Belize City's Beachside Charm

Belize City is the largest city in Belize and the place where most people arrive when visiting the country on vacation. However, those looking for long stretches of white sand beaches may be surprised to find that Belize City doesn't have any. Most of the nation's coastline is covered in mangroves, and sandy spots to relax in the sun and swim in the clear Caribbean waters are few and far between.

If you want to find the absolute best beaches in Belize, you’ll have to venture a considerable distance from Belize City. The Placencia Peninsula, 180 miles south of the city, is the closest place to Belize City to find an ideal beach scene. The 17-mile-long peninsula is home to a small unremarkable village, but tourists enjoy spending time here because of the availability of white sand and warm waters.

A tiny island just northwest of Belize City, Caye Caulker is a short boat ride to a wide range of beach activities. The beaches on the island are not large or especially stunning compared to other Caribbean ports of call, but they are some of the best beaches close to the city. World-class snorkelling along the Belize barrier reef is among the most popular attractions. Sailing, windsurfing, up-close encounters with manatees, kayaking, swimming and relaxing are all things you can enjoy on this small spot in the ocean.

Belize City's Cucumber Beach is a man-made salty pool

The beach was originally used as a port to package and load vessels bound for the USA. The name 'Kukumba Beach' is derived from the fact that, back in the 1950s, a Florida farmer grew cucumbers on this plot of land before exporting them to the USA during winter. The beach became colloquially known as Kukumba Beach, the phonetic pronunciation of 'cucumber' in Belizean Creole.

Today, it is a popular destination for tourists, offering a range of beach activities, including beach volleyball, a Tarzan rope swing, and an 80-foot-long waterslide. The beach also features a beach bar called Wata Hole, which serves cocktails and Belikin Beer.

The beach has a height-based pricing system, charging USD $15 per person above 5 feet, while minors under 3 feet enter for free. Residents receive a 50% discount, and access to all beach amenities is included in the entrance fee.

The Cucumber Beach Marina is a mainland marina that caters to both commercial and recreational boaters. It offers various services and facilities, including timbered deck docks, dry docking, open wireless internet access, laundromats, restrooms, and showers.

Goff's Caye is a common shore excursion for beach lovers

Belize is a tropical paradise with 240 miles of coastline and over 450 islands, which are referred to as "Cayes." While Belize City itself does not have any beaches, beach lovers can take a short boat ride to one of the nearby islands, such as Goff's Caye, for a day of sun, sea, and sand.

Goffs Caye is a small island located about 30 minutes by boat from Belize City. It is known for its pristine white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, offering a true tropical paradise experience. The island is an ideal destination for beach lovers, as it is one of the few places in Belize with natural white sand beaches. The shallow waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and other water activities.

The island also offers a range of facilities and activities for visitors. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, and there is a small beach bar and grill serving fresh seafood and tropical drinks. Visitors can also explore the surrounding reef, which is home to a variety of marine life, including nurse sharks and stingrays.

In addition to its natural beauty, Goffs Caye also provides a glimpse into the local culture. Visitors can interact with the friendly locals, enjoy a game of dominoes, or take drumming lessons. The island is also a great place to sample traditional Garifuna cuisine, such as hudut (fish soaked in a coconut stew served with mashed plantains).

Overall, Goffs Caye is a popular shore excursion for beach lovers visiting Belize. With its stunning natural beauty, crystal blue waters, and range of activities, it offers a memorable and relaxing tropical island experience.

Caye Caulker is a great spot for snorkelling and kayaking

For snorkelling enthusiasts, Caye Caulker offers some of the best spots in the world. The island is home to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world. A variety of snorkelling tours are available, taking visitors to explore the abundant marine life and diverse coral species that the reef has to offer. Popular snorkelling sites include Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, Coral Gardens, and the Belizean Titanic. These sites provide opportunities to see sea turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, and a variety of tropical fish.

In addition to snorkelling, Caye Caulker is also ideal for kayaking. Kayakers can explore the island's coastline, taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying the calm waters. The island's motto, "Go Slow", encourages visitors to relax and take their time exploring all that the island has to offer.

Caye Caulker is also a great place to simply enjoy the beach and soak up the sun. The island has a laidback atmosphere, with no cars and everything within walking distance. Visitors can spend their days alternating between snorkelling, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach.

When it comes to accommodation, Caye Caulker offers a range of options, from backpacker guesthouses to luxury condos and villas. Similarly, the island has a variety of dining options, including local Garifuna street food and beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Overall, Caye Caulker is a fantastic destination for those seeking a combination of beach relaxation and water sports activities. With its convenient location, stunning natural beauty, and abundance of marine life, it is a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy snorkelling and kayaking in Belize.

Ambergris Caye is the largest of Belize's islands

Ambergris Caye is the largest of Belize's 200-plus islands, or "cayes", located off the Belize coast. It is about 25 miles long and 1 mile wide, with white sand beaches and a mangrove forest at its centre. The island is a top destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, as it is only half a mile from the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world.

The main town on Ambergris Caye is San Pedro, which is also the island's biggest settlement. The town is a hub for water sports and diving, with many dive shops offering tours to the different sites, the outer islands, and the Great Blue Hole. San Pedro also has a laid-back, Caribbean vibe, with golf carts being the main mode of transport. The town's streets are lined with wooden houses, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants, and there is a bustling social scene, with beach parties and fiestas held throughout the year.

Ambergris Caye has a rich history, with evidence of a Maya community living on the island in Pre-Columbian times. In the 17th century, it was a base for English pirates raiding Spanish ships, and later, in the 18th century, it became a refuge for refugees fleeing civil war in the Yucatan Peninsula. The primary economic activities during this time were fishing and coconut production. Today, Ambergris Caye is a popular tourist destination, with a variety of hotels, restaurants, and nature-based activities on offer.

The island is easily accessible, with daily flights and water taxis from Belize City, as well as ferries from Chetumal in Mexico. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches and azure waters of the Caribbean, while also exploring the rich history and culture of Belize.

Placencia Peninsula is home to a 17-mile-long beach

Belize is a tropical paradise situated just south of Mexico’s famous Yucatan Peninsula. It has been blessed with 240 miles of coastline and more than 450 islands, which are known as "Cayes". The Placencia Peninsula is home to a 17-mile-long beach, the longest stretch of beach in mainland Belize. It is a gorgeous emerald peninsula in southern Belize with 16 miles of sandy beaches. The Caribbean Sea is to the east and the charming Placencia lagoon lies to the west, looking towards the Maya Mountains on the mainland.

The Placencia Peninsula is bordered by a lush mangrove-lined lagoon to the west and kissed by the beach on the east, along the Caribbean Sea. It is renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The beaches are dotted with boutique beach resorts, vacation homes, cool restaurants, and bars. The town is set up great for tourists. There’s a pedestrian-only boardwalk that runs along the beach for miles. The boardwalk runs from one end of the village to the other and is claimed to be "The World’s narrowest main street". Along the boardwalk are many restaurants, beach bars, and local souvenir shops.

Placencia Village boasts the nicest stretch of beach to swim. You have approximately 2 miles of clean, white sand beach to swim. If there is sargassum in the area, the point Placencia is almost always clean. The municipal pier, along with other businesses such as restaurants and bars, makes it the most convenient area to swim and relax on the beach. The beaches along the Placencia Peninsula are dotted with small resorts that can arrange dive and snorkel trips to the reef, which is about 17 miles away. They can also arrange day trips to many small, idyllic cayes, such as Laughing Bird Caye, a mini-atoll that offers protected snorkelling and swimming, a white sand beach, and many cooling palm trees.

The best time to visit Placencia is from November to April. During this time, it’s Belize’s dry season with glimpses of the upcoming balmy winter and cool weather fronts. However, this time period coincides with Belize’s high tourism season, and accommodations and tours are more expensive.

Frequently asked questions