

BELIZE
CARIBBEAN REEF CONSERVATION
A 14-Day Marine Biology Program








Belize

Program Details
2023 Dates: | June 27 – July 10 July 18 – July 31 |
Duration: | 14 days |
Tuition: | $5,295* |
Arrive: | Miami |
Depart: | Miami |
Grade: | 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th |
*Airfare for group flight from Miami additional cost
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Program Highlights
- Help Protect the Largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere by Removing Invasive Lionfish
- Earn Your PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water SCUBA Certification on a Private Caribbean Island
- Participate in Marine Biology Activities Let By Local Experts, Including Reef Fish Identification and Coral Reef Health Checks
- Visit the Ancient Xunantunich Mayan Ruins and Learn More About the Culture and History of the Maya Civilization
- Help Remove Marine Debris and Clean Up Local Island Beaches
- Enjoy the Belizean Culture in the Tranquil Coastal Town of Placencia
- Snorkel Amongst Sea Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays and Other Wildlife at Laughing Bird Caye National Park
- Journey Into the Rainforest For a Refreshing Swim in the Tropical Waters of the Maya King Waterfall
Spotlight Project
Controlling Invasive Lionfish Populations
The invasive lionfish is one of the greatest threats to coral reefs and fisheries habitat throughout the Caribbean. Scientists are predicting that lionfish will have a grave impact on Belize’s already stressed stocks of fish and lobster and could spell potential disaster for marine habitats. Working with our partner organization, students will help hunt and spear lionfish, then assist researchers with fish dissections to collect data that will help control this destructive predator. The lionfish are also supplied to nearby restaurants for a tasty culinary delicacy, and to local artisans as a source of handmade jewelry, providing both a food and economic income source for community residents.
Program Overview
Spend two weeks exploring the rich landscapes and marine life of this beautiful tropical nation. Spend your first week on the mainland and visit the Mayan city of Xunantunich, filled with ancient temples and palaces, and learn more about the rich history of this unique civilization. Experience a remote ecolodge surrounding by lush and peaceful jungle and home to beautiful native butterflies, tapirs, jaguars, and other amazing wildlife. Then travel to the Caribbean to earn your SCUBA certification or advance your current skills while diving in the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site, home to sea turtles, manatees, peaceful whale sharks, and playful dolphins. Spend your days helping marine researchers as they work to protect the reef from lionfish, conduct reef health checks, and monitor local wildlife populations. Spend your free time snorkeling through the clear tropical waters around our private Belize island, or relax in a hammock under the cool shade of palm trees. Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, then sit alongside your new friends to watch the sunset over the tranquil Caribbean sea.
Photo Gallery
Program Details
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
Arriving into Miami, you’ll meet your ARCC leaders and fellow students, then fly together to Belize City. From there it is a private shuttle ride to western Belize and the Xunantunich ruins. One of the most famous archeological locations in Central America, this 1300-year old site is home to dozens of Mayan ruins, including the towering 130-foot pyramid “El Castillo”. From the top of these stone structures we have a spectacular panoramic view of the sprawling jungles and learn about the Mayan civilization that once inhabited these areas, along with the legends of ghostly apparitions that gave these ruins their modern name.
Laughing Bird Caye National Park
Leaving the rainforest behind, we travel to the Caribbean coast and the small village of Placencia. Our time on the coast includes a visit to Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a beautiful Belizean isle with white sand beaches and surrounded by warm turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Here we get our first glimpses of the coral reefs, fish, and other unique animals that call the Belize Barrier Reef home. We also have a chance to see how local organizations are growing more resistant corals to combat the effects of climate change on fragile coral reefs. This visit allows us to see the results of the project, as we snorkel through the newly planted coral nurseries.
Private Caribbean Island
From Placencia the group takes a short boat ride to the private island we will call home for the next five days. We have the island entirely to ourselves as we delve deep into the marine conservation efforts in the area. Here we join with a local non-profit organization with a mission to protect our oceans through science, action, and advocacy. In addition to the main project of controlling invasive lionfish populations, we’ll have the opportunity to learn more about this amazing coral habitat, including surveying the reef for areas of coral bleaching, identifying fish and other marine life around the area, and possibily cleaning up plastic and debris pollution on nearby islands. If we’re lucky, we may even see a nesting sea turtle or help hatching baby turtles make it to the ocean!
SCUBA Diving Certification
For those students interested in earning their PADI diving certification, the first three days on the island are spent practicing SCUBA skills under the guidance of highly trained dive instructors. Students who are already certified have the option to earn their PADI Advanced Open Water certification, or jump directly into assisting the divers with our spotlight project and marine research topics. The newly certified students join them after they complete their skills tests and together we enjoy world-class diving on some of the most beautiful and unique habitats in the world.
Placencia Peninsula
Having bonded as a group, we spend the last few days of our trip enjoying the tranquil atmosphere in Placencia. After a visit to a nearby rainforest waterfall for a refreshing swim, we have a chance to enjoy authentic Belizean culture, including samples of local cuisine, shopping for handmade souvenirs, and mingling with friendly locals. We return home to share memories of the big adventures this small country has provided!
Common Questions
What makes this program unique?
We are one of the few organizations that run marine conservation-focused summer programs for teenagers in Belize. This trip is perfect for students who want to spend a summer learning about marine biology while contributing to important conservation efforts and earning a dive certification, or improve existing dive skills.
Do I need to be SCUBA certified to do this program?
While there is a large amount of scuba diving on this program, you do not need to be previously certified in order to participate. Students have the option to complete either their PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water Certification on the island. Students who are new to diving will complete the PADI online eLearning portion of the certification prior to the program, and will then complete the practical skills section on the island. If you’re already certified, you can either earn your Advanced Open Water* (AOW) certification on the island, or jump directly into the marine conservation projects.
* There is a small additional fee of $50 for students taking the Advanced Open Water course
I’m not a scientist, but I am passionate about the ocean and diving. Will I still be able to help make a significant contribution?
Absolutely! The conservation project is simple and straight-forward and the island staff will teach you all you need to know to help the guides with the lionfish project. You will have a unique opportunity to learn about and help conserve the marine environment while also having a fun experience. This trip is for both experienced and non-experienced divers, scientists and non-scientists alike — everyone makes a contribution regardless of their background and experience.
What should I pack?
Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate, and culture. You will receive this packing list in the comprehensive Welcome Packet that is sent to all students after they enroll in a program.
Where do we sleep?
During this program we sleep in a variety of accommodations: small bungalows, private lodges and hotels.
What is the food like?
Belizean cuisine showcases a mixture of many regional traditions and food habits, with major influences from Mexican, Caribbean, and Mayan culinary methods. We will have the opportunity to sample traditional local cuisine such as beans, rice, chicken and tropical fruit.
Vegetarians and medical dietary requirements (i.e., allergies) are catered for. We do need to be informed of all dietary needs prior to the start of the program.
What is the transportation like once we are in Belize?
We will be using a variety of transportation methods, including shuttles, vans and boats. Our partner organization will provide a private boat to take the group to and from the private island.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, all students traveling to Belize need to have a valid passport. Please make sure the passport expiration date is at least six months after your program start date.
Be sure to make a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a separate place. If you lose your passport and you have a photocopy, it is much easier to replace.
Do I need a visa?
US and Canadian Citizens do not need a visa for this program. Visa requirements for other countries vary by country; please consult the Belize Immigration website to see if your specific country requires a Belize entry visa.
What is the time difference between Belize and the USA?
Belize is in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone and is six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (UTC-6:00). There is no daylight savings in Belize, so during daylight saving in the U.S., the time in Belize is the same as Mountain Time (MT).
What is the weather like in Belize?
The weather is a lot like Florida in the summer. During the day it can be hot, sunny, and humid, especially in the jungle areas near the Mayan ruins. The temperature on the coast is typically cooler. The average daily high temperature is in the high 80s with lows in the high 70s. Late afternoons often bring showers, which help cool us off.
How often can we take showers and do laundry?
There will be opportunities for showers almost every day during the program. There will not be an opportunity to do machine laundry on the program, but students are welcome to handwash and airdry their personal clothing. For ease of travel, quick dry clothes are recommended on the packing list.
What kind of health precautions should I take before traveling to Belize?
Belize is a relatively clean and safe place to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your program. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more detailed information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. We base all health precautions on recommendations of the U.S. Center for Disease Control; you can find more information in the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Our leaders carry a full first-aid kit and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).
Do I really need to bring a backpack, or can I bring a rolling suitcase on this program?
Although you will not be doing traditional backpacking on this trip, it is important that you bring a backpack or duffel as your main piece of luggage. During the trip the group will be navigating through airports, getting on and off boats, and taking short walks. The group will be able to move much more efficiently if everyone is able to carry their luggage.
Do I need to speak another language to join this program?
No. English is the official language in Belize. Spanish is the second most popular language, and many Belizians are bilingual.
How much money should I bring?
We suggest you bring about $75 per week on your program. This is for airline baggage fees, personal souvenirs, clinic visits, and other incidentals. ARCC pays for all meals, lodging, transportation and activities. There is some time to shop for souvenirs in Placencia. We recommend you bring about half your money in cash and the other half on a credit card.
In Belize the official currency is the Belize Dollar. US dollars are interchangeable with Belize dollars, but US coins are not accepted (they will also not accept US bills with any marks or tears, so check bills closely). We suggest that you carry about $50 of your money in small denominations ($1, $5, and $10 USD).
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, and ATMs are available in Placencia. We do not recommend debit cards, prepaid credit cards, or traveler’s checks. As with any international program, we strongly recommend talking to your bank about its international withdrawal policies to avoid any surprise fees or card cancellations.
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19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, Oregon 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC