Planning a vacation that everyone in your crew will love isn’t the easiest. My teens are all about the relaxation of a beach vacay but they also want to be active and see new things (just not too many things in a day as most parents know all too well). The idea of JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out) is not new but is trending in a big way in 2025, particularly when it comes to vacationing. JOMO is all about embracing the art of slowing down and “missing out” on seeing and doing everything possible in the name of savoring experiences and actually relaxing on vacation.
I recently had the chance to visit Belize, a dreamy destination for families looking for a mix of outdoor adventures and lazy beach days. Located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize has lush rainforests, toucans and jaguars (though it’s tough to spot one), rich Mayan history, delicious local cuisine, stunning beaches with turquoise blue shorelines and a spectacular Barrier Reef—the longest in the Western Hemisphere.
From hiking in the rainforest in Belize’s Cayo District to snorkeling alongside nurse sharks in San Pedro, a trip to Belize is like taking multiple vacations in one and will give your kids a chance to experience nature at its most beautiful. Here’s what a family vacay could look like:
Start Your Trip in Mountain Pine Ridge
For a truly off-the-grid experience, Mountain Pine Ridge in Belize’s Cayo District is a tranquil natural gem. Established as a natural treasure in 1944, it’s filled with pine trees and waterfalls and is as serene as it gets.
Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge is tucked away on 7,200 acres in Mountain Pine Ridge. It’s everything you’d expect from a luxury eco-resort—a hidden oasis immersed within a vast private preserve, and it has 90 miles of hiking trails and waterfalls exclusive to guests.
Belize’s Cayo District is about 70 miles west of Belize City, where you’ll arrive at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. The lodge offers airport pickup (it’s about a two-hour ride) which we highly recommend to make getting there easy and stress-free. Transport is easily available for all excursions and guided hikes during your stay. The top eco-tourism destination in Belize, protected forests abound in Cayo, also home to ancient Mayan sites and 30 native butterfly species.
What to Do at Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge
Once you get to Hidden Valley, you’ll want to book multiple guided hikes or a night walk of the property. The wildlife and bird watching here are truly spectacular and guides are experts on the local flora and fauna. During our hike, we got a lesson on the healing properties of indigenous plants and herbs. During your hike, you’ll do some climbing, walk across footbridges surrounded by lush greenery and see some waterfalls along the way.
Be sure to ask your guides how long and difficult each hike is to find the right one for you and your kids. If you’re traveling with younger kids, there are hikes designed just for them. We recommend Macy’s Fun and Educational Trail, named after Hidden Valley Ranch owners’ daughter, Macy Ann, Jr.
We had a chance to meet the owner, a mom of two young kids, who along with her husband and family, curated lots of thoughtful details for guests with kids in mind. For starters, Hidden Valley shares sweet cards adorned with Macy’s artwork and her recs for kids during their stay. Some of Macy’s suggestions include hiking on her namesake trail and getting in on night-time marshmallow roasting with s’mores hot chocolate.
The resort has kids’ menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All farm-to-table meals are sourced from within 15 miles of the property. Other thoughtful details include kids’ shampoo in the shower and children’s books you can borrow detailing the area’s rich history. The resort provides natural bug-repellent oil in every room which you should use generously before heading out. The staff shares their favorite things to see and try, too. The card in my room showcased hand-written recs like trying a roasted marshmallow latte at Morning Fog Café, where the coffee is locally roasted and so good.
Family-Friendly Accommodations and Locally-Sourced Meals
Hidden Valley has a mix of accommodations, from cozy yet roomy cottages with a wood-burning fireplace and seating area to the luxurious Valley View Villa, a dreamy family setup with a kitchen, one or two bedrooms (along with beds wheeled-in just for the kids) and a huge screened-in lounge space with a view of the reserves.
The Valley View Villa has an outdoor shower and sitting area with a plunge pool overlooking the forest that’s adjacent to an indoor dining and living area. It’s a spacious, peaceful and secluded setup for families looking to unplug.
The food is top-tier here. Both on-site restaurants, Sap and Slate, are led by Belizean Chef Sean Kuylen, who uses in-season locally sourced ingredients. Try a protein bowl and immunity shot for breakfast and braised short ribs for dinner. And make sure to have a craft cocktail.
Hidden Valley offers cooking classes in a gorgeous outdoor kitchen overlooking the pool. We learned to prepare tortillas in a Maya fogon, making the masa, shaping the dough and adding the filling. Chocolate making and cocktail classes are also available along with private yoga classes. There’s a Kids Club, where children can spend a half day exploring the rainforest and wildlife with the lodge staff—a win for everyone. Nature walks, birding tours and other experiences are also available.
What to See in Cayo
There are plenty of areas to explore off-property in nearby Cayo. Caracol is an integral part of Mayan history and is best appreciated with a tour guide. On your tour, you’ll learn about the archaeological history and flora and fauna of the area. Climb to the top of the massive temple pyramid that’s about 135 feet tall and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Belize and neighboring Guatemala. Next, your guide will stop at Rio on Pools, a series of natural swimming holes with crystal-clear water.
Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, home to 30 native species, is also nearby. There, the friendly staff will take you through the full life cycle of butterflies, offering hands-on explanations of every stage. You’ll take in the scents of vibrant flowers and spot hummingbirds and other local species.
A Visit to San Pedro and The Phoenix Resort
When you’re ready for the beachy part of your vacay, you’ll want to head to San Pedro, accessible via a small plane from the airport in Belize City or by ferry to San Pedro Town. We took a small plane that seats about a dozen people—definitely small by my standards—but a smooth and easy flight that took just 15 minutes.
In San Pedro, The Phoenix Resort is an ideal spot for families. The resort is right on the beach and has spacious villas with two bedrooms, two bathrooms plus a kitchen, living/dining room, washer and dryer and balcony views, many overlooking the pool and ocean. The Red Ginger on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
For an authentic start to the day, order the Belizean Breakfast with fry jacks. A staple in Belizean cuisine, a fry jack is a deep-fried dough pastry often served for breakfast and eaten with fillings like refried beans, eggs or cheese. Dinner here includes a variety of fresh fish, including Griga, which is spiced and pan-seared on top of coconut rice, Cashew Crusted Fish and Shrimp Curry. If you have a picky eater, there are staples like Margherita pizza for lunch or dinner and French toast for breakfast.
The resort has a kids’ club for children 4 and older and kids younger than 4 can stay with a babysitter, which the resort will arrange. The nest is open daily so you can head out to an excursion sans kids or book a spa treatment.
Snorkel With Nurse Sharks
Your days in San Pedro will be all about the beach, water sports and food and drink. A full-day snorkel cruise with Ramon’s should be at the top of your list. Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, one of Belize’s most renowned snorkeling spots, will be one of the most memorable and exciting things you do on your trip.
The boat makes two stops for snorkeling, including one at Shark Ray Alley, where you’ll get to swim alongside (literally!) lots of nurse sharks. This was one of the most amazing experiences during our stay and is not to be missed. You’ll snorkel with manatees, too, and search for tiny seahorses. Before heading back, you’ll stop to feed tarpon, watching as the sleek, silvery fish leap from the water for a quick bite.
Explore Caye Caulker
The boat stops in Caye Caulker, an island off the coast right next to San Pedro, where you can shop and grab a bite. There are plenty of souvenir stands and cute stores here. Stop at Kaj Expressions for beautiful jewelry handmade in Belize. I bought my teen daughter infinity stud earrings she loves.
We had lunch at Chef Kareem’s UnBelizeable Lunch Stand. The shrimp kebabs and jerk chicken are popular choices that won’t disappoint. After lunch, head to The Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill at The Split—a lively spot where you can sip tropical drinks while hanging on a bar stool immersed in Caye Caulker’s turquoise water.
Embrace Eating Local
To truly appreciate the diverse cuisine of San Pedro, you’ll want to book a walking food tour. We recommend Where’s the Food, where a guide will take you to a bunch of local spots to try traditional Mayan dishes, seafood, local Mestizo and Garifuna recipes, and Belizean beer. Save room for ceviche and authentic chocolate Rum Crème (we bought some to take home).
For the most authentic experience imaginable, book a Garifuna Drumming and Dancing presentation with a buffet dinner at the Black and White Garifuna Restaurant with Ms. Julia and her crew. This truly local experience is led by Julia Martinez, the owner, and is among the most unique and educational spots in San Pedro. Her goal is to showcase Garifuna culture while offering a bit of history on how they got to Belize and what they’ve contributed to its culture.
You’ll watch a live drumming and dance performance and Ms. Julia makes it her mission to get people in the audience to dance–so be prepared! The food is delicious and authentic but the buffet may not have something for your picky eaters so call ahead to ask about options. The generous buffet serves lots of Garifuna foods but our favorite was the hudut, a fish and coconut soup served with veggies.
What Else to Know Before You Go
Unlike many other Central American countries, English is the official language here and we chatted with many friendly Belizeans during our stay. US dollars are widely accepted, and you can book a direct flight from Newark to Belize City (the trip is just under 5 hours).
Make sure to pack comfortable hiking shoes and a small backpack to carry on the trails. Bug spray is a must and I wish I had brought a bug bite suction tool like this one (which extracts insect saliva and venom from under the skin) that one of my fellow travelers had with her on the trip. Bring lots of sunscreen, water shoes for snorkeling excursions, a hat for sunny days and a refillable stainless steel bottle that keeps water cold.
For more on planning a trip to Belize, head to travelbelize.org.
Editor’s Note: The Belize Tourism Board paid for New Jersey Family’s trip to Belize but all opinions in this story are our own.
Visit our Instagram page for a video journey of our recent visit to Belize.
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