Belize's Honeymoon Magic: An Adventure For Two

Belize is an ideal honeymoon destination for couples seeking a blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration. With its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage, Belize offers a unique and memorable experience for newlyweds. Here is a guide to help you plan your romantic getaway to this Central American gem.

Explore Mayan ruins

Belize is a great place to honeymoon, with its mix of lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, superb snorkelling, scuba diving, adventure activities and luxury.

Belize has more than 600 Mayan sites, making it a top destination for exploring the mysterious Maya Empire.

Caracol

Tucked inside the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. This impressive city was once home to more than 140,000 people and stretched over 70 square miles. Abandoned by the Mayans around the year 900, Caracol has had some of its structures blanketed by the jungle and lost to time, but it still covers around 25,000 acres, giving tourists endless opportunities for exploration. Caracol is the largest ruin site in Belize, featuring majestic temples that modern visitors can climb to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Chiquibul forest reserve.

Lamanai

Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize. The site's name, "Lamanay" or "Lamayna", means "submerged crocodile" in Mayan. The site is situated on a major trade route and was inhabited for over two millennia. Lamanai has more than 719 mapped structures, including two 16th-century Christian churches and an intact 19th-century sugar mill. The site also features a range of beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings, such as the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is one of Belize's best-excavated archaeological sites and is located about an hour's drive north of Belize City. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by more than a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Hundreds of other buildings are still covered by jungle foliage, awaiting excavation. The site also displays a replica of the most significant artifact found at Altun Ha: a 6-inch-long, 10-pound jade carving of "Kinich Ahau," the Mayan sun god.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is the most popular Maya ruin site to visit in the Cayo District. Many of the large structures on view at this site were built starting in the 7th century, but Xunantunich is estimated to be much older. Some experts believe people were living here as far back as 3,000 years ago. El Castillo ("The Castle") dominates the excavated site and is the second-largest building in Belize. Climb to the top for a breathtaking 360-degree view as far away as Caracol and Guatemala on a clear day.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is the oldest-known ruins in the Belize River Valley and has served as a valuable source of information on what life was like for Mayans in this region during the Preclassic period. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, all linked together via a series of interconnected plazas. These Mayan ruins serve as a great example of the ancient civilization's complex residential architecture. The hilltop location of Cahal Pech also gives tourists panoramic vistas of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Snorkel and scuba dive

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination, with over 400 islands, white sandy beaches, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and 298 kilometres/185 miles of coastline. The country's scuba diving offerings range from beginner-friendly to advanced, with most dive sites being less crowded than those of comparable locations.

The Blue Hole is Belize's most famous dive site, attracting divers from around the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is over 400 feet deep and 1,000 feet wide. However, there is not much marine life to see here. For a chance to see whale sharks, visit Gladden Spit off the coast of Placencia between March and June.

For those who enjoy snorkelling as well as scuba diving, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the best and most easily accessible places in Belize. It includes four main sections: Hol Chan Cut, Seagrass Beds, Mangroves, and Shark Ray Alley. Shark Ray Alley is particularly popular, offering the chance to snorkel among docile nurse sharks and southern stingrays.

• Ambergris Caye: This diving hotspot is close to San Pedro and home to many resorts and good nightlife. It offers a large variety of marine life and fish species that cannot be found elsewhere in Belize. Shark Ray Alley is one of the top dive sites in Ambergris Caye, where you can enjoy diving with different sharks and rays.
• Turneffe Atoll: This is one of the best areas for Belize diving, with a wide variety of dive sites. It is home to diverse marine life, including white-spotted toadfish, eagle rays, tarpon, groupers, nurse sharks, jacks, snappers, and reef sharks.
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve: As mentioned earlier, this reserve offers some of the best snorkelling in Belize. It is easily accessible from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Belize City.
• Lighthouse Reef Atoll: Located 55 miles from the mainland, Lighthouse Reef is one of the most remote atolls in Belize. It is home to the famous Great Blue Hole, as well as Half Moon Caye, a small tropical island that is a great destination for snorkelling.
• Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve: This is the best place in Belize to snorkel with whale sharks, which migrate through the area between March and June.

Island-hop

Day 1

After an early morning meeting at the Raggamuffin Tours office, you will board the Ragga Empress, a large catamaran, and set sail to the sound of reggae music. The first stop will be a snorkelling site, where you can explore the beautiful reef and marine life with the guidance of the crew. A fishing session might be in order, and any catch can be turned into fresh ceviche by the chef on board. Before reaching the first overnight stop at Rendezvous Caye, a tiny island with a few huts, you will make a quick stop at the picturesque Goff's Caye.

Day 2

The second day starts with breakfast and morning snorkelling before a quick stop at Tobacco Caye, a small island with a population of only 30 people. Enjoy a cold beer at the island's only bar before heading to Ragga Caye, where you will spend the second night. You have the option to sleep in a tent on the beach or upgrade to a cabana or dorm room.

Day 3

On the last day, after breakfast, you will go birdwatching and manatee spotting before disembarking at Dangriga. From there, you can continue to other parts of Belize, such as Hopkins or Placencia.

If you are short on time, you can also opt for a full-day snorkelling excursion or a sunset sailing trip offered by Raggamuffin Tours.

Another option for island-hopping in Belize is to book a tour with Tsunami Adventures, which offers a variety of activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and island-hopping. A popular tour includes a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by snorkelling at nearby reefs and a visit to the small, beautiful islands in the area.

Adventure sports

Belize is a haven for adventure sports enthusiasts, offering a wide range of outdoor activities for couples seeking an adventurous honeymoon. Here are some ideas for adventure sports to consider during your honeymoon in Belize:

Water Sports

Belize is known for its stunning beaches and water-based activities. Here are some options to consider:

• Snorkelling and Diving: Explore the diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs of Belize. Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and Shark Ray Alley are popular snorkelling spots. For diving, the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere, is a top destination.
• Windsurfing, Kayaking, and Sailing: Try your hand at windsurfing or take a kayaking or sailing trip to the cayes. San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia are great locations to arrange these activities.
• Fishing Charters: Go on a fishing expedition with a local charter company and try your luck at reeling in some of the diverse fish species that inhabit Belize's waters.

Exploring Caves and Mayan Ruins

Belize is home to impressive cave systems and ancient Mayan ruins that offer a combination of adventure and historical insight:

• Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave: This cave system allows you to step into the world of the ancient Maya, with tunnels and archaeological artefacts to discover.
• Xunantunich Mayan Ruins: Climb the temples and explore the ancient Mayan architecture at this popular site in the Cayo District.
• Cave Tubing: Combine cave exploration with a relaxing float through underground cave systems. The Nohoch Che'en Caves and the Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve are popular spots for this activity.

Other Outdoor Activities

In addition to water sports and archaeological adventures, Belize offers a range of other outdoor pursuits:

• Hiking and Horseback Riding: Discover the lush rainforests and stunning natural sights of Belize on foot or horseback. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest in the Cayo District is a popular destination for hiking and horseback riding to Maya ruins.
• Zip-lining: Soar through the treetops and experience the thrill of zip-lining in locations like the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest or as part of a combo tour with cave tubing.
• Jungle Pontoon Waterfall Adventure: Float along a jungle-fringed river and admire the lush mountains and clear waters of the Cayo District.
• ATV Excursions: Explore the rugged terrain of Belize on an ATV tour, accessing hidden waterfalls and off-the-beaten-path locations.

Wildlife encounters

Belize is known for its rich habitats and exotic wildlife, with around 145 species of mammals and 600 bird species. Here are some of the best wildlife encounters to experience during your honeymoon:

The Belize Zoo

Nicknamed the 'World's Best Little Zoo', the Belize Zoo offers a unique program where you can get up close and personal with rehabilitated animals. You can snap selfies with Runt the Toucan, feed the friendly Tapir, and watch the resident Jaguar from a safe distance.

Community Baboon Sanctuary

Despite the name, this sanctuary is home to black howler monkeys rather than baboons. The monkeys roam freely over 20 square miles, allowing visitors to observe them in their natural habitat without the confines of cages. You can hear their distinctive howls from up to a mile away and see them swinging playfully from branch to branch.

Shark Ray Alley

Located just 15 minutes from Ambergris Caye, Shark Ray Alley offers a thrilling experience of swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays. The nurse sharks swim lazily alongside you, their gills puffing out sand, while stingrays join in on the fun. It's a truly otherworldly experience.

Manatee Tour

Belize is known for having the highest population of manatees in the region. These gentle sea cows can be spotted in nearby rivers and coastal waters. Tour operators practice safer ways for visitors to glimpse these magnificent creatures, such as implementing No Wake Zones to ensure boats don't speed where the manatees feed.

Scarlet Macaws

With its lush scarlet plumage and distinctive cry, the Scarlet Macaw is a must-see in Belize. These members of the parrot family are rare to spot, but if you're lucky, you can capture breathtaking photos of them in their natural habitat. The best place to spot them is in Red Bank, a small village south of Placencia.

Whale Sharks

From March to June, you have the rare opportunity to swim with whale sharks at Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. These majestic creatures are the largest fish in the world, yet they are gentle and encountering them is more heart-stirring than daunting.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Also known as the Jaguar Reserve, this sanctuary is the only one of its kind in the world dedicated to jaguars. While spotting jaguars is a coveted experience, the reserve also boasts verdant rainforests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, including ocelots, monkeys, tapirs, toucans, and macaws.

Frequently asked questions