Beautiful Belize

Belize is a destination that took me by surprise! Our Belize itinerary included a lot on a 5 day trip. The landscapes are so beautiful and diverse with water of all shades of blue, Mayan ruins, and lush jungles. It is also home to the 2nd largest barrier reef with lots of activities to see and explore it’s waters. I went for a bachelorette party, so the activities are doable with a large group but also smaller groups or individuals. It’s perfect for a weekend trip or longer because there is so much to explore!

Things to know before travelling to Belize:

You will fly into the Belize City International Airport and from there need to take a Ferry (about 2 hours) or plane (15-30 mins) if your going to one of the islands. (I recommend staying at another island). The 2 airlines to take are either Tropic Air and Maya Air. You can book a one way flight for around $98 or book round trip for approx $175. We took the charter plane because it’s way faster for about the same price as the ferry and you see the incredible views from above. We did take the ferry for the snorkeling excursion so we did get to experience the trip from the water and air.

We stayed at Brahma Blue in San Pedro but I don’t really recommend it. Although it was a beautiful location and property, we had to take a boat taxi to get from the main island of San Pedro across the water to where we were staying. This was a hassle because we had to notify the boat driver every time we needed a ride, pay every time, and take multiple trips because our group was so big.

For currency, 1 US dollar is 2 Belizian Dollars so everything is relatively cheap and takes US dollars. You do not need to exchange money to Belizian dollars. The national language of Belize is English so it’s easy to get around, and mostly everyone speaks it along with Spanish and Belizian Creole. Both of these things makes Belize a great place to visit where the dollar can go a long way and the language barrier is not a problem.

Belize Itinerary: Things to Do!

Your Belize itinerary wouldn’t be complete without doing these things. We had a 5 day trip which was plenty of time to explore. However, I would add the Mayan ruins to your Belize itinerary if you have time, as another popular place to visit which we didn’t get to see.

1. Secret Beach

This is a great place to hang out with bars/restaurants in the water! It’s good for big groups, day drinking, activities like paddle boards, jet skiing, obstacle courses, great food and more! We took a taxi from San pedro to get here which is about a 30-40 minute drive.

2. Snorkel With Nurse Sharks & Stingrays 

We did the Yolito guided boat day cruise which I highly recommend! This was a full day which includes meals, open bar, snorkel gear, snorkel tour, and ends with a beautiful sunset. We explored the barrier reef, where you can snorkel and see fish, sting rays, and even swim with nurse sharks.

3. Cave Tubing 

We did this with 5 Star Tours and it was such a unique experience! They provide transportation and take you on about a 1 hour drive to the lush Belize rainforest. From there you do a short 20 minute hike where you can get your tubes (or have them carried to the water for extra charge which is what we did). You then float through the water which is like a lazy river experience weaving through an underwater cave system in the lush jungle/rainforest. This is a very relaxing experience and the guides do a great job at explaining things on the tour.

4. Dinner at Caramaba 

Caramba is a unique dining experience for trying amazing Belizian seafood! You can pick your own catch of the day and there are options for cooking how you like it. They explain to you what the fish are and types of options for cooking it. It’s so delicious, however make sure you have reservations because it’s very popular!

5. Fly Over The Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole about 60 miles off the coast of Belize City and is one of the most popular attractions in Belize. Although you can visit it by boat & dive it, the best (and fastest) way to experience it is from the air. The flight is approximately 45 mins from San Pedro and the experience will cost you about $250 USD. You can find flights from Belize City, San Pedro & Caye Caulker. 

6. Rent a golf cart and explore San Pedro

Golf carts are the mode of transportation in San Pedro and the easiest way to get around in the narrow streets. The parking is usually on the sides of the road. There are lots of small shops and souvenir stores and a great way to explore the town.

7. Eat at Truck Stop

This is a great place to hang out with lots of food truck like options and activities in the area. They also play live music on the weekends! It’s about 15 minutes from the town of San Pedro but a great place to stop for a quick bite or a sit down meal!

8. Eat a Fryjack at Estele’s Dine By the Sea

A popular Belizean recipe, fry jacks are normally eaten for breakfast accompanied by refried beans, sausage, bacon and eggs. They are a made of a fried breading, stuffed with items of your choosing. I recommend making reservations because Estele’s is a popular restaurant located on the beach! Another food rec is dinner at Elvi’s Kitchen where you should also makes reservations!