Is Belize the Next Costa Rica? A 6-Day Itinerary to Find Out!

Arrive at BZE and find your transfer that will drive you to the town of San Ignacio in the interior for the first part of your stay. The drivers in Belize are wonderful. Everyone is well-versed in local history and will point things out as you drive along. Don’t hesitate to ask to stop for lunch or to explore a fruit stand, etc. It will take about 2 hours to get to San Ignacio. Check into the Lodge at Chaa Creek and hit the pool — you’re on vacation! Or if you need to get the wiggles out, find the butterfly preserve and nature museum on the grounds.

Do a cave tour of the ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal). We saw people of all age groups doing this tour, but kids must be 48 inches tall to participate. You must hire a professional guide — and you would want to anyway. The guides are incredibly patient and helpful. They provide helmets, headlamps and a life jacket (if you want one). This is an active adventure that will require walking and swimming through water and climbing over rocks. This is a MUST DO! Finish your day relaxing at the pool or book a late afternoon spa appointment.

Hire a driver to take you to the border of Guatemala and a guide to then take you to Tikal, a famous Mayan ruins site. In total, this is a two-hour drive one way. Take plenty of water and snacks along with sunscreen and bug repellant and give yourself time to truly explore this UNESCO world heritage site. There are entrance fees for the site and museum. You can either head back across the border to Chaa Creek for horseback riding or an RTV Safari of the lodge property OR spend the night in Flores, Guatemala for a fuller Tikal experience.

Get a transfer from San Ignacio to Placencia, which is on the coast. This drive takes about 3 hours, but you should plan to stop along the way to break up the beautiful drive. There is an inland blue swimming hole and roadside stands for ice cream or tamales. Check in to Turtle Inn and hit the pool or beach. After you freshen up, head to a nice dinner at Rumfish in the village.

It’s time to get out on that gorgeous water! Plan a full-day snorkeling tour. The marine life and healthy reefs in Belize are incredible and absolutely worth a full day of fun. You will love getting out on the water and there is typically a beautiful breeze, so a catamaran is my suggestion! You will be wiped out from this day of sun, but it will be worth it. For a casual dinner, try Omar's in the village.

Build in some relaxation and adventure on your last full day in Belize. Enjoy the beach and the pool for sure. But, for some added adventure, plan an ATV tour to a waterfall for an adrenaline rush and a cool down. This is especially great if you have older kids who can drive the ATV’s themselves — so much fun! You will be sure to see some wildlife along the way, too. The Secret Garden has delicious dinner food, but their fresh juices are to die for.

Your last day will be a travel day. Get on a hopper flight from the Placencia airstrip that will take you back to BZE for your international flight home.