The Best of Belize

A week and a half provides just enough time to see a few of Belize’s major destinations and get a taste for just how much more there is to discover. Following is an active and mobile 10-day tour; you can double or triple the time allotted to any of the areas listed below and still remain busy. Feel free to follow this itinerary in any order and, when you tire, stop where you are and soak it in.

Day 1

Arrive at Philip Goldson International Airport and transfer to Cayo on the San Ignacio shuttle. Settle into a family guesthouse and spend the evening strolling the mellow, misty village of San Ignacio [1]. Or you can just as easily base yourself at one of the many area jungle lodges throughout Cayo and still hit all the best sights.

Day 2

Rise early for a canoe trip up the Macal River [2]. Depending on the water level, you may make it to The Lodge at Chaa Creek or duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge [3], both with a number of attractions, including a nature center, a butterfly farm, and the Belize Botanic Gardens [4]. Float back downstream for another relaxed San Ignacio evening—book a massage for those well-worked shoulders.

Day 3

Visit Xunantunich [5] or El Pilar [6], either by foot, mountain bike, or horseback. When you get back from the archaeological site, ask your host to help plan a trip to Caracol the next day.

Day 4

Enjoy the ride along the Mountain Pine Ridge to the ruins of Caracol [7], then try the swimming hole tour on the way back. Stop for an organic salad or gourmet pizza at Blancaneaux Lodge [8] or a photo op at Thousand Foot Falls [9], one of the highest in Central America.

Day 5

Transfer to Belize City [10] in the morning, but be sure to stop for a hike at Guanacaste National Park [11] or the Belize Zoo [12]. When you arrive in the city, buy your water taxi ticket to Ambergris Caye [13] for the last boat of the afternoon, then stash your bags at the water taxi terminal while you explore Belize City’s Fort George [14], the Image Factory Art Foundation [15], and the Museum of Belize [16]. Get on the boat and arrive in San Pedro in time for a fancy seafood dinner.

Day 6

Diving or snorkeling [17], anyone? How about window shopping along the dusty lanes or soaking in one of several spas? Repeat this day as often as needed, maybe even for the duration of your trip.

Day 7

Two quick puddle-jumper flights plop you in Dangriga [18]. From there, cruise out to Tobacco Caye [19] or South Water Caye [20] for more sun, ocean, diving, and conviviality.

Day 8

Back on the mainland, spend the morning at the Gulisi Garifuna Museum [21] and Marie Sharp’s hot sauce factory [22], then ride south to Sittee River [23] (or Hopkins [24]) and arrange for a night canoe safari.

Day 9

Stay put, or take a day trip to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary [25], where you can hike through the jungle and float the river under a sky of birdsong and green canopy.

Day 10

Transfer to Philip Goldson International Airport for your departure. Plan on coming back next year to explore the southern and northern parts of Belize.