Ready for a mixture of beach relaxation and jungle adventure for your next vacation? Then check out Belize. This small country packs a huge punch with epic adventures, ancient Mayan sites, incredible animals, delicious food, and so much more. It’s also where we experienced our favorite adventure together as a family to date.
If you travel to Belize, you have a few options. You can visit the Cayo District, home to lush rainforests. Here you can explore ancient Mayan civilizations, canoe or tube down the Macal River, or even explore one of the deepest and darkest caves you have yet to experience.
Or you can head to one of the beach towns for a bit of relaxation and water adventure. We have snorkeled all over the world, and the area we snorkeled in Belize is hands-down one of our favorites. If you time your trip right, you may even get to swim with manatees or whale sharks.
If you have one week to spend in Belize with your kids, I recommend splitting your time between the jungle and the beach for an epic Belize itinerary. We chose to explore the jungle at the beginning of the trip as we knew this would be more adventurous, and we wanted to end with some chill time at the beach. However you plan to spend your one week trip, it will be a vacation you will never forget.
Day 1 – Arrival Day: Where to Go in Belize
Deciding where to go in Belize is the first step. As we knew we didn’t want to spend much time in Belize City, upon landing, one of the hotel drivers picked us up, and we drove two hours to reach our accommodation for the next four nights.
We stayed at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, located right on the edge of the Macal River. This is one of the best areas to stay in Belize, especially for incredible animal sightings and nature sounds to lure you to sleep. But what I think the kids loved best (okay, and maybe us adults, too) was the tree house we stayed in. You’ll see and hear the river below as you enter your private tree house oasis. The wraparound balcony has a hammock and lounge chairs to relax in, a dining table for your meals or morning coffee, and a private plunge pool to enjoy the jungle below. Inside, the room was perfect for the four of us. The kids slept on the pull-out sofa sleeper and additional cot, and our King Bed was just a few steps above.
After a long travel day, we decided to enjoy the grounds here for the rest of the afternoon. The resort has a pool, a pier where you can take canoes and tubes out for the day, a butterfly sanctuary, hiking trails throughout the property, and many resident iguanas and howler monkeys.
The lodge has an all-inclusive option, so you don’t have to leave the property for meals if you don’t want. As we didn’t hire a car, we stayed on the property for all of our meals. But the hotel does offer driving services if you want to venture into town for the day or an evening meal.
Day 2 – Canoe and Tube the Macal River
Today we decided to spend the day on the water. The lodge has tubes and canoes that you can borrow to explore the further reaches of the Macal River. You can even paddle into town if you choose (though keep in mind this may take over two hours to get there). In the morning, we each took a tube and floated downriver. This river is relatively slow, so don’t expect a roaring ride. It’s definitely more of a leisurely experience. After you make your way down the river, look for the pier on the left side. This pier is where you will dock the tubes and then hike back to the resort. And by hike, I mean a short 5-10 minute walk.
After lunch, we decided to go in the opposite direction on the river via canoe. This time we paddled upstream, so it was a bit more work than on the tubes, but it was still relatively easy.
Day 3 – Visit the ATM Cave in Belize
The ATM Cave in Belize (Actun Tunichil Muknal) is one of the must-see sites when visiting Belize. Seriously! If you aren’t claustrophobic and don’t mind dark spaces, this is an adventure you need to add to your Belize itinerary. Our family still rates this experience the best of all the trips we have taken together.
The cave was discovered between 300 and 600 AD and was eventually used by the Mayans as a sacrificial chamber. Today, visitors are allowed to enter, but a designated tour guide must accompany you on the ATM Belize Tour. We were fortunate that our guide, Phillip, is one of the guides who has worked side-by-side with a local archeologist exploring this cave for many years, so we knew we were in good hands.
To explore this vast underground labyrinth, you will want to make sure you wear good water shoes, socks, a bathing suit, and waterproof shorts or board shorts.
You’ll start with a short walk to the first river crossing. The river is about waist-high, but there is a rope to hold on to as you cross over. After a bit more walking, you will come to another river crossing. In total, there are three. After about 45 minutes of walking, you will reach the cave opening.
You will need to swim a short distance to the rocks on the other side to enter the cave. There may be some tight crevices you have to swim or slither through. You will walk through ankle-deep water in some locations. In other parts, the path will lead into cathedral-size chambers filled with ancient Mayan artifacts.
After about one hour of walking, you will reach the site where the Mayans conducted their sacrificial rituals. You will remove your shoes and wear only socks here. They say if we can feel the ground beneath our feet, we are more likely to be careful where we walk. Ever so carefully, you will step by centuries-old artifacts and even skulls from sacrificed humans. You will climb up a ladder to reach the final area of this cave where the main sacrificial ceremony occurred. It is believed that this is where a young teen child was sacrificed to the Gods.
You will then walk back the same way you came and, trust me, will walk away with one of the most incredible travel memories ever!
While the entire experience was an incredible adventure, I think what amazed us the most was how close we could get to these historical artifacts. You come within inches of thousand-year-old pottery and skeletal remains. Instead of seeing history through plexiglass or behind a rope, you are up close and fully immersed in the experience. With this access comes immense responsibility and the importance of being mindful of your surroundings. They have a system based on trust where they ask you to step carefully around undiscovered areas where there may be more things to unearth. This level of confidence the country has for its visitors to appreciate and protect its sites did not go unnoticed. This was just one of the many ways Belize inspired us.
A couple of things to note:
- Children are allowed, but you must be 48 inches or taller.
- No phones or cameras are allowed. They are extremely strict with this rule. Years ago, a tourist dropped their camera in the cavern, and it cracked off a piece of a skull. I only have photos of this site because of our amazing tour guide, Philip. He has been allowed to take them on his visits with the archaeologist and so graciously shared them with us.
- You will spend approximately two and a half hours in the ATM cave. If you are claustrophobic or don’t like the dark, you might want to sit this one out. But again, if you can will your way to do it, I would!
Day 4 – Visit the Mayan Ruins
There are three main Mayan ruins in Belize in the San Ignacio region: Cahal Pech, Caracol, and Xunantunich. Or you may travel to Guatemala as a day trip to explore the magnificent Tikal. As we traveled in the summer of 2021, the borders were still not open, so we could not visit Tikal. However, this allowed us to explore one of the wonders of Belize.
Cahal Pech and Xunantunich are located within the town of San Ignacio, so it makes for an easy half-day trip. However, we had our sights set on Caracol as it’s the largest Mayan ruin in Belize. Once home to over 140,000 people, the area encompassed over 70 square miles. The goal at this site is to excavate, not replicate. So what you see is how it was in the Mayan times. However, there are still many structures that are waiting to be uncovered. Over time the jungle covered the ruins, and today many small hills dot the area hiding the undiscovered ruins.
Out of the three Mayan sites in the San Ignacio region, Caracol is the furthest and least populated to visit. We hired a driver/guide to take us on this experience. It took about two hours to drive there in a 4×4, which is necessary. Nearly half of the drive was on a bumpy road, which is the beauty of this location. As the roads are not well paved, this deters many travelers from visiting. As this is one of those places most people don’t visit, you will find far fewer crowds than elsewhere and indeed will have the place almost to yourself.
As this location is quite remote, pack water and some snacks. Wear good walking shoes and bring a hat and sunscreen as there is hardly any shade.
On the way back, our guide gave us the option to explore either some caves or the pools at Rio On Pools. We thought it would be refreshing to sit in the shallow pools after a hot day walking around the ruins. Yet once we got there, we decided to enjoy the views from the overlook instead. Regardless, pack bathing suits, water shoes, and towels, so you have the option to enjoy some time relaxing in the refreshing pools.
Day 5 – Flight to Ambergris Caye
Today we headed to the beach for some R&R and adventure. You will need to first get to Belize City, about a two-hour drive from San Ignacio, and then take a ferry or plane to Ambergris Caye. The quickest, easiest, and most scenic is by prop plane. Two airlines fly to Ambergris Caye, and we flew with Tropic Air. It’s a short 15-minute flight from Belize City to the Ambergris Caye Belize Airport in San Pedro. Don’t forget to look out the window, as the views are simply stunning along the way.
Upon landing, you will feel like you have entered the land of golf carts as golf carts will whiz past you in all directions. While cars are allowed on the island, golf carts are a very popular way to travel, and I highly recommend renting one for at least one day on the island.
We stayed at Xanadu Island Resort, located right on the beach and just a short 5-minute golf cart ride from the main downtown area called San Pedro. The rooms here are more like condos. We stayed in a two-bedroom with two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. The rooms have ocean views, and some even have direct access to the beach. The hotel has a pool, a beach area, golf carts for rent, and an excellent concierge service to help you arrange tours throughout your stay.
We hired a golf cart and drove into the town for dinner at Caroline’s Cookin’. It’s a small, local establishment, and we were immediately hooked. The food was incredible, and the service was top-notch. We felt like we walked away as friends with the staff there – it was just that welcoming! And it was so good we went back a second night for dinner!
Day 6 – Snorkel Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley
If you enjoy snorkeling, this is the place to do it. Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley is one of the more popular things to do in Ambergris Caye, and for a good reason.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is located just a few miles off the southeast coast of Ambergris Caye in a protected 3-mile area. It’s a quick boat ride, and most tours depart at 9:00 am or 2:00 pm and combine a visit with Shark Ray Alley. Plan to be on the water for about three and a half hours.
The water is shallow and crystal clear along this barrier reef in Belize. You will feel like you are swimming through your private aquarium with colorful fish, eels, stingrays, and turtles swimming beside you.
You will need to hire a guide for this excursion, and I highly recommend booking with Lil’ Alphonse. Again, another “best-of” here, as he is probably the best snorkel guide, we have ever had. He’ll clap his hands loudly underwater and then point at what he sees. Then he’ll pop up and speak loudly, explaining what it is so that we can still hear him from underwater — a perfect mixture of incredible underwater animal sightseeing with a bit of learning.
Next up is Shark Ray Alley. And as you might expect, it’s filled with sharks and rays. We didn’t see any rays, but we saw many nurse sharks. Your boat will pull up, and you have the option to jump on in or stay on the boat. It’s incredibly nerve-wracking to jump into the shark-infested waters. But once you are underwater, witnessing these incredible creatures brush against you and come inches within your face, it’s simply exhilarating! We were probably only in the water for 10 minutes, but at least 20 nurse sharks were swimming around us.
Day 7 – Hire a Golf Cart to Explore Ambergris Caye and Visit Secret Beach
As I mentioned, golf carting is a must when staying on this island. If you have a full day, rent a golf cart and explore. You can drive through the town of San Pedro and check out the shops and restaurants. Or, take the entire day and enjoy a day at Secret Beach. Secret Beach was not a place we had heard of before our visit. But when locals at the airport, the hotel staff, and the restaurant servers all asked if we had been there yet, we knew it was a must-visit place. And obviously, it wasn’t really a secret.
It’s about a 45-minute golf cart drive from the main town. Once you reach Secret Beach, you’ll notice a line of restaurants/bars with beach chairs set up along the beach. It’s easy to pick the first place you see, but I recommend walking the beach a bit to figure out which location might work best for you. All the restaurants/bars offer complimentary sun chairs and umbrellas. With a caveat that you must purchase something to eat or drink, which you will because there are no other food options around! Some places even have picnic tables in the water or piers you can relax on. So choose which location works best for you.
We picked Pirates Not So Secret Beach Bar because we found lounge chairs right on the water, and we loved that there were picnic tables in the water where we could hang out.
The water here is so shallow and extends for miles. Bring rafts if you want to float in the water. Or just wade out and enjoy the peacefulness here.
Day 8 – Depart Belize
Today we took the prop plane back to the Philip S W Goldson airport in Belize City and then headed back on our flight to the US. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time between the two flight connections.
How to Get To Belize
Belize is easily accessible from the US, and many major airlines offer direct flights to Belize City. You’ll want to fly directly to the Philip S W Goldson Airport. If you are traveling to the Cayo District, it’s about a two-hour drive from the airport. Or, if you are heading to the beaches on Ambergris Caye, you’ll want to catch a small flight to the island. The flight is only 15 minutes, and it’s the easiest way to reach Ambergris Caye.
When to Visit Belize
The best time to visit Belize is between December-April as this is the dry season. As you would expect, traveling during the Christmas and Easter holidays is especially popular and crowded. June-November marks the rainy season and has the highest percentage of rain at this time. However, the rain is just getting underway in May and June, so you may have days without rain and fewer crowds at this time. We went in early June and didn’t experience rain on any of the days we visited. My advice always is to go when it works best for you. But do your research ahead of time, so you know what to expect. And pack a bunch of patience because the weather in Belize can change at a moment’s notice, no matter when you plan to go.
Where to Stay in Belize
Whatever your budget may be, Belize offers accommodations for the luxury traveler to the budget conscious. Ranging from all-inclusive resorts, jungle lodges in San Ignacio, or beach resorts in Ambergris Caye, there are a variety of accommodations for your family.
Cayo District (Jungle area)
In the Cayo District / San Ignacio region, I recommend staying near the Macal river if possible. You will have endless opportunities for adventure, hiking, and river activities. We stayed at The Lodge at Chaa Creek, which is perfect for a family. There is a pool, canoes, and tubes to float on the river, local iguanas and howler monkeys to entertain you, a butterfly sanctuary, and endless activities to do onsite. There are a variety of rooms, from their standard cottage room to the luxurious treehouse. There is an all-inclusive option that includes all meals at the delicious Mariposa Restaurant, along with some additional activities.
Chaa Creek also participates in the Pack-a-Pound program, where guests have the opportunity to pack supplies to be delivered to the local schools. We each filled our backpacks with school supplies, and the hotel delivered them to the school for us. We are always looking for ways to give back when we travel, whether on a larger or smaller scale.
Here are a few other places I would recommend staying in the San Ignacio Region:
Ambergris Caye (Beach area)
We stayed at Xanadu Island Resort, an eco-friendly resort just a short golf cart drive away from the main town of San Pedro. The rooms are incredibly spacious, with views of the pool or beach. There are even monolithic domes you can stay in! There are complimentary kayaks and paddleboards to take into the ocean, a pool and spa to relax by, a bar to get your favorite drink, and complimentary bikes. It’s a perfect mixture of relaxation and nature here, but still close enough to enjoy all the amenities of the nearby town.
A couple of other hotels I would recommend in Ambergris Caye are;
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When I ask the kids which of our trips has been their favorite, Belize is always a top choice. Belize has the perfect mixture of nature, beach time, relaxation, and adventure. With so many animals to see and adventure activities you can do nowhere else in the world, it just might become one of your kids’ favorite trips too!
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