covid testing fees, travel insurance. Includes meals, alcoholic beverages and excursions as specified in itinerary as well as all tips to staff and guides for included excursions. 

By registering, you agree to our Policies & Procedures including our Waiver & Liability Release policy.