Since Belize is a small country, it’s the perfect vacation destination to visit for a week-long trip.
Related: 2 Weeks in Belize & Where to Stay in Belize
Whether one week in Belize might feel too short or too long for you, 7 days and 6 nights allow for just enough time to see many of the country’s main tourist attractions. This includes staying at Belize’s most popular beach and jungle destinations.
One Week in Belize
This Belize itinerary involves spending 3 days at a beach destination (Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker) and 4 days in mainland Belize (staying in San Ignacio, Cayo, a hub for jungle adventures), which are the most popular destinations in Belize.
Day 1
- Arrive in Belize City as you fly into the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), which is Belize’s only international airport.
- Make your way to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. This involves either taking a local flight for 15-20 minutes or getting there via boat which involves catching a 30-minute cab ride to the Belize City Water Taxi terminal and then jumping on a water taxi to the cayes, which takes 1-2 hours.
- Arrive in Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. Check into your hotel and then go grab late lunch or dinner at a local restaurant.
Belize City
Belize City is Belize’s main gateway to exploring the country. Most people don’t stay there but if you care to visit, consider taking a scenic tour of its downtown to learn about the city’s culture, economics, and architecture.
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and it’s a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and fishing. San Pedro town is its largest settlement and it’s known for luxury beach resorts, restaurants, and fun nightlife.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is Ambergris Caye’s smaller sister island and a popular stop for travelers looking to relax and enjoy a “go slow” Caribbean vibe. The island attracts younger and less affluent individuals that want to enjoy a no-frills beach vacation.
Day 2
- Discover the Belize Barrier Reef! Popular activities include diving, snorkeling, and fishing.
- Start by visiting Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It is considered the most popular snorkeling spot in Belize.
- Explore downtown San Pedro or Caye Caulker. Spend the afternoon/ evening visiting local restaurants/bars and don’t forget to check out local shops for Belizean souvenirs.
Belize Barrier Reef
Belize’s Reef is perhaps the number one reason people visit Belize. It’s the second-largest barrier reef in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site. Popular reef activities include fishing, diving, snorkeling, and sailing.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve offers one of the best snorkeling experiences in Belize. During a trip here you will see pristine coral gardens and swim with marine wildlife such as sea turtles, nurse sharks and stingrays. By boat, Hol Chan is about 15 minutes away from San Pedro and 40 minutes away from Caye Caulker.
Day 3
- Visit the Great Blue Hole. Dive it or see it from above via a scenic flyover tour.
- If you really enjoy diving, add dive sites: Half Moon Caye Wall and Long Caye Aquarium to your Blue Hole dive trip.
- Go sailing! Sunset cruises are my favourite boat tours since there’s something really magical about watching the sunset from a boat, lazily sailing while fresh ceviche and delicious rum punches are being served.
Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is Belize’s most famous attraction. It’s a giant marine sinkhole near Lighthouse Reef Atoll that draws divers from around the world and it’s Belize’s top tourist site for a scenic flyover tour.
Sailing
Typically done on catamarans, cruise tour options include sunset sailing or full-day scenic boat tours which include snorkeling and island hopping. Boats can be rented out privately or you can join a group, which is always fun since you never know who you might meet.
Day 4
- Make your way to the Cayo District in Western Belize. I recommend staying in or near San Ignacio.
- Catch a water taxi to Belize City and then head to San Ignacio via taxi cab or private shuttle (1.5 hours) or bus (3 hours). Alternatively, you can catch a local flight to San Ignacio, which takes about 45 minutes.
- Arrive in San Ignacio. Check into your hotel and then go grab late lunch or dinner at a local restaurant.
San Ignacio
San Ignacio is a small town in Cayo that serves as a hub for eco-adventures in Belize. Its lively downtown is popular with tourists since it has a restaurant and nightlife scene that is not seen elsewhere in Cayo.
Day 5
- Go horseback riding to the Maya ruins of Xunantunich or leisurely visit Cahal Pech on your own.
- Stop for lunch in San Ignacio and explore the downtown area.
- Go cave tubing or ziplining in the afternoon. Ask your tour operator to combine the Xunantunich and cave tubing tours to save time and money.
Xunantunich
Xunantunich is my favorite Maya temple. After crossing a hand-cranked ferry, lush jungle surrounds the site. The main temple, El Castillo offers spectacular views of nearby villages and Guatemalan mountains.
Cahal Pech
Cahal Pech is a small Maya site located in San Ignacio, Cayo. Although this site is really small, I really like that it’s within walking distance from downtown San Ignacio and thick jungle foliage surrounds the temples.
Cave Tubing
Cave Tubing is probably the most popular activity for cruise ship tourists visiting Belize. It’s loads of fun and an interesting way to mix river tubing and cave exploration. This tour is often paired with zip-lining.
Zip-Lining
A zip line adventure generally involves enjoying a bird’s eye view of Belize’s jungle canopy. This activity is perfect for adrenaline junkies and it’s often paired as a combo tour with cave tubing.
Day 6
- Have an action-packed day as you explore the world-famous Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave.
- OR, take a day trip to the amazing Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve. You’ll visit Caracol, Belize’s largest Mayan ruin, explore the Rio Frio Cave and swim at the Rio On Pools.
- Alternatively, visit the nearby Tikal Maya Ruins in Peten, Guatemala. You leave San Ignacio at 8 AM and return by 5 PM.
ATM Cave
Actun Tunichil Muknal is an impressive, artifact-rich Maya ceremonial cave that contains rare bloodletting altars, sacrificial human remains, and over 1400 cataloged artifacts. It’s Belize’s top cave tour.
Mountain Pine Ridge
Mountain Pine Ridge is a nature reserve created to protect Belize’s native pine forest. Visitors are treated to many top tourist attractions and can experience fun activities such as hiking, swimming and birding.
Tikal
Tikal is one of the largest Maya sites in Guatemala and also Central America. It’s majestic ruins stand tall touching the sky and stretch for miles inside a national park that is teeming with protected wildlife.
Day 7
- Catch a taxi cab/private shuttle (1.5 hours) or local flight to Belize City (45 minutes).
- If you choose a private shuttle, make a quick stop at the Belize Zoo. It’s known as the best little zoo in the world.
- Arrive at the Philip Goldson International Airport and make your way home.
Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo isn’t your ordinary zoo, here you will only find rescued animals that are native to Belize and they roam “free” in large enclosures that replicate their natural environment.
Check out alternative itineraries: 14 days in Belize, backpacking in Belize, and Belize on the cheap. Also, take a look at the tours and activities page.
If you love beach destinations, feel free to switch things around by spending more time in Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye. BTW, some of the inland tours that I suggest can be done from the islands by booking them via Tropic Air.
Where to Stay in Belize
- List of Luxury Hotels
- List of All-Inclusive Resorts
- List of Beach Resorts
- List of Jungle Resorts
- List of Dive Resorts
- List of Treehouse Hotels
- List of Family Resorts
- List of Cheap Hotels
- List of Hostels