16 days in Puerto Vallarta, Chetumal & Belize Itinerary

Boasting a coastline made for perfectly framed photographs of romantic sunsets, Puerto Vallarta continuously ranks among the world's top tourist resorts.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Mon): head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, take a leisurely stroll along Malecon Boardwalk, and then get to know the fascinating history of Zona Romantica. On the 17th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: view the masterpieces at Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, then pause for some serene contemplation at Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and finally get close to the beloved marine mammals with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience.

For traveler tips, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Puerto Vallarta tour planner.

Washington, USA to Puerto Vallarta is an approximately 12-hour flight. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Washington to Puerto Vallarta due to the time zone difference. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Washington in May, with highs in Puerto Vallarta at 85°F and lows at 72°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) to allow time to fly to Chetumal.

Chetumal is a city on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. On the 18th (Wed), head outdoors with Mayan World Adventures. Keep things going the next day: examine the collection at Museum de la cultura maya and then stroll through Malecon de Chetumal.

To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Chetumal trip builder.

Fly from Puerto Vallarta to Chetumal in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 1 hour. Traveling from Puerto Vallarta in May, you will find days in Chetumal are somewhat warmer (93°F), and nights are about the same (77°F). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to travel to Caye Caulker.

At just under 8 km (5 mi) long and 1.6 km (1 mi) wide, the limestone coral island of Caye Caulker offers a small but perfectly formed getaway 32 km (20 mi) offshore from Belize City.

On the 20th (Fri), take the plunge with a skydiving experience, get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then stop by Belizean Breezes Soap Co. and More. Keep things going the next day: kick back and relax at The Split and then soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers.

For ratings, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Caye Caulker trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Chetumal to Caye Caulker in 4 hours. Another option is to drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Chetumal to Caye Caulker. While traveling from Chetumal, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Caye Caulker, ranging from highs of 88°F to lows of 78°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to San Ignacio.

The cultural hub of the district, San Ignacio neatly blends tourism and tradition, expats and indigenous peoples into a convincingly authentic, but modern and welcoming inland town.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around San Ignacio: Rio On Pools (in Augustine) and Big Rock Falls (in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve). Saddle up on the 25th (Wed) and explore with a tour on horseback. The adventure continues: explore the fascinating underground world of ATM Cave Belize- Actun Tunichil Muknal, soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, delve into the distant past at Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, and stroll through Green Iguana Conservation Project.

To see ratings, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our San Ignacio trip planner.

You can fly from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Belmopan.

Nicknamed the "Garden City" thanks to its planned urban parklands, Belmopan serves as the capital of Belize and a launching point for tours of nearby caves and Mayan ruins.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Fri): meet the residents at The Belize Zoo, then Head underground at Jaguar Paw Cave Tubing and Jungle Zipline, and then let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour. Keep things going the next day: stroll through St Herman's Cave and then explore the striking landscape of Blue Hole National Park.

To see where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Belmopan visit planner.

Getting from San Ignacio to Belmopan by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Belmopan can reach 88°F, while at night they dip to 78°F. On the 29th (Sun), you'll travel back home.