Belize: The Jewel
Belize was an incredible mix of lush jungles, ancient ruins, and Caribbean island vibes. We explored both the mainland’s history and adventure activities before hopping over to the islands for some well-deserved relaxation. And fun fact: their official national language is English?!
San Ignacio
After flying into Belize City, we took a scenic drive to San Ignacio, deep in the jungle. Our home for this part of the trip was Vanilla Hills Resort, a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.
Horseback Riding & Ruins Tour – We rode horses through the jungle, stopping at ancient Mayan ruins, where we climbed pyramids and learned about Mayan history. The tour even included a delicious local lunch in the middle of nature.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Tour – One of the wildest and most unique experiences ever. We trekked through the jungle, swam into a cave, and waded deep inside to see ancient Mayan artifacts and the famous crystallized remains of a Mayan sacrifice. A once-in-a-lifetime kind of adventure.
Ambergris Caye
From Belize City, we took a boat over to Ambergris Caye, a laid-back island where golf carts are the primary mode of transport. We rented one and explored every corner of the island.
Stayed at Coco Beach Resort, a stunning beachfront resort with gorgeous pools and ocean views.
Spent our days relaxing, drinking tropical cocktails, and soaking up the island vibes.
Caye Caulker
We hopped on a ferry to Caye Caulker, the ultimate "go slow" island with crystal-clear waters, colorful streets, and chill beach bars.
Stayed at Iguana Reef Inn, where we had some of the best sunsets of the trip.
Hung out with stingrays in the shallow waters near the dock—it was so surreal to see them up close!
Enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere, fresh seafood, and local rum punch.
Heading Home
Instead of taking the ferry back, we boarded a tiny-ass plane (literally, a 12 seater plane) and flew straight into the Belize City airport before heading back to the US. A terrifying experience but the views were 10/10 and took a fraction of the time that water/ground transport would have taken.
Belize was the perfect combo of adventure, culture, and island relaxation—from exploring Mayan caves and ruins to chilling with stingrays and cruising on a golf cart along the beach. An unforgettable trip! A special shout out to Jen of Bon Vivant Travel Co, who organized the whole trip mixing our requirements with her professional recommendations. As a couple with incredibly busy schedules we loved that Jen took care of everything from bookings to transports, confirming reservations, and adding in extra restaurant/cafe recs!
Samantha Shammas, Author
A true travel enthusiast, Samantha has been going around the globe her entire life and has visited over 35 countries and counting. With a lust to wander, she’s always excited to visit new places and soak in inspiration for her artwork.
