Families looking for beach days, hikes through the jungle, and visits to ancient Maya ruins will find that the Central American country of Belize is an excellent vacation spot. I spent a few days deep in the rainforest before heading to Ambergris Caye and found it was the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration. The people of Belize could not be more welcoming, and it was particularly easy to get around town as the primary language is English, and US dollars were widely accepted.
A Few Days in the Rainforest at Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge
I immediately felt myself relax when I arrived at Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge, as the lush landscape and animal sounds enveloped me. Situated on 7,200 acres of private forest preserve, the eco-lodge welcomes families and couples to enjoy this property that really caters to travelers looking for both adventure and top-notch service.
The property was purchased by a Belizian family in 2001 and was previously used as a vacation destination where friends and family could gather. You can see the love and attention that went into the property’s recent renovations, and this level of detail continues today, making guests feel like welcomed family members from the moment they arrive.
Getting to the Mountain Pine Ridge area of Belize is part of the adventure. It’s about two hours from the Belize City airport with most of the journey on paved roads until you get close to the lodge. Airport pickup is available, or you can rent a car and make the drive yourself. But the effort is well worth it when you see the miles of hiking trails, secret waterfalls, and swimming holes that the property offers.
Accommodations
Families will find a variety of comfortable lodging options, from private cottages to villas designed for larger groups. The Valley View Villa is ideal for multi-generational families or those traveling with teens, as it sleeps up to eight people and has two separate bedrooms, a kitchen, a plunge pool, and even an outdoor shower. The smaller cottages are still quite roomy, and all the accommodations have screened windows to keep the bugs out and the sounds of the rainforest in. Wood-burning fireplaces, clawfoot bathtubs, and hammocks are features that guests particularly enjoy.
@k8loweth Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge in Belize @Travel Belize #belize #hiddenvalley #travel #traveltiktok
♬ Live Your Beautiful Life – Gray Griggs
One of the highlights of Hidden Valley is the top-notch culinary experience offered there. All of the vegetables, chicken, eggs, milk, farmed tilapia, peanuts, copal sap, honey, grass-fed beef, pork, and lamb are sourced from within 15 miles of the property, and you can expect to find inventive dishes highlighting the Belizean cuisine. They are especially accommodating of families and there is plenty for even the pickiest toddlers to enjoy.
Activities
While you can definitely spend all your time relaxing by the property’s swimming pool, one of the best things about Hidden Valley is all of the activities that they offer. Parents looking for a little relaxation time can book the kids in the kids’ club, where they will learn all about the area’s flora and fauna. Then, parents can enjoy a cooking or chocolate-making class, go on a birding tour, or hike to one of the property’s waterfalls.
If you are looking to head off-property, I’d recommend a day trip to visit the stunning Caracol Maya Temple, where you can learn about this area’s history. A stop at Rio on Pools will let you cool off in some swimming holes before you meet the hundreds of butterflies and hummingbirds that reside at Green Hills Butterfly Ranch. This and other off-property excursions can be arranged by the resort, so you don’t have to set off on your own to explore beautiful Belize.
Beach Days on Ambergris Caye
When your family is ready to head off to enjoy some of Belize’s stunning beaches, you’ll want to book some time on Ambergris Caye. Belize’s largest island is reached by taking a short (but exciting!) flight from Belize City (or you can take a ferry if tiny planes aren’t your thing). Most visitors make their way around the small island on golf carts which are easily bookable from shops near the airport, or minivan taxis are also available.
The Phoenix Resort
Families will find that The Phoenix Resort is an excellent option as the rooms are quite spacious and include full kitchens. Families can opt for two- or three-bedroom suites that have multiple bathrooms, a washer/dryer, and a balcony to take in the water views. While there’s no beach access directly in front of the property, the prime location near plenty of restaurants, shops, and grocery stores makes it an easy choice for families. If parents want to spend a day scuba diving or exploring a nearby island, they can enroll the kids in the property’s kids’ club program, which includes activities like canvas art painting, kite flying, and water balloon games.
A Day on Caye Caulker
The colorful island of Caye Caulker is often featured on social media and there are many reasons why visitors enjoy a day there. Its location near Ambergris Caye makes it the perfect day trip for those looking for a change of scenery.
Families can book an excursion to the island that includes snorkeling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and swimming with manatees along the way. While many Caye Caulker visitors are there for the rum beverages, you’ll also find lots of shopping opportunities and delicious Belizean food to be enjoyed. We grabbed a spot at Chef Kareem’s UnBelizeable Lunch (for the fabulous name if nothing else), and the fresh grilled seafood was absolutely delicious.
Most Caye Caulker tours include a stop to look for seahorses at the Seahorse Ranch Reserve near the Iguana Reef Inn. These tiny creatures are amazing to watch, and this is definitely an experience that kids will enjoy. Then swing by the tarpon feeding dock to experience these massive fish that eat right out of your hand! Our day with Ramon’s Island Adventures was one I won’t soon forget.
A dinner at Black & White Garifuna Restaurant should definitely be on your list when you visit Ambergris Caye. In addition to a massive buffet of Belizean cuisine, you’ll get a history lesson on all the ethnic groups that make up Belize, and you can enjoy music and dancing throughout the meal.
For more information on what to do and where to stay when visiting stunning Belize with kids, visit the Travel Belize website.
Editor’s note: This trip was paid for by Travel Belize, but all opinions belong to the writer.
