10 Days in Belize with Kids - Family Itinerary for Belize
/
this was a solo mom and kids trip to belize!
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
If you’re looking for a perfect itinerary for a family trip to Belize, you’re in the right place. I’ve put together an itinerary for Belize in 10 days that is full of activities including exploring the ancient Mayan ruins, taking you to the Caribbean beaches, cave tubing, and getting you up close with the animals of Belize. This is the perfect post for anyone planning at trip to Belize. If you’re wondering how many days in Belize is enough, I recommend spending at least 7 days in Belize to two weeks in Belize. While you can’t see all of Belize in 10 days, this guide will show you the highlights of the country while immersing in local traditions, customs, and food.
Let’s dig into the perfect 10 day itinerary for Belize
Table of Contents
Click to Skip to:
night time at sweet songs jungle lodge in san ignacio
Day 1: Arrival and tour of Altun Ha Mayan Ruins
Day 2: Belize Raptor Center, Guava Limb, and San Ignacio Market
Day 3: Cave Tubing and Art Box
Day 4: Belize Iguana Conservation Project and Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins
Day 5: Explore & Enjoy Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge
Day 6: Tour of Xunantunich Mayan Ruins and Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Hopkins Beach Resort
Day 8: Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure
Day 9: Day of relaxation. Beach, Pool, Kayaking, Spa Day, Snorkeling, Paddleboarding, or explore Hopkins by bike.
Day 10: Drive to the Airport and Head Home
READ NEXT: Top 5 Activities for Families in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
coming out of the cave in belize
Interactive Map of Belize
Here is a full map of things you will see in Belize. I left everything on one layer to see how far/close things are to each other.
Toucans eating fruit - we watched these guys eat while we ate breakfast every day at sweet songs jungle lodge!
Where to Stay in Belize
When deciding where to stay in Belize, you need to decide on what activities you are looking for.
For the first 5 nights of our trip we stayed with a friend in Belmopan. Then we moved over to Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge for 2 nights and then down to Hopkins Bay Resort for 3 more nights.
If I couldn’t have stayed with a friend, I would have stayed 5 nights at Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge (San Ignacio) and 5 nights at the beach likely split between Hopkins and an island.
Day 1
We landed in Belize before noon. Our friend picked us up and we headed straight for Altun Ha Mayan Ruins. This is a perfect place to dive right into Belizean culture and history. It is only about 45 minutes from the airport.
near the parking lot at altun ha there is a place where you can get snacks and smoothies and hold snakes
Altun Ha is the closest Mayan Ruin to Belize city making it a great first stop on your Belizean family trip. Altun Ha was a major Maya culture ceremonial center and is also where they found Belize’s famous Jade Head.
Altun Ha was a central trading link between the Caribbean coast and Maya centers in the interior during the Maya Classic Period. On site you will explore two main plazas. Researchers have found about 12 Maya Temples and residential structures at the Altun Ha Archeological site.
after walking the mayan site be sure to visit the musuem to learn more about the history of altun ha
Near the large parking area you will find a place for refreshments and some shops to buy souveniers. We did get fruit smoothies and snacks before entering. Afterward, we grabbed some cold waters and perused thes shops.
There are restrooms available for patrons located between the parking area and where you pay to enter. The cost to explore Altun Ha is in the chart below - be SURE to bring cash to pay.
After Altun Ha, we headed to our friends house to get settled in and let the kids run free after a long travel day. For you, this will be your chance to settle in to your resort and relax before an adventure of a lifetime.
Back to Top
this is the temple of the masonry altars
Day 2
We are starting day 2 with an upclose encounter with Raptors. NOT the dinosaur kind though - sorry kids! Today we’re headed to the Belize Raptor Center.
We had 3 handlers presenting each raptor to us on our private tour. it lasted about 2.5 hours.
If you’re visiting Belize with kids, a stop at the Belize Raptor Center is a must! We spent about 2.5 hours there and loved every minute. It’s affordable too—just $15 USD per adult, and $5 per child. We personally opted for the VIP (private) tour and it was about $60 USD for each of the 2 families.
The Belize Raptor Center is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of Belize's native birds of prey, like hawks, owls, and falcons. We learned so much about these incredible creatures and their role in the ecosystem. The best part for everyone was when we got to fly one of the hawks. We each got at turn holding her and catching her as she landed. You can see videos of this on my Belize IG Highlight HERE.
The center started as a small rescue project but has grown into an important conservation effort. It's a great way to educate the little ones while supporting a great cause.
the resident road side falcon who was raised from a baby by a 13 year old girl during covid. She was then taken to the center after the girl could no longer care for her.
The Belize Raptor Center is only a short drive from San Ignacio proper, so we headed to grab lunch at Guava Limb Cafe. This is a hidden gem in San Ignacio. You’ll enjoy great food and great service. I really enjoyed the wings and the Chicken Gado Gado. Definitely recommend a stop here.
After lunch, head down to explore the San Ignacio Market. This market is open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM, is free to enter, and perfect for families looking to dive into local culture.
checking out the goods at the san ignacio market
We wandered through rows of colorful stalls filled with handmade crafts, fresh fruits and vegetables, traditional textiles, and unique souvenirs that the kids loved picking out. My daughter even practiced her spanish with the shop oweners.
Pro Tip about the market: don’t miss the delicious street food! Here you can find traditional salbutes, savory tamales, and sweet coconut water to keep everyone energized for more exploring. If you’re planning a family trip to Belize, make sure to add San Ignacio Market to your must-see list!
Back to Top
in downtown san ignacio, they have this welcome center where you can get more information about what to in the area
Day 3
I hope you got a good night’s sleep because today we’re going cave tubing!! This was a highlight of our trip in Belize and truly one of the most fun experiences we had during our entire visit.
the kids entering the water
Caves Branch Outpost is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM. You can grab a guide at the park or you can call ahead to reserve your group’s spot and get pricing. The price is going to vary depending on length of tour, group size, etc but I promise - it’s worth every single penny.
We got all of our gear and then walked about 2 miles the start of the tubing.
We started by getting set up with our gear and then hiking an easy 2 miles into the jungle. Our guide, Walter, was phenomenal and kept the kids engaged the entire walk. We learned about plants, animals, fauna, and history of Belize as we walked.
Eventually we made it to the cave entrance where we hopped into inner tubes and floated down the river. We immediately started winding through incredible cave systems full of stunning rock formations and learning more about ancient Mayan history.
Walter was super knowledgeable and great with the kids, making the tour both fun and educational. I mentioned wanting to cave jump, so we pulled over and jumped! He even took us to swim in a dry cave.
looking out of a cave entrance from where we cliff jumped
At the end of the tour they have clean restrooms and changing rooms where we could switch into dry clothes. There's even a little café if you need to grab a bite after your adventure. They only had one option which was BBQ chicken with rice and beans - a traditional Belizean dish. It was SO GOOD.
If you're planning a family trip to Belize, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind cave tubing experience! You can see more photos and videos from this adventure on my Belize IG Highlight HERE.
the meal from the onsite cafe at caves branch was phenomenal
After tubing we headed back toward Belmopan where we were staying. We made a really great pit stop at a shop called Art Box. If you’re looking for a very good spot to get a Belize souvenir - this is it. Don’t forget to grab a coffee or treat yourself to ice cream after cave tubing!
Back to Top
art box is a really nice place to pick up some local souveniers and have some coffe and ice cream. I have heard their pizza is really good too.
Day 4
Today we are heading back into San Ignacio to get up close to some Belizean Iguanas and check out more Ancient Maya Ruins.
Grab a a good breakfast and some coffee (possibly from the San Ignacio Market) before heading over to the San Ignacio Resort Hotel where you’ll take a tour of the Green Iguana Conservation Project.
who's ready to hold this guy??
The Iguana Project is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM and cost us $11 USD per adult and $5 per child. This activity was a huge hit with the kids and the price was totally worth it.
The Green Iguana Conservation Project is dedicated to the conservation of the endangered Green Iguana species. We got to learn about these amazing creatures up close and even hold and feed them, which was definitely the highlight for the little ones! The knowledgeable (and patient) guide made the experience both fun and educational.
It's not just the big iguanas! You get to hold the baby's they breed as well
After the tour is over, there are clean restrooms on-site, and the hotel café is perfect for grabbing a quick snack before or after your tour. If you're in San Ignacio, this is a must-visit stop for animal lovers!
the kids absolutely loved getting to be up close with the iguanas
After a morning with Iguanas it was time to make the very short drive over to Cahal Pech Maya Ruins. The two are only about 4 minutes driving apart. Cahal Pech is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM and it it costs just $5 USD per adult and $1.50 for kids. (BRING CASH TO PAY)
cahal pech - san ignacio belize
We spent a couple of hours exploring the well-preserved temples, plazas, and palaces, while the kids enjoyed climbing the ruins and navigating the maze of structures. The site is smaller and less crowded than some of the bigger ruins in Belize, which made it perfect for exploring with little ones.
cahal pech - san ignacio belize
Cahal Pech is one of the oldest Maya sites in Belize, dating back to around 1200 BCE. Once a thriving hilltop city, it served as a major center for Maya elites, with impressive palaces, temples, and courtyards that highlight its importance in ancient Maya culture. Its strategic location overlooking the Belize River Valley made it a hub for trade and politics.
There are restrooms on-site and a small visitor center with displays explaining the significance of Cahal Pech.
cahal pech - san ignacio belize
Once we parted ways with Cahal Pech, we headed over to Cahal Pech Village Resort where we had a fantastic lunch and great iced coffee. The resort is located very close to the entrance, so the drive was less than 1-2 minutes. If you’re looking to beat the heat, you can pay $20 bzd ($10 usd) per person to swim in their pool too. It could be a fun way to keep the kids entertained while you eat!
Back to Top
the food a cahal pech village resort was really good. don't miss their iced coffee too
Day 5
On day 5 we had a full day of nothing. We literally hung out with our friends and swam in their pool all day. So, I am going to skip this and move to our day 6 as your day 5.
Today is the day we transferred to Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge from our accommodations in Belmopan. Our friend drove us out to the lodge where we were greeted by an extremely friendly staff.
welcome to sweet songs jungle lodge
We got to the lodge before check in, so the staff took us down to the restaurant for a delicious Belizean lunch. Sweet Songs offers farm to table food, so it is fresh and SO so good. They also have a kids menu that includes chicken tenders and macncheese.
the food and drinks at sweet songs jungle lodge are SO dang good
After lunch, you can take part in any of the MANY on-site activities at Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge. Grab a tube and tube down the Macal River, grab some oars and canoe down the river, check out bikes to bike through the jungle, take a hike on one of the jungle trails, swim in their gorgeous infinity pool, or pay a visit to the National Belize Botanical Gardens which are on the same property at Sweet Songs.
the infinity pool at sweet songs is gorgeous and so relaxing
We checked in to our spacious 2-bedroom casita. This is the perfect accommodation for a small group or large family. The casita had 2 full beds in one room, a super comfy king bed in a second room, a full kitchen stocked with coffee, a large bathroom with a tub/shower combo, and wrap around porch for taking in the Belizean jungle.
the 2-bedroom casita was perfect for the four of us. honestly we could have had another couple adults or kids and still been comfy
The kids and I spent time exploring the property and went for a swim in the river after the baby took a nap. Down by the river you can find a nice bench swing, lounge chairs, a fire pit surrounded with anirondike chairs, canoes, and a long stretch of beach.
Dinner was incredible. I had the BBQ chicken that was made over an open flame just outside the restaurant. BBQ chicken is a staple in Belizean cuisine. You can even find people grilling at bus stops. Sweet Songs’ chicken was so good.
the sweet songs property is the dreamiest.
After dinner, take a walk around the property to experience the magic of Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge at night. Its stunning and the animal sounds are incredible.
Back to Top
sweet songs at night is gorgeous and the jungle sounds are crazy
Day 6
This morning you’re getting picked up by a guide at 9 AM for a tour of Xunantunich Maya Ruins.
Before we met up with our guide, we walked over to the Tree House Bar and Restaurant where we had a mouth watering breakfast. While we ate, we watched wild toucans eat fruit.
this is the Collard Anacari which is a small toucan local to Belize. They are all over the sweet songs property.
We coordinated our excursion through the hotel, so our guide pulled right up to our 2-bedroom casita where we loaded in the car seat and hit the road.
The drive over to the Ruins was only about 20 minutes. The entire drive we were learning about the history, culture, and fun facts about Belize. Before we got to the entrance of the ruins, we had to cross the Mopan river by a hand-cranked car ferry. It was a really neat experience.
the hand cranked car ferry is a really fun experience
Xunantunich Archeological Site is open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Entrance is super affordable at $5 USD per adult, and kids under 12 enter for free. They do have restaurants and a few small souvinier shops on site by the parking lot.
Xunantunich, meaning “Stone Woman” in Maya, is one of Belize’s most important archaeological sites, dating back to the Late Classic period (around 600-900 CE). It served as a powerful Maya city and ceremonial center, known for its impressive architecture, including “El Castillo,” the second tallest structure in Belize. The site is thought to have been a political and religious hub, with its strategic location near the Mopan River allowing for trade and communication with other Maya cities. Today, Xunantunich offers a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Maya civilization and remains a vital piece of Belize’s cultural heritage.
Our guide was amazing. He kept the kids (and my) interest the entire time. He was helpful, kind, and did not seem bothered by having young kids along. He knew so much about Belizean history, Mayan history, and in depth details about Xunantunich.
OUr guide was SO good with the kids
We got back to Sweet Songs around noon where we grabbed a delicious lunch and got the baby down for a short a nap. If I could re-do this day, I would have had lunch by the pool so the kids could play and I could relax a bit.
Once the baby woke from his nap, we headed down to canoe the Macal river.
the macal river is gorgeous. The front dest has life jackets, oars, and bikes you can chek out for free
After a quick canoe ride, we meandered back up to the absolutely stunning infinity pool where we had red Fanta and a nice a cocktail. The pool is SO nice with jetted seating areas, a sun bathing ledge, comfy cushioned loungers, and some floating nets where you can rest and feel like you’re in the jungle canopy.
Back to Top
canoeing the macal river at sweet songs jungle lodge
The pool at sweet songs jungle lodge is incredible.
Day 7
Today we are transfering from Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge on the West border of Belize to Hopkins Bay Resort on the East Coast of Belize.
This morning will start with a hearty breakfast at the Tree House Bar and Restaurant followed by a pool swim. Since it was early, we had the entire pool to ourselves.
We met our driver at 11AM by our casita where he helped me load all of our bags and install the car seat. The van was so nice and had plenty of room for all 4 of us and all of our stuff.
Our driver was really great. The drive is about 2.5 hours, so everyone took a nap and then he stopped for us to have a break at a The Country Barn. We had some really nice coffee and ice cream. This farm helps Belizean men gain life skills for a better future. I loved supporting them.
We arrived and checked in to our spacious 3 bedroom beach view house at Hopkins Bay Resort. We had a friend and her three kids meeting us, so we had 8 people total staying in the house. It was more than enough room.
The three bedroom house comes with a full kitchen, a private bathroom in every bedroom, 2 ocean view porches, and a large living room/dining room area. The resort provided me with a packnplay for the baby too!
the rooms were spacious, the balcony was so nice, and the beds were extremely comfy
Hopkins Bay Resort offers 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom houses, so they have options for every group and family size. There is a really good restaurant on-site, 2 pools, free bike rentals, golf cart rentals, and so many options for excursions. Hopkins Bay Resort is a great place to base from for your Belize family holiday.
hopkins bay resort keeps a full list of daily exursions for it's guests
After getting settled in the house, we headed down to the pool to relax. The pool is located right along the ocean and the salt air was so great after being in the car for so long. We ordered a late lunch from the Rhum Shack and at poolside.
If you’re still feeling energetic, ask the front desk about their nightly on-site ghost crabbing or off-the-dock fishing activities. Or ask about their evening bioluminescence excursion!
Back to Top
time to relax by the ocean at the pool and have some delicious nachos! You can even get on the Bocce ball courT!
the kids loved having so much space in our 3-bedroom house at hopkins bay resort
Day 8
Today is a really exciting day! You’ll be headed out on one of the many excursions that Hopkins Bay Resort offers. For us, we chose to do the Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure.
We woke up and had breakfast delivered to our house while we all got ready. The staff at Hopkins Bay was super accommodating and with 6 kids in tow, it was very convenient to have the kids eat a full breakfast in our house instead of dragging everyone to the restaurant.
We met the Resort point of contact at 8 at the front desk and took a short golf cart ride down to the edge of the river where we met with Uwahnie who was our guide all day. From here we all got on kayaks and kayaked across the river to Palmento Grove Cultural Lodge where we would spend the day in the Garifuna Village learning customs, cooking, language, and the history of the Garifuna people.
We took a golf cart from the resort to here where we kayaked across to the village
As we arrived, we were escorted to a classroom building. There we were asked to change into the traditional Garifuna clothing. Uwahnie provided each of us with beautiful outfits. We sat together and learned all about the Garifuna people’s history, language, and culture.
the kids in traditional clothing trying to balance baskets on their heads
Heading into the classroom
From our lesson, we headed out to learn how to harvest food for the meal we would be cooking. The kids turn turns with a machete cutting down cassava plants and pulling roots from the ground. Then everyone had a turn climbing a coconut tree to get a coconut to drink.
harvested their own coconuts to drink!
Once everyone had their coconuts, we headed to the village kitchen. Garifuna villages typically share a central kitchen where everyone cooks. We were guided through shucking coconuts, grinding out coconut meat, squeezing the juice out of the meat, salting barracuda heads, pounding cassava, and so much more.
the food was so incredible. Coconut soup flavored with fish and herbs, pounded plantains, and the fried barracuda
The two women, Star and Uwahnie were incredibly patient and hospitable. They shared so much about their cooking style with us and made sure everyone got a turn at everything. Every kid with us absolutely loved the meal of Coconut soup flavored with fish and herbs, pounded plantains, and the fried barracuda.
After lunch we rounded up at the music center where we learned to play drums with a local Lebaha Drummer. Not only did the kids have a great time, but the moms loved it too! The interactive class kept everyone engaged and happy.
Once our day at the village came to a close, we headed back across the river by kayak and back to Hopkins Bay Resort. It was around 2 PM and everyone was hot and tired, so we napped the three youngest and sat by the pool and ocean the rest of the day.
If you’re still feeling energetic, consider spending the afternoon fishing off the pier or checking out a bike and riding down into Hopkins for some pizza and music at Driftwoods Beach Bar or head to Jaguar Reef to jump off their pier.
Back to Top
pool, beach, and crab finding after a long day in the garifuna village
i was obsessed with these nachos from the rhum shack at hopkins bay. you absolutely must get them.
Day 9
This is the last full day in Belize. For us, it was our last full day to spend with our friends who live in Belize. For you, it might be your last day of your vacation where you want to relax by the pool. Or you may want to squeeze in one last day of adventure and I have some ideas for you!
use your extra time in Hopkins to work on your hopkins bay bucket list
This last day would be a great day to:
Head out to an island to snorkel the Barrier Reef for a Half Day or a full day
Take a Chocolate Making Class - learn how to make traditional Belizean chocolate
Head out to try and spot some Jaguars in Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary
Wherever your last day in Belize takes you, I know it will be epic. Our kids love checking bikes out from the resort and riding all around. They found snakes and lizards, we ate delicious food, played in the ocean and pool, and just soaked up the last hours of our time in Belize.
enjoying the freedom of doing nothing at the resort out last day in belize
the kids borrowed bikes and rode all around.
Day 10
This was our final morning in Belize. We woke up, had a lazy breakfast at the Rhum Shack before the resort staff picked up our bags and the driver arrived to pick us up at 10AM. The drive from Hopkins to the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is about 2 hours. Our flight was at 2:27 and this gave us plenty of time to get through security and customs with time for a sit down lunch in the airport. (Belizemo is a great pizza spot!)
Back to Top
Our last morning before we left for the airport
it’s hard to say goodbye to belize, so consider staying a few extra days!
Other Excurions and Optional Day Trips in Belize
As with any trip, you’ll never see the whole country in one go. We had 10 full day on the ground and took 2 full days to do nothing and relac with friends. With 8 days, we had to decide what was feasible as a solo mom with 3 kids and what we really wanted to do.
However, if I could go again knowing what I know now, I may do things a little different. Here is a list of things we skipped or didn’t have time for. If you’re not an animal person, you may want to exchanged one of the animal encounters from our trip with one of these amazing day trips in Belize.
Support Indigenous Women: I would absolutely make time to join the San Antonio Women’s Co-op for one of their pottery classes. I would love to learn this craft directly from the indigenous women of Belize while supporting them. You can find out more information HERE.
a friend of mine who lives in belize took this women's co-op pottery class and said it was really really good!
Jaguars: I would absolutely love to go on a Jaguar experience. Seeing Jaguars in nature is at the top of my wild game sighting bucket list. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is known to be the best place in Belize to see jaguars, so I would love to organize a guide for an expedition.
our cave tour was only 1/2 a day and only mildly physical. ATM cave is going to be all day and much more demanding with many more caves to explore
Do the Full ATM Cave Tour: If you’re traveling with older kids or adults only - I would absolutely do this tour of Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. It’s intense, but it looks so incredible.
Snorkel the Barrier Reef: Since we live in the Caribbean (Barbados) and have access to incredible snorkeling every day, this was not a priority for us in Belize. However, there are many organized snorkeling trips from Hopkins out to the Barrier Reef for world class snorkeling.
the shoreline water conditions were not great for snorkeling while we were there (due to seaweed) and since we live in Barbados, we didn't want to spend an entire day going out to an island to snorkel.
Take a coffee class: Oxmul Coffee Tour is supposed to be one of the best coffee tours in Belize. Since I was traveling solo with 3 young kids, I decided to pass on this for this trip, but as a coffee connoisseur I did want to go! You could pair this with a trip to their Butterfly garden.
Visit Tikal National Park in Guatemala from San Ignacio. Since we visited Tikal in 2023, we did not go back this year. But, it is very close to San Ignacio and is absolutely worth the day trip. Highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
us in tikal national park, guatemala in 2023
This fun 10 day Belize itinerary for families will take you on an unforgettable adventure filled with diverse experiences and breath taking sights. From exploring the mystical Mayan ruins and immersing yourself in local markets to indulging in the country's culinary delights and riding through caves on tubes, my curated journey ensures that you make the most of your time in Belize.
IGUANAS ARE ALL OVER BELIZE - WE LOVED SEEING THEM
Whether your family has history enthusiasts, nature lovers, or foodies, this 10 day itinerary guarantees a well-rounded exploration that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Feel free to combine days if you have less time to spend in Belize. This itinerary can be shortened or lengthened to meet your family’s trip length. Get ready to embark on your 10-day Belize adventure and discover the true essence of this iconic Central American country. Book your trip now and let the magic of Belize unfold before you!
Have you been to Belize? Tell me about where you went and what you loved the most in the comments.
PIN ME:
AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:
There are links on this site that can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided.
Big Brave Nomad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
