Belize 7 Day Itinerary: One Week COMPLETE Guide! (2023)
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Looking for the best Belize 7 day itinerary? I’ve got you covered! Belize is one of my favourite countries in Central America, and after spending almost a month backpacking Belize in 2023, I know it’s a country we will return to time and time again!
Whether you’re looking to visit Belize as part of your Central America backpacking trip (which I highly recommend), or want a vacation from either the UK or the US, this Belize 7-day itinerary has everything you need to plan an epic trip to this hidden gem of a country.
In this post I outline everything you need to know about visiting Belize for 7 days, what to do, how to stay safe, daily budgets, where to stay and more.
If you still have a burning question when you’ve reached the end of the post, be sure to reach out to me on Instagram or shoot me an email here.
Backpacking Belize? Yay! I have a more in-depth guide about travelling Belize as a backpacker here.
Other Belize posts you may like:
- Backpacking Caye Caulker: Everything You Need To Know
- Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: COMPLETE Guide!
- Shark Ray Alley Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- Where To See Stingrays in Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- Best Places To Eat In Caye Caulker (Backpacker Guide)
Belize 7 Day Itinerary: Summary
This Belize 7 day itinerary only focuses on visiting two locations. The truth is, if you start to add in multiple places when you only have a week, you end up spending more time on a shuttle or in a car than you do exploring!
- Days 1-4: Caye Caulker
- Days 4-7: San Ignacio
Your first stop will be Caye Caulker, one of the most idyllic and beautiful islands I have ever visited.
If you enjoy Caribbean food, a laid-back way of life, epic marine life, snorkelling, diving and crystal-clear waters, Caye Caulker is the place to visit!
After a few days on the island, you’ll travel over to Belize City and head west to San Ignacio. San Ignacio is known as the ‘adventure’ capital of Belize, and is the total opposite of Caye Caulker.
It’s surrounded by mountains, trees, thick jungle and an abundance of wildlife (including jaguars!) with plenty of adventure activities to keep you busy.
This Belize 7 day itinerary can easily be started and finished in Belize City (although we don’t recommend staying there).
But Belize is small, and driving from one side of the country to the other can be done in a few hours. Belize City is also a great place to travel to the islands, and then west for San Ignacio.
Travelling to Belize from Mexico? Check out my Chetumal to Caye Caulker guide!
Important information for travelling to Belize
Travelling to Belize for the first time? Here is some important information you can use on your trip!
| National language | English |
| Currency | Belizean dollars |
| Driving side | Right |
| Total population | 400,000 |
| Capital city | Belmopan |
| Continent | North America |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Visa | 30 days for UK/US residents |
| National food | Rice and beans |
| National drink | Rum punch or Belikin beer |
| Best ways to get around | Hire car or shuttles |
| National animal | Tapir |
| Don’t miss… | The Hummingbird Highway and snorkelling in Caye Caulker! |
Day 1-4: Caye Caulker and the Islands
When you first arrive in Belize, it’s likely you will have either:
- Flown into Belize City Airport
- Arrived from Chetumal, Mexico
- Driven through the Flores (Guatemala) > San Ignacio and the Belize border.
If you have arrived via the airport or the Mexico border, I recommend heading to the islands first. How many islands you visit is down to you, but as this is a short 7 day itinerary, I recommend staying in just Caye Caulker.
Read my full guide on travelling from Belize City to Caye Caulker here!
Every backpacker we met in Caye Caulker thought the same as us. We all fell in love with the island as soon as we arrived, and all of us tried to extend our stay.
Caye Caulker is one of those little bubbles in the world that’s rare to find. Every local you meet will talk about it being paradise, and it really is. Being an island, you feel cut off from the rest of the world, and quickly adopt the ‘go slow, have fun’ way of life.
If you have the time, you could spend up to two weeks on Caye Caulker, with a day trip over to San Pedro. But for this Belize 7 day itinerary, I recommend 4 blissful days relaxing on this Caribbean slice of paradise.
Looking for things to do in Caye Caulker? I have you covered! Check out my complete guide to Caye Caulker here!
How do I pronounce ‘Caye Caulker?’
Surprisingly, it’s not pronounced ‘Caye’ (c-ay) Caulker at all. It’s pronounced ‘key’ (k-ee) Caulker. We didn’t learn this until after arriving in Belize!
In general, we do not recommend stopping in Belize City. We had multiple safety concerns about staying there, from both locals and tourists. We also heard from locals that there isn’t much to do in Belize City, so it’s worth skipping out entirely.
Day 4-7: San Ignacio and mainland Belize
If you have arrived in Belize from Flores, Guatemala, your first stop may be San Ignacio. Or, if you’ve just been enjoying the Caribbean sun on Caye Caulker, your next stop is San Ignacio.
We loved San Ignacio, and it’s the perfect place to end your Belize 7 day itinerary. There are adventures to be had for all ages, and lots of free activities for backpackers.
From dense green jungle on the Hummingbird Highway, to delicious food, friendly locals and Mayan ruins, San Ignacio is one of the best places to visit in mainland Belize.
If you’re only there for a few days, it’s worth renting a car and driving to the surrounding national parks and areas.
After getting the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City, you will need to either rent a car or jump on a shuttle to San Ignacio. More information can be found on these journeys here:
This blog is PACKED full of information on San Ignacio, so be sure to check out some of the main posts below:
- BEST Hostels In San Ignacio, Belize: Backpacker
- Belize City To San Ignacio: Complete Backpacker Guide
- Xunantunich From San Ignacio: Day Trip COMPLETE Guide
- Best Restaurants in San Ignacio Belize
- Hummingbird Highway Belize: Ultimate Guide + Stops
+ more San Ignacio posts here!
Best things to do in Belize
Backpacking Belize means having the opportunity to do some of these incredible bucket list activities.
Our personal favourite was snorkelling with nurse sharks, stingrays and manatees, but even if you’re not a water person, there is still so much to see and do!
- Snorkelling with manatees, nurse sharks and stingrays (££)
- Taking a scenic flight over the Blue Hole (£££)
- Feeding the stingrays at the Iguana Reef Hotel (free)
- Scuba diving with manatees, sharks and stingrays (£££)
- Taking a sunset cruise in Caye Caulker (£)
- Kayaking on the Caribbean Sea (£ or free with your hostel)
- Tubing in the Caribbean Sea (£)
- Visiting the only Iguana Sanctuary in Central America (£)
- Hiring a 4×4 and driving the Hummingbird Highway or visiting Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve (££)
- Delving into Mayan history at the Cahal Pech Ruins and the Xunantunich ruins (£)
- Experiencing the ATM cave with a guide and tubing along the cave waters (£££)
For more things to do, and cheaper things to do in Belize, check out my post: Backpacking Belize: A Complete Guide.
Where to stay in Belize: Caye Caulker
If you don’t already know, Caye Caulker is small. Really, really small. So everyone gets to know everyone, regardless of what hostel you’re at.
There’s also a lot of talk about the hostels, and what makes them great (or not so great). If you’ve done your research, you will have heard about Bella’s Backpackers. Well, yes, it might be known as the ‘party’ hostel, but it doesn’t receive the best reviews (in person and online).
I’ve met people who have mixed reviews about Bella’s. Some have loved it, whilst some have checked out early. Do your research and read the reviews, so you know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for! You can read some of the helpful reviews here.
If you’d rather avoid the chaos of Bella’s, I highly recommend:
- Go Slow Hostel: We stayed here for over a week and it was perfect. Clean, comfortable, and in the best location on the island (it’s actually on the street next to Bella’s). There’s a large area to socialise and meet other backpackers, which we loved. The wifi is a little hit-and-miss, but it’s worth it! ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Sophie’s Guestrooms: If you want a quieter stay. This hostel only has 5 rooms and has a real homey vibe to it. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Tropical Oasis: for basic dorms but a good party and social vibe. Right next to Go Slow Hostel. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
Where to stay in Belize: San Ignacio
There are a few main hostels with good locations in San Ignacio for backpackers. We heard good things about all of the hostels I’ve recommended below, but make sure to do your own research too and check out the latest Hostelworld reviews (as things in hostels can change quickly!)
My biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We sadly missed out on some of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up quickly – so get booking!
- Old House Hostel (9.6, superb): This is the hostel most backpackers stay in when visiting San Ignacio. It’s right in the centre of town, has a good social scene and has exceptionally low prices. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Yellow Belly Backpackers (9.4, superb): Another hostel that we had friends stay in whilst in San Ignacio. A great social vibe for solo travellers, easy access to town (although a little further out than Old House), and is right next to the Cahal Pech Mayan ruins. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Bella’s Backpackers (8.2, fabulous): Another hostel situated in the middle of San Ignacio town which has mixed reviews, but is a great option if you’re on a budget. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
BACKPACKING BELIZE? You might also like my detailed guides on San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and my overall guide to backpacking Belize!
How to get around Belize
There are a few different ways to travel around Belize. They are:
- By shuttle bus (most popular backpacker option)
- By public bus (cheapest option)
- Ferry (to travel between the islands)
- Hiring a car
- Hitchhiking
We opted for both the shuttle and hiring a car, and of course, the ferries when travelling to and from Caye Caulker.
Shuttles around Belize are safe, easy and reliable. They pick you up from your hostel and take you directly to your next destination (for example, San Ignacio to Flores or Caye Caulker to San Ignacio).
Of course, they’re not as cheap as a public bus, but if you want an easy option, I’d highly recommend them. Whilst in Belize, we never paid more than £20 ($23 USD) for a one-way shuttle.
You can book your shuttles around Belize using either of the following reputable websites. They tend to use the same shuttle buses in Belize and are safe, reliable and easy to book.
Hiring a car in Belize
Hiring a car in Belize was our favourite way to travel around. By hiring a car, we were able to stop off in locations that were off the beaten track. For example, we hired a car to explore the Hummingbird Highway and Mountain Pine Ridge. If we didn’t have a car, we wouldn’t have been able to explore in the way that we did.
Driving in Belize is straightforward and safe. We were stopped at two police checkpoints, where they simply check the insurance sticker on the windscreen and then wave you on. The roads are well-maintained and easy to drive on, with little difference to driving in the UK or US.
Just bear in mind cars in Belize drive on the right-hand side of the road (which is the opposite of the UK).
Worried about driving in Belize? I’ve written a complete guide on driving in Belize to help!
Belize daily costs
Everyone talks about how expensive Belize is, but after arriving in Mexico, we didn’t find this to be the case! In most instances, things were cheaper than what we had paid in places like Isla Holbox and Tulum.
| Accommodation (per night) | Food (per day) | Activities (some activities are free!) | |
| Low-budget backpacker | Shared dorm: £8-15 | £20-30 | £0-50+ |
| Mid-range backpacker | Private room: £40-60 | £20-50 | £0-80+ |
Belize’s average costs (March 2023)
Prices will vary and depend on the time of year that you are visiting. My biggest tip when backpacking Central America is to book hostels in advance. We found the nicest and most popular hostels in Belize book up quickly, and if you don’t book with enough time, you could end up missing out!
TOP TIP: Most places in Belize only take cash. But, this is changing, and some now take card (just expect a 5-10% fee on top).
If you do need to withdraw cash, there are ATMs to use in all major towns like San Ignacio and islands like Caye Caulker. You can check out my post explaining the ATM situation on Caye Caulker here.
Belize 7 Day Itinerary: FAQs
1) Is Belize safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, Belize is a safe place for solo female travellers to visit. Throughout the entire time I spent in Belize, I felt safe. This includes on my own during the day and at night.
The locals were kind, welcoming and friendly. Yes, you do get a bit of heckling and asking whether you’d like a rum or other suspicious items, but it’s nothing harmful.
In fact, backpacking Belize was where I felt safest throughout our Central American travels.
But everyone’s experiences of Belize are different. What might feel safe to me, might not feel safe for you. But in general, I found there to be no issues or problems in Belize, no immediate threat of danger and most importantly, the people were kind!
As always, make sure you have travel insurance to have extra peace of mind. As a previous solo female traveller myself, I always use SafetyWing for insurance. They have the best cover for backpackers, and signing up is easy! You can check out their cover here.
2) How long can Brits stay in Belize?
If you are a UK or US resident, you will automatically get a 30-day visa when entering Belize. This means you do not need to apply for any other visa.
3) Is one week in Belize enough?
This depends on what you want to see. In this Belize 7 day itinerary, you see two sides of Belize; the Carribbean, tropical islands, as well as the dense, thick jungle of the mainland.
In my opinion, 7 days is the perfect time to explore both of these locations and have an amazing week-long trip to Belize.
4) What is the best month to go to Belize?
The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season; January to May. During these months, you can expect clear, sunny days with little rain.
Temperatures are cooler than in the peak summer months. It’s important to note that rainy/wet season in Belize is June through November.
5) Is Belize worth seeing?
Yes! Belize is so worth visiting. If you are backpacking Central America or want a budget-friendly holiday from the UK, Belize is an amazing choice.
From the abundance of wildlife to paradise beaches, crystal clear waters, epic adventure activities, jungle scenery and plenty of things to do, Belize is so worth visiting.
6) Is Belize cheap to visit?
Belize is much cheaper than backpacking Europe, the USA or Canada. It’s prices are similar to Mexico. It’s not the cheapest destination in Central America, but it’s certainly not the most expensive. We were pleasantly surprised with the prices in Belize.
See more in the section ‘Belize daily costs’ for a full breakdown.
7) Does everyone speak English in Belize?
Most people in Belize speak English. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. However, you will find most locals on the mainland also speak Spanish.
What to pack for a trip to Belize
When packing for your Belize 7 day itinerary, make sure you have the following items:
- All the obvious holiday wear (swimwear, sunglasses, sandals, beach clothes)
- Trainers to walk/hike in, especially for the Hummingbird Highway (I wear these trail running shoes for all hikes whilst backpacking)
- Sun cream (my favourite reef friendly one can be bought here)
- Day backpack for hikes and day trips
- Reusable filter water bottle (you cannot drink tap water in Belize!)
- Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner (these are really hard to buy in Central America!)
- Skin cream (skin dehydrates quickly in the sun; this is my favourite skin cream which I wear every day whilst backpacking!)
- GoPro waterproof camera to film all of your underwater footage – especially whilst snorkelling!
Where to go after Belize
Where do you head to after you’ve finished your Belize 7 day itinerary? The most popular options are either Bacalar, Mexico or Flores, Guatemala, depending on which way you are travelling.
San Ignacio, Belize is the gateway to Guatemala, so most backpackers spend a couple of nights here before heading into their next country. It’s an easy land crossing from San Ignacio to Flores (Guatemala).
Need help getting from San Ignacio to Flores? Check out my post: How To Get From San Ignacio To Flores.
If you visit Belize after Guatemala and BEFORE Mexico, I recommend travelling to Bacalar (Mexico) next.
Bacalar is easy to reach from Caye Caulker. You’ll board the water taxi, then it’s only a 30-minute bus away from Chetumal (the location where your water taxi drops you off in Mexico).
It’s a popular destination in Mexico due to its brightly coloured blue lakes and party atmosphere. All information about the boat between Belize and Mexico can be found here: How To Get From Chetumal To Caye Caulker (Belize).
What are the best areas in Belize for backpackers?
Looking to backpack Belize? So many backpackers skip Belize entirely but that is such a big mistake! It’s one of the most beautiful countries we have ever travelled to, and I cannot recommend it enough.
If you’re looking at where most backpackers travel to in Belize, this is a common route and Belize itinerary (which can also be followed the other way round).
- Chetumal (Mexico) > Caye Caulker
- Caye Caulker > San Ignacio
- San Ignacio > Flores (Guatemala)
Other locations some backpackers stay in whilst visiting Belize include:
- Hopkins: a beachside, sleepy town
- Placencia: a resort, holiday-like town
- Belize City: although it’s not a popular choice with most backpackers
- San Pedro: another Caribbean island
- Dangriga: where the Ragga Sailing tour ends from Caye Caulker
- Tobacco Caye: another island but on a much smaller scale
- The Hummingbird Highway: an epic jungle road from Dangriga to San Ignacio. You can stop off along the drive to hike through the jungle and visit the caves and watering holes.
- Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve: a large national park that can be accessed from San Ignacio.
More on all of these locations coming soon!
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Belize 7 Day Itinerary: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about a Belize 7 day itinerary. Now you can have an action-packed holiday in one of my favourite countries in the world!
When you’re planning a trip to Belize, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Belize content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Belize posts:
- BEST Hostels In San Ignacio, Belize: Backpacker 2023 Guide
- Can You Fly A Drone In Belize? Complete Guide
- Flores to Belize City: Complete Step-By-Step Guide
- Belize City To San Ignacio: Complete Backpacker Guide
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
