Belize Vacation: How Many Days To Spend?

Belize is a small Central American country nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. It is a popular vacation destination, offering lush jungles, an incredible reef system, and lively, colourful towns.

Belize has something for everyone, including idyllic islands, mysterious Mayan ruins, and unforgettable animal encounters. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April, though be aware that this is also the busiest time.

If you're looking for a week-long trip, Belize is a great choice, as you can see the country's main highlights in this time. Spend a few days at a beach destination, such as Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, and explore the mainland, including San Ignacio and the Cayo District, home to jungle adventures and Mayan ruins.

With its world-class diving, inland Maya ruins, and vibrant culture, Belize is a destination that will leave you wanting more.

Belize's Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, attracting almost half of the country's 260,000 visitors. It is also vital to Belize's fishing industry. The reef is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. It is estimated that only 10% of all species in the reef have been discovered.

The reef is situated within a larger barrier reef system that includes offshore cayes, coral atolls, coastal lagoons, estuaries, mangrove forests, and several types of reefs, allowing for an abundance of marine life. Sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins, and manatees are commonly sighted.

The Belize Barrier Reef is an important natural asset to Belize, as it protects the coastline from the damaging effects of wave action, tropical storms, and hurricanes. In 1996, the reef was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its vulnerability and ecological importance. A large portion of the reef is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls.

Despite protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, global warming, and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

The Belize Barrier Reef offers a range of recreational activities such as diving, snorkelling, sailing, and fishing. The Great Blue Hole, located within Lighthouse Reef, is a popular attraction for divers. Other popular spots include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Half Moon Caye, and the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are the most popular cayes for exploring the reef, while coastal destinations such as Hopkins and Placencia offer some of the best dive resorts in Belize.

Inland Maya ruins

Belize is a small country, making it a perfect destination for a week-long trip. In seven days, you can enjoy the best of Belize, including its world-class diving and inland Maya ruins. Here is an itinerary for exploring the inland Maya ruins of Belize:

Day 1:

Arrive in Belize City and fly to Philip Goldson International Airport, the country's only international airport. From there, make your way to San Ignacio, a small town in the Cayo District that serves as a hub for eco-adventures. San Ignacio is known for its lively downtown area, with a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. Check into a hotel and explore the town before grabbing a bite at a local restaurant.

Day 2:

Start your day with a leisurely horseback ride to the Maya ruins of Xunantunich. After crossing a hand-cranked ferry, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush jungle as you approach the site. The main temple, El Castillo, offers breathtaking views of nearby villages and the Guatemalan mountains. After exploring Xunantunich, stop for lunch in San Ignacio and take some time to explore the downtown area.

Day 3:

Today, you will visit Cahal Pech, a small Maya site located within walking distance from downtown San Ignacio. Thick jungle foliage surrounds the temples, creating a mystical atmosphere. After exploring Cahal Pech, head back to San Ignacio for a late lunch. In the afternoon, you can opt for cave tubing or ziplining, often paired together as a combo tour.

Day 4:

On your fourth day, explore the world-famous Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, an impressive, artifact-rich Maya ceremonial cave. This cave contains rare bloodletting altars, sacrificial human remains, and over 1400 cataloged artifacts. It is considered Belize's top cave tour. After this intense exploration, you can relax and enjoy the rest of your day in San Ignacio.

Day 5:

For your last day in the Cayo District, take a day trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve. Here, you will visit Caracol, Belize's largest Mayan ruin. This ancient city dates back to the Late Preclassic Period and was once a powerful kingdom. Explore the ruins and take in the surrounding natural beauty. On your way back to San Ignacio, stop by the Rio Frio Cave and swim at the Rio On Pools.

Day 6:

On your sixth day, depart San Ignacio and make your way back to Belize City, either by taxi, private shuttle, or local flight. If you choose the land route, make a quick stop at the Belize Zoo, known as one of the best little zoos in the world. Here, you will find rescued animals native to Belize, roaming freely in large, natural enclosures. Finally, catch your return flight home from Philip Goldson International Airport.

The Great Blue Hole

Belize is a small country, making it a perfect destination for a week-long trip. It offers world-class diving opportunities, inland Maya ruins, indigenous villages, and jungle rivers.

One of Belize's most famous attractions is the Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It is located near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll about 70km (43 miles) from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular, measuring 318m (1,043 ft) across and 124m (407 ft) deep, with a surface area of 70,650 square meters (760,500 sq ft). It is believed to be the largest natural formation of its kind in the world.

Diving in the Great Blue Hole is for advanced divers, requiring at least an Open Water or Advanced Open Water diving certification. The dive typically involves a quick descent to a depth of about 135 feet, a brief stay at that depth, and a cautious ascent. It is important to have divemasters present to ensure the safety of the divers.

There are a few ways to visit the Great Blue Hole. By boat, it is about a three to four-hour journey from the northern or southern parts of Belize. Budget-friendly shared tours are available, or you can charter a boat for a more intimate experience. For those looking for the ultimate experience, chartering a catamaran provides a floating hotel and the flexibility to visit remote tropical islands. Helicopter tours are also available for non-divers who want to skip the long boat ride and capture amazing pictures.

San Ignacio and Cayo District

San Ignacio and its neighbouring town, Santa Elena, are located on the Macal River in western Belize. Together, they form the principal urban centre in the Cayo District, often dubbed the "twin towns". These towns are connected by the Hawkesworth Bridge, the only road suspension bridge in Belize, which was built in 1949.

San Ignacio is the largest settlement in the Cayo District and the second-largest in Belize, after Belize City. It is considered one of the best destinations in inland Belize, offering plenty of good food options, affordable hotels and restaurants, and frequent bus connections. The town has a diverse population, including Spanish-speaking mestizos, Creoles, Mopan and Yucatec Maya, Mennonites, Lebanese, Chinese, and immigrants from the Indian subcontinent.

San Ignacio is a hub for eco-tourists and adventure seekers. The town is surrounded by lush jungles, green hillsides, thundering waterfalls, and huge cave systems. It is also known for its vibrant nightlife, stores, restaurants, and cafes.

• Explore the Maya ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and El Pilar. Xunantunich is located about 12 miles west of San Ignacio and can be reached via a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River. Cahal Pech is a hilltop Maya site located southwest of San Ignacio, offering extensive restoration and artefacts such as ocarinas, chocolate pots, arrows, and carved flints.
• Visit the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, which includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. This cave is one of the most popular attractions in Belize and offers a glimpse into the ancient Maya ceremonial practices.
• Take a day trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, where you can go hiking, visit waterfalls, explore caves, and discover more Maya ruins.
• Go horseback riding, canoeing, or tubing on the Macal and Mopan Rivers. The best time for river travel is during the wet season, from May to October.
• Visit the Green Iguana Exhibit at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.
• Explore the Rainforest Medicine Trail and the Belize Botanic Gardens on a relaxing canoe trip along the Macal River.
• Shop at the San Ignacio Market, which is particularly lively on Saturdays when farmers sell local fruits and vegetables, and vendors offer crafts, clothing, and household goods.
• Experience the nightlife and cultural offerings of San Ignacio, including restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Ambergris Caye

There are plenty of activities to do on Ambergris Caye, including snorkelling, diving, fishing, sailing, and exploring ancient Maya history. The island is also a great base for day trips to incredible marine reserves.

Golf carts are the main mode of transportation on Ambergris Caye, and the roads are designed for this smaller type of vehicle. The golf cart culture is unique to San Pedro and is one of the joys of a vacation on the island.

When it comes to cost, Ambergris Caye is more expensive than other regions of Belize, except for the mainland beach villages of Placencia and Hopkins. This is because everything must be transported to the island, and it is the country's main tourism centre. However, there is a fairly broad price range for accommodation and activities, so it can still be an affordable destination.

Overall, Ambergris Caye is a beautiful and popular destination in Belize, offering a range of activities, amenities, and natural attractions for visitors to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions