I Spent 5 Days In Belize And Got Two Completely Different Vacations With MuyOno Resorts

I'm standing in knee-deep Caribbean water, holding an upside-down jellyfish. Apparently that's a thing you can do here. Nobody warned me about this part.

Two days later, I'm getting chased by a tarantula on a night hike through the jungle. Things that I never thought I would do. That's just not me. I'm good. We stay on the ground kind of things.

And yet, here I am, raving about MuyOno resorts and writing about how Belize became one of my favorite trips.

That's the thing about this country—it turns "absolutely not" into "okay, fine" into "I can't stop talking about this." Five days, two completely different experiences, and a lot of moments I didn't see coming.

Days 1-2: Private Island Life

Getting There

We did a small hopper plane over from Belize City, then took a 20-minute boat ride to get to the island. Sounds like a lot of moving pieces, but it goes fast. Within a few hours of landing, you're standing on a private dock watching the mainland disappear.

Royal Belize, A MuyOno Resort

Royal Belize is a private island. Not a resort that calls itself exclusive—an actual private island with a handful of bungalows and staff who know your name immediately.

Private chef. Sunset champagne on the dock. Fresh seafood that came off a boat that morning. The kind of quiet that feels weird at first if you're used to being constantly busy.

The Barrier Reef

We snorkeled the reef, which is the second largest in the world apparently. People were very excited about it.

I'm going to be honest—at first I was like, it looks like plants in the water.

After a nurse shark cruised by, we spotted some eagle rays, and swam with some Dori fish, I understood why people were excited. I was looking forward to seeing a manatee but we missed it this time. I'll definitely going back!

You don't need experience. Guides handle everything. Most trips hit multiple reef sites in 2-3 hours, and the reef sits close to shore so you're not spending half your day on a boat.

The Rest of Island Time

Beyond snorkeling: kayaking through mangroves, paddleboarding on calm mornings, deep-sea fishing if that's your thing, or doing absolutely nothing. We also toured Hopkins Bay and Thatch Caye—two other coastal properties with different vibes but the same turquoise water.

Evenings meant sunset celebrations, beach bonfires, and the kind of meals where you lose track of time. The island runs on its own clock.

Day 3: Coast to Jungle

Leaving the island starts with a boat ride back to the mainland, then about a 2.5-hour drive inland to San Ignacio.

The landscape shifts fast. Palm trees become dense jungle. Ocean breeze becomes humid rainforest air thick with the sounds of birds and howler monkeys. By the time you arrive at Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge, you feel like you've entered a completely different country.

Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge

Sweet Songs sits directly on the Mopan River. Treehouse-style rooms overlooking the water. Outdoor dining with rainforest views. Wildlife just wandering through the property.

We ate breakfast with a toucan literally ten feet away, eating fruit like he owned the place. That's just a normal Tuesday here apparently.

It's not roughing it. The lodge is comfortable, the food is excellent, and the staff handles everything. But it feels wild in a way the island doesn't.

Days 4-5: Jungle Adventures

Xunantunich

The Mayan ruins at Xunantunich are the highlight. El Castillo is a 130-foot pyramid you can actually climb—no ropes, no restrictions, just ancient stone steps and a view of jungle stretching to the Guatemala border.

Standing at the top, you see nothing but forest canopy and the occasional hawk circling below. No crowds. No gift shops. Just ruins that have been here for over a thousand years.

I never thought I'd be the person hiking to ancient ruins. But here we are.

Chocolate Making

We did a chocolate-making class using traditional Mayan methods. You grind the cacao yourself, add local spices, make chocolate from scratch. It's more physical than expected—and yes, you eat what you make.

The Night Hike

I'm not an "outdoors after dark" person. Like I said—I'm good. We stay on the ground. But the optional night hike was on the itinerary, so I said yes.

The jungle at night is a different world. Bioluminescent insects. Sleeping birds. Frogs you hear but never see. Our guide pointed out things I would've walked right past.

Then the tarantula showed up.

It wasn't aggressive—just curious. But when a spider the size of your hand starts walking toward your boots, instinct takes over. I moved. Quickly. The guide laughed. Apparently this happens.

Things I never thought I would do. And honestly? It's the story I've told the most since getting back.

River Time

The lodge offers mellower activities too. You can float the river, go kayaking, lounge at the pool, canoe—whatever pace you need. After the ruins and the night hike, a slow afternoon on the water felt earned.

What I Learned

You Really Can Have Both

I was skeptical that five days could deliver two genuinely different experiences. It does. The island and the jungle don't feel like compromises—they feel like two complete trips that happen to share a passport stamp.

This Trip Changed My Mind

I went in thinking I knew what I liked. Beach? Yes. Jungle tarantulas? Hard pass.

But Belize has a way of turning "that's not me" into "okay, maybe." The adventures are accessible. The guides make you feel safe. And the stories you come back with are better than anything you'd get from a week at a regular resort.

It Works for Groups

Half your people want the beach. Half want adventure. Belize solves that problem. Everyone gets what they want without splitting up or forcing anyone into activities they'll hate.

The Logistics Matter

This isn't a trip you wing. Commuter flights, boat transfers, ground transport between regions—it takes about two hours to get back to the airport from the jungle alone. Coordinating all of it matters. Having someone who knows the routes makes the difference between seamless and stressful.