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Local food market in Belize, Central America

Responsible Travel Matters

Be part of the action when you travel with Island Expeditions - tourism, communities and conservation working together in Belize

Be part of the action when you travel with Island Expeditions - tourism, communities and conservation working together in Belize

Help Make the World a Better Place

We’ve grown roots during our 30 years here in Belize. The communities we engage with have inspired us to focus our energies to help the people of Belize. 

Our endeavours are not grand charities, but rather numerous initiatives that make a difference in the communities you visit. Finding ways to spread tourism dollars into smaller communities that may not normally see travelers is an important part of the mission.  

A number of our trips are operated in partnership with the Belize Audubon Society and the Belize Zoo.  When we partner with local conservation organizations everyone benefits; you get special access to the most amazing places in Belize and you also get to hang out with scientists, artists and community leaders. 

To learn more, scroll down and check out the range of projects you support when travelling with Island Expeditions.

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BELIZE AUDUBON SOCIETY

For over 40 years the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) has served Belize as environmental conscience  and today is involved in all aspects of nature conservation and education in the country. When you visit protected areas in Belize you're likely to be greeted by friendly BAS park wardens. They are responsible for managing the nation's best known attractions, including the world renowned Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, Blue Hole National Park and Half Moon Cay. Our trips to the incredible Lighthouse Reef Marine Reserve  are operated in partnership with the BAS and funds the annual budget of the ranger station located on this remote atoll.

 

"I like the way your company is involved in supporting local communities, workers and Belize's natural resources. Very Admirable!"
M. Jennings
"Your reputation is outstanding as is your commitment to this developing country."
J.M. Staniland
“Kudos for developing a travel destination such as the Moho river. It takes efforts and patience to work with local communities and develop a sustainable tourist activity with standards that foreigners appreciate.”
S. Beaudry
"It was priceless to be invited into Pedro's village and home to understand the culture and lifestyle. He was warm and inviting with a wonderful humour that invaded everything he did."
H. MacRae

The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center

For 30 years the Belize zoo has provided a home to orphaned and injured animals native to Belize and today the zoo is home to all five species of wild cats, Baird's tapir, howler monkey, crocodile, king vultures, jabiru stork and all sorts of other strange and wonderful mammals, reptiles and birds.

Early in the process of establishing the zoo, the founders came to realize that many Belizeans were unaware of the diversity of wildlife in their own land. From this recognition grew a commitment to provide Belizeans with the opportunity to experience first-hand the magnificent diversity of their small country. In 2017 over 10,000 Belizean school children and 600 teachers visited the zoo as part of education programs to learn of the wildlife of Belize.

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Supporting Local Schools

Island Expedition’s Programs are aimed to provide grassroots assistance in the regions we travel. Belize has an excellent school system with extraordinarily dedicated teachers, but the reality is many families, especially in more remote communities cannot afford to provide their children with basic school supplies.

School in Dangriga, Belize

Holy Ghost Elementary School

Holy Ghost Elementary has 450 students ranging in age from three to fourteen years. Our Dangriga office is within walking distance and many of our local staff  send their children here.  We're thrilled to be able to support this school which has played such an important role in the daily lives of our staff and their families.

School kids in Southern Belize

Silk Grass Primary School

This tiny, friendly hamlet is a blend of several Belizean ethnicities.  It's a peaceful, quiet village in a rural agricultural setting.  Many of the villagers have tourism jobs in Hopkins, Bocawina or  Dangriga.

Mayan Village Southern Belize

Santa Theresa Community School

Santa Teresa Village is situated in the heart of the Maya Homeland of southern Belize. We work with local Mayan guides to run trips in this remote area of Belize. Backpacks for school, shoes, cleats, soccer balls, pens, pencils, exercise and reading books are practical items we provide for the school children.

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Panthera.Org

We are excited to support Panthera’s work in Belize based from our jungle lodge in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Panthera is a highly effective organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of wild cats and operate programs in over 40 countries around the world.  At Bocawina having remote wildcams in the rainforests surrounding the lodge has opened our eyes to the extraordinary abundance of wild cats and their prey which live in such close proximity to the lodge. In our support for Panthera we provide lodging and meals and remote camera batteries for the researchers conducting studies at Bocawina.