The puns are true – Belize is, well, unbelizeable. Visited a few weeks ago and it was the perfect, easy getaway to relax and recharge post-holiday rush and before setting into my new home in NYC.
Located in Central America, Belize – home to just 320,000 – is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. We spent our time in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, where the island vibe reigns, subtly mixing with indigenous culture. Belize, however, is a true melting pot: the Belizean people come from Maya, Mestizo, Kriol, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab and Chinese descent.
Here’s the itinerary.
Passport Snapshot Who: Me & travel buddy, Jaimi What: Getaway between jobs When: Friday - Thursday in January (5 days, 2 travel days) Where: Ambergris Caye Why: Warm weather + post New Years' rush (though still high season) How: Delta = $880 Spend: $750 per person (including hotel & in-country TropicAir flight) Tip: Island transportation is by taxi, golf cart or water taxi Budget Tip: Wait to book a flight over the Blue Hole - with some flexibility, you can book @ half price the day-of (pending availability) Fun Fact: Belize was a crown colony of England until it gained full independence in 1981. English is the official language
Day 1, Friday
- While flight times are short, Belize is a bit of a haul [logistically] from NYC – we traveled Newark –> Atlanta –> Belize City via Delta, then hopped on a Tropic Air Flight to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
- Highly recommend taking a puddlejumper flight vs. water taxi to the islands given the incredible aerial views – if you time it right, you’ll fly in at sunset
- Settle into Mahogany Bay Resort – a Hilton Curio Collection property. We scored an excellent $149/night rate (plus a 5 night, get the 6th free promo) for a 1 bed bungalow – well worth it, even if it meant we had to share the comfy king
- Recover from the day’s travels with welcome drinks & fresh ceviche, poolside
Flight into Ambergis Caye 
Mahogany Bay 
Mahogany Bay
Day 2, Saturday
- Hang onto your hats as you hop on the resort’s boat, which has hourly service to Mahogany Bay’s private island – yes, you read that correctly
- Spend the day basking in the island’s 80’s and sunny average temp, with breaks for shade under one of the numerous cabanas. Complete with a bar, restaurant, volleyball court, hammocks and paddleboards, there’s no need to leave until sunset
- Being the island nation it is, you may experience intense tropical thunderstorms causing you to hunker down for dinner #2 at the resort, and calling it an early night before the following day’s adventures
Mahogany Bay 
Private island 
Private island
Day 3, Sunday
- A 5am wakeup call comes quickly but is worth it for a day on the water visiting The Great Blue Hole & various snorkeling spots
- Amigos Del Mar picked us up across the street from our hotel and took us to San Pedro to meet our group & rent our gear before setting out on a 2.5 hour boat ride
- Watch the sun rise over the Caribbean before arriving to the Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. One of the most desireable and dangerous dive spots in the world, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Snorkel the Blue Hole before heading to Half Moon Caye, a private island, for more snorkeling and lunch before your final, 3rd snorkel at Long Caye
- Tip: While the water is insanely clear everywhere, Long Caye was by far the best snorkeling spot (saw a shark and schools upon schools of brightly colored tropical fish). New to snorkeling, this is a great option but if you’re more of a pro and want a shorter boat ride, would do a bit more research for other options
- After a 2.5 hour boat ride back to San Pedro (may I say *bumpy* boat ride), enjoy a waterfront dinner at Caliente – highly recommend the coconut shrimp curry and pina coladas
En route 
Edge of the Blue Hole 
Half Moon Caye 
In action 
Half Moon Caye
Day 4, Monday
- Bike down to Estelle’s for brunch on the beach – don’t miss their fry jack and eggs special. Fry jacks: you’ll love me and your waistline will hate me
- Explore San Pedro, popping into various shops and getting a sense for the local way of life
- Hop back on your bikes and head over to South Beach, a quiet place to relax & read for the day
- Note: we opted out of Secret Beach, given mixed reviews from friends. No regrets, since we didn’t want to take a 45 min ride and since we visited The Split in Caye Caulker – more on that later
- Freshen up and head back to San Pedro for dinner at El Fogon – the live music is excellent and the local stew and drinks are on point
- Note: My travel buddy Jaimi is a classically trained chef and she approved (and chose all the dining locations)
Estelle’s view 
San Pedro 
Local transit 
Shh, Secret Beach 
Belizean sunsets
Day 5, Tuesday
- Time to experience a local water taxi – hop on the Belize Express to island hop over to Caye Caulker, which epitomizes the definition of ‘laid back’
- Stroll the sandy, car-free roads with a drink-in-hand and truly soak in island life – you can walk the whole island in an hour
- Unexpected excursions are the best kind – we stumbled upon a 1pm flight over the Blue Hole with space available and were able to negotiate $200/person (compared to the normal $400/person rate)
- Golf-cart over to the airstrip and hop on a puddle jumper with a local pilot – in our case, Eaglefeather Thunderfoot Hew, born to Chinese and Irish Rastafarian parents (you cannot make this up)
- Take in the awesome, and I mean truly awesome, views of the Blue Hole from above. There’s nothing like it – this is a MUST do as long as you’re okay with tiny planes and okay with a bit of fear (did I mention it was a tiny plane?)
- After circling the Blue Hole and the gorgeous surrounding area, descend (after about 45min total flight time) back to Caye Caulker reveling in what you’ve just seen
- Head over to The Split, head still spinning, and enjoy live music and grilled lobster at the Lazy Lizard (tip: perfect for some drinks and great party vibe but touristy when it comes to food, can get grilled lobster from a street vendor for a fraction of the price)
- Ferry back over to San Pedro for happy hour and drinks at Palapa Bar – head out to the deck after dark to watch the spotted rays gracefully swim about to the tune of you guessed it, live music
- Dine at local staple, Elvi’s Kitchen for a great ambiance and more coconut shrimp curry and pina coladas
Caye Caulker 
Caye Caulker 
Adventure 
Blue Hole 
Aerial 
Shipwreck
Day 6, Wednesday
- Lay low for your final full day in Belize with a redux of Mahogany Bay’s private island
- Read, nap, volleyball, eat, drink, repeat
- After some quick afternoon thunderstorms, nosh on the freshest sushi at the on-site sushi bar. Lobster sushi? The chef (and my friend Jaimi), highly recommends
Day 7, Thursday
- After a leisurely last morning at the resort, head back to San Pedro for your Tropic Air flight to Belize City and the beginning of the trek home
Admittedly, I knew little of Belize before visiting but I hope to return. There’s something special about this small, island country – a mix of locals and expats co-existing in a beautiful place – that makes you think about your tiny place in the universe. Everyone seems welcome in Belize, and perhaps Maya Angelou said it best:
“You are only free when you realize you belong no place – you belong everyplace – no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great.“
