Belize is compact, occupying about 9,000 square miles. But don't let its size throw you off. Swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers will discover paradisiacal spots along the barrier reef like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Great Blue Hole. Wildlife-seekers will marvel at Belize's magnificent jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, parakeets and keel-billed toucans at the Belize Zoo. And culture hounds will reach new heights exploring impressive Mayan archaeological sites like Corozal, Altun Ha and Lamanai.

• Caye Caulker - Avail yourself of the amazing array of water activities – from kitesurfing and paddle boarding to snorkelling and diving.
• Actun Tunichil Muknal - Spelunk in Belize's most dramatic cave.
• San Pedro - Enjoy sunset cocktail on the deck of a sailboat cruising offshore.
• Lighthouse Reef - Descend into the darkness of the Blue Hole Natural Monument.
• Caracol - Explore remote and ancient Maya ruins.
• Placencia - Eat, drink, slack and snorkel at the mainland 'cay you can drive to'.
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - Cruise the lagoon and marvel at the birdlife.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

ONE WEEK

Start at the western border (from Guatemala) and visit Xunantunich before heading into San Ignacio. From there, your choices for exploration within the Cayo region are limited only by time and budget, and jungle activities abound. Caracol and ATM cave are potential highlights. With a few days left, head to Caye Caulker or San Pedro to spend a few days swimming, snorkelling or just lazing in a hammock.

TWO WEEKS

Start via Corozal (from Mexico) before heading deeper into nature at Crooked Tree or the Community Baboon Sanctuary. The views along the Hummingbird Hwy make the trip from north to south well worth it. Dangriga, a centre for Garifuna culture, is the jumping-off point for Belize's central Cayes, including Tobacco and Glover's Reef. If you want to keep on the terrestrial tip, continue south to either Hopkins or Placencia for a few days on the beach. When you're beached out, make the trek south to Punta Gorda to get the latest on Maya Village guesthouses and learn Garifuna drumming from the masters. Next, head to the Maya villages of the Deep South – Big Falls, San Pedro Columbia and Blue Creek – to explore ruins and hike or swim at beautiful Río Blanco National Park.

BELIZE CITY

Belize City does not exactly top the list of tourist destinations in Belize and many visitors choose to bypass the country's only major urban area. This is the historical (if no longer the actual) capital of the nation, making it an interesting place to spend a day or two. Its ramshackle streets are alive with colourful characters who represent every facet of Belize's ethnic make up, especially the Creoles. Belize City's main historical sights are all located within walking distance of the Swing Bridge and include the Museum of Belize, St John's Cathedral, Image Factory and the Swing Bridge itself.

BELIZE NORTHERN CAYS

If you imagined stringing up a hammock on a deserted beach, there is an outer atoll with your name on it. There is no shortage of an ever-growing collection of ritzy resorts on Ambergris Caye. San Pedro is the place for dancing the night away to a reggae beat, while Caye Caulker moves at a slightly slower pace. But the islands are only the beginning: the northern cays' richest resource lies below the surface of the sea. Only a few miles offshore, the barrier reef runs for 80 miles, offering unparalleled opportunities to explore canyons and coral, to face off with nurse sharks and stingrays, and to swim with schools of fish painted every colour of the palette.

On Caye Caulker, there are no cars, no fumes and no hassles, just balmy breezes, fresh seafood, azure waters and a fantastic barrier reef at its doorstep. The easy-going attitude is due in part to the strong Creole presence on the island, which pulses to a classic reggae beat and is home to a small community of Rastafarians. Activities on the island is focused on water sports and sea life.

Ambergris Caye remains for many visitors the archetypal tropical paradise where sun-drenched days are filled with fruity drinks and water sports. There are plenty of simple pleasures to be had here from riding a bike along a windswept beach path under the shade of coconut trees to snorkelling in crystal clear waters. Though the entire island is often called San Pedro, technically that is the name of the town that dominates the southern half. San Pedro is awash with tour companies and individuals organizing scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing, kitesurfing, swimming and fishing trips.

Download map waypoints for Belize here: KML / GPX