We've all dreamt of a place that effortlessly blends different travel experiences into one perfect vacation. A place where you can wake up to the sounds of the jungle, spend your afternoon exploring ancient history, and finish the day with a cool drink on a white-sand beach. That place does exist, and it’s called Belize.

Belize is an incredible, compact gem in Central America, nestled between Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. It boasts a unique and diverse landscape, from misty mountains and vast rainforests to a lengthy coastline dotted with hundreds of offshore islands, known locally as "cayes" (pronounced "keys"). It's a country of stunning biodiversity, home to the world's second-largest barrier reef—a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site—and the world's first jaguar preserve.

In our experience, a trip to Belize is so appealing because it offers that perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and culture all while offering relatively easy travel logistics. The official language is English, a legacy of its British colonial past, and the currency, the Belize dollar, is pegged to the US dollar at a simple 2:1 ratio. With direct flights available from a number of major US hubs, you can be in this tropical paradise in as little as two hours.

Who Is This Trip For?

If you're the kind of traveler who thrives on a bit of adventure and new experiences, then Belize is the perfect destination for you. It’s an ideal place for:

Active Adults: With its myriad of jungles, rivers, and reefs, Belize is a playground for outdoor activities, including hiking, snorkeling, diving, sailing and caving.
Families with Teenagers or Adult Children: This trip is a fantastic way to create lasting memories with older children. The range of activities ensures there's something to excite everyone, from thrilling cave explorations to laid-back beach time.
History Buffs and Nature Lovers: For those who appreciate ancient civilizations, Belize is rich with Mayan ruins and provides deep insight into Maya culture. Its rainforests are teeming with wildlife, making it a dream for birders and wildlife enthusiasts.

When Is the Best Time to Go?

Belize has a warm, tropical climate year-round, but the seasons can significantly impact your trip. The best time to visit is during the dry season, which generally runs from late November to May. We’ve found that the months between December and February offer the most comfortable weather, with cooler but still sunny days, making it ideal for exploring both the mainland and the cayes. This is also peak season, so be prepared for more people and higher prices. The rainy season runs from June to November, and while you can still have a wonderful trip with fewer crowds and lower prices, you should be prepared for the occasional shower, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

Our Recommended 8-Day Itinerary: Reef, Ruins, & Rainforest

This itinerary is designed to give you a perfect taste of everything Belize has to offer. We believe it strikes an ideal balance, starting with the rugged interior before transitioning to the relaxing beauty of the coast. We followed this exact itinerary with our family a few years ago.

Day 1: Arrive in Belize City and Transfer to the Rainforest

Your journey begins when you fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. Upon arrival, we recommend taking a ground transfer or shuttle for the scenic two-hour drive inland to the Cayo District, which is the heart of Belize's rainforest and adventure scene. San Ignacio, the largest town in this region, makes an excellent base with its variety of lodging including several amazing eco-lodges.

Our Personal Accommodation Recommendation: Black Rock Lodge

For a truly immersive and authentic jungle experience, we highly recommend staying at Black Rock Lodge. This eco-lodge is nestled in a secluded jungle setting on the banks of the Macal River, surrounded by 13,000 acres of protected land. It's a fully off-the-grid, sustainable property that generates its own solar and hydro-power and has its own organic farm to provide fresh food for the on-site restaurant.

The lodge offers 20 restful, private cabins, ranging from "Classic" and "Riverview" options to luxurious "Riverfront Suites". The accommodations are designed to be rustic yet comfortable, with screened windows to let in fresh mountain breezes, and each cabin has a private en-suite bathroom and a veranda with a hammock.

Black Rock is the perfect blend of on-site relaxation and adventure. You can choose to hike on miles of trails, go river tubing, swim in the spring-fed pool, or join a guided night hike to spot nocturnal creatures. Our kids were huge fans of the rope swings on the riverbank that catapulted them into the water. The lodge is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 320 different species recorded on or near the property. From here, you can also easily arrange day trips to all the area's main attractions, including the ATM Cave and the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich and Caracol. The on-site restaurant serves delicious, organic food harvested from their gardens, with a four-course dinner served family-style, perfect for sharing your adventures with other guests.

Day 2: Step into the Mayan Underworld – Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

Today, you’ll embark on an adventure that is consistently noted as one of the highlights of a trip to Belize. The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, deemed the #1 Sacred Cave destination in the world by National Geographic, is not only geologically beautiful but also a natural museum of ancient Maya artifacts.

The full-day tour is an epic experience that begins with an adventurous 45-minute hike through the lush rainforest, including three river crossings. The journey into the cave itself requires swimming into the entrance through chest-deep water. Inside, you’ll wade and climb through stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites, discovering ancient pottery, stoneware, and ceremonial sites left by the Maya. The climax of the tour is a visit to the "Cathedral," a dry chamber where you'll find the famous "Crystal Maiden," the intact, calcified skeletal remains of a young Maya sacrificial victim.

The ATM cave tour is a moderate-to-high difficulty adventure that is not for those with claustrophobia or a fear of water, but it is an incredibly unique and enlightening experience for history buffs and adventure seekers.

Day 3: A Taste of Guatemala – Tikal Mayan Ruins

For those who want to see one of the world’s most impressive Mayan cities, a day trip to Tikal in Guatemala is a must. An organized tour will take you from San Ignacio to the Guatemalan border and then on to the heart of the Tikal National Park. This immense ancient city, surrounded by dense jungle, is home to towering temples and massive ceremonial plazas. While a long day of travel, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Americas. As a fun fact, the ruins are also a filming location for the Star Wars universe—Tikal served as the rebel base Yavin 4 in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, with the famous shot of the Millennium Falcon flying over the temples.

Day 4: Farewell to the Jungle & Hello to the Cayes

After a final breakfast in the rainforest, it's time to head to the coast. Instead of driving all the way back to Belize City and taking a ferry, we recommend a scenic, short flight on a local air carrier from San Ignacio's nearby airstrip directly to one of the cayes (islands). It's a quick, beautiful journey that offers a spectacular bird's-eye view of the barrier reef. Once you land, the sun and sea await!

Days 5, 6 and 7: Sun, Sand, & Snorkeling

The cayes are the heart of Belize's beach and marine life, but each island offers a distinct personality. The two most popular cakes are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker and which you choose depends entirely on your travel style.

Ambergris Caye: The most popular and largest caye in Belize, Ambergris is a more developed and lively destination. It has paved roads and a bustling main town, San Pedro, where you'll find a wide range of upscale resorts, fine dining, and nightlife. Transportation is mainly by golf cart. Ambergris is ideal if you're looking for a mix of a lively atmosphere, more amenities, and a wider variety of dining options.
Caye Caulker: Caye Caulker is a smaller, more rustic island with a laid-back, bohemian "Go Slow" motto. The streets are sandy, and you can get around by walking or biking. It's more affordable, with a focus on local eateries and a relaxed, casual vibe that appeals to those who want to truly disconnect. We personally chose to stay on Caye Caulker. We loved the vibe and authentic, local restaurants. The kids loved walking by themselves to the iconic Ice and Beans Cafe for daily coffee, smoothies and ice cream.

No matter which caye you choose, the main activities will be centered around the water. This area provides access to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Shark Ray Alley, where snorkeling offers an incredible chance to see a vibrant array of tropical fish, sea turtles, nurse sharks, and stingrays. You could easily spend an entire day with a local guide exploring the reef, which is an absolute must-do. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker also make excellent bases for SCUBA diving whether it be at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve or the famous Great Blue Hole.

Outside of playing in the water, these days are filled with embracing the caye lifestyle. Whether you're relaxing on the beach, enjoying the water off a public pier, or simply lounging in a hammock with a book, this is your time to unwind. Take a leisurely stroll, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at a local beach shack, and savor a stunning Caribbean sunset with a rum punch in hand.

Day 8: Departure from Belize City

On your final morning, you'll take a quick ferry ride back to Belize City's water taxi terminal. From there, you can take a taxi to the international airport for your flight home, filled with incredible memories of your Belizean adventure.

Optional additional stop: Placencia

If you're seeking an even more laid-back coastal experience, Placencia is an excellent choice. This 16-mile-long peninsula is often called "the caye you can drive to" and is known for its relaxed pace, wider beaches, and Caribbean atmosphere. It's a great choice if you prefer the convenience of being on the mainland with easy access to both the southern barrier reef for snorkeling and mainland attractions like the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for hiking and wildlife spotting. The Sidewalk in Placencia is often cited as the "narrowest" main street in the world. While it may not be a traditional, wide street, it is a pedestrian-only pathway that runs through the village, offering access to shops, restaurants, and local businesses. Placencia is also a hub for sailing charters, making it a perfect starting point for exploring the southern cayes. Placencia served as the hub for our second trip to Belize during which we book-ended our catamaran sailing charter to explore the number of islands off the Belize coast. Lodging in Placencia ranges from simple hotels to villas and the impressive Turtle Inn, owned by Francis Ford Coppola.

Food Highlights: A Culinary Journey in Belize

Belizean cuisine is a delicious mix of Caribbean, Mexican, and Mayan influences. Here are a few must-try dishes:

Fresh Seafood: From grilled fish to conch fritters, the seafood is incredibly fresh and often caught just hours before it lands on your plate. At our favorite place in Caye Caulker, we sat at a picnic table with our feet in the sand, drinking beers from a cooler and eating the catch of the day in a simple garlic sauce.
Fry Jacks: These delicious, fluffy pieces of fried dough are a staple for breakfast, often served with eggs, beans, or cheese.
Rice and Beans: A national dish, this is a savory mix of rice and red kidney beans simmered in coconut milk, often served with stewed chicken, beef, or fish.
Italian Gelato: A surprise treat! Placencia, in particular, is home to a famous gelato shop called Tutti-Fruitti that offers traditional and local flavors like soursop.

From ancient ruins to vibrant reefs, a trip to Belize is a journey of discovery. It’s a destination that caters to your adventurous spirit while offering the perfect dose of relaxation. We hope this itinerary inspires you to discover the magic of Belize for yourself! Please contact us to start planning your own adventure.

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