Where to Stay in Belize: Best Destinations for First-Time Visitors
Choosing where to stay in Belize is the biggest challenge of planning a first visit. Belize has beautiful beaches, jungles, and offshore islands to chose from. And you can hop between them all on a 14-seater Tropic Air flight if you’re up for a big adventure. This guide helps you build the best Belize travel itinerary based on your travel style. We’ll tell you the best places to stay from our experiences at the boutique beach hotels of Placencia, the jungle lodges of San Ignacio, and the laid-back cayes.
Belize At a Glance
| Best for Beaches | Placencia |
| Best Budget Beach | Hopkins Beach |
| Best for Diving and Snorkeling | Ambergris Caye and Hol Chan Marine Reserve |
| Best for Jungle and Ruins | San Ignacio and the Cayo District |
| Best for Island Vibe | Caye Caulker |
| Best for Garifuna Culture | Hopkins Beach |
| Fly Into | Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) |
| Domestic Flights | Tropic Air |
| Language | English |
| Best Time to Visit | November to April |
| Do You Need a Car? | No — Tropic Air, shuttles, and water taxis cover everything |
| Currency | Belize Dollar and USD widely accepted |
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution |
Read on for our full description and experience in each destination plus how to get there, how to get around, and more.
1. Placencia, Belize: Best Beach Town for a Luxury Stay
We stayed at The Ellysian in Placencia, which is on the main strip (called the Sidewalk). This lovely boutique hotel has 13 rooms, a refreshing pool and poolside bar, and a gorgeous restaurant, Muna, on the top floor overlooking the town and ocean.
While some of the rooms are ocean facing, we had a quiet 700-square-foot condo on the other side of the building. We had a huge bathroom, partial view of the ocean from the bedroom window and one of the most comfortable beds we’ve ever had at an accommodation. The staff were so friendly and really went the extra mile.
They also cleaned up the seaweed on the beach every morning, which made the beach beautiful and the water great for swimming. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and dinner with stunning views everyday at the hotel restaurant and really enjoyed talking to everyone who worked there and took the time to make it special. We also scheduled wonderful, relaxing massages at the spa. The spa was just a massage room with tables, but it was still fantastic.
So this sounds more like a review of The Ellysian Hotel than Placencia, but we really did love it that much. You can also walk to the Barefoot Bar and the Tipsy Tuna, which have great drink specials, but the food was unmatched at Muna. There are plenty of shops to explore on the Sidewalk and you can arrange snorkeling trips around the islands off the coast, sunset cruises and more excursions. The beach is fantastic for walking if you’re into long walks on the beach like we are!
The only downside is that Placencia is a bit far from the international airport. We hopped a small flight with Tropic Air, which was every easy and efficient, even if it was claustrophobia inducing in such a small plane.
2. Hopkins Beach, Belize: Best for Garifuna Culture and Budget Travelers
Hopkins has a great local feel. It’s smaller, less touristy and more tranquil. You’ll get a bohemian vibe here and some more budget-friendly options. You can also experience the Garifuna culture, and if you get a chance, listen to the drums. We loved the shallow and soft-sand beach here for swimming. To snorkel or dive, though, you’ll have to arrange for an excursion.
Hopkins is generally more rustic than the luxury accommodations you will find in Placencia, but it was everything we were looking for. We stayed in a perfect little cabana on the beach at Coconut Row, which was really special. We slept with the windows open and listened to the sounds of the ocean and the tropical rain.
The property had a fantastic staff and great restaurant with a delicious Belizean breakfast to enjoy while feeling the ocean breeze and gazing at the sea. Ella’s Cool Spot is a great place for dinner, and Driftwood had surprisingly amazing pizza.
3. San Ignacio, Belize: Best Jungle Lodges and Adventure Activities
No trip to Belize would be complete without and excursion into the jungle. You probably don’t want to stay in San Ignacio proper, but there are plenty of beautiful jungle lodges in the Cayo District. We stayed at Table Rock Jungle Lodge, which was a gorgeous ecolodge with walking paths along the river, really friendly staff and delicious meals at the on-site restaurant.
We highly recommend splurging on a river view bungalow for the serenity. We really enjoyed sitting on our balcony and listening to the sounds of the jungle and viewing nature.
Your lodge can arrange a variety of activities
We opted to take a day trip into Guatemala to explore the Tikal ruins. This is a very long day trip, but was absolutely worth it. We’ve visited many historic sites and ruins around the world and Tikal was one of the coolest. If you don’t want to venture that far, Belize has plenty of amazing ruins to explore.
4. Ambergris Caye, Belize: Best for Diving, Snorkeling, and Nightlife
This is one of the most touristy spots in Belize, but it still has plenty of charm. On our first visit we stayed right in the heart of San Pedro at the SunBreeze Hotel. This spot has a great pool, restaurant, and beach view but you will be in the heart of all the hustle and bustle. It’s lively and more geared toward nightlife and diving. It’s admittedly not our favorite spot in Belize, but we still to enjoy it and think it’s worth checking out if you have time.
The main town of San Pedro is a party town with lots of traffic and activity, so if you want a bit more of a peaceful experience, head “north of the bridge.”
On our second visit, we stayed at White Sands Cove and absolutely loved it. The condos here are perfect for a longer stay. The property has a great pool and bar and serves an excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are a few good restaurants in walking distance, too. We loved Aji Tapa Lounge for dinner. You should note, however, that the cayes don’t have as nice of beaches as Placencia and Hopkins on the mainland. If we had to choose between them, we’d go with Placenica first, then Hopkins for a more budget-friendly laid-back vibe.
Regardless of where you stay on Ambergris Caye, you must snorkel or dive at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We’ve snorkeled the best spots in the world and this is absolutely one of them.
5. Caye Caulker, Belize: Best for a Laid-Back Island Experience
If you’re bringing your travel guitar and wearing a flowy dress and want to ride a bicycle and enjoy a slower pace than the San Pedro bustle, Caye Caulker might be for you. This little hippy island is super special. Our favorite moment was sitting at a picnic bench at a “restaurant” in someone’s backyard with travelers from around the world and sharing a whole fish and making our own drinks in the kitchen.
You can hang out at the split and watch the sun set at the Lazy Lizard. You even have a swimming beach near by, but like Ambergris Caye, there aren’t a lot of swimming beaches. Also, you can access the Hol Chan Marine Reserve from here, too. This is a fantastic snorkeling opportunity you can organize through a local tour company. We got to see sea turtles!
Getting to Belize: International Flights and the Airport
Direct flights to Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) are available from several major US cities.
- American Airlines flies nonstop from Miami in about 2 hours 17 minutes and from Dallas in about 3 hours 14 minutes.
- United flies nonstop from Houston in about 2 hours 44 minutes and from Denver in about 4 hours 33 minutes.
- Delta flies nonstop from Atlanta in about 3 hours 5 minutes.
- JetBlue offers nonstop service from New York in about 4 hours 17 minutes and from Los Angeles in about 5 hours 30 minutes.
We flew American from DCA through Miami, which was an easy connection.
From the international airport in Belize City, you can reach most destinations by domestic flight on Tropic Air, water taxi, or shuttle. Tropic Air is the fastest and most convenient option for reaching the cayes and southern destinations like Placencia. Book directly through the Tropic Air website and your accommodation can arrange ground transportation from the local landing strip. For San Ignacio, we highly recommend William’s Shuttle, which is reliable and well-reviewed. Water taxis connect Belize City to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye if small planes aren’t your preference.
Getting Around Belize: Domestic Flights, Shuttles, and Water Taxis
Belize is very set up for tourism. In some ways, this took away from our experience on our first trip because we like to stumble our way through different cultures and places with language barriers. But many people will take comfort knowing that Belize is an English-speaking country and most accommodations are ready to take care of their guests from arrival to departure. We find Belizean people to be kind and genuine.
The easiest way to get from place to place is by (tiny) flight. We love Tropic Air. Go directly to their website to book flights and your accommodation can arrange ground transportation from the landing strip. You can also travel by shuttle and water taxi if small planes aren’t your thing.
Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting Belize for the First Time
Is Belize Safe for Tourists?
Belize carries a Level 2 travel advisory from the US State Department, meaning Exercise Increased Caution. This is the same rating as many European destinations. The south side of Belize City carries a separate Level 3 rating due to gang-related crime, but this area does not overlap with the typical tourism destinations. Placencia, Hopkins, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and San Ignacio are all well-established tourist areas where most visitors travel without incident. Avoid Belize City’s south side, don’t walk at night in unfamiliar areas, and take standard precautions with valuables.
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Belize?
- Placencia is our best overall pick for first-time visitors who want beach, dining, and easy access to excursions.
- Hopkins is the best budget alternative with a more local feel.
- Ambergris Caye is an excellent choice for divers and nightlife seekers.
- San Ignacio is the base for jungle and ruins adventures.
- Caye Caulker suits travelers who want a laid-back island vibe and a slow pace.
Do You Need a Car in Belize?
No. Domestic flights on Tropic Air connect the main destinations quickly and affordably. Shuttles, water taxis, and accommodation-arranged transfers handle the rest. A car is not necessary and most visitors don’t rent one.
How Expensive Is Belize?
Belize is more expensive than most of its Central American neighbors, other than potentially Costa Rica. Accommodations, food, and activities cost noticeably more than Panama or Guatemala. Budget travelers can keep costs down in Hopkins and Caye Caulker. Placencia and Ambergris Caye skew higher. Factor in domestic flights if you’re moving between multiple destinations, which can add up. It’s worth noting, however, that Belize is still much less expensive than many Caribbean destinations and we love it more.
Sample Belize Itinerary: One Week to Two Weeks
Belize is big enough that one week won’t cover everything, and trying to rush through all five destinations would leave you exhausted. Two weeks is best if you want the full experience. For shorter trips, we recommend doing eight nights from Saturday to the following Sunday and picking one of these wo itineraries based on your travel style.
Beach and Culture Itinerary: Placencia, Hopkins, and San Ignacio
This route covers the mainland and works well as a milk run on Tropic Air. Fly from Belize International Airport to Hopkins, spend two to three nights, then take a shuttle to Placencia for three nights. From Placencia, fly Tropic Air to San Ignacio for two to three nights before shuttling back to the international airport. Check current Tropic Air routes before booking since the milk run schedule can change.
For travelers who don’t want to move around much, three nights in San Ignacio and four in Placencia is a perfectly comfortable alternative that still combines beach and jungle.
Island and Jungle Itinerary: Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, and San Ignacio
This route suits divers, snorkelers, and anyone drawn to island life. Spend two nights on Caye Caulker, then hop to Ambergris Caye for three nights, then fly to San Ignacio for three nights before heading home. For a seven-night version, cut one night on Ambergris.
Again, if you don’t want to travel around that much, pick one island to combine with the jungle. They’re so different from each other, it will really just depend on your personal style.
Two Weeks in Belize
Two weeks lets you combine both itineraries and do the country properly. Start on the mainland with Hopkins and Placencia, add San Ignacio, then finish on the cayes. You’ll leave with a real sense of how different each part of the country feels.
Do You Need to Visit San Ignacio?
We definitely think so, but it depends on your interests. Spending time in the jungle, exploring ancient Maya ruins, and doing cave tubing and zip lining are experiences you won’t find on the cayes or the southern beaches. If adventure travel and history are a priority, San Ignacio deserves at least three nights. If you’re primarily a beach traveler, Placencia and Hopkins can fill a week on their own without feeling like you’ve missed anything.
I’m most interested in 1,2,3. I love the idea of a spa , massages, and relaxing vibes. Also I love how in coconut row you slept with the windows open. Sounds so dreamy. I would have to take a ferry over to #1 , I wouldn’t be able to do the smaller plane. Definitely will be looking into Belize for a next trip. Thanks guys!