Belize packs ancient Maya temples, emerald rainforest, and the second-largest barrier reef on earth into a country small enough to experience in a single week. This is a journey from jungle lodge to island hideaway, with expert guides and barefoot luxury at every stop.

Begin in the Cayo District, where a luxury jungle lodge near San Ignacio serves as a base for a private guided visit to Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize whose towering pyramids rise above the rainforest canopy. Adventurous travelers can explore the sacred Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, where Maya ceremonial relics remain exactly as they were left, or float down the Macal River by canoe while spotting toucans and iguanas. From there, a short flight carries you to the coast and a private island or beachfront resort on Ambergris Caye, where days are spent snorkeling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve alongside nurse sharks and stingrays and sailing the turquoise waters of the reef. A scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole visible from the sky, is the signature finale, followed by a fresh-caught seafood dinner with your toes in the sand.