Epic 10-Day Belize Travel Itinerary: Beach & Jungle
Every other year, my best friends from college all take a girls trip. We’ve been to places like Vegas, Cabo, and New Orleans. This year we decided to visit Belize and followed this 10-day Belize travel itinerary.
This itinerary is the perfect mix of adventure and leisure, with time spent between the beachy island of Ambergris Cay and the heart of the jungle in San Ignacio.
Some of the highlights of this itinerary are snorkeling from a private catamaran tour, spelunking in ancient Mayan caves, and taking a day trip to explore ruins in Guatemala.
Keep reading for the perfect Belize itinerary, including where to visit, what to do, where to stay, and other travel tips.
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Belize 10 Day Itinerary Overview
Part 1: San Pedro, Ambergris Cay
For the first part of your trip, I reccomend heading to the popular island of Ambergris Cay. This island is known for nice beaches, world-class snorkeling, and great food.
Ambergris Cay, and its main town of San Pedro, are the perfect place to recover after a long international flight and soak in the Belize sun.
There are some other beachy destinations in Belize that I mention at the end of this post, but I reccomend San Pedro if you need to pick one.
The island is geared towards tourists so there are a ton of great restaurants and things to do. In addition, it is directly next to the Belize barrier reef which has some of the best snorkeling in the world.
Getting to Ambergris Cay from Belize City
To start this Belize itinerary, you will likely fly into Belize International Airport in Belize City. There is basically nothing touristy to do in Belize City, so I recommend immediately heading on to your next destination of San Pedro.
San Pedro is an island so there are only a couple ways to get there: small plane or ferry.
Flying to San Pedro: Fly from Belize City to San Pedro with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air for a quick 15-minute flight, costing around $70 to $90 USD one way. I recommend booking tickets ahead of time directly through the airline to secure your spot.
Ferry to San Pedro: Take a 90-minute ferry from Belize City to San Pedro with San Pedro Belize Express or Ocean Ferry Belize, costing around $40 USD each way. Tickets are available online, at the terminal,
I recommend flying at least on direction to or from San Pedro because the views are incredible and you may even see the famous blue hole.
Be sure to confirm that you are able to make the ferry or plane with your international flight. Most transportation to the island ends around 6pm when the sun sets.
Getting Around San Pedro
Once you are in San Pedro, there are two ways to get around the island – taxis and golf carts. I highly suggest renting golf carts because they are fun to drive, allow you to easily get around, and are less expensive than getting taxis.
I was the designated golf cart driver on our trip and found it super easy to navigate. Since most of the other vehicles on the road are other golf carts, it felt super safe. The island is small so the longest golf cart trek you will ever make is around 1 hour if you are going the length of the island.
There are dozens of golf cart rental companies, but this is a great one if you want to pre-book.
Where to Stay in San Pedro
Mahogany Bay Resort (Marriott Homes and Villas)
Since we were traveling as a group of 13, we needed a large place. Although there are many vacation rentals on the island, there were not many that fit large groups.
We decided to stay at a Marriott Home and Villa at the Mahogany Bay Resort. This large home had four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living space, and a private pool. It also has access to resort amenities such as restaurants and a larger pool.
We stayed at the Tranquility home, but there are many different house options at different price points and sizes.
Since the vacation rentals are part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, you can also earn points and elite nights on your stay.
Check prices and availability for Marriott rentals in San Pedro
Mahogany Bay Resort (Hilton)
The home rentals I mentioned above are on the same resort property as a Hilton. From staying there, I highly recommend it as a place to stay in San Pedro, whether in a vacation rental or a hotel room.
As a hotel guest, you will get access to the hotel and private beach in addition to the amenities of the vacation rentals.
In addition to the onsite amenities, Mahogany Bay Resort is located close to downtown San Pedro, where there are a ton of restaurants and some shopping.
The only downside to Mahogany Bay is that it is far from Secret Beach, one of my favorite parts of the island. I was willing to make the 1 hour golf cart ride, but if you aren’t, consider staying closer.
Victoria House Resort & Spa
Beachfront resort with luxurious accommodations, including private villas with plunge pools, an on-site spa, and fine dining.
Matachica Resort & Spa
Known for its colorful, thatched-roof casitas and villas, Matachica offers a secluded, adults-only experience. The resort features a full-service spa, gourmet restaurant, and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, making it a top choice for couples.
Top Things to do in San Pedro
1. Snorkeling Tour
If you do one activity in San Pedro, it needs to be snorkeling. I’ve snorkeled all over the world and the snorkeling in Belize is the best I’ve ever experienced. Maybe even better than the Great Barrier reef in Australia!
There are two main snorkel spots I reccomend visiting. The first is Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Here, you will see a ton of colorful fish, turtles, nurse sharks, rays, and more. I couldn’t believe how much marine life we saw.
The second must-visit snorkeling location is Shark Ray Alley. Boats are allowed to chum for sharks here so you are nearly guaranteed to see a ton of nurse and reef sharks. The area is also known to have many eagle rays.
If you have more time, Coral Gardens is a great third snorkeling spot where you can see unique and colorful coral formations.
There are a ton of San Pedro Snorkel tours, but here is an affordable option with great reviews. If you are traveling with a large group, I highly recommend the private charter (below).
2. Private Catamaran Charter
At the end of my Belize girl’s trip, we went around the dinner table and all shared the highlight from our trip. Around half of the people said that this private catamaran charter was their favorite thing we did on the vacation.
If you are traveling with a large group, around 8-16 people, I HIGHLY suggest taking this tour.
You will get all-inclusive access to a large catamaran boat with two dedicated staff. On board, there is an open bar with local rum, vodka, and gin. There is also a local buffet lunch and a fresh ceviche snack.
The itinerary is flexible since it is a private tour, but here is what we did on our 8-hour tour:
- Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley
- Snorkeling at Coral Gardens
- Lunch on board
- Free Time at Caye Caulker to explore (Tarpon feeding, souvenir shopping, drinks at the Split)
- Fresh homemade ceviche snack
- Sunset cruise back to San Pedro
Again, I cannot emphasize enough how fun this tour was. We did so much in one day and the service was fantastic. 10/10 reccomend.
3. Day Trip to Secret Beach
The beaches on Ambergris Cay are stunning, but some have an issue with sargassum, a stinky seaweed-like plant that washes on shore. It is truly very stinky and can ruin a beach day.
Fortunately, Secret Beach is in a protected cove and sargassum free! If you are planning a beach day on your trip, I highly suggest heading to this area.
Secret Beach is not much of a secret anymore. It is a stretch of beach bars on the west coast of the island. You can simply drive your golf cart here, pick a beach club, and enjoy the day.
All of the beach bars are pretty similar – they have drinks, food, beach chairs, and swimming. In general, entrance and chairs are free then you just pay for food and beverages. We visited two different beach bars on our trip and I reccomend both:
Happy Island: One of the best sandy beaches and access to a floating water park.
Blue Bayou: Dozens of in-water picnic tables with in-water food/beverage service. There is also a volleyball net in the water.
4. Day Trip to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a smaller island next to Ambergris Cay. Where Ambergris Cay has more restaurants and activities, Caye Caulker is known for backpackers and nightlife.
You can easily get between the two islands with a quick ferry ride. If time permits, I reccomend taking a day trip to Caye Caulker.
Since the island is very small, it is possible to cover the whole thing on foot. Some of the best things to do are feeding Tarpons (giant fish), visiting the souvenir shops (with better prices than San Pedro), and exploring the local beach bars.
The best bars on the island are near the area known as the “Split”. This is where the island was split into two smaller islands during a major hurricane in the 60’s.
5. Explore Downtown San Pedro
While “downtown” San Pedro is small, it is worth visiting for a half day. Town is very tourist-focused, with mostly restaurants, hotels, and souvenir shops.
You can honestly park anywhere in town and just wander into different shops. A lot of them have the same content so no need to visit them all. However, below are some spots I’d recommend visiting:
- Belize Chocolate Factory: Super cute shop where you can build your own box of truffles and taste other local chocolate treats
- San Pedro Sign: Good photo opp near the beach. Note that parking directly next to the sign is reserved for taxis, so plan to park 2-3 blocks away and walk.
- Belikin Beer Shop: As I mentioned, most souvenir shops have the same stuff. One unique place to visit is the Belikin beer store where everything is themed around the local beer. I bought my boyfriend a simple t-shirt here as a gift to bring back.
6. Fly Over the Blue Hole
My biggest regret during my trip to Belize was missing the Blue Hole. For those that aren’t familiar, the Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole that can be seen from above. It is one of the most popular dive sights and places to visit.
I’ve heard that you can sometimes see the blue hole on the standard flight between Belize City and San Pedro. There are also dedicated flyover tours by Tropic Air.
7. Go Fishing
Honestly, I am not a big fan of fishing and seldom take time out of a vacation to do so. However, I have heard great things about the deep sea and fly fishing in San Pedro. My friend’s dad takes an annual trip to San Pedro solely to fish.
Read More: 11 Best Things to Do in San Pedro Belize on Vacation
Best Restaurants in San Pedro
1. Hidden Treasure
Located south of town, close to Mahogany Bay, this restaurant is truly a hidden gem. The atmosphere is great with an open dining area and cute string lights.
The food was also delicious. The tomato bruschetta was some people’s favorite dish of the trip. I loved my jerk shrimp main course.
2. Bluewater Grill
The location and view of this restaurant can’t be beat. It is directly oceanfront, with a white sand beach and amazing sunset views.
The food here is also amazing. I ordered a couple sushi rolls and it was honestly some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. The fish was super fresh and the rolls had a great mix of flavors.
3. Farmhouse Cafe
This is a great spot for a classic breakfast – hashbrowns, eggs, pancakes, etc. It is on the north side of town, making it a good stop on your way to secret beach.
4. Green Cafe
Green Cafe is a cute coffee shop with great food. They have around 15 different toast options in addition to a ton of breakfast sandwiches.
I ordered an iced vanilla latte and bacon breakfast sandwich, both of which I’d order again.
Part 2: San Ignacio
For the second part of the trip, I highly reccomend heading out to the jungle in San Ignacio. The great thing about Belize is you can have two different vacations in one – beach and jungle.
San Ignacio is a great hub for all the jungle adventure activities in Belize. It is near ziplining, Mayan ruins, cave tours, rivers, hikes, and more.
I reccomend spending a few days in San Ignacio as a home base for exploring the jungle area.
Getting to San Ignacio from San Pedro
To get to San Ignacio from San Pedro, you will need to return through Belize City. As explained above, you can choose either the ferry or plane to get back to the city.
From here, the only way to get to San Ignacio is by driving. There used to be some flights, but a storm wiped out the San Ignacio airstrip a couple years ago.
I recommend booking a private driver for the transfer, which can be arranged on your own or through your hotel. We booked through our hotel and it was around $300 each way for 13 people total. The drive from Belize City to San Ignacio is around 2.5 hours.
Where to Stay in San Ignacio
Black Rock Lodge
Our stay at the Black Rock Lodge was a highlight of the vacation. This eco lodge is located around 30 minutes outside the jungle town of San Ignacio. It is right on the river with a ton of onsite activities such as river tubing, bird watching, and hiking.
Instead of traditional hotel rooms, Black Rock is made up of a bunch of standalone cabins, each with a large bedroom area, bathroom, and private balcony.
What really made this hotel in San Ignacio stand out is the incredible food and service. From the first day, the staff knew our names and went above and beyond to make our trip magical. Anytime we’d ask for something, this response was always “it’s possible”.
I still dream about the food from Black Rock. Everything is farm-to-table, grown on the property. Dinner is included in your stay and is a high-end three course meal. Highly reccomend!
Book your stay at the Black Rock Lodge
Top Things to do in San Ignacio
1. ATM Cave Tour
The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) caves were the #1 highlight of my Belize itinerary. These caves are multiple miles long underground, which you explore by swimming, climbing, and hiking.
In addition to the adventure of cave exploration, these caves also hold ancient Mayan artifacts from human sacrifice rituals.
The tour begins with a 45 minute hike through the jungle to the cave’s entrance. Once in the cave, you will progress deeper into the cave by swimming through pools, climbing over rock formations, and navigating the natural terrain of the cave.
At the furthest point in the cave, you will come upon an open area where you will see Mayan artifacts and remains. Here, you will learn about the Mayan history and practice of human sacrifice.
If you do one thing in San Ignacio, let it be this ATM cave tour. You cannot visit on your own, so book through a tour company like this one.
Note – this tour is about an hour from San Ignacio and will take one full day.
2. Tikal Ruins Day Trip
The second must-take tour in San Ignacio is a day trip to Mayan ruins. There are many in the area, but I recommend Tikal in Guatemala.
Tikal is the most popular ruins that cover hundreds of acres and have dozens of preserved monuments and temples. Although it is in Guatemala, it is only around 2 hours from San Ignacio, so it is a reasonable day trip.
I highly reccomend visiting Tikal on a guided tour. It is very helpful to have a guide in the ruins and to help with the round trip logistics to and from Belize.
3. Ziplining
There is amazing ziplining in Belize. With the scenic jungles, rivers, and mountains, the views are hard to beat. Tours typically take a half day and are a great way to combine sightseeing with a bit of adrenaline.
4. River Floating
This might just be a me thing, but I love a float. They offered a complimentary river floating tour at our hotel, Black Rock Lodge. The float takes about 30 minutes with some small rapids and long stretches of slow river. At the very end you have the choice to float over a small waterfall.
I loved floating because it was a relaxing way to see the jungle from a different perspective. Then the rapids added a bit of thrill.
Other Popular Places to Visit in Belize
This itinerary for Belize hits two of the most popular areas – San Pedro and San Ignacio. Of course there are a ton of other great places to visit in the country.
Below is a list of three of the other most popular places to visit, all of which have a casual beachy vibe. If these places interest you, they could easily be added onto this itinerary with more time or replace San Pedro if you have limited time.
- Placencia: A laid-back coastal village with beautiful beaches and a friendly vibe, Placencia offers a more relaxed alternative to San Pedro.
While San Pedro is buzzing with activity, Placencia is perfect for those looking to unwind by the water, enjoy water sports, or take boat trips to nearby islands and the Belize Barrier Reef. - Caye Caulker: Just a short boat ride from San Pedro, Caye Caulker is a smaller, more laid-back island that’s popular with backpackers. Unlike the bustling scene in San Pedro, Caye Caulker has a “Go Slow” vibe, making it ideal for snorkeling, diving, and enjoying the simple pleasures of island life.
- Hopkins: Compared to the lively atmosphere of San Pedro, Hopkins is a cultural hotspot on the southern coast with a rich Garifuna heritage.
It’s a great place to immerse yourself in traditional music, dance, and food, while also exploring nearby waterfalls, jungles, and sandy beaches for a more authentic Belizean experience.
When to Visit Belize
The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season, which runs from late November to mid-April. During this time, the weather is warm, sunny, and less humid, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
Temperatures typically range from the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (24-29°C). However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect higher prices and larger crowds.
The rainy season, from June to October, includes the hurricane season, with its peak in September and October. While the rain usually comes in short bursts, followed by sunshine, there’s a risk of hurricanes, particularly from August to October.
I visited Belize in August and had great weather, but I wouldn’t recommend booking during hurricane season. I did it by mistake and got lucky that everything ended well.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds and don’t mind some rain, visiting in June or November might be a good option.
Quick Facts About Belize
Currency:
Belize uses the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 2 BZD to 1 USD, and US dollars are widely accepted.
Language:
The official language of Belize is English, but many people also speak Spanish and local dialects such as Kriol.
Visa/Entry Requirements:
Most travelers, including those from the US, Canada, and the EU, do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days but must have a passport valid for at least six months.
Safety Considerations:
Belize is generally safe for tourists, but it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in remote areas, and avoid walking alone at night. Additionally, stick to bottled or purified water, and choose well-cooked foods to avoid any potential stomach issues.
Tipping:
Tipping in Belize is appreciated but not always expected; a 10-15% tip is customary in restaurants if service isn’t included, and small tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are always appreciated.
Simple Belize Packing List
1. Reef-Safe Sunscreen:
Protect your skin from the strong Caribbean sun while also helping to preserve Belize’s coral reefs by using environmentally friendly sunscreen.
2. Bug Spray:
Mosquitoes and other insects can be common, especially in jungle areas, so bring bug spray to avoid bites and stay comfortable.
3. Lightweight, Breathable Clothing:
The tropical climate in Belize is warm and humid, so pack light, breathable clothing to stay cool and comfortable.
4. Water Shoes:
Essential for activities like snorkeling, exploring caves, or walking on rocky shores, water shoes protect your feet and provide grip.
5. Reusable Water Bottle:
Stay hydrated in the heat while reducing plastic waste by carrying a reusable water bottle, ideally one with a built-in filter.
6. Rain Jacket or Poncho:
Belize’s weather can be unpredictable, especially during the rainy season, so a lightweight rain jacket or poncho is useful.
7. Snorkeling Gear:
While you can rent gear in Belize, bringing your own mask and snorkel ensures a perfect fit and more hygienic experience.
8. Wide-Brimmed Hat:
A wide-brimmed hat offers extra protection from the sun, especially during long days spent outdoors.
9. Swimsuit (or two):
With plenty of opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and lounging on the beach, having an extra swimsuit is always handy.
10. Waterproof Dry Bag:
Keep your valuables like phones, cameras, and documents safe from water damage during boat trips or rainy weather.
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