The Perfect 2-Week Belize Itinerary: Caye Caulker, San Ignacio & the Hummingbird Highway

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Belize may be tiny, but it packs in so much good stuff: dreamy turquoise waters, steamy jungles, ancient Mayan history, cave adventures, and some epic snorkeling.

After spending a month criss-crossing this gorgeous little country, I’ve put together my ultimate 2-week Belize itinerary that skips the tourist traps (sorry, Placencia) and dives straight into the best Belize has to offer. You’ll snorkel with nurse sharks on Caye Caulker, explore ancient Maya temples in San Ignacio, and chase waterfalls on the Hummingbird Highway.

Day 1-6 of your Belize itinerary: Caye Caulker

It might seem crazy that I’ve added six days in one location, but trust me when you get there you’ll understand and probably want even more time! Caye Caulker is everything you hope a tropical island will be, it’s laid-back, colorful, full of reggae music and hammocks. No cars. No stress. Just bikes, beach bars, and insanely good snorkeling. It’s the kind of place you plan to stay for 3 nights and end up staying a week.

How to get to Caye Caulker

Fly into Belize City, grab a taxi to the water taxi terminal, and hop on the ferry (about 45 mins). You can also fly directly to the island with Tropic Air if you’re short on time and your budget allows it.

Best places to stay in Caye Caulker

There are numerous places to stay on Caye Caulker from Hostels to luxury resorts. However, it’s a small island so if you’re traveling during peak season I do recommend booking a bit in advance to be sure to get what you want. You can read about the best areas to stay in and all my favorite Hotels on Caye Caulker here or check out a couple of my favorites below.

Budget option: Bellas Backpacker’s Hostel

Mid-Range option: Sea Dreams Hotel

Luxury option: Wheezie’s Resort

Day 1: Arrive + swimming at The Split

Check in to your hotel and head straight to The Split for some swimming and relaxing. It has probably been a long day of travel.

Chill day at The Split on Caye Caulker

Day 2: Snorkeling tour

Time to meet the marine life! Book a half or full-day Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley snorkeling tour. Expect nurse sharks, rays, coral gardens, and so many colors.

Book a Full Day Snorkeling tour on Caye Caulker here

Swimming with nurse sharks on Caye Caulker

Day 3: Chill day + paddleboarding

Rent a paddleboard or kayak and float around the mangroves. Alternatively you can just relax in a hammock at Ice and Beans. In the evening head over to Iguana Reef to watch the rays and sunset.

Relaxing at Ice and Beans on Caye Caulker

Day 4: Relax at Bliss beach

Today I would rent a bike and head over to the northern side of the island and spend the day at Bliss beach.

Rent a bike and head out to Bliss beach

Day 5: Visit the Blue Hole or spend more time swimming

If you want to visit the Blue Hole, today is the day. Otherwise you can head over to Iguana reef beach for a relaxing day.

Day 6: Last sunrise + ferry to mainland

Wake up early to watch the sunrise, grab a cinnamon roll from Ice & Beans, and enjoy your final hours in paradise. Then take the water taxi back to Belize City and transfer to San Ignacio.

Sunrise over Caye Caulker

Day 7-10 of your two weeks in Belize: San Ignacio

Caye Caulker is Belize’s chill beach destination, whilst San Ignacio is the adventure capital. The town itself honestly isn’t that interesting, but it’s the perfect base for all your adventures in the surrounding area. San Ignacio is placed in the middle of lush jungle, rivers, waterfalls and Mayan ruins.

How to get to San Ignacio

Take a shuttle from Belize City (about 3 hours). You can book with Belize Shuttle, or hop on the local bus for a budget option.

Best places to stay in San Ignacio

There’s no lack of great accommodations in San Ignacio. You can easily find great Hostels if you’re on a budget, or if you want to splurge a bit there are lots of amazing jungle lodges in the area. You can find many different options on my San Ignacio Travel Guide, and below are some of my favorites.

Budget option: Yellow Belly Backpackers

Mid-Range option: Rainforest Haven In

Luxury option: The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Day 7: Xunantunich + Cahal Pech ruins

Start the day by visiting Xunantunich, a huge Mayan archaeological site with stunning views from the top of El Castillo. Pair it with nearby Cahal Pech, a smaller but super atmospheric ruin right in town.

Exploring ancient ruins around San Ignacio

Day 8: ATM Cave tour

This is the most popular thing to do in San Ignacio, so if you’re not to claustrophobic I recommend booking a cave tour to the ATM caves. You’ll hike through the jungle, swim into a cave, and explore ancient Maya pottery and skeletons deep underground. If you’re traveling during high season I highly recommend booking this tour in advance to make sure you get a spot.

This is the most popular tour to the ATM Caves

Cave in Mountain Pine Ridge National Park

Day 9: Explore the Mountain Pine Ridge National Park

Rent a car or book a day trip to the Mountain Pine Ridge area for some really cool scenery. Check out the waterfalls, caves and swim in the natural pools. If you book the tour below to Caracol you will also see parts of the Mountain Pine Ridge.

Swimming in Mountain Pine Ridge National Park

Day 10: Explore the ancient ruins of Caracol

If Belize is the only country you’re visiting on this trip then you might want to take a day trip to Tikal in Guatemala. If not, then head over to Caracol and explore the ruins there.

I booked this tour to Caracol and absolutely loved it!

Caracol and Tikal

Day 11 - 14 of your 2 Weeks Itinerary in Belize: The Hummingbird Highway

The Hummingbird Highway is one of the most scenic drives in Central America, but it’s also packed with hidden gems like waterfalls you can have all to yourself, organic farms, quirky lodges, and places to go cavetubing.

Most people just drive through the Hummingbird Highway, but I highly recommend setting aside a couple of days to explore this beautiful area of Belize.

Swimming in the inland Blue Hole in Belize

How to get to the Hummingbird Highway

For the next couple of days you need to rent a car. There are some buses going through the Hummingbird highway, but not one that stops at all the places I want you to explore. Alternatively if you can’t rent a car, you can choose to stay at one of the lodges and enjoy simply enjoy the jungle and relax without seeing every single sight.

Best places to stay along the Hummingbird highway

There are so many amazing Jungle lodges dotted along the Hummingbird highway, each one offering different vibes. It can be hard to choose the perfect one, but I’ve put together a list of all my favorite places to stay here, and below you can see a couple of them.

Budget option: Toucan Ridge

Mid-Range option: Ian Andersons Cave Branch Jungle Lodge

Luxury option: Sleeping Giant Rainforest Resort

Day 11: St. Herman’s Blue Hole + Inland Cave

Head to Blue Hole National Park and explore the Inland Blue Hole (a jungle cenote!) and St. Herman’s Cave. You can go cave tubing here for a fun experience in the cave.

Inland Blue hole and St.Hermans Cave in Belize

Day 12: Explore the different stops along the way

Drive along the Highway and stop at all the amazing spots! Get some icecream at Country barn and do a chocolate workshop at at Lamanai.

Exploring the Hummingbird Highway

Day 13: Relax at your lodge or hike to a waterfall

It’s your last full day in Belize so you might want to relax a. Bit before moving on. If so, there’s nothing better than taking a slow day at your jungle lodges! Alternatively you can choose do to one of the waterfall hikes in the area. It’s your choice!

Exploring the Hummingbird Highway

Day 14: Head back to Belize City or airport

Unfortunately the trip has come to and end and its time to drive back to the airport and drop of your car, or alternatively head back to San Ignacio for a crossover to Guatemala?

Final Thoughts: Why this is the best itinerary

This 2-week Belize itinerary gives you a taste of everything Belize does best:

Island life on Caye Caulker
Jungle adventure in San Ignacio
Waterfalls and rainforest serenity on the Hummingbird Highway

It skips the overhyped (sorry, Placencia) and makes the most of your time with variety, adventure, relaxation and a whole lot of nature.

If you have any questions about Belize or traveling in Central America in general don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid