Beaches to Mayan Ruins
Nothing beats a local guide to show you the best of Belize. We're missing the warmth and beauty of Belize. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Markets and Mayan Ruins…
Right out of the airport, we were met by the friendly driver who took us from Belize City to San Ignacio. He taught us all kinds of things about Belize and allowed us to enjoy the beautiful landscapes we passed through in greater context. San Ignacio, our starting point in Belize, is a great, central location for anyone wishing to visit the local Mayan ruins. If you happen to be in San Ignacio on a Saturday, for sure go visit the market for an authentic experience that will bring you in contact with many of the cultures that make up Belize.
Relaxing days by the beach…
We loved Placencia Village! It's small but has a great selection of restaurants along its streets. Our accommodation was right on the sidewalk, so we spent some time looking at various wares and vendors. Sea View Suites met our needs beautifully. Finally, we finished our trip with a few days' stay at Ambergris Caye. The caye itself was more touristy than other places we visited, but it's a great base for getting out on the water to go snorkeling or diving. If one wants to view sea life, this is the place! We took two trips out - one to Hol Chan Reserve and another that took us to Swallow Caye to see manatees!
Nothing beats a local guide to show you the best of Belize…
All our van drivers in Belize were great. Not only did they get us safely from one point to another, but each one took it upon himself to be our tour guide. We learned a great deal about Belize from these gentlemen, and we saw much of the countryside as we went from one place to another.
Places you'll stay
San Ignacio
San Ignacio, often referred to as Cayo, is a laid back town in the western foothills of the Mayan Mountains. Located right along the Western Highway, San Ignacio is popular among travelers as it provides modern tourist amenities while retaining its authenticity. The town sits directly on the meandering Macal River and is surrounded by green rolling hills where adventure awaits.
Placencia Village
Beachfront reggae bars, colorful guesthouses, and a spacious expanse of beach attract tourists to Placencia Village. Located at the end of the 16-mile (28-km) Placencia peninsula, it is the most lively destination in the region. It offers restaurants, shopping, nightlife, accommodations, and tour services.
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and the most well known destination in Belize. Located at the northern end of Belize’s waters, a small channel dug by the Maya separates Ambergris Caye from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The narrow, 25-mile (40-km) long island is surrounded by the Caribbean’s aquamarine waters and consists of mangroves, lagoons, and the laid back town of San Pedro, which sits upon a low sandy plateau near the southern end of the island.
Moments to look forward to
Tikal National Park
Set within the northern reaches of Guatemala’s Petén department is the incredible Mayan site of Tikal. With its massive Mayan temples, steep limestone pyramids and thick green jungles, Tikal is undoubtedly one of the top attractions in Guatemala. The ruins and surrounding forest are located within the Tikal National Park.
Community Baboon Sanctuary
The Community Baboon Sanctuary Private Reserve is one of the easiest places in Belize to encounter black howler monkeys in the wild. Established in 1985, this baboon sanctuary was set up as a cooperative agreement among 12 local farmers and landowners in Bermudian Landing who voluntarily agreed to preserve the area’s black howler monkey habitat. They believed that a healthy population of monkeys could help support the local economy by drawing in tourism and creating jobs.
Lubaantun Ruins
Lubaantun (“The Place of Fallen Stones”) served as the home to 20,000 Maya during the Late Classic Period from AD 730–890. Although the lifetime of Lubaantun’s occupation was short, lasting between 130 and 180 years, discoveries of basalt grinding stones, seashells, and obsidian indicate that Lubaantun was once a major trading site. Located in the southern foothills of the Mayan Mountains in the Toledo District, the rich soils here also supported productive farming operations for cacao.
Tikal One Day From San Ignacio
Monkey River Tour
Lubaantun Mayan Ruin & Blue Creek Cave
Incredible Stays
Hotel Recommendation #1
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Hotel Recommendation #2
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Hotel Recommendation #3
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Seamless Connections
Insider-led Belize Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Belize Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
