A week in Belize: A perfect blend of adventure and natural wonders

We spent a week in Belize, and we already can’t wait to go back!

Whether you’re looking to relax on some white sand beaches or enjoy a more action-packed vacation exploring the corals of the Belize Barrier Reef or trekking through the jungle, there’s something for everyone. And what’s even better, if you’re like us and can’t decide, you can split your trip so that you get to experience the slow life of Belizeans and the more adventurous lifestyle.

Island life: Exploring San Pedro and the Belize Barrier Reef

After flying into Belize International Airport (BZE) from Toronto, we immediately went through customs and got ready for the next domestic flight that would take us to San Pedro, which is on Ambergris Caye. With local airline TropicAir, you can get to San Pedro in about 15 minutes, and if you’re lucky, you can even get to be copilot for the day and get a front-row view as you fly over the mesmerizingly beautiful Caribbean Sea.

San Pedro has a population of around 20,000, and one of the first things you’ll notice is the abundance of golf carts on the island. This is the easiest and most common way for locals and tourists alike to get around the island. On one side of San Pedro, you’ll find a lagoon with beautiful mangrove trees, and on the other side, you’ll find the beautiful sea and home of the Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Blue Hole.

While staying in San Pedro, exploring the Belize Barrier Reef is an absolute must, either scuba diving or snorkelling. This reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world and the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. It is home to a variety of sea animals, such as sea turtles, sting rays and nurse sharks, which you’ll be sure to experience on your underwater adventure. One of the most popular areas on the reef to visit is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. This is a protected area of the reef, and you will require a guide or tour to visit, as each vessel needs to check in with the ranger’s office upon arriving at the marine park.

Swimming isn’t your thing? No worries, you can still experience the beauty of the Barrier Reef without even getting a toe wet by taking a scenic flight over the reef and the Great Blue Hole, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This one hour flyover experience was a truly breathtaking experience.

If you’re looking to really slow down the pace of your life and relax, another great place to stay is Caye Caulker. However, if you’re not looking to change locations, this is also a perfect day trip from San Pedro. This is a tiny island with a population of just over 2,000 people; however, it’s increasingly becoming a popular spot for expats or tourists to stay for extended periods of time. It is a great place to swim, relax, and enjoy some fresh ceviche or a classic Rice and Beans dish while drinking Belize’s famous drink called the Panty Rippa, made up of coconut rum, pineapple juice, a little bit of Grenadine and topped with a maraschino cherry. It’s refreshing, easy to drink and perfect to sip on as you lounge in the sun.

The island’s motto is “Go slow,” so while you may be used to fast-paced service and receiving your food and drink in a relatively quick manner, you better throw those expectations out the window because they aren’t joking when they say they live the slow life.

Jaguars, jungles and caves, oh my!

To change things up, we also visited the Rainforest of Belize, where we stayed at the beautiful Gaia Riverlodge, which is in the middle of the jungle. While it’s a bit of a trek to get to this location, it’s absolutely perfect and worth it once you get there. About an hour outside of San Ignacio city, instead of sting rays and corals, you’ll get to experience beautiful waterfalls, caves, and historical Mayan sites, and if you’re luckier than us, maybe even see a jaguar!

One of the main attractions in this area is the ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) Cave. The whole three-hour experience is quite the adventure, so mentally prepare yourself to be wading through multiple rivers, trekking through the jungle and then swimming through the cave, climbing rocks and squeezing through tight spaces, all while wearing a helmet and life vest.

This attraction does require a licensed guide, which we booked through Maya Walk Tours, as they will show you the safest way through the cave, provide you with historical knowledge about Mayan history and the cathedral and treat you to a delicious lunch at the end of the tour.

While you can no longer bring cameras and phones into the cave (thanks to previous tourists who dropped their cameras on the artifacts and broke them!), we are able to share some photos of the cave to give you a sense of what you’re in for.

Lastly, if you’re looking to cool down, a must-visit is Rio on Pools. This beautiful, natural waterfall goes all the way through the jungle that is located within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The water is the perfect temperature, and swimming pools are naturally formed at various levels.

Overall, this trip was full of adventure, relaxation, history, good food and warm weather, and after spending a week in this beautiful country, we highly recommend you add this to your list of places to visit because we know we’ll definitely be back!

The author of this article was hosted by the Belize Tourism Board.

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