This is a fully vegan 6-day/5-night retreat in the primal jungles of Belize!
Before you book, please take a few minutes to read the travel, packing, and hiking details at the bottom of this page. This retreat is active, hiking and walking are part of most days, and we want you to know exactly what to expect and what to bring, so nothing catches you by surprise.
Jade Jungle Resort
With 300 acres of jungle to roam, Jade strikes the perfect balance between comforting you and putting mother nature first.
This is your reset. Put the phone down, step away from the noise of digital life, and let the jungle set the pace for a few days. You are in the heart of the jungle here, and it feels like nature is giving you a big hug. Sleep in your traditional thatch roof hut in the middle of the jungle. Wake up to the howler monkeys, listen to the rain move through the trees, and live simply, with just what you need, right in nature.
The resort is 100 percent sustainable and runs off solar power, right down to heating the rooms, so everything here moves with nature, not against it.
Explore and eat amongst ancient Maya ruins where people lived 2,000 years ago. Venture into the primal rainforest that has spent more than 500 years creating a mature ecosystem where life abounds, and you can feel the difference in the clean air. Nearly 300 species of birds and thousands of other species live on the property. The history and authenticity of this magical place is like nothing you have ever experienced.
Food, the True Love Language
Enjoy breakfast and lunch buffets, and Jade's signature four-course dinners, all curated to delight the senses and nourish the body in an all-vegan and abundant manner.
Every night, we pull up to Jade's table together for that four-course dinner: a fresh salad, a warm soup, a beautiful main course, and dessert to finish. It is warm, it is slow, and it is shared. Develop even more passion for your vegan lifestyle through interactions with your host and fellow travelers as you enjoy cooking demonstrations and amazing culinary experiences together. Come as strangers, sit down as a community, and leave as family.
Your World-Renowned Host: Turnip Vegan
Turnip Vegan (Todd) is a content creator, recipe creator, videographer and mushroom lover who focuses on veganism and the many benefits it can have for your body and mind.
"My main mission is to show the world that veganism is not just a diet, but an all-encompassing lifestyle that can help people lead healthier lives. I believe in a cruelty-free approach to meal preparation and consumption, meaning I avoid using any animal-based products or byproducts in my recipes. No one is perfect, and I'm certainly no exception. Every day I strive to be a better version of myself, both personally and professionally. Being an example for others and striving to make a positive impact on the world around me is something that I value deeply. That is what this retreat is about: reconnect with nature, reconnect with each other, and go home recharged and reminded of what really matters."
We ask that all guests purchase travel insurance for their stay
Neither the Jade Jungle Resort nor Todd at Turnip Vegan can be held liable for any unforeseen circumstances that may impact travel or attendance, including but not limited to government restrictions, travel advisories, health issues, expired or invalid passports, family emergencies, death, or other unexpected events.
Travel insurance helps protect your investment and provides peace of mind should plans change beyond anyone’s control.
Travel insurance can be added on through weTravel at check out.
Jade Jungle Resort Packing List
CLOTHING
Moisture-wicking t-shirts or tank tops
Long-sleeve sun shirts (for sun and bug protection)
Quick-dry hiking pants or leggings
Comfortable shorts
Undergarments and sleepwear
Long-sleeved rash guard (for sun protection and warmth in caves)
Casual clothes for relaxing and meals
Swimsuits (at least 2)
FOOTWEAR
Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners
Closed-toe water shoes or sandals (Keens are great for caves; Tevas leave toes exposed)
Flip-flops or slides
GEAR & ACCESSORIES
Daypack or small hiking backpack
Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses
Wide-brim hat
Light rain jacket or poncho
Bug spray
Reef-safe sunscreen
Headlamp or flashlight
Pen (for customs forms)
Binoculars (optional, for wildlife watching)
Electronics and chargers
TOILETRIES & PERSONAL ITEMS
Toothbrush + toothpaste
Deodorant
Lip balm with SPF
Hand sanitizer
Feminine hygiene products
Razor + shaving cream
Anti-itch cream or hydrocortisone
After-sun lotion or aloe vera
Personal medications
Basic first aid items (band-aids, blister pads, antihistamines)
Here is what the walking actually looks like, activity by activity:
Mountain Pine Ridge (Rio On Pools and the waterfalls): a short walk of about 5 minutes from the parking area to the pools, then steps and paths between the pools. The waterfall stop on the same day is a steeper 15-minute hike down (and back up) on uneven steps and rock, and the rocks can be slippery.
Cave tubing: about a 25 to 35 minute walk on a jungle trail to reach the cave entrance. The trail is mostly flat, and you will wade across shallow water along the way.
Zip lining: a short walk to the first platform, then climbing stairs between platforms as you move through the course.
The temples: walking around the site, with the option to climb the temple steps.
At the resort: guided walks and hikes on jungle trails around the property.
Belize is hot and humid, trails can be uneven or muddy after rain, and this is real outdoor time, not paved walking paths.
Just as important: this is your retreat, at your pace. If any activity feels like too much on any day, you are always welcome to sit it out and enjoy the resort instead. Stay back, relax, and enjoy the food and the grounds, and rejoin the group when it returns. There is no pressure to do every activity, and nobody will think twice about it. Come for the parts that call to you.
If you have a health condition, an injury, or mobility limits that could affect hiking, please reach out to us before you book so we can talk honestly about whether this retreat is the right fit. We want every guest to enjoy the week, and the jungle rewards the people who come prepared for it.
Accommodations for 6 days/5 nights in your choice of Hillside, Jungle View, or Boardwalk Cabana
Daily VEGAN breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Daily adventure, health and wellness activities
Rides to and from the airport in Belize City along with transportation to and from all scheduled activities
Tube through the caves in Nohoch Che'en Reserve
Zip through the jungle on this tour including several ziplines and one that is over 1,000 feet!
Hike through the rainforest at Jade Jungle Resort to experience nature in a unique way.
Hike in the Mountain Pine Ridge area to Rio on Pools and Big Rock Falls
This is a trip you will never forget! It will leave an impression on your mind and heart, and affect you in meaningful ways.
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance. We cannot insure your trip by giving refunds for unexpected life or weather events.
You are responsible for the cost of arriving in Belize City and returning home after the retreat.
Please acknowledge our hardworking team, as you see fit, with the universal thank you.
If you would like to schedule a $75/hour massage session, please do it before your trip. Space is limited.
There will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for purchase.
If you get snacky between meals, bring some with you. There will be limited opportunities for purchasing snacks while in the country.
If you'd like to take something home with you, please budget appropriately. You will have a chance to shop at a local store.
Any transfers needed outside of the provided times and dates will require separate arrangements.
One of our guides will meet you at the airport, holding a "Turnip Vegan Retreat" sign, and welcome you to paradise. We run multiple airport shuttles on arrival day, so book your flight for whatever time works best for you. From there, they'll bring you to Jade Jungle Resort. After check-in, you'll have time to settle into your room and take in the peaceful surroundings.
Enjoy your first four-course vegan dinner after check-in. We'll gather for a Maya welcoming Copal Ceremony after dinner to open the retreat.
Start the day with a relaxed morning and a hearty breakfast.
Next, we'll visit Nohoch Che'en for an exciting day of zip lining and cave tubing, soaring through the jungle canopy and floating through limestone caves. Afterward, we'll enjoy lunch on-site.
In the afternoon, we'll stop by the Art Box to explore local crafts and souvenirs.
Finish off your day with an amazing dinner.
Enjoy early morning yoga to the sounds of the jungle followed by a delicious breakfast.
We'll walk and hike over to the Red Cliffs, and possibly go for a refreshing swim.
Today is your Resort Day. Outside of our group activities, the time is yours to relax, explore, and do whatever you like around the resort. You can sign up for a relaxing massage, enjoy guided tours with our resort guides, or simply take in the peaceful surroundings.
At 2:00 PM, you'll be joined by Casino The Hero, founder of PerfectBlendNC, for a fresh juice-making class. Casino The Hero steps into the circle carrying a story that goes far beyond the glass. Juicing reshaped his life, his mindset, and his health from the ground up. During this immersive session, he'll guide you through creating powerful, nourishing blends while opening up about the personal journey that brought him here. Whether you're just starting your wellness journey or deepening it, this class will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to pour something good into yourself.
At 4:00 PM, enjoy a hands-on chocolate-making experience at the resort, where you'll have the opportunity to explore the process of creating chocolate.
We'll wrap up the day with another delightful dinner.
Start the morning with Early Morning Birding, followed by a nourishing breakfast.
We’ll then head to TKO Farm for a tour, including a soursop tasting.
Next, we’ll explore Rio On Pools for a refreshing swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit Big Rock Falls before returning for dinner.
Start the day with yoga in the morning, then we'll head out to the Mayan temple, Xunantunich, at 8:30 AM. When we get back, everyone will have time to pack, followed by my cooking demo at 5:00 PM and our last dinner together at 6:30 PM.
After your last Belizean breakfast buffet you will be taken to the airport for your departing flight.
Enjoy the trip home and share your new memories with your loved ones.