Belize offers an incredible mix of Caribbean beaches, ancient Maya ruins, and the world's second-largest barrier reef. From diving the Great Blue Hole to exploring jungle temples, this small Central American nation packs adventure, culture, and natural beauty into every corner.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)
ATM is a wading and swimming cave tour through a limestone cavern that the ancient Maya used for ritual ceremonies, ending in a chamber holding skeletal remains, including the calcified skeleton known as the Crystal Maiden, along with ceramic vessels left as offerings. Visitors swim across a pool at the entrance, then wade and scramble through chest-deep water and over rocks for roughly an hour before climbing into the dry chamber to view the artifacts and remains on foot, in socks only. It is a physical, immersive cave trip rather than a walk-through show cave, and access is only permitted with a licensed guide.
Highlights: Sacred Maya cave with skeletal remains and pottery in situ · Crystal Maiden — calcified skeleton of a young Maya woman · Underground river swimming and wading · Ancient ceremonial chambers deep inside the mountain
Tikal National Park, Guatemala
Tikal is one of the largest excavated Maya cities, its stone temple-pyramids rising above the jungle canopy in the Petén region of Guatemala, a cross-border day trip from San Ignacio. The scale of the site sets it apart from Belize's own ruins: multiple plazas, causeways connecting temple groups, and Temple IV tall enough to climb for a canopy-level view over the forest. Howler monkeys and toucans are commonly heard and seen moving through the surrounding jungle as you walk the site.
Highlights: Temple I and Temple II towering over the Gran Plaza · Temple IV — tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas at 65m · Spider and howler monkeys in the jungle canopy above the ruins · Sunrise or sunset from Temple IV with special permit
Lamanai Archaeological Reserve
Lamanai is a Maya site reached by a boat ride up the New River through wetlands where crocodiles, herons, and other wildlife are commonly spotted en route, making the journey itself part of the day. The ruins include the High Temple, one of the tallest Maya structures in Belize, plus a ball court and a small on-site museum of artifacts recovered from the site. Lamanai was occupied for an unusually long span, into the colonial period, which shows in structures and artifacts spanning different eras.
Highlights: High Temple — one of the tallest Maya structures in Belize at 33m · Mask Temple with massive carved stone masks · Crocodiles and howler monkeys along the boat ride up river · Orchid-filled jungle surrounding the site
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Mountain Pine Ridge is a highland reserve of pine forest, unusual within Belize's mostly tropical broadleaf landscape, cut through with rivers and waterfalls. The main draws are natural swimming spots, notably the pools below Big Rock Falls and the Rio On Pools, where granite boulders form a series of natural water slides and swimming holes. The Rio Frio Cave, a large walk-through limestone cave carved by the Rio Frio river, is also within the reserve and is a much easier, non-wading visit than ATM.
Highlights: Hidden Valley Falls — highest waterfall in Central America at 500m drop · Rio Frio Cave — large cavern with a river flowing through it · Rio On Pools — granite swimming holes carved by centuries of water · Pine forest dramatically different from the lowland jungle
Caye Caulker Island
Caye Caulker is a small, low-key island off Belize City, reached by water taxi, known for its car-free streets, split channel swimming spot, and easy access to the reef for snorkeling trips. The pace here is slower and more low-key than Belize's mainland towns, with sand streets instead of paved roads and golf carts as the main vehicles. Most day-trippers combine time on the island itself with a boat trip out to the reef for snorkeling.
Highlights: Snorkeling with nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley · The Split — narrow channel perfect for swimming and sunset cocktails · Laid-back cycling around the largely car-free island · Fresh grilled lobster from beach shacks during season (July-February)
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from San Ignacio to Caracol, ATM Cave, and Tikal from $70-150 per person through operators like Pacz Tours and Caesar's Place. Includes transport and guide.
- Private
- Rental car or 4WD hire from $60-120/day for independent exploration of Mountain Pine Ridge and Cayo District. Required for Caracol road.
- Public
- Chicken buses serve major towns cheaply. Belize City to San Ignacio: $6 BZD (2.5 hrs). Orange Walk to Lamanai boat: additional $30 tour from Orange Walk. Water taxis serve the cayes.
- Rental
- Car rental from $60-120/day for compact to 4WD. 4WD essential for Caracol and Mountain Pine Ridge. Rental agencies in Belize City, San Ignacio, and Ambergris Caye.
Multi-day tours from Belize
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from BelizeWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start Caracol and ATM Cave trips by 7AM from San Ignacio — midday heat is intense and ATM requires swimming
Bring your passport on any day trip to Guatemala (Tikal) — cross at Benque Viejo del Carmen border
Book Tikal day trips with operators in San Ignacio who handle the border crossing and Guatemalan entry fee
Check road conditions before driving to Caracol in rainy season — 4WD roads can become impassable after heavy rain