I had heard nothing but amazing things about Belize. So when we found ourselves with a major Delta credit, it quickly became one of the first destinations I researched. And as luck would have it, Delta flew directly to Belize with just a quick connection in Atlanta from Philly. But things took a turn the morning of our outbound flight. Philly’s airport had a sudden electrical issue in the Delta terminal, causing a delay that meant we would miss our connection. Cue the unexpected, yet welcome, twist: a direct flight from Baltimore on Southwest was available—and it was only $180 per person! We used 10k points each, raced to Baltimore, and somehow made it to Belize after all!
After a smooth 4-hour flight, we arrived in Belize City, only to find ourselves in an unexpected waiting game. The immigration line was absurdly long—about 3 hours to be exact. Our driver later told us it was the longest wait he’d ever seen. But eventually, we jumped into our shared shuttle and began the two-hour ride to the Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge, our home for the next three nights. We were greeted by the sounds of the jungle and the sight of our beautiful treehouse. We ordered room service (perhaps in this case treehouse service) and settled in for a restful night.
San Ignacio - A Jungle Escape
We had two full days to explore, so we made the most of it. In hindsight, we probably should’ve booked an ATM Cave Tour, but I wasn’t sure if my morning sickness would cooperate on such a lengthy excursion. So instead, we stayed close to the lodge, enjoying the trails, the beach area, the pool, and the neighboring botanical gardens. The on-site restaurant had a pretty decent menu, though the food became a bit repetitive after a few days. I also learned that the bugs in Belize really love me, despite my diligent application of bug spray and long sleeves.
We did make some unexpected jungle friends during our stay—one of was the cutest kinkajou that tried to sneak up on Sam at dinner.
On our third day, our Belizing shuttle arrived, and thankfully, it was just the two of us this time. After a much smoother two-hour drive, we arrived at the Water Ferry, where we caught a two-hour ferry ride to San Pedro—the second part of our Belize adventure.
Ambergris Caye - Beach Destination
San Pedro is one of the more popular spots in Ambergris Caye, and our resort, Alaia Belize, was a short 10-minute drive from the ferry terminal. A part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Alaia felt like one of the nicer resorts on the island though it was certainly on island time. It featured a few different pools, multiple dining options, a fitness center, and a spa, making it a great place to relax after a busy few days in the jungle.
Our first full day was easy: breakfast at Salt Air, followed by a few hours lounging at the pool. Afterward, we ventured off-site for lunch at South Station, a local spot just a short walk from the resort. The food was casual but incredibly delicious—definitely a surprise highlight.
For dinner, we strolled to The Hidden Treasure Restaurant, where I indulged in a surprisingly tasty fettuccine alfredo, while Sam sipped a pretty cocktail and enjoyed a steak.
Day two brought adventure in the form of a catamaran tour with Seaduced. We snorkeled, swam with sharks, explored Caye Caulker, and were treated to a dolphin sighting on the sail back to San Pedro. I’m so glad we booked this tour and would highly recommend it!
Our third day was all about exploring the island by golf cart. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation in San Pedro, and it’s easy to see why—they're everywhere! I’d pre-booked our cart on Viator with C&S Golf Cart Rentals, which made pickup right at our resort and drop-off upon our ferry departure seamless. That night we used our cart to zip over to Elvi’s Kitchen, a well-loved spot among locals and tourists alike.
Day four took us on a bumpy ride to Secret Beach. It didn’t quite live up to the "secret" in its name and felt more like a spring break-style party destination. If you’re after a peaceful beach day, I’d recommend skipping it.
That evening, we headed to Palmilla Restaurant at Victoria House Resort for a much-needed quiet dinner. The food was outstanding, and we were able to enjoy dessert outside, just as light rain began to sprinkle. We got back to the resort only slightly wet due to our cart ride in the drizzle.
On our final day, we traveled back to Belize City via ferry and then shared a shuttle to the airport. Getting through immigration was a breeze on the way back, and before we knew it, we were flying back to Philly via Atlanta.
Overall Thoughts
Belize felt a lot like Costa Rica—an exciting mix of jungle exploration and beach relaxation. While we loved the trip, next time, we might consider staying in just one location instead of splitting our time between the two. But for our first visit, I’m so glad we got to experience the best of both worlds. And honestly, if Southwest keeps offering direct flight deals like that one, you can bet we’ll be back sooner than later!
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