Ambergris Caye vs Placencia vs San Ignacio Town: Where to Take the Kids?

Belize has long attracted travelers who are interested in an exotic, fun vacation at a beautiful location. However, many travelers don’t realize that Belize is one of the most family-friendly places to visit in the Caribbean and Central America. 

There are three locations that travelers usually go to – they all offer possibilities for families, but one is the best.

- Ambergris Caye: This popular destination always has crowds of tourists. It’s the most developed of the country’s beach-oriented attractions so there are many hotels and resorts to choose from. Some of these include specific packages designed for families with children.

However, the island is also quite crowded, and, in the evening, San Pedro can be a loud party town. Also, it's somewhat isolated from the mainland, meaning you’ll have to travel with your children to get to some family-friendly sites.

- Placencia: A more quiet and less crowded destination, Placencia provides sandy beaches and a more chill atmosphere, while also providing possibilities for family fun such as nature tours, snorkeling, and visits to Maya ruins. This would probably be a better place to take young children, however, it might be too quiet for some families.

- San Ignacio: This town in the Cayo District might be the perfect place for families to visit. A trip to the open-air markets provides families an opportunity to interact with Belizeans while buying ready-made meals or fresh, local produce if they want to create their own. The Green Iguana Conservation Project is another attraction that is very family friendly as it is both fascinating and educational. The Maya ruins at Cahal Pech, the Belize Botanic Gardens, and the Chaa Creek Natural History Museum are all wonderful places for family excursions.

There are also nature tours that can be done on horseback, canoe trips that can be taken on the Macal River, chocolate tours, and many other possible activities that make San Ignacio the most family-friendly location to visit.

In terms of where to stay – you can’t go wrong if you choose Cahal Pech Village Resort. The resort offers many Belize vacation packages and tours. The friendly staff will help you discover the best options that will entertain your children without overwhelming them.

For relaxing at the resort, there are three pools, one of which has a man-made waterfall. A second pool is geared just for youngsters, with a pterodactyl keeping watch over them. The resort can also arrange transportation for you if you’d like to also check out Ambergris Caye and Placencia while you are in Belize.