Looking Back: Green Dragon Tours & Jungle Dome
Back in 2015, a random conversation with a coworker piqued my interest in visiting Belize and Tikal in nearby Guatemala. As a solo traveler used to booking everything myself, I splurged and took the more laid-back option of using a service. I found Green Dragon Tours and the Belize Jungle Dome, which both were (perhaps still are) operated by Andy Hunt and Simone Angel.
I wrote a review on TripAdvisor that provides a decent, albeit dated, summary.
But this post is not about the Jungle Dome. It’s about my fondest memories of Belize.
Crocs and Rocks
On one of my last days in Belize, a driver and caretaker of the Jungle Dome compound, David, drove me a few miles from Belmopan to tube down the Belize River. He had been offering night spearfishing throughout my stay, which I declined. I think my rationale for turning him down was built on two things: (1) healthy nervousness regarding Fer-de-lance snakes; and (2) David constantly mentioning the “harmless” freshwater crocs in the Belize River.
“Harmless” and “crocodile” are not commonly associated, in the author’s experience. Regardless, I tubed the Belize River and nothing happened. But years later, in 2025, I read an article about an uptick in the number of crocodile attacks due to human encroachment and so on. The usual stories…
Since 2014, increasing every year, a few attacks and about one death occur. So, not entirely harmless crocs.
As for rocks, limestone hills dot the landscape nearly everywhere in Belize. And it was this limestone that helped the Mayan civilization build its mighty temple complexes and cities, like Tikal, as well as paved roads. Tangentially, the horse balls tree strikes me as something distantly related to “rocks.”
Caves and Waves
The combination of limestone and water created many caves and sinkholes. One famous example is the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, in which ancient Mayans performed ritual sacrifice (first using clay vats of water and eventually humans, as the drought grew worse and they more desperate).
While cameras had recently been banned at the time, experiencing the ATM cave firsthand was absolutely worth it. Wading inside through chest deep water, seeing the reflection of light dancing like spirits on the cave ceiling, and peering at human remains all felt like living out the Indiana Jones dreams of my childhood. It was a little touristy, sure, but not too much so.
Belize is also home to the Belize Barrier Reef, which is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This apparently makes for some great scuba diving, which I unfortunately did not partake in.
However, having never at that point in my life sped on a boat through the cerulean waters of the Caribbean, the boat ride from near San Pedro airport to my resort on Ambergris Caye was an amazing experience. Snorkeling over the reef was pretty cool, too.
The End
Belize surprised me by being an accessible blend of adventure and relaxation. It’s a place where, if you venture around even a little, the local life and culture grab you. I wouldn’t recommend staying in Belize City or San Ignacio for different reasons. My summary line is: I always avoid big cities for the same reasons (unless the city is the destination). Busy, noisy, congested. Meh.
Like most places: If you find a way to enjoy the real Belize, it will reward you.