The Best Belize Travel Itinerary | Explore The Cayes
We’re here to help you go steady with Belize – specifically the Cayes. This Belize travel itinerary will set you up with the two most popular islands in Belize, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. You’ll learn how to travel to the cayes, where to stay on both islands, and the top things to do on each island.
The 5 Simple Steps to fall in love with Belize
- Get to know Belize (basic facts about the country)
- Travel to Belize (comparing modes of transportation to reach the cayes)
- Find the perfect island for you (Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker)
- Find the perfect resort for you (from budget-friendly to family-friendly to full on luxury)
- Discover the best things to do in the cayes
Secret Beach in Ambergris Caye
Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
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Table of Contents
Let’s Get To Know Belize
Belize is a country you’re going to want to get to know. Historically, Belize has flown a bit under the radar in terms of tourism – but this country is emerging as a top vacation destination for 2023. If you’re looking for a destination that’s a bit more off the beaten path than Mexico and Costa Rica, you’ve stumbled upon a true gem.
This Belize travel itinerary will work for family vacations, couples, and 20-something travelers looking for a unique Central American country to explore.
Belizean Shores Resort
Caye Caulker, Belize
Drinks at Coco Beach Resort
Set The Mood
First, let’s set the mood. When we travel to a new place, we always need music that fits the vibe. Check out our Belize playlist on Spotify and listen to it as you travel to the cayes.
The Basics
Language: The national language in Belize is English. This makes traveling to Belize that much easier – especially if you’re coming for a family vacation and want to feel comfortable navigating an unfamiliar area with your kids.
Currency: The Belize Dollar (BZ) is the official currency and the exchange rate is quite easy to remember: 2 BZ = 1 USD. This quick conversion makes it easy to understand the prices. Just make sure you check whether menus and prices are written in BZ or USD, because it varies from place to place.
Geography: Belize is a small country, not much larger than the state of Massachusetts. But don’t be fooled into thinking its size makes it a less interesting destination than other, larger countries.
Belize offers the world’s second largest barrier reef and approximately 450 islands, known as cayes. Plus, more than half of the country is subtropical jungle or rainforest – 75% of which is now protected by the government of Belize.
Why Visit Belize?
Snorkel & Dive
The main reason to come to the cayes in Belize is to enjoy the second largest barrier reef in the world. This is one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive, for experienced divers and newcomers alike. Families who choose to vacation in Belize can easily take a half day guided tour out (see below), and enjoy a snorkel in the clear blue water. On the other hand, experienced divers can stay for weeks and enjoy exploring various areas around the reef.
The Convenience Factor
If you need further convincing, Belize operates on Central Standard Time, making it a great destination for remote workers and digital nomads. This country is a short flight from the U.S., with direct flights from Miami taking just over 2 hours. It’s a good rule of thumb to plan your trip well in advance to find the most affordable flight. However, we booked just 2 months in advance and were able to find flights for $370. This is not bad compared to more popular travel destinations.
Getting There
Speaking of flights, let’s talk about how to get to the cayes in Belize. You will start by flying into Belize City (BZE). Then, you have 2 different options for travel to the cayes.
Option #1: By Water Taxi
- Cheaper ($32 USD 1 way, $59 roundtrip)
- More eco-friendly
- Requires more time and effort (1-1.5 hr boat ride, plus the 30 minute taxi ride from the airport to the boat)
When you arrive in Belize City, exit the airport and take a taxi to the water taxi. Taxis are unionized in Belize and the price is fixed at $30 USD, but it goes up by $5 if you have more than two travelers. In our case, we paid $35 for our group of 3 and tipped $5, for a total of $40 USD.
There are two ferry companies in Belize, your driver will know which to take you to based on the next leaving boat. When you arrive at the ferry, give your luggage to the workers and purchase your tickets. The boat stops at both cayes. The ride to Caye Caulker takes 1 hour, and the ride to Ambergris Caye takes 1.5 hours.
Option #2: By Plane
- More expensive
- More carbon emissions = not environmentally friendly
- Saves time (15 minute plane ride)
Book your flights in advance on Maya Air or Tropic Air – both are reliable, so try to find the best price. When you arrive at Belize International Airport, you’ll simply move from one area of the airport to another for customs and your connecting flight. The flight is quite short and it includes amazing views of the barrier reef from the sky.
@baggagegirls Our Top 5 things to do on Ambergris Caye, in Belize! 🏝️🥥🐠 On our blog you can find hotel recommendations, a comparison of Caye Caulker & Ambergris Caye (to help you decide where to stay), and general tips for traveling to Belize! We think this country is only going to grow in popularity and recommend adding it to your travel bucket list asap 🐠🪸 ••• #travelbelize #ambergriscayebelize #baggagegirls #belizetraveltips
♬ Moments / Tides - Goth Babe
Which island is more your type?
Honestly, both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are great places to stay. But these two islands have completely different vibes. You want to make sure you book your accommodation on the island that’s more your type. If you’re looking for a resort-style family vacation – Ambergris Caye is your perfect match. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a budget destination and laid-back island vibes – Caye Caulker is the one for you.
To help you decide where to stay in Belize, we created dating profiles for both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, so you can pick your perfect match. Check out our full post here and decide which island you plan to stay on!
Keep in mind that you can and SHOULD plan to visit both cayes during your time in Belize. These islands are connected by ferry boat and it’s just a short 30 minute ride from one to the next. If you choose to stay on Ambergris Caye, you can even combine your snorkel trip with an awesome day trip to Caye Caulker by booking this tour.
Where to Stay on Ambergris Caye
If you’ve decided to stay on Ambergris Caye, it’s probably because you’re looking for a resort and a relaxing vacation. Thankfully, this island has everything from budget friendly resorts for groups of travelers, to luxurious hotel rooms for honeymooners. Below you’ll find our top 3 favorite resorts on the island, each with a different vibe and price point.
Belizean Shores Resort
Best for:
- Budget travelers
- Group travel (certain villas can sleep up to 8 guests!)
- Family vacations
Best features:
- Resort style pool
- Swim up bar
- Hot tub
Coco Beach Resort
Best for:
- Family vacations (great for young kids)
- Complete resort atmosphere
Best features:
- Oceanfront views
- Spa
- Coco Blanca Restaurant
- 2 pools
Mahogany Bay Resort
Best for:
- Honeymooners paradise
- Single rooms for couples
- Also great for families
- Luxurious & aesthetic
Best feature:
- Private beach club
- Beautiful main lobby & bar
For more information on all three resorts, check out our full blog post on Where To Stay In Belize: 3 Resorts You’ll Love.
Where to Stay on Caye Caulker
While we didn’t stay on Caye Caulker ourselves, we walked past a few hotels that we would love to check out during our next trip back. We’ve listed them below from cheapest to most expensive.
Things to do in Belize | Cayes Edition
Now that you’re fully equipped to travel to the cayes and book the best accommodation, we can talk about things to do on your vacation in Belize. While the #1 thing to do here is get in the water, there are plenty of other great spots to explore on the islands as well.
If you’ve chosen to stay on Ambergris Caye, this first list is made for you.
Top 5 Things to do in Ambergris Caye
1. Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley
This is a MUST for everyone who travels to Belize. We were so impressed with this marine reserve, and loved exploring the second largest barrier reef in the world! Check out this day tour that we recommend, which includes a trip to both spots. You’ll get the chance to swim with nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley, and then explore the coral reefs and marine life at Hol Chan. We were at the marine reserve for about an hour, and in that time we saw thriving coral, a sea turtle, a 4ft snapper, moray eels, barracudas, parrot fish, trigger fish, and an eagle ray.
This tour is ideal for all ages and experience levels. There were plenty of kids in the water, and more experienced divers were able to free dive depths of around 30 ft and enjoy a few swim throughs.
Pro Tip: DON’T FORGET your reef-safe sunscreen. You do not want to contribute to the toxic load that most traditional sunscreens have on the coral reefs and marine life. A reef-safe brand we love: Raw Elements.
2. Take a Private Spearfishing Tour:
We recommend booking with Tuff-E-Nuff tours. We were impressed with the knowledge of these guides and their efforts to educate tourists on preserving the reef.
Group tours are great, but this tour gives you a chance to catch your dinner AND protect the coral reef. Book a private spearfishing tour and enjoy a morning or afternoon in your own speed boat, exploring the less visited areas of the coral reef.
When spearfishing, it’s vital that you ask your guides for information about which fish you are and are not allowed to spear. Fishing endangered, out of season, or too small fish has a negative impact on the reef and the environment.
However, Lionfish are an invasive species to this area in Belize, and are therefore a great fish to catch and eat. Let your guide know that you’re an environmentally-conscious traveler who wants to learn about how to protect the reef.
Biking around Ambergris Caye, Belize
Kayak rental in Ambergris Caye
Secret Beach Belize
3. Explore San Pedro town
We’ll be honest, San Pedro is less cutesy than the town area on the neighboring island of Caye Caulker. But there are SO many great restaurants and shops to support in San Pedro, and that’s what gives this town a leg up over the quieter Caye Caulker.
The sandy strip closest to the water, Gilberto “Chico” Gomez Promenade, was our personal favorite in San Pedro.
Food & Drinks to try:
- Cool Beans Cafe – This locally owned, over the water cafe is a must for coffee, breakfast, and a sunrise (if you’re an early riser). The views of the ocean are spectacular and you can check out the small rooftop area if you’re one of the first to arrive.
- Belize Chocolate Company – You have to try this craft chocolate made on the island from beans sourced from small family farms in Southern Belize.
- Tiburon Rum Tasting – Pop into this shop for a rum tasting and make sure to purchase a bottle. We LOVE that this company has teamed up with Oceana to donate $1 BZ of every bottle sold to help conservation efforts in Belize.
- Purple Pelican Restaurant – Be sure to check out this stunning bungalow-style restaurant for happy hour – the drinks were great, the food was just okay. We recommend starting here and then heading oceanside for dinner at a different restaurant. This way, you can check out 2 different spots in a single night.
- Palapa Bar & Grill – great for lunch or dinner and a swim, enjoy live music here every day
4. Take a Golf Cart to Secret Beach
Secret Beach is far from a secret. In fact, it’s one of the most touristy spots on Ambergris Caye. But it’s still a great place to go for drinks, fresh seafood (try the Lionfish Ceviche to support the reef!), and crystal-clear beaches. We recommend this spot for groups of travelers looking for a place to enjoy music, tables in the water, drinks, and a lively atmosphere. This is also a good spot for families to take kids as there is an overwater water park that children can climb around on (for a fee).
You’ll need a golf cart to reach Secret Beach, as it’s at the north end of the island (about 30 minutes from San Pedro). Renting a golf cart is a great idea to allow you to see as much of the island as possible during your stay. On the other hand, Caye Caulker is much more walkable than Ambergris Caye.
5. Enjoy Your Resort Amenities
One thing we LOVED about all 3 resorts that we list above, in Ambergris Caye, was the fact that they all include free amenities with your stay. Travel isn’t always about being constantly on the move. It’s equally important to find time to relax and unwind. Enjoy sitting poolside or sipping a drink from a swim up bar. Take free kayaks and paddle boards out on the water right from your resort, and embrace a laid back lifestyle. You deserve a break.
Streets of Caye Caulker, Belize
Shopping in Caye Caulker, Belize
Caye Caulker, Belize
Top 4 Things to do in Caye Caulker
If the laid-back island life is for you, you’ve probably chosen to stay on Caye Caulker. While this island is much smaller than Ambergris Caye, there is no shortage of amazing things to do here. Check out our top 5 below:
1. Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley
This tour is our top pick for travelers in Belize. Read all about this tour above (listed #2 on things to do in Ambergris Caye) and check out this day tour that leaves right from Caye Caulker.
It’s led by Salt Life Eco Tours, a leading tour company that conducts sustainable tours, educating travelers on respecting the reef. Salt Life focuses on observing and protecting the reef by not touching the wildlife, eliminating plastics on board, and ensuring you leave your tour with an increased awareness of the fragile ecosystem you are observing.
2. Try Local Shops & Restaurants
One of the best things you can do when you travel is support the local economies of the places you visit. Be sure to spend some of your time on Caye Caulker exploring the local shops. See a few of our favorites below:
- Kaj Expressions: This bright blue boutique is all our favorite things: local, woman-owned, and hand made. What’s more, the local artist creates jewelry from Lionfish, the invasive species of fish we have mentioned throughout this blog post. This is beautiful and wearable art with a cause. By purchasing this jewelry you’ll be helping to save the reef one Lionfish at a time.
- Ice and Beans Cafe: This little cafe on the beach brews quality organic coffee, includes a variety of vegan and gluten free food options, and has a sustainable mission we love to support! Products used here are 100% biodegradable.
- Eat at The Split: If Secret Beach is the most popular spot on Ambergris Caye, The Split is the place to be on Caye Caulker. This body of water separates north and south Caye Caulker. It includes beach bar restaurants, a swimming area, and a lime green set of stairs that you jump off into the ocean (you’ve probably seen this on Instagram). We recommend enjoying a meal at the Lazy Lizard and hopping in the water. This is a great place to meet fellow travelers, for those backpacking or traveling to Belize solo.
3. Feed the Tarpons
As a sustainable travel blog, we understand that establishing a feeding ground for marine life in this way is not natural, and not the most environmentally conscious choice. However, we did choose to feed the tarpons on Caye Caulker.
As travelers, our goal is always to travel sustainably with the planet in mind, and we are constantly deciding which activities align with our values and which don’t. In this case, because the Tarpons were not being harmed by this activity, and the establishment is a small shack with a dock on the water – we felt that the negative environmental impact was low. We’ll let you decide whether this activity is for you or not.
If you do decide to try this out, head down Calle La Posa street (just off the main road) until it dead ends at a small dock with a sign for Tarpon Feeding. Here you can purchase fish for a few dollars and hover your hand above the water until the tarpons jump up to grab the fish. The trick is to remain still!
4. Do Yoga at Namaste Cafe & Yoga Studio
This cafe focuses on fresh, healthy, locally sourced ingredients. What’s not to love? This open air cafe includes free wifi and a yoga studio on the top floor, offering daily Vinyasa flow classes.
Tipsy Lobster in Ambergris Caye
Villa at Mahogany Bay
Private Beach Club at Mahogany Beach Resort
Make Sure You Visit Both Islands
While we recommend choosing one island as your home base if you have a relatively short trip planned (3-7 days), you should definitely plan to visit both of the cayes during your vacation in Belize! When you visit, you can cross many of the things to do that we recommend off in just one day!
For example, if you take a day trip to Caye Caulker, you definitely have time to feed the tarpons, eat at The Split, and explore the local shops.
If you take a day trip to Ambergris Caye, you have time to explore San Pedro town and check out a few of the restaurants and shops we recommend. You can skip Secret Beach if you’re just here for the day. It’s a far drive to the other end of the island and not as adorable as the Split, in our opinion.
Safety in Belize
In closing, we have to mention that we were blown away by the kindness and hospitality offered to us by all the Belizean locals we met during our stay. Central America gets a bad reputation when it comes to travel, especially for women in their 20s like us, but we had a great experience in Belize.
Whether a destination is “safe” or not is always a tricky question, and one that we can’t fully answer. This was just our personal experience in the country.
If you have any questions about our experience or want more help planning the perfect trip to Belize, drop us a note in the comments. We truly believe this is an up and coming travel destination and hope that this country will develop a sustainable tourism economy that protects its beautiful reef and land in the process of sharing it with others.
That’s a Wrap
There you have it, a Belize travel itinerary that we hope will help you fall in love with the cayes! Hopefully by now you’ve been able to get to know both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, and decide which island you plan to stay on during your vacation in Belize.
Hopefully you’ll take a chance on Belize and explore the amazing marine life, coral reef, and underwater world that exists here.
Pool at Coco Beach Resort
Ocean View Suite at Coco Beach
Pool at Coco Beach Resort
