The Ultimate Belize 7-Day Itinerary: How To Spend A Week In Belize

Bordering Mexico and Guatemala is the second smallest country in Central America, Belize. Don’t be fooled by its size, this tiny country packs a serious punch. It’s diverse with lush jungles and Mayan ruins to the west and sunny Caribbean islands to the east. 

With its close proximity to Mexico and the United States, and the fact that most Belizean’s are fluent in both English and Spanish, it’s one of the easiest Central American destinations to visit. 

Below is my 7 day Belize itinerary which includes time on the islands and inland Belize. This very closely follows a trip I took in February with a few girlfriends. 

Belize 7 Day Itinerary

Our visit to Belize included time on the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, plus the inland town of San Ignacio.

Day 1 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary 

Travel Day & San Ignacio, Belize 

San Ignacio is an excellent base for exploring inland Belize, therefore it’ll be our first stop during this Belize itinerary! 

After the flight and driving into San Ignacio, it was late in the day. We spent our evening eating, relaxing, and walking along the quiet Macal River. 

Where To Stay In San Ignacio, Belize 

Downtown San Ignacio has small hotels and guest houses catering to low and mid-budget travelers. Just outside of town there’s a variety of eco-friendly luxury resorts, we stayed at The Lodge at Chaa Creek. 

Chaa Creek’s accommodations, amenities, and customer service set them far apart from your average resort. They offer a wide range of options from cottage-style rooms with airy, palm-thatched roofs to a stunning villa with private pool overlooking the jungle.

No matter which of the beautiful choices you select, you’ll have access to the property’s unmatched amenities. 

You May Also Like: My Honest Review of the Lodge at Chaa Creek

Day 2 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary 

There’s nothing like waking up to the sound of rustling palms and howler monkey’s in San Ignacio. On our first full day in Belize we chose to explore our beautiful resort and the town of San Ignacio.  

Canoe The Macal River

This gentle waterway was once an ancient highway and a vital part of the Maya Empire. The river linked urban centers, making it essential for trade, communication, and connection to ceremonial sites. 

Today most traffic on the Macal is canoes paddled by visitors taking in Belize’s pristine forest and wildlife. Keep an eye out for green iguanas and the many colorful birds that call this area home.

After utilizing the resort’s free canoe rentals we spent about 2 hours on the river and never saw another person.

If your hotel doesn’t offer rentals, check out Tony’s Canoe Rental in town. 

Explore The Town Of San Ignacio

San Ignacio’s center point is Burns Avenue, or The Strip. This main street is lined with colorful shops, markets, restaurants, and lively bars.

Enjoy beverages from a sidewalk cafe and soak in the sun while people watching. San Ignacio is a popular stopping point for backpackers, so you’ll have no trouble finding casual hangouts to kick back and relax. 

While you’re in town definitely check out San Ignacio’s local markets. This region is made up of many groups of people, including Mayan and Creole. This creates excellent diversity in the marketplace goods. 

Tip: Saturday and Tuesday are the best days to visit the market.

Enjoy Chaa Creek’s Extensive Amenities 

In addition to canoeing the Macal and exploring town we joined an early morning birdwatch tour offered by The Lodge at Chaa Creek. Plus took a guided tour of the property’s Butterfly Farm, Natural History Center, and Maya Medicinal Plant Trail.

We then spent the afternoon swimming in the infinity pool.

Day 3 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary 

Day 3 of our Belize 7 day itinerary was another full day in San Ignacio. This time we spent our day among ancient Mayan ruins and rushing waterfalls. 

Caracol Natural Monument Reservation

Caracol, located near the boarder of Guatemala, is Belize’s largest Mayan archaeological site. The Mayan ruins here are 2,000 – 3,000 years old and were only discovered in the last 100 years. 

Caracol houses 24 alters, two ball courts, reservoirs, causeways, 5 plazas, an astronomic observatory, and over 35,000 known buildings. This is significantly larger than the highly popular nearby site, Tikal.

The best part about Caracol? You can climb the ruins, something you can’t to do at more sought-after and heavily trafficked Mayan sites and there’s howler monkeys here!

Fun Fact: Caracol’s most prominent feature, Sky Palace, stands at 136 feet tall. Making this 2,000+ year old building the tallest in Belize to this day. 

The ruins are very remote and surrounded by dense jungle, so visiting will require a full day trip from San Ignacio. I recommend hiring a tour guide, but it’s possible to see them on your own. We booked this tour through our resort, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, and couldn’t have been happier with our guide. I was blown away by his expertise of Caracol, Mayan history, and Belize in general. 

This tour very closely follows our itinerary and is highly rated: Caracol Maya Ruins + Rio On Pools.

Big Rock Falls

Following our long morning at Caracol we quickly cooled off at Big Rock Falls. 

Visiting the falls requires a short, but laborious climb down a winding wood staircase into the forest. From here you’ll arrive near the base of a stunning 150-foot waterfall. Big Rock stands tall with a small pool at its base, this pool eventually flows into a large body of water which is safe to swim in.

The falls attract both adrenaline-junkies seeking cliff-diving and relaxation lovers who prefer wading in the water and laying out on the rocks. 

Since this gem is hidden deep within the Mountain Pine Reserve you’re likely to find few people here. 

Additional Things To Do In San Ignacio, Belize:

Have extra time in San Ignacio and looking for more ideas? Lucky you! Consider the following:

• Tour Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM Cave).
• Relax at Rio on Pools.
• Visit The Belize Botanical Gardens. 
• Go cave tubing or explore the extensive cave systems of Western Belize.
• Visit popular Mayan archeological sites such as Xunantunich, Cahal, or Tikal.

Be sure to also check out The Best Things To Do In San Ignacio, Belize for more ideas.

Day 4 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary

Day 4 is a travel day, we’ll head from San Ignacio to the islands which make Belize so famous. The most popular island destinations are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, we chose to visit Caye Caulker first. 

Navigating between San Ignacio and the island requires stopping in Belize City for bit. If you’re up for it consider a trip to the Belize Zoo in the morning. This is the city’s most popular attraction. 

Where To Stay In Caye Caulker, Belize

Considering how compact the island is there are a ton of hotels and hostels, most of which prioritize low and mid-budget travelers. We stayed at the Iguana Reef Inn. It’s one of the nicest hotels on the island’s south end and it did not disappoint. I especially loved their huge outdoor deck, it’s a great spot for catching the sunset. 

For more ideas check out The Best Hotels In Caye Caulker, Belize or for budget-friendly options, Best Hostels & Guesthouses In Caye Caulker.

Spend The Afternoon Relaxing In Caye Caulker 

Upon arriving in Caye Caulker you’ll be greeted with swaying palm trees, dirt roads, and the sound of gentle waves. The motto here is “Go Slow” and it’s hard not to follow the locals on this one. 

The island is very small so it’ll be easy to acquaint yourself on the first afternoon. Rent bikes and check out the town’s shops, restaurants, and bars. You’ll be amazed by how many spots offer incredible views of the stunning Caribbean coast. 

Day 5 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary

Day 5 of our Belize 7 day itinerary is our first full day in Caye Caulker and will primarily be spent snorkeling.

Snorkel The Belize Barrier Reef

Caye Caulker is about 1.5 hours from Belize Barrier Reef by boat. The coral reef is 185 miles long and the 2nd largest in the world. The popular dive site is home to over 500 known species of fish and many yet undiscovered, you may even get lucky and spot a manatee or sea turtles! 

This is a full day excursion and requires a guide. There are a number of reputable tour guides on the island, Ragga Sailing Adventures (formerly Raggamuffin Tours) – Hol Chan Marine Reserve Tour is one of the most popular options. You can book in person or online through Ragga Sailing Adventures.

In addition to snorkeling our tour included lots of information from our friendly guides, lunch, and rum punch on our way home. During this excursion we met a handful of fellow travelers and a few locals who ended up being our friends for the remainder of the trip. 

For a full review, check out my Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour: Who Should You Book? guide.

Shop & Barhop Around Caye Caulker

Despite the island’s small size you’ll find a surprising variety of delicious foods, lively bars, and countless places to take an epic photo of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Additionally, there’s plenty of beach shacks selling tourist goodies and island necessities.

Come nightfall enjoy the town’s casual bars for a night of cold beers and dancing. Check out Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill and I&I Reggae Bar. We had a great time dancing the night away with the new friends we made on the snorkeling tour.

Day 6 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary 

Day 6 is split between Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. We spent the first half of the day in Caye Caulker then headed to Ambergris Caye. It takes about 30 minutes to navigate between the two islands.

Note: San Pedro is Ambergris Caye’s only town, the two names are used interchangeably.

Relax at The Split In Caye Caulker

The Split is the place to be in Caye Caulker. It’s where the already tiny island was literally split in two in 1961 when Hurricane Hattie tore through.

Following the catastrophe locals realized the shallow waters were the perfect place for swimming and water sports, eventually turning it in to the island’s go-to tourist spot. This is one of the most relaxing spots on the Belize 7 day itinerary.

Grab a bucket of Belikin’s from The Lazy Lizard — the island’s most popular beach bar — and make yourself cozy on a wooden beach chair while reggae music plays in the background.

Additional Things To Do In Caye Caulker, Belize:

• Dive The Blue Hole
• Visit The Caye Caulker Forest Reserve

Be sure to also check out my 3-Day Caye Caulker Itinerary or these Fun Things To Do In Caye Caulker for more ideas. 

Enjoy Ambergris Caye’s Loud Music & Lively Bars

After making our way to Ambergris Caye from Caye Caulker it was late in the day so we decided to check out some of the overwater beach bars.

There are tons of spots to enjoy a tropical drink, loud music, even swimming and games! You’ll find Ambergris Caye loves to have a good time on the water.  

Tip: Many beach bars also offer water sports and inner tubes for floating. 

Ambergris Caye’s Nightlife

Most watering holes have nightly events such as live music, bingo, and trivia, there’s even a hermit crab race and chicken drop game.  

Wayo’s and Sandy Toes are some of the most loved beach bars. Crocs Sunset Sports Bar is a popular sports bar and Jaguar’s Temple Night Club is where you’ll find everyone come late night, it’s the island’s only bar open past midnight. 

Day 7 – Belize 7 Day Itinerary 

For our final full day in Belize we explored the town of San Pedro and visited Secret Beach.

Where To Stay In Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is one of the country’s most popular destinations and therefore has a huge variety of accommodation options. Luxury resorts, guesthouses, hostels, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find.

If you want to be within close proximity of bars and restaurants you’ll need to stay somewhere in San Pedro, the island’s only town. If a quieter experience sounds better consider resorts to the north.   

We stayed at the Hotel Del Rio. It’s on the northern side of San Pedro but within walking distance to many popular attractions. It was a great mid-range budget option, plus the staff and amenities were lovely.

There are so many lodging options in Ambergris Caye, for more ideas also check out my Where To Stay In Belize guide.

See Ambergris Caye By Golf Cart 

Golf carts are the main source of transportation around Ambergris Caye! Ride around and check out the town’s many shops, restaurants, and bars, find your own quiet section of beach or simply enjoy the satisfaction that comes with driving a golf cart.  

Golf carts cost about $50 – $75 USD a day depending on how long you rent.

For something less expensive consider exploring the island by bike, this will help avoid parking issues and cart traffic. Most hotels and resorts offer bike rentals or you can easily find a company around town.

Secret Beach

Don’t be fooled by the name, Secret Beach is far from that. It’s actually one of the most popular destinations on Ambergris Caye. The beach is located in a once quiet area on the island’s west side and has great sandy beaches and calm, clear water. 

Here you’ll find a handful of bars and restaurants, loud music, and locals selling tourist necessities and renting out water toys. This is easily one of the nicest beaches in Ambergris Caye, it’s no wonder it’s so popular!

Secret Beach is a bit of a ways from San Pedro so you’ll need to hire a taxi or use your golf cart.

Additional Things To Do In Ambergris Caye, Belize:

• Visit the Truck Stop, a shipping container food park with entertainment.
• Stop by the Belize Chocolate Company.
• Join a sunset cruise.
• Snorkel the coral reefs of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve or scuba dive the Great Blue Hole.

For more ideas be sure to check out the Top Things To Do In Ambergris Caye.

Itinerary Note: From my experience, splitting time between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker felt very rushed. I’d recommend choosing just one island and focusing your time there. Otherwise, cut San Ignacio and split time between the two islands.

Not sure which island to choose? This is why I preferred Caye Caulker over Ambergris Caye. When planning my trip I could not decide which island to visit, which is why we split time between both! So, if you’re indecisive like me and up for a lot of moving around, go for both!

Getting Around Belize

How To Get To San Ignacio From Belize City

Arriving from the United States we flew into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. From there we drove to San Ignacio, Belize. Travel distance is 110 miles, which takes about 1.75 – 2.5 hours of driving. 

There’s a few ways to get from Belize City to San Ignacio:

Take The Bus

This is the least expensive option and takes about 2.5 hours. 

Rent A Car

The price will vary. Driving directly to San Ignacio from the airport takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Use A Shuttle

Booking a private shuttle will cost about $100 – $150, split this between the number of people you’re traveling with. Since a private shuttle will be a direct trip it’s about a 1 hour and 45 minute drive, this is the option we went with.

Our hotel had shuttle services which could be arranged in advance, it was painless and very convenient. 

Booking a public shuttle costs about $20 – $35/ person. Expect the shuttle to take 2 – 2.5 hours depending on total stops required. 

Belize City To Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye

In order to get from San Ignacio to the islands a stopover in Belize City is required. 

Fly To Caye Caulker Or Ambergris Caye

If flying from Belize City to Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye you’ll use Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. The flight is only a few minutes on a small seaplane. Cost varies but is around $150 – 200 each way.

Take A Boat To Caye Caulker Or Ambergris Caye

If you’d rather not fly, plan to arrive on boat through Ocean Ferry Belize or the Belize Water Taxi. The one way fee is roughly $25/ person by boat and the trip is about 45 minutes to Caye Caulker and 1 hour and 30 minutes to Ambergris Caye.

Navigating between Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye? You’ll also utilize the above options or plan to hire a boat.

When To Visit Belize

Winter through early spring is the best time to visit Belize, this is their dry season and temperatures are warm but not stifling.

Late spring through fall is the warmest time of year. The sun here can be very intense making it feel warmer than the thermometer indicates. Inland will be even warmer than the islands.

If visiting summer or fall, the rainy season, expect an average of 10 – 15 days of rain per month plus high humidity. Fall is hurricane season.

Of course weather will vary throughout the country, but below are average temperatures to provide a general idea:

• January – 83° / 68° (High / Low F°)
• February – 84° / 70°
• March – 86° / 72°
• April – 88° / 75°
• May – 89° / 77°
• June – 89° / 78°
• July – 89° / 77°
• August – 89° / 77°
• September – 89° / 76°
• October – 87° / 75°
• November – 85° / 72°
• December – 83° / 70°

What To Pack For Your Belize Vacation

Belize is a laid-back country where simplicity and practicality win out over more exciting fashion choices. It’s quite hot here, especially in summer. Look for light, breathable clothes made of either linen, cotton, or rayon.

Also remember, excursions require specific gear, especially cave tours and snorkeling.

Check out What To Wear In Belize for lots more information on what to bring. This guide includes my exact packing list for this 7 day trip to Belize.

As you can see there’s so many incredible things to do see and do in Belize. While this Belize 7 day itinerary covers some of the country’s best, there’s still so much to do — Hopkins, Placencia, Cockscomb Basin Forest Reserve & Jaguar Preserve, just to name a few!

I can’t wait to return to this wonderful country some day!

Any questions? Leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Belize guides!

More Information For Your Belize Vacation:

• Ambergris Caye Guides
• Caye Caulker Guides
• San Ignacio Guides
• Where To Stay In Belize?
• Best Hotels In Caye Caulker, Belize
• Belize: What To Wear + Packing List
• What Is Belize Known For? Things You Didn’t Know About Belize