Belize Family Vacation:
The Cayes and the Cayo District
My family has a particular vacation style: active, novel, and adventurous — but not too much hiking for the kids (insert eye roll).
When I sat down to narrow the list for summer ’26, I kept coming back to our favorite family trips from years past. Costa Rica was unequivocally the favorite destination for all five of us. We loved the adrenaline-pumping activities, the exposure to a different culture, the food, the animals. It was pretty much the perfect trip. We also loved Mexico, which had been the kids’ first experience at an all-inclusive resort and they enjoyed snorkling off the shore so much, that I really wanted to take them for a richer Caribbean experience.
It was clear Latin America was pulling us back.
I needed a destination that was part jungle adventure, part beach chill. A family trip to Belize checked every box.
Because we’re not a pick-a-place-and-park-it kind of family, we split our time in Belize into what felt like two completely different trips with two completely different vibes. This is a recap of the first half: a Belize mainland vacation in the Cayo District.
In this recap, we will cover:
When most people think of Belize, they think of scuba diving, and rightly so. Belize is home to the largest living reef in the world (yes, Australia has the largest reef, but most the Great Barrier Reef is actually dead). Most people flock to the Belizean cayes and coastal towns like Placencia to soak up the sun and Caribbean vibes. Mainland tours are offered from most of these spots, but they’re long, exhausting day trips that don’t let you actually experience what Belize’s interior has to offer.
So, wanting a more immersive experience, we decided to stay 4 nights in the Cayo Districts. If you’ve been to Costa Rica, think of Cayo like the Arenal region: lush jungle, waterfalls, and no shortage of ways to get your adrenaline pumping.
INSIDER TIP If you want a fully immersive Belizean experience, don’t skip the mainland!
Choosing Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge
All-inclusive resorts aren’t typically our family’s style; we love exploring on our own terms. But when I came across Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, I knew we had to stay there. You can book accommodations, excursions, and meals separately and do everything à la carte, but for this trip, we went all-inclusive. Best. Decision. Ever.
Getting to the Cayo District: Belize City to Caves Branch
From DFW, Belize City is only about a 3-hour flight. (Note: Belize City (BZE) is the only major international airport in the country, so unless you’re driving form Mexico or Guatemala, it will be the gateway city for any trip).
The airport in Belize City is tiny and you deplane right on the tarmac, which is a fun first-five-minutes-in-a-new-country experience for the kids. Do not take any photos or video after you get off the plane. Officials will be watching to ensure that you don’t. They will direct you through the door that leads to the immigration and customs desks.
Have your passports handy along with a completed Belize Digital Immigration and Customs Declaration Form. Paper copies are available at the airport, but do yourself a favor and complete it ahead of time. Print it if possible and bring it with you. This will save you real time in the customs line, which matters when you’re traveling with kids who are ready to be anywhere other than an airport line.
After a quick restroom stop, we met our driver outside. Driving in Belize is manageable for tourists, and even encouraged, but with an all-inclusive trip already booked, renting a car didn’t make sense for us — especially with gas running around $7 USD/gallon as of June 2026. Fuel is significantly more expensive than in the United States, so be sure to factor this into your budget.
It takes around an hour and a half to drive from the airport to Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, passing through small villages and eventually the capital city of Belmopan. We used the time to visit with our driver.
Side note: If there is one piece of travel advice that I have, it is- Take advantage of your time with the locals. Chatting with them and asking questions is the best way to learn about the place you’re visiting. Ask them about where they live, their family, and their traditions and customs. And of course, be sure to ask them for activity and restaurant recommendations. The locals will tell you what the guidebooks won’t!
When you turn east in Belmopan, the scenery changes abruptly and marshy grasslands transform into rolling hills of lush jungle. This is the Hummingbird Highway and it’s just as beautiful as the name makes it sound.
Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is located 25 minutes down the road.
INSIDER TIP Take advantage of any time spent with the locals. Talk to your drivers and your guides. Ask them about what life is like in their country. You can learn so much! They’re also a great source for local recomendations.
Arriving at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge
The moment you turn onto the property, you know you’re in for something special: a dirt road lined with palms and bright tropical flowers leads to an open-air reception area. After a quick check-in (waivers for the whole family — standard for adventure lodges like this one), we dropped our bags and were shown to our bungalow for a tour of the property.
Be sure to check out my post where I give you a complete break down of our stay at Ian Anderson’s Cave Branch Adventure Lodge. Spoiler alert: It was an amazing experience, start to finish!
After enjoying welcome drinks of rum punch (or just punch for the kids), we headed back to the bungalow to regroup for dinner at 6:00.
Planning Belize Cave Tours: ATM Cave vs. Waterfall Cave
During dinner, a guide came by to talk with us about excursion options for the next day. While I came fully prepared to tackle the famous ATM Cave, the guide recommended a waterfall jumping cave tour. I saw my kids’ eyes light up. According to the tour description, this is one of the most challenging excursions Caves Branch offers and the minimum recommended age is “mature 10.” I had no doubts that our teenage sons would be fine. Our daughter is a mature almost-10, but she’s pretty brave and relatively athletic, so we decided to give it a go.
Next up: We take on the waterfalls. Inside of caves. It was AWESOME!
-Erica
