4 Days in Belize: The Ultimate San Pedro & Caye Caulker Itinerary
Planning a Belize itinerary and not sure where to start? If you’re dreaming of turquoise water, snorkelling with marine life, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like flying over the Great Blue Hole – this 4-day Belize itinerary has you covered.
Belize was the first stop on my Central America solo trip, and honestly, it set the bar high. I spent four unforgettable days exploring San Pedro and Caye Caulker, balancing adventure with slow, sun-soaked moments.
From scenic flights and reef views to some of the best tacos I’ve ever had, here’s exactly how to spend 4 days in Belize, plus what I’d do differently next time.
Day 1: Arrival in Belize & Getting to San Pedro
My flight from Vancouver (via Toronto) landed just after 1pm. After chatting with the couple next to me, we shared a taxi to the Belize Ferry Terminal (around $20 USD – highly recommend splitting this if you can).
From there, I booked a round-trip ticket with the San Pedro Belize Express ($60 USD) and headed straight to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye – my base for the next few days.
Getting Around San Pedro
When I arrived, I met a couple of girls heading to the same hostel, and we shared a taxi ($10 USD).
Tip: If you’re staying a few days, consider renting a golf cart. It’s one of the most popular ways to get around San Pedro, and in the heat (35°C+), you’ll be glad you did.
Where to Stay in San Pedro
I stayed in a shared dorm at Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant.
What I loved:
Rooftop pool (perfect for sunset)
Free continental breakfast
Social atmosphere – super easy to meet people
What to note:
If you travel during seaweed season, the smell of sargassum (seaweed) can be quite strong near the beach and sometimes drifts into rooms
Best Tacos in San Pedro (Don’t Miss This Spot)
After settling in to our hostel, we headed up for a rooftop swim before getting ready for dinner. We watched the sunset from the hostel bar, then wandered into town looking for food.
We stumbled across Big Taste – and I’m not exaggerating when I say I had some of the best birria tacos of my life here. I ended up going back twice during my trip, which says it all.
Day 2: Blue Hole Scenic Flight Experience
If you’re deciding whether the Great Blue Hole scenic flight is worth it – this is your sign to do it.
I had a slow morning before making the 15–20 minute walk to San Pedro Airport for my 1pm flight with Tropic Air.
What to Expect on the Blue Hole Flight
20-minute flight each way
Quick stop in Caye Caulker to pick up passengers
Unreal aerial views of coral reefs and islands
20 minutes circling the Great Blue Hole
The pilot circles multiple times in both directions so everyone gets a perfect view – and honestly, it’s even more surreal in person than in photos.
Cost: ~$250 USD
Verdict: Expensive, but 100% worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Things to Do in San Pedro (Afternoon Ideas)
After the flight, I spent the afternoon exploring more of San Pedro:
Grabbed lunch (chicken gringas at a local taco bar – so good)
Stopped by the Belize Chocolate Company for authentic local chocolate
Went searching for the Iguana Eco Sanctuary
Iguana Eco Sanctuary – Worth Visiting?
This small sanctuary is tucked away near the mangroves and runs on donations. It took me a bit of wandering to find (Google Maps wasn’t super reliable), but if you’re looking for a cheap thing to do in Belize, it’s worth it.
You’ll get to see iguanas up close in a relaxed, low-key setting.
Evening in San Pedro
I headed back to the hostel for some air conditioning and downtime before meeting the girls again for a drink by the water.
We ended the night with cheap cocktails at the hostel – I opted for an early night ahead of the next day, while they stayed out to enjoy the nightlife.
Day 3: Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkelling & Sunset Sail
If you’re looking for the best snorkelling in Belize, this was easily one of the highlights of my entire Central America trip.
Before heading out, I had three things on my Belize bucket list: a turtle, a ray, and nurse sharks – and somehow, this day delivered all three.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkelling Tour
We departed from the jetty in front of Sandbar Hostel and sailed out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The boat itself was more of a sailboat, which made for a smooth, scenic ride out to sea.
Just as we arrived, the skies opened and it started pouring – but luckily it only lasted about five minutes before clearing up again.
Once geared up with snorkels and fins, we jumped in – and within minutes, I spotted my first turtle.
From there, it only got better:
A spotted eagle ray gliding effortlessly through the water
Multiple stingrays and nurse sharks
Barracuda and schools of tropical fish
We spent around 30–45 minutes in the water, and it honestly felt like swimming through an aquarium.
Shark Alley – Swimming with Nurse Sharks
Next stop: Shark Alley, one of the most popular snorkelling spots in Belize.
Here, clusters of nurse sharks gather near the boats. I’ll admit I was hesitant at first, but they’re known to be harmless, and as long as you keep a respectful distance, it’s a completely safe (and very cool) experience.
Sunset Sail in San Pedro
To top off the day, I headed back out for a sunset sailing tour – and it was the perfect way to end things.
Warm Caribbean breeze
Rum punch in hand
Fresh ceviche with nachos and pico de gallo
Watching the sun dip below the horizon from the water was one of those slow, “this is why I travel” moments.
Day 4: Caye Caulker Day Trip Itinerary
No Belize itinerary is complete without a visit to Caye Caulker – the laid-back, slightly more rustic sister island to San Pedro.
I took an early ferry with Caribbean Sprinter ($42 USD return), mainly because their terminal was closer to my hostel.
The Split – Best Swimming Spot in Caye Caulker
As soon as I arrived, I met a lovely family from Alabama and ended up spending the day exploring with them.
Our first stop was The Split, one of the most iconic spots on the island.
Expect:
Beach bars and music
A jumping platform
Picnic tables set right in the water
It’s the kind of place you could easily spend an entire day. I grabbed a drink from the famous Lazy Lizard and soaked up the atmosphere.
Stingrays at Iguana Reef Inn
Next, we wandered over to Iguana Reef Inn, where stingrays gather in the shallow water.
This ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun stops of the day – we stood in the water as stingrays swam right past us (yes, you can gently touch them!).
At one point, there were at least five circling around us.
Tarpon Feeding Experience (Budget-Friendly Must-Do)
For a super affordable activity, we finished the day with tarpon feeding.
Cost: ~$2.50 USD
You’re given small fish to feed them
The tarpons jump out of the water to grab it
You do need to hold the fish a specific way (to avoid losing a finger 😅), but it’s such a fun, slightly adrenaline-filled experience – and incredible value for money.
Departure Day: Back to the Mainland
My final day in Belize was purely a travel day, but worth including for itinerary planning.
I had a midday shuttle to Flores, so I caught a morning ferry back to the mainland – marking the end of my time in Belize.
Final Thoughts: 4 Days in Belize
Belize completely exceeded my expectations and is easily one of the most underrated destinations in Central America.
Top experiences:
What I’d do differently:
Rent a golf cart from day one
Plan transport to smaller attractions in advance (to avoid getting lost like I did!)
Base myself in Caye Caulker and instead do a day trip to San Pedro
If you’re planning a 4-day Belize itinerary, this route gives you the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and iconic experiences.
Next stop: Guatemala…
If you’re planning your own trip, I’ve put together a full cost breakdown of Belize and my entire Central America itinerary — you can read it here.