Belize: The Perfect Tropical Honeymoon Destination?

Belize is a small Central American country, officially English-speaking, with a large mix of ethnicities, including Mestizo, Creole, Mayan and European. It is an increasingly popular honeymoon destination, offering couples the chance to take long walks on the beach, enjoy world-class diving or snorkelling, and tour Mayan ruins. Belize has a range of honeymoon accommodations, from luxury resorts on private islands to quaint beachfront hotels and eco-lodges in the jungle. The small country packs a lot of culture and itinerary items, from lush rainforests and gorgeous beaches to superb snorkelling and scuba diving.

Belize's beaches and rainforests

Belize is an ideal honeymoon destination for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. The country is known for its lush rainforests and gorgeous beaches, offering a mix of natural beauty, superb snorkelling, scuba diving, adventure activities, and luxury. Here is some information about Belize's beaches and rainforests:

Beaches

Belize boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Central America, with white sand and crystal-clear waters. Ambergris Caye, a popular island destination, offers the ultimate in barefoot luxury, with beachfront villas and tropical gardens. Placencia, on the Placencia peninsula, is another top beach destination, known for its stunning beaches and excellent scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities. Belize's beaches provide the perfect setting for romantic walks, sunset sails, and swimming with colourful fish.

Rainforests

Belize's dense sub-tropical rainforests cover more than half of the country's land area and are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. The rainforests are a nature enthusiast's paradise, with thousands of species of exotic birds, wildlife, and gorgeous flowers. Belize is home to over 700 tree species, 500 bird species, endangered wildlife, and over 250 varieties of orchids, including the black orchid, the country's national flower. Some of the endangered animals found in these rainforests include jaguars, armadillos, coatis, and tapirs.

The Toledo District has the largest share of pristine rainforest, with remote locations that offer a truly wild experience. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, located in the Cayo District, is another popular destination, known for its waterfalls and swimming spots. The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, adjacent to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve, is an excellent location for birdwatching, with more than 290 species of birds, including rare sightings such as the band-tailed barbthroat and the spectacled owl.

Belize's rainforests also hold archaeological treasures, with lost Maya cities, carved stones, palaces, and pyramids built over a thousand years ago. The Cayo District, with its Mayan ruins and caves, is a particularly popular destination for those seeking adventure and a glimpse into the ancient past.

Belize's rainforests and beaches offer a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences, making it an ideal honeymoon destination for couples seeking a mix of relaxation and exploration.

The best resorts for honeymooners

Belize is an increasingly popular honeymoon destination, offering newlyweds the chance to take long walks on the beach, enjoy world-class diving and snorkelling, and tour Mayan ruins. The small country packs a lot of culture and activities into its tiny size.

Matachica Resort and Spa

This luxury boutique resort is nestled along a remote beach right alongside the barrier reef. The resort has an open-air layout and offers activities such as sailing, snorkelling with sharks, and cave tubing. It is rated as one of the top properties in the world.

GAIA Riverlodge

For a private honeymoon experience, GAIA Riverlodge offers fewer than 20 guest rooms in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Wildlife sightings are common, and guests can enjoy a private deck or hot tub overlooking the rushing river.

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge

This full-service rainforest lodge is located in the Mayan heartland and is part of The Belize Collection, a luxury hotel group featuring stays in nature reserves. The lodge offers plush and serene accommodations, including private plunge pools and open-air layouts, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club

For a more traditional resort experience, Mahogany Bay is located on Ambergris Caye and offers over 200 villas and cottages, several restaurants, and a large pool.

Itz'ana Resort and Residences

Itz'ana, located in Placencia, offers a similar resort experience with luxurious accommodations, including cottages positioned atop the waves. The resort features fine dining and an Instagram-worthy pool with an ocean view.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

An eco-friendly, high-end resort in the Cayo District, Chaa Creek allows couples to explore the area while staying in cottages that offer a world away from the rest of the world. The resort features a private Jacuzzi surrounded by a tropical garden.

The best time to visit Belize

Belize is consistently around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making for a warm, but not unbearable, environment all year round. The country experiences two seasons: the dry season, which lasts from December to May, and the rainy season, which lasts from June to November.

If you're looking for the best weather with little rain, visit Belize in the springtime. The best weather is from March to May, with February to April being the driest months.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds, the peak tourist season runs from November/December to mid-April, with the heaviest rush of visitors from mid-December to mid-January. The single biggest wave of tourists is between December 15 and January 15, and during the weeks around the Easter season in April. The summer months of June and July are the traditional "low season" for tourism in Belize.

If you're looking to save money, travelling outside the high season can make for lodging discounts of 25% or more, and the same applies to airline ticket prices. The best time for lowest hotel prices is after Easter to US Thanksgiving.

If you're an avid scuba diver, the best time to visit may be when the waters are calm, which is during the summer or rainy season.

If you're interested in specific events, here is a list of some of the key holidays and festivals in Belize:

• Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19
• Belize Independence Day on September 21
• Lobsterfest in June and July
• Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge in March
• Easter Week in April
• Baron Bliss Day on March 9
• Labour Day on May 1
• Commonwealth Day on May 24
• Benque Fiesta in July
• Deer Dance Festival in August
• Costa Maya Festival in August
• St. George's Caye Day on September 10
• Boxing Day on December 26
• End of the World Marathon in Placencia in December
• Placencia Mistletoe Ball in December

Exploring Belize's wildlife and jungle

Belize is a small country, but it packs a lot of natural beauty and culture into its tiny size. With over 60% of the country under forest cover, it's a great destination for exploring wildlife and jungle. Here are some ideas for a honeymoon focused on these natural wonders:

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Located 2 hours south of San Ignacio, Mountain Pine Ridge is dedicated to preserving Belize's native pine forest. It offers scenic waterfalls, rushing pools, and mysterious caves. You can spend a day hiking, swimming, and spotting wildlife.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Listed by National Geographic as one of the top Sacred Places of a Lifetime, Actun Tunichil Muknal is a Maya ceremonial cave within the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The tour involves a 2-hour hike through dense rainforest before arriving at a cave containing rare bloodletting altars, sacrificial human remains, and over 1400 Maya artifacts.

Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve

Located just 15 minutes west of San Ignacio, Xunantunich is a Maya site surrounded by lush jungle. It's a great spot for relaxing and wildlife spotting, including howler monkeys. The main temple, El Castillo, rises 130 ft from the ground, offering spectacular views of nearby villages and Guatemalan mountains.

The Belize Zoo

Located an hour west of Belize City, the Belize Zoo is an animal sanctuary within 29 acres of tropical savanna. It serves as a wildlife refuge for orphaned or rescued native animals and is also an educational facility promoting wildlife conservation. You can see up to 45 native species here.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, 15 miles southwest of Hopkins, is known as the world's only Jaguar Preserve. Although jaguar sightings are rare, the sanctuary is great for chasing waterfalls and spotting plants and animals, including margays, deer, ocelots, pumas, howler monkeys, tapirs, and birds.

Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve

Located 30 minutes southeast of Belmopan City, Nohoch Cheʼen is an archaeological reserve with an extensive network of limestone caves surrounded by dense rainforest. It's a popular destination for cave-tubing, kayaking, and spelunking. You can also do a zip-line canopy tour on-site.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Just 12 miles northwest of Hopkins, Mayflower Bocawina National Park has over 7000 acres of pristine lowland and highland rainforest. It features the longest canopy zipline in Belize, mountains, waterfalls, swimming holes, walking trails, and Maya archeological remains. It's also a great spot for birding.

Exploring Mayan Culture

For a deeper dive into Mayan culture, visit the small Mayan town of Santa Cruz, where you can learn about Mayan traditions and cuisine. You can also explore ancient Mayan sites like Nim Li Punit, known for its stelas or monuments, and Lubaantun, where one of the famous "crystal skulls" was found.

Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda, reached by a small plane, is a town on the coast of the Caribbean, emerging from the lush green rainforest. It's a gateway to Mayan villages, jungles, and waterfalls. The town itself has colorful markets selling fresh local produce, food, and beer.

Caving in Toledo

Toledo has some of the most extensive caving systems in Belize, and they can be visited as part of an organized tour. One highlight is the Tiger Cave, with its wide chamber lit by skylights, and the incredible Yok Balum Cave, with its 30-foot-high chamber and amazing cave formations.

Rio Blanco National Park

Rio Blanco National Park, located in the deepest south of Belize, is home to a series of waterfalls that culminate in a plunge pool. It's the perfect place to cool off after a day of exploring.

Adventure activities in Belize

Belize is a great destination for adventure-seeking honeymooners. The country offers a wide range of activities for couples looking to explore beyond the beaches and coast. Here are some of the top adventure activities to consider:

Zip-lining: Southeast Belize is known for its excellent zip-lining opportunities. Couples can soar through the rainforest canopy, taking in the breathtaking views of the vast Maya Mountains and meandering creeks below. Combining zip-lining with cave tubing creates an unforgettable day of thrills and exploration.

Spelunking: Belize is home to vast cave systems, many of which remain undiscovered. Spelunking, or cave exploration, is a popular choice for thrill-seekers. One of the caves, Actun Tunichil Muknal, was even dubbed one of the most sacred caves globally by National Geographic. Explorers can float through the caves on river tubes or squeeze through tight crevices, encountering ancient Maya pottery, crystalline stalactites, and Maya skeletons along the way.

Waterfall rappelling: For a challenging yet rewarding experience, couples can try their hand at waterfall rappelling. Belize offers waterfalls up to 250 feet high for experienced adventurers, as well as more forgiving options for beginners. No matter the difficulty level, the photos will be incredible!

Kayaking at the Macal River: Kayaking down the Macal River is a peaceful yet adventurous activity. Couples can spot exotic birds, giant green iguanas, and even small bats as they paddle through the lush surroundings. After a couple of hours of nature and gentle currents, they'll arrive at the town of San Ignacio.

Exploring Belize's Caves: Belize boasts a plethora of caves worth exploring, including Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). This guided tour involves trekking through the jungle and rivers before reaching the cave mouth. Visitors swim into the cave, navigate narrow crevices, and discover ancient Maya artefacts and sacrificial remains in the "dry chamber/cathedral."

Scuba Diving: Belize is renowned for its scuba diving sites, with the Great Blue Hole being a bucket list item for divers worldwide. However, it is important to note that the Blue Hole is recommended only for experienced divers and is not ideal for snorkelling. For colourful corals and diverse marine life, sites like Half Moon Caye Wall and Long Caye Aquarium are better options.

With its mix of rainforest, mountains, and coast, Belize offers a variety of adventure activities to suit different interests and thrill-seeking levels. Whether you're exploring caves, soaring through the air, or diving beneath the waves, you're sure to create unforgettable honeymoon memories in Belize.

Frequently asked questions