My First Trip to Belize – An Adventure to Remember

So, I’ve told you how I traveled to Belize… but let me tell you about the entire experience. Spoiler alert: it was AWESOME!

We kicked things off flying out of Atlanta with a quick layover in Ft. Lauderdale before heading to Belize. The flight itself was smooth and pretty uneventful—except for a funny twist. Our flight attendants were Jamaican, which immediately added a fun and lively energy. One of them joked, “No mile-high club on this flight!” and we all cracked up. It was early morning, so most passengers were still half-asleep, but that definitely woke everyone up with a smile.

Welcome to Belize 🇧🇿

After landing, we made our way through immigration and customs. That part was a bit slow (those lines can test your patience), but eventually we got our passports stamped and stepped out into the Belizean sunshine. We picked up our rental car and quickly realized GPS wasn’t exactly our friend—so we snapped a picture of a good old-fashioned map to help us navigate.

Pro tip: there’s a gas station called UNO near the airport (yes, literally “one” in Spanish) and we made sure to remember its location for our return trip.

Destination: Placencia

Our goal was to get to Placencia, down in the southern part of the country. This coastal town is gorgeous and we were so excited to spend our first Belize trip there. But first, we decided to take the scenic route.

Stop #1 – The Belize Zoo

We saw the zoo marked on our map and decided to check it out. But let me tell you—getting there was its own adventure. We had to ask for directions and were told, “Go past the white building, then over three bumps.” And you know what? It worked! The zoo was such a cool stop—full of local wildlife and a great way to stretch our legs and ease into vacation mode.

Belize Zoo

Beach Vibes & Good Times in Placencia

After the zoo, we continued our drive and finally arrived at our Airbnb—which just so happened to be right on the beach. Talk about a dream location! The bar next door served the best drinks, and the locals were so welcoming and friendly. We had our fill of fresh seafood and truly let ourselves relax. This was the Belize we’d imagined.

Placencia Beach & View

We also visited the famous Blue Hole, explored some breathtaking waterfalls, and just took in all the natural beauty around us.

Waterfall

Side note: bring Belize-approved mosquito repellent! Seriously, the mosquitoes laughed at our OFF spray like it was a joke.

Into the Jungle – Xunantunich Ruins

Another highlight was visiting the Xunantunich ruins—a must-see if you’re heading to Belize. Now, I’ll be honest—I have a fear of heights, but I was determined to be brave. The climb was intense, and by the time we made it up and down, I was completely wiped out! No judgment, okay? 😅

Xunantunich Ruins

The view from the top? Absolutely worth it. You can even see into Nicaragua from there. It’s surreal.

Looking over at Nicaragua

The Adventure Continues…

We spent the week exploring the countryside, dining at local spots, and just immersing ourselves in Belizean culture.

Oh, and there was also ziplining—but that’s a story for another post. Let’s just say I chickened out after the first leg thanks to some unexpected monkey business in the trees. 😳🙈

Before the zipline!

Belize was everything I needed and more—beautiful, adventurous, and full of unforgettable moments. If you’re thinking about going: do it. Just bring a spirit of adventure (and the right bug spray).

Until next time,

Loni the Wanderer ✈️🌴