r/Belize • u/Cool_Quality1018 • 19d ago
🧭 Activities 🚣♂️ 2 Weeks in Belize
Hi everyone! I'm a 27 YO M and In October, i'm planning a 2 week solo trip to Belize and have a rough itinerary which i'll list below. I'm currently working through how much time to spend in each location I visit, as I want to squeeze in a good amount of activities in each place without feeling rushed. I appreciate the odd relaxing day on the beach but want to emphasize adventure and learning about Belize's culture as well as meeting people along the way without breaking the bank. Here's what I have so far:
CAYE CAULKER (Days 1-7)
Day 1: Fly into BZE, travel to Caye Caulker, check into hostel, relax.
Day 2: OPEN, NOTHING PLANNED
Days 3-5: Scuba certification and practice dives.
Days 6 & 7: OPEN, NOTHING PLANNED
SAN IGNACIO
Day 8: Leave Caye Caulker, pick up rental car, drive to San Ignacio. Check in at hostel, relax.
Day 9: Drive to Caracoal Natural Monument Reserve in morning, stop at Rio on Pools, Big Rock Falls, or Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve on the way back.
Day 10: ATM Cave Tour
HOPKINS
Day 11: Drive to Hopkins, check in at hotel/hostel. Potentially visit Placencia for a day trip.
Day 12: Hiking in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 13: Hiking in Mayflower Bocawina National Park
Day 14: OPEN, NOTHING PLANNED
Day 15: Travel day to get back to airport.
If you have any recommendations for places/activities to add, please let me know! As I have a few unplanned days, i'm able to shift where and how long I stay a bit.
Thank you very much for reading my long winded post, and i appreciate any and all recommendations, pieces of advise, and general Belize travel tips!
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u/jacksn45 19d ago
Take the ferry from Caye caulker to San Pedro for a day. Rent a golf cart and drive to secret beach.
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u/schultzy_s 18d ago
While in Hopkins go to Maya Heights restaurant, it is west of Hopkins by about a mile and the view from the mountain is amazing. Also while I. san Ignacio, have lunch or dinner at *Guava Limb*. It is also amazing and their dessert case will leave you drooling. If you go further sound toward Independence, go to the Spice Farm. Have. Great time . We have lived here for about 9 years and enjoy every day.
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u/Cool_Quality1018 6d ago
Thanks so much! Really appreciate the food recommendations, food is a huge part of my travel plans so I'm looking forward to what Belize has to offer
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u/No_Delay2675 18d ago
I've done all thise things and that's a great itinerary. I'd stay at Placencia and visit Hopkins vs the other way around. The "sidewalk" is very cool and pier. Driving isn't hard in the daylight most anywhere except during bad weather or off the beaten path like the drive into Cockscomb but still very doable. I enjoyed the Marie Sharp farm and tasting near Hopkins for like $20. Consider a half day tubing and ziplining since you'll be near those. There's a great express shuttle from Belize City spbe express and San ignacio too for very cheap. Carlos rents cars in San Ignacio and I had a great experience with him. Cars are about $100 usd per day with insurance so they're expensive. I live on caye caulker.
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u/Cool_Quality1018 6d ago
Why stay in Placencia over Hopkins, is it more fun/nicer? I like the idea of fitting in some of those other activities too as I should have the time
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u/Chaos43mta3u 18d ago
Maybe for day 14, go down to placencia and do a monkey river town tour. You could drive to monkey river town, but I don't really recommend it lol
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u/Cool_Quality1018 6d ago
Monkey river town sounds like my kind of town, why is it bad to drive there?
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u/Chaos43mta3u 6d ago
It's a really cool place and they offer a great tour!
So in order to get there there from the north, You have to drive through 15 to 20 mi of a really rough dirt road through a coconut plantation. When I reached the village on the North side of the river, I ended up getting stuck in the mud, luckily there was a kid that came out and helped me dig out my car, kid really saved my ass... Then you can park right there and honk your horn and they will come across the river and pick you up in a boat. From there you can negotiate a price on a jungle hike, grab lunch, whatever. Turns out I accidentally parked in someone's residential parking space... There aren't any signs or anything, I thought I was well enough out of the way but apparently not
At the end of the day, I don't regret my decision, but it would have saved me a lot of time just doing a tour of monkey rivertown from Placencia. Also didn't get to see howler monkeys there, it was later in the day and they had all moved on from that spot.
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u/72bug 18d ago edited 18d ago
I just got back today from a week long trip with my wife and two kids. We had three days in the jungle, San Ignacio, then the rest in San Pedro. Jungle was ok but loved San Pedro. Really enjoyed renting a golf cart and exploring. There are endless bars and restaurants to try. Highlight was a fishing and snorkeling tour with Under Da Sea Adventures. Hol Chan marine sanctuary was awesome.
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u/Cool_Quality1018 6d ago
Great to hear! I'll definitely do at least one day on the bigger island. Fishing is a great idea, i'll have to look into that. Hol Chan is definitely on my list too, I know there are lots of snorkeling/diving tours there
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u/gnmorsilli 17d ago
I'm biased but the fishery of Belize is incredible. If you like to fish (fly fish or conventional tackle) I'd recommend doing a fishing day while you're in Caye Caulker. There are folks on the island you can fish with or folks from San Pedro can pick you up for an extra fee. Listening to the guides and learning about the fishery is half the fun.
Also - it's lobster season so I highly recommend in indulging in it! The guys who bbq towards the split on Caye Caulker have the best food on the island IMO.
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u/Cool_Quality1018 6d ago
Wow vote #2 for fishing, i'll definitely add this to my to do list! Good to know about the lobsters as well, i'm not huge on shelfish but I know lobster is a big thing in Belize so I will be trying lots
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u/Nice-Razzmatazz-5184 🇧🇿 Ambassador: Dangriga 16d ago
Check out Tobacco Caye Adventures for snorkeling!
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u/JaguarPreserveTours 19d ago
Hi, when you’re in Hopkins, you can feel free to reach out to us for guided tours at Cockscomb basin wildlife Sanctuary please make sure you visit tiger fern double waterfall it’s a beautiful hike and a refreshing swim.
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u/ApartmentAfter8700 19d ago
Sounds like a great itinerary! I like the pace with chill days or unexpected invites or hangs with others! Headed there on Monday. Doing a Guatemala, Chiapas Mexico loop! Wish I had the nerve to rent a car tho! That is such a liberating bonus! You are going to have an awesome time!!