Imagine exploring ancient Mayan ruins shrouded by the jungles, diving into or snorkeling the iconic Blue Hole, or simply relaxing on beaches by turquoise waters. Belize is a land where rainforests meet reefs and the people are inviting. Our 12 days in Belize included only 3 stops – Belize City, San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Here are the diaries of those 3 stops.
It may have taken 24 hours for us to get to Belize, but from the moment we stepped on Belizean soil, we were met with friendly locals, abundance of seafood, mouth watering drinks and eye-catching scenery.
While Belize has the smallest population of any Central American country (less than 410K) it is also probably the most expensive in Central America. Average cost for a room with attached bath and AC: around 50-60 USD, average dinner at a restaurant: anywhere from 15-25 USD, local beer (Belikin): around 1.60 USD (280ml) when bought at the store. Currency is Belizean dollar (BZD), it is fixed to 2 BZD to 1 USD (History of Belize Currency) and is used interchangeably: changing 100 BZD may give you some in BZD and some in USD.
Belize is said to be a dangerous place, but, in our limited time here, we did not feel unsafe. Then again, you need to be careful and be alert of your surrounding.
This trip was significant to us because Belize was the only country we have not visited in Central America until now. We have now visited every Central American country. Thank you Belize for helping us complete our mission. 🙂
Visited: April 2025
Belize City
The weather was beautiful, not too hot or cold. Airport procedure was a breeze. We landed and were out of the airport within an hour or so, mainly due to the sheer volume of people coming in. We were told by the local couple that drove us around and took care of us not to go to the south side, so we listened. Belize City is a rather small city compared to others in Central America. It has no or little skyscrapers, no taxis as we know (you have to call for them; we gathered taxi numbers at the airport), and a very sparsely populated city with limited nightlife.
We stayed at the DB Tower Vacation Rental – Highly recommend.
We visited Altun Ha from Belize City, then San Pedro Island then Caye Caulker Island (read below). There are several daily ferries (water taxis) going between the two islands and Belize City, or you can also fly to each island; we opted for the ferry for $$ reasons.
Altun Ha
Altun Ha is an archaeological site 31 miles from Belize City, a significant ceremonial center in the Maya Culture. Discovered in 1963, Altun Ha functioned as a central trading link between the Caribbean Coast and Maya Centers in the interior during the Maya Classic Period. The Maya occupied this ancient city from 250 BC to AD 1000 and reached its peak with a population of 8,000 to 10,000 people. Altun Ha is the Yucatec translation for “Rockstone water”.
After excavation, thirteen (13) plazas, two (2) main temples, and residential structures on the vast 1,500-acre land are now exposed. One of the prominent temples is the “Temple of the Masonry Altars,” which stands approximately 53 feet high. (credits).
Getting here from Belize city: We hired a car to get here (90US including the entrance to the site and the guide who explained the historical facts about the site), it took just over an hour drive there, 2 hours to explore the site and hour back.
After the tour of Altun Ha, we were dropped off at the ferry to get to the awesome island of San Pedro. 90 minute ferry ride in relatively calm waters and we were on the Happy Island. This is where the fun began!
San Pedro (Happy Island)
Do you like to drive around aimlessly in a tiny island in a golf cart? San Pedro is your place!! The golf cart island. We arrived in Sam Pedro from Belize city. Water taxi ride is 90 minutes, bit crowded but smooth ride on a boat with bathrooms and friendly staff.
We rented a golf cart for 2 nights (90us). It is a small island, small enough to go everywhere on a golf cart in 2 days. Driving around, we discovered hidden gems of beaches and restaurants, just pull in and explore. One of those restaurants we found was actually called Hidden Jewel.
Caye Caulker (Happy Island2)
The island of Caye Caulker (pronounced “Key Caw-ker”) is a small island (5 miles long) that sits midway between Belize City and Ambergris Caye (San Pedro). Caye Caulker is less touristy and less populated than San Pedro, it looked to us that it attracts more of the younger crowd compared to San Pedro. If you are on the fence to go to Ambergris Caye or Caulker, here is an article that might help you – Deciding Between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. If you ask me, I would say visit both.
We opted to stay at The Bounty, an amazing place on the beach. This is on the east side of the island. We realized after, that the west side of the island gets beautiful sunsets. This is something you should consider when finding a place here.
Everything you can do in San Pedro you can do here too, including renting golf carts and booking a tour to the reef etc. For us, we decided to do all the tours etc. in San Pedro and just relax here before we left for Belize City and then the long flight home.
At Caulker, we felt like we’ve found our happy place and we will be back!
Things to do on the islands...
Rent a golf cart
This is the best way to explore the island. We paid 90US for a 2-day rental. We used the cart to the max, exploring the entire island (San Pedro). We just drove around aimlessly, taking random turns into corners that we would not have otherwise gone, and explored beaches that we didn’t know existed.
Swim with the Sharks
Corel Reef...
TODO
The Split
Ask most Belizeans about The Split in Caye Caulker, and you’ll hear a varied stories about how this expanse of sea came to be. Some say that The Split is actually man made. This is partly true. In the early 1950’s, local fishermen dug through mangrove to make a channel for their boats to pass. This hand-dug channel marked the beginning of what is now referred to as The Split.
Others insist that The Split was created as a result of Hurricane Hattie. Hurricane Hattie was the strongest tropical cyclone of the 1961 hurricane season, reaching a peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane. The country of Belize, at the time known as British Honduras, sustained the worst damage from the hurricane, with 165 mph winds hammering its coastline. After eye of the storm had passed, the fishermen’s hand-dug channel was widened which made it appear like the island was split in two. The locals eventually found the newly widened channel to be the perfect place to go for a swim and soon the area was being referred to as The Split. Today, you can sit at The split and enjoy the sun, have a Piña Colada, rent a jet sky or dive off the edge of the split into the blue water.
Secret Beach
TODO
Belize Foodies..
Belizean food reflects its people, a rich blend of Maya, British, Spanish-American, African, Caribbean, and Creole heritages.
We came here for the sun, snorkeling, and relaxation. On top of that, we got the food treats of our lives; it is that good. We had no idea what Belizean food was until we got here; it’s not like Belizean restaurants are common in North America, and we were taken by surprise. Food made with heart and soul. Traditional food here is chicken, beans, and rice. If you are in Belize, you must have the Belizean chicken soup; otherwise, I would say you have never been to Belize (unless, you are a vegetarian).
Fun fact: When they harvest crabs, they don’t grab the entire crab; they just break off one claw and put it back. We were told that the claw will grow back in 2 months. We never saw a whole crab here; all you see is mountains of giant crab claws. Sustainable Fishing? Must not really be a fun fact for the crab tho!
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