Trip Report — Belize — November 24-December 10, 2024
ITINERARY SUMMARY
- Fly into Belize City
- Drive to Placencia
- Dinner at Barefoot Beach Bar
- Brisa Oceano Hotel
- Sidewalk
- Beach
- Rum tasting
DAY 3: Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hikes
- Tubing
Meet at 9am, 1 hour to Silk Caye, briefing by ranger, snorkel around island, lunch on island, snorkel at second spot, 1 hour boat back (return at 2pm).
DAY 5: Pickleball, Umaya Hotel
- Pickleball at Inky’s
- Umaya Resort
- Drive to Belize Airport, fly to Ambergris
- Golf Cart
- Isla Bonita Yacht Club
- Pickleball
- Secret Beach
- Scuba diving barrier reef
- Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Snorkel Shark Ray Alley
- Manatees
- Tarpons
- Sea horses
- Explore Caye Caulker
- 2 snorkels – great rays and sharks
DAY 11: Fly to Belize, drive to San Ignacio
- Fly to Belize
- Drive to San Ignacio
- San Ignacio Resort Hotel
- ATM Cave Excursion
- Dinner at Guava Limb
- Tikal Maya Site
- Dinner at Vanilla Hills Resort
DAY 14: Farmers Market, Cahal Pech, Iguana Project
- San Ignacio Farmers Market
- Cahal Pech Maya Site
- Iguana Project
- Dinner at San Ignacio Resort Hotel
DAY 15: Transfer to Belize Airport, depart
- Transfer to Belize, depart
DETAILS AND PHOTOS
DAY 1: Arrive Placencia
Fly into Belize City
Immigration at the Belize Airport can be awful, taking 1+ hours in line.
Drive to Placencia (2h30m).
Dinner at Barefoot Beach Bar
Brisa Oceano Hotel
DAY 2: Explore town
Sidewalk, Beach, Rum tasting
DAY 3: Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary
Hiking
Great views, waterfalls for swimming, and airplanes
DAY 4: Snorkel at Silk Caye
Meet at 9am, 1 hour to Silk Caye, briefing by ranger, snorkel around island, lunch on island, snorkel at second spot, 1 hour boat back (return at 2pm).
DAY 5: Pickleball, Umaya Resort
Pickleball at Inky’s
Umaya Resort
DAY 6: To Ambergris Caye
Drive to Belize Airport, fly to Ambergris
Golf Cart
Isla Bonita Yacht Club
DAY 7: Secret Beach
Secret Beach
Pickleball at Mata Rocks
DAY 8: Scuba Diving
Scuba diving barrier reef
DAY 9: Full day Caye Caulker
Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Snorkel Shark Ray Alley
Manatees
Tarpons
Sea horses
Explore Caye Caulker
DAY 10: Snorkel Mexico Rocks
Snorkel in 2 spots
DAY 11: Fly to Belize, drive to San Ignacio
Fly to Belize — I recommend flying back to the Belize International Airport (BZE) instead of the municipal airport.
Drive to San Ignacio (1h45m) — If you have a private transfer, your guide can stop at a coffee shop or store for you. If you take an early morning flight, you can add an excursion to the Belize Zoo along the way.
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
This is the nicest hotel near the center of town. The other nice hotels are outside of town in the jungle (lovely! but you will need to taxi into town).
DAY 12: ATM Cave
ATM Cave
This is the #1 excursion in Belize, and it is amazing. However, it is definitely on the “extreme” side.
Dinner at Guava Limb
Guava Limb is on the edge of town on a residential street. Lovely ambience, great drinks, and amazing food.
DAY 13: Tikal Maya Site
Tikal Maya Site
This is the largest Maya site in the area. It is actually located in Guatemala, so there is a border crossing with a $20/person departure tax. There are people at the border crossing that will exchange money for you. It is about a 2h30m drive one-way. You will stop for lunch on the way back.
Dinner at Vanilla Hills Resort
This is a lovely and reasonable priced resort not far from town in a beautiful jungle setting. The bar (with wine cellar) and restaurant are worth the visit!
DAY 14: San Ignacio Farmers Market, Cahal Pech, Iguana Project
San Ignacio Farmers Market
Saturday is the biggest day, but it is worth visiting any day. Be sure to look for the butterfly artist and the picture frame guy — both are worth buying!
Cahal Pech
This is right on the edge of San Ignacio. You can walk there from the San Ignacio Resort Hotel or take a taxi. You can explore on your own, or it is great to combine with a visit to Xunantunich.
Iguana Project
This is located at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Tours are offered daily every hour on the hour (9am-4pm) and takes about 45 minutes. It costs about $11/person.
Dinner at San Ignacio Resort Hotel
DAY 15: Transfer to Belize Airport, depart
Transfer to Belize Airport (1h45m)
Departing from the Belize Airport was easy, especially compared to the arrival hassle. When you check in for your flight, they will give you a small piece of paper. This has to be filled out before you go through immigration. There are some snack bars in the airport if you need food before flying out.