Planning the Perfect Vacation to Belize
In full transparency, Belize wasn’t on my radar as a must-visit destination until my husband and I decided to get scuba diving certified. In researching where we first wanted to use our new skills, we realized that the tiny Central American country is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world (after Australia of course). Peruse any list of top diving locations and you’ll inevitably find Belize ranked at the top, always accompanied by stunning photos of vibrant coral formations and an array of sea creatures. We quickly jumped on the Belize bandwagon and even managed to convince four friends to join us on our adventure.
Little did we know that Belize has so much more to offer beyond its crystal-clear waters and staggering marine life. From the sprawling ancient ruins of its Mayan past to the delicious blend of Caribbean and Latin American flavors in its cuisine, Belize is a destination that is sure to delight even the most seasoned travelers.
In this post, I’ll guide you through planning the perfect vacation to Belize that ticks all the boxes and leaves you with memories to last a lifetime. To make things a little easier, I’ve created a menu below so that you can skip ahead to the sections that you’re most interested in. Enjoy!
Menu
Your Itinerary
A lot of people who visit Belize choose to head straight to the islands and forgo any exploration of the country’s interior. Luckily, my brother had previously spent over a month in Belize and convinced me we needed to experience all the mainland had to offer. While Belize's islands are undoubtedly beautiful, they only provide a glimpse of the country's culture, history, and natural wonders. Trust me when I say you don’t want to miss out on the rich diversity of the country's interior, including lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and charming rural villages. The mainland also boasts an impressive array of ancient Maya ruins, many of which are still shrouded in mystery and awe-inspiring grandeur.
It’s my suggestion to visit both the islands and the country’s interior to experience the full spectrum of Belizean life. Trying to narrow it down from there is another matter. There are a lot of regions worth exploring, but if you have limited time, I recommend dividing your time between San Ignacio and either Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. San Ignacio is an excellent central base for exploring the mainland because it offers easy access to a number of Belize's most popular natural attractions and ancient Maya sites, such as the ATM Cave, Xunantunich, Cahal Peche, Caracol, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
In terms of picking between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, it depends on what you’re looking for. Ambergris Caye is the larger and more developed of the two islands, with a wider range of accommodations, restaurants, and activities. The island is also known for snorkeling and diving since it has such easy access to the nearby Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
In contrast, Caye Caulker is a smaller and more laid-back island with a slower pace and more relaxed vibe. It's a great place to go if you're looking to unwind and enjoy the simple pleasures of island life, with hammocks swaying in the breeze and fresh seafood served at beachfront restaurants.
Our choice was influenced by the fact that we knew we wanted to go on several diving trips. We stayed on Ambergris Caye, ten minutes south of the main town of San Pedro, and had a wonderful time. Rest assured, no matter which island you choose, there is a 30 minute ferry that connects the two so you can easily experience both.
If you want to follow our exact itinerary, I’ve outlined our trip below. We spent a total of four nights in San Ignacio and six nights on Ambergris Caye. You could easily replace some of the time we spent scuba diving with things like paddle boarding, sailing, and other beach activities.
Day 1 - San Ignacio
Arrive in Belize City and travel from the airport to San Ignacio.
Day 2 - San Ignacio
Take a full day tour of Actun Tunichil Muknal.
Day 3 - San Ignacio
Take a self guided tour of Xunantunich in the morning and Cahal Peche in the afternoon.
Day 4 - San Ignacio
Take a full day tour of the Caracol Ruins with a stop at the Rio Frio Cave.
Day 5 - Ambergris Caye
Travel to Ambergris Caye with a stop at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park.
Day 6 - Ambergris Caye
Go scuba diving at Shark Ray Alley.
Day 7 - Ambergris Caye
Go scuba diving at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Day 8 - Ambergris Caye
Go scuba diving at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Day 9 - Ambergris Caye
Spend the day relaxing at Secret Beach.
Day 10 - Ambergris Caye
Take the ferry to Caye Caulker for a full day of exploration.
Day 11 - Fly Home
Transportation
If you end up going to more than one destination in Belize, figuring out transportation can be a bit tricky. Some locations are only accessible by bumpy, unpaved roads that you need four-wheel drive to navigate. Luckily, if you choose to follow the same itinerary that we did, the road that connects San Ignacio to Belize city is paved. You shouldn’t have any issues with a rental car if that’s the route you go.
We didn’t want the added stress of driving ourselves so we decided to arrange transportation to and from San Ignacio through Daytrip, a private car service that allows you to customize your travel itinerary. Since we were traveling with a group of six people, it was actually the more economical choice as well. We had Daytrip pick us up straight from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, drive us to San Ignacio, then pick us up four days later to take us to the ferry port in Belize City. Our flight to Belize was actually delayed by several hours and the company was really flexible and highly communicative.
If you go with Daytrip, consider adding in a pitstop or two. The drive to and from San Ignacio takes about two hours so on the way back to Belize City, we chose to stop at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park for a quick dip in the park’s famous cenote. It was a really nice way to break up the drive and we had an awesome lunch in nearby Armenia at Hibiscus Fast Food.
To get to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, you have the option to take the ferry or fly. There are several ferry operations that service the islands, but the largest is the San Pedro Belize Express. The company makes frequent trips and is relatively dependable. The longest delay we had was 20 minutes. The ferry takes an hour to get to Caye Caulker and an additional 30 minutes to get to San Pedro. Tickets can be booked in advance online, but unless you’re there at a particularly busy time, it’s not necessary. If you do buy tickets in advance, rest assured that you don’t have to use them for the exact time stamped on the ticket (despite what the website says).
The other option I mentioned is to fly from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport to either Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. The two airlines that service the islands are Tropic Air and Maya Island Air and the flight takes less than 15 minutes! The only reason we chose to take the ferry was because it was a lot less expensive when we were there, but I’ve heard flying is usually comparable.
Once on the islands, there’s one superior choice for getting around—golf carts! Both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are overrun by tourists and locals alike zipping around in tiny buggies. It’s a pretty enjoyable way to get from point A to point B. There are a ton of companies who rent out 4 or 6 seater golf carts, but if you’re on Ambergris Caye, be sure to check out Rick's Custom Carts. They were great!
Scuba and snorkeling tours typically depart from San Pedro and you’re responsible for getting yourself to the meeting location. With that said, if there is a pier at or near where you are staying, you might be able to arrange for the tour company to pick you up. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
Your Guide to San Ignacio
What To Do in San Ignacio
San Ignacio is a favored destination among travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the mainland. The town's quaint streets, bustling markets, and proximity to renowned archaeological sites draw visitors from far and wide. The town is surrounded by lush rainforest and offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, canoeing, and caving. Check out the top things to do in the region below.
Visit Actun Tunichil Muknal
If you’re going to do one thing in San Ignacio, this is it. I’ve explored my fair share of caves over the years so I thought I knew what I was getting into. I was wrong. Visiting Actun Tunichil Muknal is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that transports you back in time to the ancient Maya civilization, where you'll explore an underground world of shimmering stalactites and stunning cave formations, all while discovering hidden chambers filled with sacred artifacts and the remains of long-deceased Mayan royalty.
To visit Actun Tunichil Muknal, something to keep in mind is that you have to go with a certified guide. We chose Mayawalk Tours and were thrilled with our experience. Our leader, Eric, was one of the best guides I’ve ever had on a tour.
Climb the Ruins at Xunantunich
Another Mayan archaeological site that can’t be missed is Xunantunich. Located just fifteen minutes away from San Ignacio, Xunantunich is known for its towering El Castillo pyramid which offers panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and nearby Mopan River. Compared to Mayan ruins I’ve been to in Mexico, the site is huge and offers a sprawling range of structures including the Ball Court, the Palace, and the Temple of the Masonry Altars, each adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.
If you’d prefer to have a guide show you around, you can easily hire one at the entrance of the site. Guides tend to congregate right near the hand cranked ferry you have to use to cross the river. However, it can be just as enjoyable to walk the grounds on your own.
Explore Cahal Peche
Cahal Pech (meaning Place of Ticks) is the oldest-known Maya site in Belize. The ancient city flourished between 600-800 AD and is now settled in the middle of modern day San Ignacio. The archaeological site was less than 200 feet from our hotel so it was a no brainer to stop by.
Since Cahal Peche is not as popular as Xunantunich or Caracol, we were all pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed our visit. The site is shaded by giant trees and we were practically the only ones there, making for a really peaceful afternoon. Be sure to check out the various courtyards, pyramids, temples, and residences.
Make a Day Trip to the Caracol Ruins and Rio Frio Cave
It was hard choosing between visiting Caracol on our last day in San Ignacio or making the trek across the Guatemalan border to Tikal. Even though Tikal is much larger, we ended up choosing Caracol because we had the opportunity to visit the Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools as well.
Caracol is the largest Mayan site in Belize, located deep in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The site covers over 75 square miles and features more than 30,000 structures. The tallest structure at Caracol is the Caana or Sky Palace, which stands over 140 feet tall and is incredibly impressive. I should warn you that getting to the ruins is quite the adventure itself. While navigating the bumpy, dirt road, there were many times where I was certain we were going to pop a tire. Luckily, our guides from Mayawalk Tours were completely un-phased as our van shook like a magic eight ball on wheels. It’s all part of the fun, right?
The Rio Frio Cave was also a highlight. We spent a good amount of time walking through the massive limestone cave system to see the remarkable entrance chamber. Then, on the way home, we stopped at the Rio On Pools for a refreshing dip in the river. The Rio On Pools are a series of cascading pools connected by rock formations that make natural water slides. I’m shocked we didn’t hurt ourselves sliding down the giant rocks, but it was a fun way to end the day.
Where to Stay in San Ignacio
Since we didn’t have a car, we knew that we wanted to stay somewhere central in San Ignacio. We ended up choosing Falling Leaves Lodge and had a wonderful experience. The pricing was reasonable, the rooms were spacious, the beds were comfortable, and the staff were so helpful and kind. The hotel sits at the highest point of San Ignacio so the views from the hotel restaurant were also incredible. The ruins of Cahal Peche were quite literally next door so we couldn’t have asked for a better location.
Where to Eat in San Ignacio
We ate breakfast pretty much every morning at Falling Leaves Lodge out of convenience and the food was great! If you end up partaking in some of the full day tours I’ve recommended, you’ll be served a traditional Belizean meal of stewed chicken, rice and beans, coleslaw, and fried plantains. All six of us loved the food in Belize and couldn’t get enough of the homemade Belizean hot sauce.
A general word of advice in Belize when looking for a place to eat is to skip the more upscale restaurants and seek out the small, family-owned establishments. Our best meals were some of the least expensive. For dinner in San Ignacio, we enjoyed Lola’s Restaurant and Bar for great ceviche and cocktails and Ko-Ox Han Nah for amazing curry. Two other options we heard great things about were Erva’s and Cenaida's Belizean Food.
Your Guide to Ambergris Caye
What To Do on Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is a stunning island known for its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life. This little slice of heaven is the perfect destination for travelers who want to kick back, soak up some sun, and indulge in a bit of R&R. For those that have more of an adventurous spirit, the island also offers an abundance of water activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and sailing.
Go Scuba Diving (or Snorkeling)
Obviously, one of the main reasons we went to Belize is because it’s a major scuba diving destination. The water is crystal clear and the marine life is unmatched. We went on four different dives and saw sea turtles, nurse sharks, sting rays, white-tipped reef sharks, thousands of different fish species, and coral formations of every shape and color. I truly felt like I was exploring a different world.
Since the six of us are PADI certified, we wanted to dive with a PADI shop. We ended up choosing White Sands Dive Shop and were really impressed! We started off with a really shallow dive at Shark Ray Alley to get comfortable then did several deeper dives in the The Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We didn’t end up diving the Great Blue Hole because a lot of divers told us that there isn’t a lot of marine life to see there. It’s supposedly more impressive to see from above via plane.
If you’re not interested in scuba diving or don’t have the time to get certified, you can still have a great experience by snorkeling. You’ll see a lot of the same sea creatures, just from a different vantage point. Interestingly, the reef is so close to Ambergris Caye’s shore that you can rent a kayak, paddle out to the reef, and snorkel directly from the boat!
If, on the other hand, you’re even slightly interested in getting scuba diving certified, I’m here to wholeheartedly encourage you! If you go with PADI, you’ll have to complete approximately 10 hours of online classes and 8 hours of instruction in the pool. From there, the only thing that stands between you and certification are four open water dives (completed over two days) where you’ll demonstrate the skills you’ve learned to an instructor. We chose to complete our open water dives before going to Belize, but we could have easily done it there. Once you’re done, the certification is good for life!
Something to bring up is that a lot of shops will take you scuba diving without being certified. If you go that route, your experience will be pretty limited because you won’t be able to go very deep. There’s also something to be said about your comfort level. Because of all the training I had, I was extremely comfortable in the water and never felt nervous. The bottom line is that scuba diving is something that I thought would be a fun hobby that I might do every once in a while when somewhere tropical. I ended up falling in love with it and now recommend it to everyone I know!
Make a Day Trip to Caye Caulker
Although just a short 30-minute ferry ride from Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker offers a stark contrast to its bustling neighbor. The island's relaxed atmosphere and picturesque scenery are its hallmarks, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a laid-back getaway. The best part is that because of its small size, all of the island's attractions, including the many colorful shops and restaurants that dot the shoreline, are within easy walking distance.
If you’re looking for things to do, consider checking out the Seahorse Reserve. Admittedly, it doesn’t look like much when you first walk up and discover the reserve is a big tangle of ropes attached to a dock, but if you manage to spot a seahorse, it’s a really cool experience! On the same lagoon side of the island, you can also feed the tarpons for a small price. The fish are huge and seeing them jump out of the water is pretty entertaining.
The island is also home to the famous Split, a natural channel that divides the island in two and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding sea. It’s a great place to grab a drink or go for a swim to cool off. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, a day trip to Caye Caulker is an excellent addition to any Belize vacation.
Relax at Secret Beach
Secret Beach is not exactly a secret these days, but it’s still a fun place to visit. The beach is lined with several bars and restaurants that have tables and chairs set up in the shallow water. We posted up at one of the picnic tables and ordered a bucket (or three) of Belikins, Belize’s signature beer. Because Secret Beach is on the eastern side of Ambergris Caye facing a lagoon, the water is really calm and ideal for lounging in the water on a floatie or paddle boarding. We rented both for the day and took turns trying them out.
If you’re on the south side of Ambergris Caye like we were, it can take an hour or longer to get to Secret Beach on a golf cart. We weren’t in a hurry so it didn’t bother us, but if you’re tight on time, take a taxi instead.
Explore Bustling San Pedro
San Pedro’s sandy streets are lined with colorful wooden houses, seafood restaurants, and lively beach bars, making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll or evening out. Consider going to Tiburon Rum for a free tasting of Belize’s preferred liquor, Saul's Cigar & Coffee House for a rum-spiked coffee (or a stogie if that’s your thing), and Belize Chocolate Company for a sweet treat. The town has endless options to keep you entertained.
Where to Stay on Ambergris Caye
Since we were traveling with a group of six, we wanted a vacation rental that could accommodate all of us. We ended up finding Tara Del Sol and couldn’t have been happier with our stay. The boutique resort is about two and a half miles south of San Pedro and tucked alongside a secluded white sandy beach overlooking the most gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea. Our ground floor unit was enormous with a full kitchen, dining area, living room, and front porch. We thoroughly enjoyed the property’s private pool and dock.
Something else I appreciated was the fact that the resort’s management team made things really easy for us. They organized our transportation to and from the ferry, arranged our golf cart rental (and had it waiting for us when we arrived), supplied us with drinking water when needed, and were just generally very helpful and communicative.
No matter where you stay on Ambergris Caye, something to keep in mind is that you don’t want to be too far from San Pedro. More than likely, you’ll be getting around on a golf cart and it isn’t the fastest mode of transportation. I wouldn’t recommend staying right downtown, but being within a few miles of San Pedro is definitely more convenient when going to dinner, catching the ferry, etc.
Where to Eat on Ambergris Caye
Let me just reiterate that upscale restaurants are not necessarily better in Belize. Two of our favorite meals we had on Ambergris Caye were at Delicias and Pupuseria Salvadoreno. Both are no frills restaurants that serve amazing Belizean food.
If you’re looking for fresh seafood, you can’t go wrong with Caramba Restaurant & Bar. It’s a fun experience because they have a huge selection of fresh fish displayed on ice and you get to pick what you want and how you want it prepared.
Belize is truly a hidden gem that exceeded all of our expectations. What started as a quest to explore its world-renowned scuba diving sites turned into an unforgettable adventure filled with so much more. The country has it all, from breathtaking natural wonders to vibrant cities and tranquil island escapes. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a combination of both, Belize will leave you enchanted and longing to return. So go ahead and take the plunge to plan your own Belizean getaway! I guarantee it will be a decision you won't regret.
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My name is Kolby Tallentire and I’m the creator of Tallentire Travels! This site formed out of my unending love of travel. My goal is to bring you the best travel recommendations for every destination. Learn More
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