Belize's Unspoiled Beauty: A Better Tropical Paradise Than Hawaii?

Hawaii and Belize are two very different destinations, each with their own unique attractions. Hawaii is known for its stunning natural beauty, offering a range of activities such as snorkelling, hiking, and exploring ancient Mayan sites. On the other hand, Belize provides a more laid-back and developing nation experience, with caves, Mayan ruins, and rivers for kayaking and swimming. While Hawaii may offer a more familiar and comfortable experience for some, Belize presents an opportunity to immerse oneself in a distinct culture and environment. Both destinations cater to outdoor enthusiasts, but the choice between the two depends on individual preferences for scenery, activities, and level of development.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Belize is known for its world-class snorkelling and scuba diving. The country has over 400 islands, stunning white sandy beaches, 298 kilometres/185 miles of coastline, and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest in the world, only smaller than Australia's. The country's waters are clear, warm, and rich with marine life, making it a great location for beginners and experienced divers alike.

Belize has three main types of scuba diving: liveaboards, atolls, and taking a boat from the mainland. The last option will require relatively long boat trips as the reefs are quite far from the mainland. The atolls offer little else besides snorkelling and the beach.

Belize has some of the Caribbean's best diving and snorkelling spots. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark-Ray Alley, located in the north of the country, are perhaps its most popular dive and snorkel spots. The Hol Chan opens to deeper waters beyond the reef, so divers and snorkelers will be greeted with an abundance of vibrant fish, nurse sharks, rays, turtles, and the occasional dolphin. The eponymous sharks and rays are the site's biggest attraction, and divers can enjoy the adrenaline rush of getting up close to a nurse shark. Night dives at Hol Chan reveal a completely different world of bioluminescence, glowing green moray eels, and parrotfish.

Turneffe is the largest of Belize's three major offshore atoll reefs and is home to perhaps the country's most diverse sea life. Over 200 nearby mangrove islands are home to species like the endemic whitespotted toadfish, reef sharks, morays, turtles, dolphins, rays, and jewfish. Visibility ranges from 100-150 feet, and divers can enjoy macrophotography opportunities.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is home to dozens of Belize's best dive sites, including the famed Great Blue Hole, a perfectly circular limestone sinkhole measuring 400 feet. The Blue Hole is known more for its geological formations than for fish-spotting, though hammerheads and other shark species do visit the hole's circumference. The Blue Hole is not for beginners—only veterans can briefly descend to 135 feet.

Glover's Reef Atoll, in southern Belize, sees fewer crowds and more diverse biology, especially coral growths. Long Caye Wall, with its sheer drop of over 2,000 feet, is considered world-class snorkelling.

Hawaii, on the other hand, is known for its hard coral territory, with soft corals being quite rare. The topography is provided by underwater lava formations, which are stark, stern, and beautiful. Hawaiian diving is very different from other warm-water locations, and it takes some time to appreciate. Hawaii lacks dedicated dive resorts, and shore diving is more common on Oahu and the Big Island.

In summary, Belize is an excellent choice for snorkelling and scuba diving due to its diverse marine life, clear and warm waters, and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The country offers a range of diving options, from liveaboards to atolls, and its southern reefs provide more secluded and diverse biology. Hawaii, in comparison, is known for its hard corals and lava formations but lacks dedicated dive resorts.

Mayan ruins and culture

Belize is home to a large number of Mayan ruins, with over 600 sites to explore. The ancient Maya civilisation once thrived in the region, and the ruins of their temples, pyramids, and palaces stand as a testament to their rich history and culture.

One of the most impressive sites is Caracol, located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve near the border with Guatemala. Caracol was once a powerful city-state, home to over 140,000 people, and the site includes thousands of structures, including temples, ball courts, an astronomic observatory, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics. Another notable site is Lamanai, which was inhabited by the Maya for over 3,000 years and includes beautifully preserved ceremonial buildings, such as the High Temple and the Jaguar Temple. Altun Ha, located about an hour's drive from Belize City, is one of the best-excavated sites, with dozens of temples, pyramids, and residential structures, as well as a replica of a jade carving of the Mayan sun god, "Kinich Ahau".

For those looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience, Cahal Pech, located in the Belize River Valley, offers a glimpse into Mayan life during the Preclassic period. Xunantunich, accessible via a hand-cranked cable ferry, features the second-largest building in Belize, El Castillo, as well as a wealth of archaeological remains. Lubaantun, located near the Maya village of San Pedro Columbia, is unique in that its structures were built without mortar, and the precision of their construction is truly remarkable.

In addition to these sites, there are many other Mayan ruins in Belize that are worth exploring, such as El Pilar, Cerros, Santa Rita, Nim Li Punit, and Barton Creek Cave, each offering its own insights into the mysterious and fascinating world of the ancient Maya.

Food and accommodation costs

Belize has been described as moderately priced, with reasonable costs for food, accommodation, and transportation. The average daily cost per person is around $105, with accommodation making up about $46 of that amount. The average price for a hotel room in Belize is $159, but cheaper options are available, with some rooms costing as little as $34 per night.

In comparison, Hawaii is generally considered expensive, with food and accommodation costs being higher than on the mainland US. The cost of food in Hawaii is said to be about 60% higher than on the mainland, with some sources estimating a daily food cost of around $55. However, this may depend on where the food is purchased, with local eateries and food trucks offering cheaper options than tourist restaurants. The cost of accommodation in Hawaii varies, with some hotels costing several hundred dollars per night, while others are more affordable.

Natural beauty and wildlife

Belize is home to a diverse range of ecosystems and habitats that host many different species, both on land and in the water. The country has the most accessible tropical wilderness in the Western hemisphere, with incredible jungles and an impressive coast. Belize has enacted many environmental laws with the goal of preserving its natural beauty, and as a result, roughly 36% of the country is protected. Ecotourism and sustainable tourism are very important in Belize.

Belize is a bird-watcher's paradise, with almost 600 bird species identified in the country. The Keel-Billed Toucan, the country's national bird, is a beautifully coloured and social creature, rarely spotted alone. Inland Belize offers a variety of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, housing 145 mammal species and over 70 kinds of forests. Belize is also home to four members of the feline family: the puma, the ocelot, the margay, and the jaguar. Southern Belize is home to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the only jaguar reserve in the world. Other wildlife in Belize includes spider monkeys, howler monkeys, peccaries, coatis, and gibnuts.

Belize also lays claim to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, with more than 100 types of coral and over 500 species of fish. West Indian manatees and whale sharks are commonly spotted in the waters, along with various species of sharks. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second longest continuous barrier reef in the world and offers some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. Belize's three mid-ocean atolls—Turneffe Island, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's Reef—are unique formations of small islands and reefs surrounding a mid-ocean saltwater lagoon.

Hawaii, on the other hand, is known for its stunning beaches and emerald-green mountains. The Nāpali Coast on Kauaʻi's North Coast offers hidden beaches, cascading waterfalls, and secret sea caves that can be explored by boat or helicopter. Waimea Canyon, also on Kauaʻi, is known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and provides panoramic views of the island's dramatic interior. Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) on Oʻahu has become an iconic symbol of Hawaiʻi and offers accessible day hiking with breathtaking views.

The Hawaiian Islands are home to countless natural attractions, including cascading waterfalls within lush rainforests, pristine beaches, incredible rock formations, magnificent caves, and the spot where flowing lava enters the ocean. The Pipiwai Trail on Maui offers a four-mile round trip trek through a lush Hawaiian tropical rainforest, leading to a towering banyan tree, a bamboo forest, and two gorgeous waterfalls. Glass Beach on Kauai is covered with millions of sea glass pebbles in brilliant hues of aqua, blue, and brown. The Kalapana Lava Flows on Hawaii Island provide a rare opportunity to witness flowing lava up close.

Hawaii has more than 50 state parks that preserve the natural beauty and unique culture of the islands. Iao Valley State Park on Maui is a lush, 4,000-acre valley with miles of hiking trails, stunning vistas, and the famous Iao Needle, a fern-covered lava formation deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture. The Garden of the Gods on Lanai is an otherworldly rock garden, barren of vegetation, reminiscent of another planet. Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach on Maui is one of the few red sand beaches in the world and offers breathtaking views.

Both Belize and Hawaii offer an abundance of natural beauty and diverse wildlife, each with its own unique attractions and charm. While Belize may have an edge in terms of biodiversity and accessibility to tropical wilderness, Hawaii boasts stunning beaches, dramatic coastlines, and majestic mountains that are sure to take your breath away.

Activities and accessibility

Belize offers a range of activities for visitors, with particular highlights including:

• The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is in an area world-famous for its excellent diving.
• Actun Tunichil Muknal, a remote cave filled with Mayan relics.
• The Belize Zoo, which is the first nature destination in the country that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.
• The Green Iguana Conservation Project, where you can mingle with iguanas and learn about their incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing process.
• The Maya Ruins of Caracol, the largest Mayan ruin in Belize.
• The Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, where you can see howler monkeys and spider monkeys.

Belize also has caves, rivers for kayaking and swimming, and Mayan ruins. It is a developing nation, and some have noted that it can be expensive, with costly tours, food, and lodging. However, there are also relatively cheap options. Depending on where you stay, it is possible to walk almost everywhere.

Hawaii also offers a plethora of activities, including:

• Diamond Head State Monument, a dormant volcano crater with amazing hikes and stunning coastal views.
• The USS Arizona Memorial, a floating memorial that honors those who died during the WWII Pearl Harbor attack.
• Waimea Canyon State Park, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, which offers scenic drives, panoramic lookouts, and hikes.
• Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii's monarchy, a marvel of opulence, innovation, and political intrigue.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can hike the Kilauea Iki lava field, explore the Nahuku Thurston lava tubes, and drive the Chain of Craters Road.
• Ka'anapali Beach, a stunning three-mile stretch of sand regarded as one of North America's best beaches.
• Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a protected marine life conservation area and a popular snorkeling spot.
• Waikiki Beach, the birthplace of modern surfing culture, with resorts and historic hotels lining the beachfront.

Hawaii takes pride in being a welcoming place for all travelers. Most airlines provide assistance to passengers with special needs, and all flights of US airlines are covered by the Air Carrier Access Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Selected beaches on Oahu, Kauaʻi, Maui, and the island of Hawaiʻi offer all-terrain wheelchairs.

Frequently asked questions