If you have the means for a three-week trip to Belize, you will not be let down. In fact, you’ll be surprised that the deeper you go in this relatively small country, the deeper there is to go. Following is an extremely active and mobile tour of Belize; you can easily double or triple the time allotted to each of the destinations listed below and still stay busy. Feel free to follow this itinerary in any order and, when you tire of traveling, stop anywhere along the suggested trail and soak it in.

DAY 1
Arrive at Philip Goldson International Airport and transfer to the Water Taxi Terminal in Belize City; take a 40-minute boat ride straight to Caye Caulker to ease into things.

DAY 2
Wake up late and spend the day strolling the sandy streets and selecting a dive or snorkel shop. Be sure to reserve a front-row Lazy Lizard barstool for the sunset scene at The Split, followed by a beachfront lobster dinner.

DAY 3
Rise with the sun for an early morning guided nature hike, then dive or snorkel off the reef during the afternoon.

DAY 4
Take a morning boat to San Pedro to kick things up a notch. Check in, scope the scene, and pop over to Hol Chan Marine Reserve for the famous snorkel tour and to rub flippers with nurse sharks and rays.

DAY 5
Spend the day diving or snorkeling—or shopping and soaking in one of several spas. End it with a beach barbecue surrounded by an intriguing array of expat characters.

DAY 6
Hop a boat (or plane) back to the mainland at Corozal, where you’ll appreciate the lack of crowds and easy access to the Maya museums in Chetumal, Mexico, which can be explored in a day.

DAY 7
From Corozal, head south and west to the Lamanai Outpost Lodge for a day of serious bird-watching and exploring.

DAY 8
Relax at the ruins for a day, or day-trip over to Altun Ha or Crooked Tree for more birds and maybe a hot mud treatment at Maruba Jungle Resort and Spa.

DAY 9
Transfer to Belize City and walk the old streets and canals, soaking up modern Belizean culture and a few heaping plates of typical food.

DAY 10
Go for one more morning stroll, then board an express bus for Cayo District. Find a budget hotel in San Ignacio, drop off your bags, then head out for a tour of the Iguana Exhibit, followed by an excellent vegetarian dinner.

DAY 11
Book a guided canoe trip up the Macal. Depending on the water level, you may make it up to the famous Chaa Creek and duPlooy’s Lodges, both with a number of attractions, including a nature center, butterfly farm, and botanical garden. Float back downstream for another relaxed San Ignacio evening—enjoy those well-worked shoulders.

DAY 12
Go for a lazy float trip on the Mopan River, then spend the night outside of San Ignacio, at the Trek Stop in San José de Succotz or one of the funky riverside budget lodges in Bullet Tree.

DAY 13
Hit the Xunantunich or El Pilar archaeological sites, either by foot, montain bike, or horseback. When you get back, ask your host to set up a trip to Caracol for the next day.

DAY 14
Enjoy the ride along the Mountain Pine Ridge to Caracol, then the swimming hole tour on the way back. Stop for a wood-stove pizza at Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge, or a photo op at Thousand Foot Falls, one of the highest in Central America.

DAY 15
Transfer to Dangriga, but spend the day stopping, bird-watching, and sightseeing along the Hummingbird Highway. Check into a simple hotel or the Pelican Beach Resort, right on the water.

DAY 16
Arrange a ride to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and spend the night in a cabin, guesthouse, or tent. Go for a guided afternoon hike with a Maya guide who grew up in this forest—or better yet, go at night.

DAY 17
Continue south to Placencia Village, where you’ll find more fun in the sun, beach bars, and maybe a massage before a big fish dinner.

DAY 18
Take a day trip to Monkey River and back, or else take a boat to Mango Creek, then catch a bus south to Punta Gorda. Spend the night, but arrange for a trip to a Maya village the following day, if transportation allows.

DAY 19
Spend a night upcountry, experiencing cultural immersion, waterfall hikes, and maybe some more ruins at Lubaantun or Nim Li Punit. Accommodation options range from dirt-floor homestays to upscale jungle lodges.

DAY 20
Start the trip back north. Consider a night at Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can wind down and still get in one last hike (or a trip to the nearby zoo) before your return home.

DAY 21
Transfer to Philip Goldson International Airport for your departure flight.