7-day Trip to Belize
Signature trip
Belize is one of the most untouched tourist destinations you’ll visit. The country may be small, but it’s still wild, covered in jungle, and populated by wild animals, including jaguars and monkeys. The country’s biodiversity and natural sights are just part of what you’ll explore on your 7-day trip to Belize.
From snorkeling with sharks and rays to hiking and swimming through complex caves and visiting Mayan ruins, there’s something for everyone on this tour. You’ll learn more about the natural world here in Belize while experiencing the unique culture for yourself. If it’s an adventure you’re craving, you’ll find it here.
Caracol
Archaeological and natural reserve
Mountain Pine Ridge
Forest reserve
Xunantunich
Mayan ruins
Caye Caulker
Go slow
Highlights
Belize is a great place to visit because it has a little bit of everything. You’ll visit the Caracol Natural Monument and hike through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to go spelunking in a beautiful cave. The Rio Frio Cave is just one of the caves you’ll visit, with the ATM cave being another good place to learn about Mayan history.
Make your own chocolate from scratch and learn about the importance of cacao in Mayan culture, then head for the sea. Belize’s Cayes or islands are renowned for their white sand beaches and incredible snorkeling opportunities. Whether you choose to visit Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, you’ll have the chance to explore the islands and take a dip in the cool waters with the many marine species that flourish here. It’s the trip of a lifetime and one you don’t want to miss.
Itinerary
Today, you’ll arrive at Belize’s international airport, where our driver will pick you up and take you to your jungle lodge in San Ignacio.
- Three nights in San Ignacio.
For your first full day in Belize, you’ll travel to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, dedicated to protecting native Belizean pines. Here, we’ll have a short hike to Rio Frio Cave through the woods. The Rio Frio Cave was once used as a sacred Mayan burial site, but today, it’s a tourist attraction, thanks to the gentle river running through it and the stunning stalactites hanging at the entrance. It also has a sand beach alongside the river and boulders in beautiful colors scattered throughout the cave.
Your next destination is the Chiquibul Forest Reserve where you’ll have a chance to tour the Mayan ruins, Caracol. The Caracol ruins are the biggest Maya site in Belize and feature more than 37 miles of sacbeob or white stone roads. The site has 32 main structures spread over five plazas and the largest temple, Caana, is 141 feet tall. It’s still the tallest man-made building in Belize.
After your exploration, we’ll have lunch and explore Mountain Pine Ridge a little more. You’ll be able to see the Big Rock Waterfalls and Rio on Pools, as well as both pine forests and jungle. Big Rock Falls is one of the tallest falls in Belize, pouring down 150 feet to form refreshing pools where you can swim. Rio On Pools is surrounded by rich jungle, but the real attraction is the river that cascades over the rocks, creating small pools and little waterfalls to each one. Finally, we’ll return you to your jungle lodge to rest for the evening.
Wake up early, because today is a big adventure! You’ll travel to Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave today. You’ll hike and swim through the stunning cave with a knowledgeable guide. The cave is full of Mayan artifacts left here by those who once completed rituals and human sacrifices. The “Crystal Maiden” is one of several skeletons still in the cave, covered in sparkling calcium carbonate.
This cave tour is physically challenging and requires swimming in some areas of the cave, and then hiking through narrow spaces. If this sounds like too much for you, we are happy to substitute today’s activity with one of the gentler caves in our Extensions section. Our guide will be with you the entire time to ensure your safety and comfort on this amazing adventure. Please be aware that heavy rains can cause water to rise in the cave, in which case, we will do another activity.
After exploring the ATM Cave, we’ll head to AJAW Chocolate to learn more about cacao and its role in the Mayan lifestyle. This is an interactive experience, so get ready to taste organic cacao beans, roast them, and use the ancient Mayan stone to grind cacao paste. You’ll even make your own chocolate bar and taste a traditional Maya chocolate drink.
Near the Cayo District, right by the Belize-Guatemala border, sits one of the best-preserved Maya ruins in the country. To get there, we must cross the Mopan River on a crank-operated cable ferry, and then hike up the tropical ridge to the city. Xunantunich was once the major civic-ceremonial center for this area, with around 10,000 inhabitants. It was one of the last Maya cities to be abandoned in Belize, remaining inhabited until around 1000 AD.
At Xunantunich, you’ll find roughly 26 palaces and temple structures set around six plazas. The city center covers about a square mile and is well worth checking out. Here, archeologists have discovered near-perfect stucco friezes on the 130-foot El Castillo pyramid that shows the Tree of Life, Maya gods, and more. The view from the top of El Castillo is worth the climb.
Once you’ve thoroughly explored, we’ll move on to Altun-Ha, an important trading center between Maya cities and the Caribbean coast during the Classic Period. The city center is the only area open to visitors, with two main plazas that hold 13 Maya temples and other structures. Interestingly, Altun Ha has no stelae, or carved monuments, found in nearly other Maya sites. You’ll recognize the Temple of the Masonry Altars, the largest temple in Maya civilization, from its appearance on Belikin beer labels.
To finish the day, you’ll head to Caye Caulker or San Pedro Ambergris Caye on a small plane. The choice is yours!
Caye Caulker is a small island roughly 5 miles long and not even a mile wide. 2,000 people live on the island, but it’s also a popular place for tourists, thanks to its laid-back culture and proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef. If you’re looking for a chill time, Caye Caulker is a more relaxed island compared to Ambergris Caye.
Ambergris Caye boasts a population of around 16,000, making it the biggest settlement in the country, aside from Belize City. People come here to enjoy the beaches, snorkeling, and the island’s unique charm. The island features mangrove forests packed with wildlife for those interested in birdwatching. The waters around Ambergris are littered with shipwrecks to explore, as well.
- Three nights in Caye Caulker or Caye Ambergris.
The Cayes are close to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system anywhere in the world, making this a wonderful place to go snorkeling. The reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its ecological importance. Its marine life is incredibly diverse, with more than 500 species of fish making the coral their home. When it comes to coral diversity, the Belize Barrier Reef features 70 species of hard corals and 36 species of soft corals, an area that must be protected at all costs.
You’ll also notice that the reef is really a double barrier reef and the largest double barrier reef or just six in the world. For good reason, it’s a popular place for people to snorkel and dive. You’ll take a snorkeling tour today to see the biodiversity for yourself. You may see any number of tropical fish, including nurse sharks and rays, which frequent the area.
Now that you’ve explored the waters around the islands, you can take some time to explore the Caye itself. Whether you’ve chosen Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye, you’ll enjoy a day of sand and sun. The beaches on these islands are absolutely stunning, with soft sand and turquoise waters.
On Caye Caulker, you may want to head to the Split, where a channel of water splits the island. Enjoy a drink from the Lazy Lizard bar and take a dip in the warm water. You’ll find that plenty of people have the same idea. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak or book a manatee tour to explore the area near the mangroves. You’ll definitely want to try some of the local cuisine, fresh from the sea. In the evening, catch the sunset from The Split or a beachside cafe or bar.
If you’ve chosen to hang out on Ambergris Caye, you’ll likely be in San Pedro Town where you’ll find yourself surrounded by the lively Belizean culture. You can either spend the day chilling out in the bars, relaxing on the beach, or exploring the island. The nightlife here is legendary, so plan to stay up late if you want to enjoy the live music in one of the many clubs and beach bars.
Would you like to extend your 7-day trip to Belize? We’re happy to accommodate an extra day, so just let us know. Enjoy a little extra time on Caye Caulker or Ambergris and relax a little before it’s time to go home.
Your visit is over and today you will take a domestic flight to the international airport of Belize (BZE) to fly home. We hope you’ll come back soon!
map, expenses & price
7-day trip to Belize
Expenses included:
-All private transportation
-Domestic flights
-Six nights of hotel accommodations
-Professional certified guides
-All tours and excursions as listed
-All park entrance fees
-Daily breakfast & lunches for the tours
Extensions
add-on
Experience the Nohoch Che’en Caves in a fun, unique way on inner tubes. This cave tubing adventure starts when you arrive at the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archeological Reserve and hike through the jungle to the cave entrance. There, you’ll board the tubes and float into the caves where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, and some of the ancient artifacts left behind by the Maya people who once used the caves for rituals.
You’ll be joined by a tour guide who can give you insights into the cave structures and the history here. Nohoch Che’en Cave is also known as Jaguar Paw Cave since the surrounding area is known as Jaguar Paw. The jaguar is a symbol in Maya culture that is usually connected to the spiritual and to the underworld, able to cross between the two realms. Caves were considered doors to the underworld by the Maya people, so the name is significant in their culture.
add-on
Belize’s natural beauty just goes on and on. If you’d like to see more of it, we offer a trip to Barton Creek Cave, where you’ll canoe through the cave. Tucked away in the Maya Mountains, the Barton Creek Cave is part of a cave system once used for the Mayas. As you paddle gently through the cave, you’ll spot everything from pottery and bones, left there by the rituals.
You’ll also have a chance to check out the incredible natural formations that the cave is known for, including stalactites and stalagmites.
Next, we’ll travel to the nearby Green Hills Butterfly Ranch which is exactly what it sounds like, a ranch full of beautiful butterflies. With 250 acres of land, the butterfly ranch is planted with a variety of insect-attracting plants, including bromeliads, orchids, and ardency flowers. Blue Morphos, Mexican bluewings, and Gold-edged Owls are just a few of the more than 30 species of butterflies spotted here. You’ll also see some of the 300 species of birds flitting through the trees and may spot some of the wild animals that make the ranch their home. It’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy some of the biodiversity that abounds in Belize.
add-on
For anyone who loves waterfalls, this is the tour you want. You’ll board the Jungle Gypsy pontoon boat and head out on a waterfall cruise. The boat will take you into the mountains, along the very river that cuts through the land. You’ll visit two to three main waterfalls.
The Sandpaper: This fall is only available during the rainy season, as it can be dangerous when dry. Beautiful pools have formed all down the wall of this waterfall, giving you plenty of places to swim and enjoy the refreshing water. You’ll need to climb the beautiful falls to reach the pools, but don’t worry, it’s known as Sandpaper Falls for a reason.
Twin-Falls: These two falls are famous for being a cliff jumping destination, but you don’t have to jump to appreciate the beauty here. Dual waterfalls pour down the granite mountain face, creating a lovely view that can be appreciated from the nearby sandy beach.
Rio-Frio: The biggest waterfall on our tour, Rio-Frio Waterfall is 70 feet tall, with cold mountain water pouring down into a huge pool that is perfect for swimming. We’ll spend some time here so you can enjoy the pool.
add-on
On this adventurous extension to your 7-day trip to Belize, you’ll visit Half Moon Caye, a crescent moon-shaped island on Lighthouse Reef Atoll. This reef was the first protected marine area in Central America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it’s part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The bird sanctuary here features millions of birds, including the only viable breeding colony of Red-Footed Boobies found in the western part of the Caribbean.
You’ll also go snorkeling here, over Glover’s Reef, one of the most diverse reefs in the western Caribbean. It serves as a spawning and nursery site for many marine animals and fish, including lobsters, conch, and the endangered Nassau grouper. Once you tire of snorkeling, you may want to try kayaking or paddleboarding.
add-on
Belize’s islands are far more diverse than just Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. With our island hopping adventure, you’ll experience some of the more remote areas of Belize, visiting multiple tiny islands, including Ragga Caye, Rendezvous Caye, Tobacco Caye, English Caye, and South Water Caye.
You’ll snorkel at least a couple of times a day on your journey, exploring barely-seen parts of the Belize Barrier Reef, and spend your nights camping on tiny islands. We also offer a fishing option, if you want to try your hand at spearfishing and spin-cast, or even trawling. Our tour finishes up at Dangriga, a quirky town where you’ll experience the Belizean culture.