3 week roundtrip by car in Belize, here are my highlights
Hi Belize community, I usually just read posts on Reddit, but I’m making my first post now. I’ve just returned from a three-week trip touring beautiful, safe, and diverse Belize. Your tips were incredibly helpful, and I’d love to share my experiences.
We (european family of four, with 2 teenagers) stayed in six different locations. We started on Caye Caulker, then rented a car from Alamo and drove ourselves to Orange Walk, San Ignacio, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve (at Privassion Creek), Punta Gorda, and Hopkins.
Last week, there was no sargassum on the beach in Hopkins! There was some on Caye Caulker, but not on the west side or at Bliss Beach. In any case, it didn't bother us at all.
The entire trip was fantastic, thanks to the friendly locals, good roads, stunning nature, delicious food from restaurants and food stalls, and great supermarkets—plus, of course, the Mayan heritage, the beach & coral, and the jungle with all its wildlife!
I’d particularly like to share these experiences with you, in order of our trip:
On Caye Caulker, we stayed in a cabana at the colorful and welcoming Barefoot Beach Belize Hotel. The staff and atmosphere are fantastic; you really feel welcome. The bartender recognizes everyone, and the tacos are amazing! It was wonderful spending evenings by the campfire on their private beach or relaxing in a hammock on the pier during the day. It is handy located behind the sargassum. There’s even a convenient set of steps for swimming in the sea. We rented their bikes and took the ferry over to the northern island, and visited Bliss Beach. A beachclub with white sand, located in mangrove forest. You don’t have to rent sunbeds, only have to order from their menu.
We thoroughly enjoyed the full-day snorkeling tour with SaltLife Eco Tours out of Caye Caulker. There were no fewer than seven stops, yet plenty of time at each location to observe the wildlife and admire the coral. We were on the boat with Chris and Adrian and saw manatees, sharks, barracudas, stingrays, eagle rays, numerous fish, starfish, and large sea turtles—plus dolphins swimming right alongside the boat. The guides really made an effort to spot everything, provided great commentary, and took photos with a GoPro. They showed great respect for nature, possessed extensive knowledge and experience, and had a wonderful sense of humor. It couldn't have been better—highly recommended!
One of the highlights of our trip was the Lamanai Landings Hotel & Marina. The hotel is beautifully situated on a river inlet. Staying here means supporting local families working together. We spotted crocodiles and kingfishers right from our balcony. The gardens and pool are beautifully landscaped. The riverside restaurant, set beneath a Maya-style roof, is very nice. We spent a day visiting the Maya city of Lamanai with our guide, Tyrone. After breakfast, the six-person boat was waiting at the pier. Tyrone is an excellent captain with extensive knowledge of the local wildlife—a perfect combination of wildlife spotting and exhilarating high-speed boating. At Lamanai, he guided us expertly, taking a convenient, quiet route; it felt as though we were the only ones there, away from the crowds. I highly recommend both the Lamanai excursion and this hotel!
When in Belize, you simply cannot miss ATM Cave. We gave it a lot of thought beforehand, as we are over 50 and our daughters are 15 and 13. One of them is afraid of deeper water, insecure and isn't particularly athletic or strong. We coordinated everything with Shamin from Yute Expeditions, and it was perfect! Philip (Shamin’s father) was our guide—and one of the best. He has been leading tours there ever since ATM Cave opened to the public. Groups are limited to a maximum of six people. He took our daughter under his wing in a subtle, reassuring way while guiding us through the Mayan cave. Thanks to his instructions, everything went incredibly smoothly. We really surprised ourselves! We arrived early, ahead of the other tourists. Philip has a great sense of humor and extensive knowledge of the Maya; he has even guided archaeologists. We had wonderful conversations and felt safe the entire time. Don't hesitate: visit ATM Cave and choose Yute Expeditions!
In Punta Gorda the Seahorse Café is a delightful restaurant. It is beautifully situated on stilts over the water, offering views of Punta Gorda and the bay; we even spotted a manatee swimming there. What’s more, the food is excellent. Whether you opt for grilled fish, a salad, a burger, a quesadilla, or fryjacks, it is always delicious, well-seasoned, and fresh. Oh, and don't forget the milkshakes and a few muffins or cinnamon buns to go! We ate here twice—highly recommended!
Near Punta Gorda we had a fantastic Maya chocolate experience with Ixcacao Tours. Simply being in a genuine, inhabited Maya village is special in itself, but the tour exceeded all expectations. Juan shares everything there is to know about cacao with great knowledge (passed on for generations from his ancestors) and enthusiasm while demonstrating the process. Naturally, we got to join in the work ourselves—and taste plenty of chocolate. His wife is a fantastic cook. It’s fun for all ages, full of humor, and the food was delicious. If you’re in the Toledo District, you absolutely have to visit Ixcacao!
You better Belize it!
(If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am not daily on Reddit, but will try to answer within a week.)