Day 1:
Arrive in BZE and rent a car and head toward the rainforest in Dangriga. Along the way stop at the Baboon Sanctuary (These are actually howler monkeys but the slaves that were brought to Belize called them baboons after the monkeys in their own country)
In Dangriga there are a few options we stayed with Steven at Pineapple Hill he has multiple listings under Pineapple Hill Belize and his 50 acre property is stunning and he has done more with it since this video was posted in 2018. I have also heard good things about Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge If you want to pay a little more to be pampered. This is likely a full day depending on when you arrive there is an awesome roadside bar and grill called Green Hills just down the road in Middlesex.
Day 2: Stay in Dangriga and explore we missed out on ATM cave but if the water is right this is supposed to be a once in a lifetime experience. If like us you miss out on that opportunity Angel Falls Belize can organize a great zipline tour over the valleys in the rain forest there are a few roadside hikes to waterfalls including Billy Barquedier Waterfall. Head into Armenia for dinner Las Palapas Restaurant is suggested.
Day 3: "Private" Island at King Leweys. This private island is a stopping-off point for sailboats and snorkelers during the day their boat leaves from Placencia once a day or for about $100 USD you can find a boat at the pier in Placencia to take you out if like us your timing doesn't align. Be sure to contact them early as sometimes they take a bit to respond from out on the island.
Day 4: Enjoy King Lewis island, your cabana is built right on the water and so is the restaurant grab some French toast and sip your coffee over the ocean. Fill your day on the included paddle boards, snorkeling, or try to befriend the two parrots and dog that live on the island. some day traffic will be by for a beer and lunch but they will leave you to enjoy the island in almost solitude before the sun sets.
Day 5: Caye Caulker. If you only have 7 days this will need to be a pretty full travel day make sure you have arrangements to get off the island. Either with King Leweys or with the boatman from the pier. You will need to take the same route back DO NOT take the enticing coastal highway. This is a dirt path and may have a bridge washed out. Go back on the hummingbird highway and stop at the Country Barn where Mennonites have a welcoming scoop of creamery fresh ice cream waiting for you. Continue on and return your car if you rent from Crystal they will take you to the ferry port at no charge. There are plenty of ferries from Belize City to Caye Caulker. On the island there are a lot of choices for places to stay or you can go across the split to KoKo King if you want to be away from everything. We did not stay here but there is a free boat that will take you for an afternoon coctail.
Day 6: Snorkeling and Exploring. Head into town if you are up early grab a coffee inthe swings at Ice and Beans and arrange a snorkel trip to Shark Ray Alley There are plenty of outfits that will take you here and to the reef for a half day of snorkeling. If you stay on the island it is likely your hotel will include a bicycle ride up to the Split to see the action or stop off along the way for some live music at one of the restaurants. While exploring be sure to swing by the soccer pitch as there are often matches either pick up games or more formal games to cheer alongside the locals.
Day 7: Return home check the ferry schedule and head back to the airport. The transfer is pretty easy.
Here is a quick video of the recommendations listed here
@dkoucky @monique241 The Coastal Highway has been rebuilt paved now.
@monique241 I am not sure how to reply directly to you but we had no issues driving at all. There is one road they warn you not to use. I think it was the manatee/coastal highway. The GPS will sometimes route you on that but it does not appear to be passable most of the year.
Did you find driving in Belize relatively easy?