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9 Days in Belize: Hopkins, Ambergris Caye & San Ignacio Adventures

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I can’t believe this trip was only 9 days — it felt like we packed so much into that short span. I spent the first 3 nights in Hopkins, a vibrant Garifuna village on the water, before my family arrived. Once they joined me on Ambergris Caye, we were 6 people in total, and it quickly became a trip I hope becomes an annual tradition.

Here’s how we spent the next 6 days of our trip together.

Jump List

Getting Around Belize: Transport Prices

Belize City → Ambergris Caye (San Pedro)

We flew from Belize City to San Pedro on Tropic Air for about $60 USD. The flight is short (15 minutes) and gives you unreal aerial views of the reef.

You can also take the water taxi (about $21 per person, ~1.5 hours). Budget-friendly, just slower.

Ambergris Caye → San Ignacio

We flew back to Belize City to travel inland to San Ignacio, with a private shuttle for $40 per person. But, you can also take a Water taxi to Belize City, then taxi to the bus terminal, then take a local “chicken bus” (~$5.50) to San Ignacio

This option would takes about 2.5 hours total and is very doable. Not the most comfortable, but a classic local experience.

San Ignacio → Belize City Airport

We booked a private shuttle ($40 per person) for peace of mind before our flight.

Ambergris Caye (San Pedro): Beach Days & Swimming with Sharks

Our Airbnb was in San Pedro, the main town on Ambergris Caye. San Pedro is where you’ll find most of the island’s restaurants, beach bars, dive shops, resorts, and grocery stores — it’s the hub of activity.

Ambergris Caye, on the other hand, refers to the entire island. Once you leave San Pedro, things stretch out quickly into quieter roads, beach homes, boutique resorts, and more remote pockets of sand.

Everyone rents golf carts — and it’s absolutely essential. Ours was about $60 per day.

We spent one full afternoon at Secret Beach Waterpark Bar & Grill, on the island’s western side. Despite the name, it’s no longer secret — it’s developed into a cluster of beach clubs and restaurants. It’s less about pristine isolation and more about relaxed social energy: drinks in the water, music in the background, and no rush to leave.

It’s also the gateway to some of the best marine life in the Caribbean. We booked a tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and nearby Shark Ray Alley.

It’s the kind of experience you talk about long after the trip ends.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley

A boat tour took us snorkeling in Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley – we had the option to go scuba diving as well.

  • Hol Chan: Stunning marine life, including turtles and nurse sharks; excellent for scuba.
  • Shark Ray Alley: Snorkeling only; very touristy with feeding of stingrays and nurse sharks. Really fun. some would argue unethical because you’re feeding the sharks for their attention and disrupting their natural patterns…

Swimming with sharks sounds dramatic. And it is — at first. But the sharks here are nurse sharks, which are considered docile and generally harmless to humans. They’re curious, not aggressive.

Sunset Palace Beach Club
Relaxed in a cabana (free with food/drink purchase) and enjoyed a laid-back afternoon before heading back to San Pedro.

The Truck Stop
A casual evening hangout with multiple food stalls, bars, and games — a nice local contrast to the reef adventures.

San Ignacio: Jungle Adventures & Mayan Ruins

San Ignacio was our final mainland stop — a mix of adventure, history, and local culture.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Tour

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. This sacred Maya ceremonial site was used over 1,000 years ago, particularly during periods of drought. Inside, archaeologists discovered pottery, artifacts, and skeletal remains, including the famous “Crystal Maiden,” whose skeleton still rest in the cave today.

The tour begins with a jungle hike and river crossings before you swim into the cave entrance. From there, it’s a guided adventure through waist-deep water, over rocks, and through narrow passages, all by headlamp. Now, cameras are prohibited to preserve the site, because someone dropped their camera on the skeleton and broke the skull.

A 3-hour guided cave adventure with Maya Walk Tours ($110 each).

Exploring San Ignacio

San Ignacio is about adventure outside the town, not nightlife inside it. theres plenty of tamales and tacos on the street, a boba store. Walked through the town for street food and local markets.

  • Stopped by the Macal River at sunset to enjoy nature.
  • If you’re there on a Saturday, the San Ignacio Market is a must-see for fresh produce and authentic local specialties.

If We Had More Time in Belize

Staying longer would have been better. If I were planning this trip again, here’s what I’d add.

Caye Caulker

Smaller, flatter, and completely car-free, Caye Caulker is often described as the even more laid-back sibling to Ambergris Caye. Golf carts give way to bikes, sandy paths replace paved roads, and the motto is famously “Go Slow.”

It’s known for:

  • Easy access snorkeling and diving
  • Budget-friendly guesthouses
  • A backpacker-meets-diver atmosphere
  • The Split — a popular swimming and hangout area

If I returned, I’d likely split island time between Ambergris (for infrastructure and variety) and Caye Caulker (for simplicity and slower mornings).

Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a 400-foot-deep marine sinkhole located about 60 miles offshore. It’s part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most iconic dive sites in the world.

Here’s what I’ve gathered from divers:

  • Cost: typically $300–$350 for a full-day, three-dive trip
  • Long boat ride (often 2+ hours each way)
  • Limited marine life at depth — the draw is the dramatic stalactites and geological formation

It’s not a colorful reef dive — it’s a deep, technical-feeling experience focused on scale and atmosphere.

If you’re an experienced diver, it’s bucket-list.
If you’re newer or prefer vibrant reef life, many say Belize’s reef dives (like Half Moon Caye or Lighthouse Reef) are equally — if not more — rewarding.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Near San Ignacio, Xunantunich is one of Belize’s major Mayan archaeological sites.

  • $5 USD entrance fee
  • A short, hand-cranked ferry across the river to enter
  • The climb to El Castillo offers sweeping views toward Guatemala

From what I’ve heard, it’s significantly quieter and less commercialized than major Mexican sites like Chichen Itza. Fewer vendors, fewer crowds, more space to explore at your own pace.

If we had an extra day in San Ignacio, this would have been at the top of my list.

Belize Takeaways

  • Hopkins: ocean-side village known for Garifuna people and everyone.
  • Ambergris Caye: Reef adventures, larger island vibe, golf carts essential.
  • San Ignacio: Adventure hub; ruins, caves, and jungle immersion.
  • Transport Tips: Water taxis and buses are reliable; private shuttles for airport connections are worth it.
  • Costs: Dive excursions are expensive but memorable; island transportation and meals are moderate.

Belize blends friendly locals, incredible wildlife, and lush landscapes — from the ocean to the jungle. By the end of our 9-day trip, we felt completely immersed in adventure, and color of this tiny but unforgettable country.

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