Belize's Best Beach Escapes: Discovering Paradise

Belize is a tropical paradise in Central America, just south of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It is home to breathtaking stretches of sun-kissed beaches, with golden and white sands, that dip into the turquoise hues of the Caribbean Sea. With over 200 offshore islands and a long coastline, Belize offers a range of beach experiences, from secluded cays to bustling coastal resorts. Here is an introduction to some of the best beaches this beautiful country has to offer:

Placencia Peninsula

The Placencia Peninsula is home to the longest stretch of beach in mainland Belize, with 16 miles of white sand beaches and emerald-hued waters. It is a laid-back beach resort destination with three adjacent beaches: Maya Beach, Seine Bight, and Placencia Beach. Maya Beach is the perfect place to "get away from it all", with calm waters ideal for snorkelling, diving, and swimming. Seine Bight is quieter and more secluded, while Placencia Beach, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, has a fun vibe with shops and restaurants in the vicinity. Placencia Village is filled with boutiques, excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and guesthouses, and is popular with American expats.

There is plenty to do in Placencia, from chartering boats for diving, fishing, or visiting a deserted beach, to organising a cruise through the mangrove swamp to Monkey River, where you can spot howler monkeys and crocodiles. Placencia is also a great base for snorkelling and diving at nearby cayes, where you can see reef sharks and dolphins.

Placencia has a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury beachfront resorts to budget guesthouses, and you can even rent a yacht for the night. The pedestrian-only boardwalk that runs along the beach for miles is claimed to be "The World's Narrowest Main Street". Along the boardwalk, you'll find many restaurants, beach bars, and souvenir shops.

Placencia is known for its top-notch food, with a mix of local Garifuna street food and restaurants serving international cuisine. Be sure to try the salbutes from the street cart at the end of the boardwalk, and don't miss Tutti Frutti for gelato—the peanut butter and dark chocolate flavour is a favourite. For beach bars, try Barefoot Bar for daily specials and happy hour drinks, and The Lazy Lizard, located right on the beach, for great drinks, food, and a bucket of six beers for $12.50.

Ambergris Caye

The town of San Pedro is the island's bustling hub, with paved streets downtown and sandy side streets that retain the island's fishing village charm. It is also the only town on the island.

The best beaches are found to the south and north of San Pedro. Head south from the town and look for the beautiful beach-facing Banyan Bay Suites. The beach across from Ramon's Village Resort is also one of the most popular around.

If you want to try saltwater fly fishing, Ambergris is the place to do it, with bonefish, tarpon, and barracuda in its waters.

For a quiet spot, head to the north of the island for your own crowd-free stretch of sand. Tranquility Bay is most easily reached by boat, but you can also access it via car down a dusty beach track.

Golf carts are the main form of transport on the island, although some residents still prefer to get around on foot, by bicycle, or by taxi.

The island has a broad range of lodging, from smaller cabanas far from town to gorgeous, modern condos and private rental homes.

The food in Ambergris Caye is also a delight, with fresh ceviche, conch fritters, stone crab, lobster, and whole fried hogfish.

There's plenty to do on the island, from snorkelling to fly fishing, and yoga to karaoke.

Hopkins Village Beach

The beach is publicly accessible and offers a scenic walk or a warm swim. Visitors can stroll along the sand, spotting colourful local homes, or relax under a palm tree. The village is known for its friendly and laid-back vibe, and visitors can enjoy local Garifuna cuisine, such as hudut, a traditional coconut fish stew served with mashed plantains. For those seeking a cultural experience, there are drum lessons available, and the village hosts various festivals throughout the year, including Mango Fest in the summer and Garifuna Settlement Day in late autumn.

The village is divided into two main areas: the Northside (Baila) and the Southside (False Sittee). It is surrounded by the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range inland, and the Caribbean Sea laps its shores. Hopkins Village Beach offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and a variety of activities, making it a great choice for those seeking a blend of relaxation and exploration during their beach vacation.

South Water Caye

The beaches of South Water Caye have been voted some of the best in the world. The island is a marine research facility, thanks to the abundance of species found in its waters. It is also a great spot for snorkelling and scuba diving, with a barrier reef just offshore.

Silk Cayes

The Cayes are known for their sugar-white or bleach-white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The coral reefs in the area are incredibly diverse, with a variety of different corals with different shapes, colours, and sizes. This, in turn, attracts a plethora of marine life, including fish, small marine animals, and predators. The Cayes are considered one of the best places in the world for snorkelling and scuba diving. Visitors can spot a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, schools of fish, sea turtles, sharks, rays, colourful beds of anemones, and even the largest fish in the ocean—the whale shark.

The islands offer a castaway experience, with 360-degree views of endless sea. Visitors can enjoy a picnic on the beach, go snorkelling or scuba diving, or simply relax and take in the serene surroundings. The best way to get to the Silk Cayes is by boat, either through a tour company or by chartering a boat. It is important to note that there is no dock at the Cayes, so visitors will need to pilot their boats directly onto the sandy beach.

Frequently asked questions