Belize's Natural Wonders: A Journey Through Pristine Ecosystems

Belize is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and natural wonders. This small country is packed with exciting destinations and activities for every type of traveller.

Belize is home to the world's second-largest barrier reef, dense jungles, mountain pine forests, palm-fringed beaches, bonefish flats, rivers, caves, and coral atolls. It's an eco-tourist's paradise.

The country is peppered with ancient sites, like Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, Xunantunich, and Altun Ha. You can also fill your itinerary with adventure activities, like rappelling down the Black Hole Drop, wading through water-filled chambers in Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, or exploring Belize's many other caves.

Belize has no shortage of amazing scuba diving sites. The most popular dive site is the Great Blue Hole, which is part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef.

Belize was once the epicentre of the Maya civilisation. The country has the highest concentration of Mayan temples in Central America. A few of the most visited sites in Belize are Altun Ha, Lamanai, Xunantunich, Caracol, and Cahal Pech.

Belize is also home to more than 500 species of birds. The Keel-billed Toucan, Belize’s national bird, is often seen on roadsides throughout the Cayo and Toledo Districts.

Belize has an abundance of wildlife and visiting sanctuaries and nature reserves is a good way to spot them. The easiest way to see Belizean wildlife is by visiting the Belize Zoo. Known as the ‘best little zoo in the world’, it is the perfect activity for animal lovers and families with kids.

Belize is a true melting pot, which is reflected in the language, culture, and food. While English is its official language, many speak Kriol, Spanish, Maya, or Garifuna.

Explore Belize's caves

Belize is home to some of the most extensive cave systems on the planet. Exploring these caves is a great way to experience the adventure and culture of Belize.

Cave Tubing

One of the most unique and exciting adventures offered in Belize is cave tubing. Explore Belize Caves offers a memorable experience, taking you through two large caves and the Mayan Jungle. You'll be in a small group headed by a friendly tour guide who will share fun facts about Belize on the way to the caves. Cave tubing is also Belize's best-value adventure and is the most popular excursion for cruise ship passengers.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

The ATM Cave, or the "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher," is an extraordinary experience that requires a passion for the unknown. After trekking through the forest and crossing a river, you'll venture into the cave by wading in chest-deep water. Inside, you'll discover human skeletons, ancient Maya pottery, and a network of chambers. The most famous skeleton is the "Crystal Maiden," a young girl whose bones have developed a glimmering appearance.

Barton Creek Cave

Barton Creek Cave is one of the largest river caves in Belize, consisting of giant passages with large speleothems over a navigable river. You can drive to the mouth of the cave and rent a canoe to paddle through. This cave is great for people who don't like to swim, as there are no opportunities to get out of the canoe. You'll see stunning stalagmites and stalactites, as well as Mayan pottery and human remains.

Caves Branch River

Cave tubing on the Caves Branch River is a relaxed way to explore a Belize Cave. You'll float through the cave with the river current as your guide. This option tends to be more popular with children, as it involves hiking through the jungle carrying tubes to a beautiful blue lagoon. You'll float through the cave in a group, hooked together feet-to-arms in an elaborate tube train.

Saint Herman's Cave

Saint Herman's Cave is part of a 5-hour hiking tour that also includes the Blue Hole.

Visit Maya temples

Belize is home to more than 600 Mayan sites, including sacred temples, ceremonial pyramids, and ancient water reservoirs. Here are some of the Maya temples you can visit:

Caracol

Tucked inside the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. The city once spanned over 70 square miles and was home to more than 140,000 people. The site features over 35,000 structures, including the Canna ("Sky Palace"), the tallest man-made building in Belize. The pyramid houses four distinct palaces and three temples and features advanced acoustics that allowed announcements from priests and rulers to be heard by masses of people in the plaza below. Caracol also boasts ball courts, an astronomic observatory, altars, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics.

Lamanai

To get to Lamanai, you'll first need to travel to Orange Walk Town, about two hours northwest of Belize City by bus. From there, you'll take a 26-mile boat ride up the New River. Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize and features a range of beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings. The High Temple, with its 108-foot staircase, offers incredible views of the jungle and New River Lagoon. Another highlight is the Jaguar Temple, a stepped pyramid with a jaguar head. The Mask Temple, featuring 13-foot-tall limestone masks adorned with crocodile headdresses, is also a must-see.

Altun Ha

Located about an hour's drive north of Belize City, Altun Ha is one of Belize's best-excavated archaeological sites. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. A highlight of Altun Ha is the discovery of a jade carving of "Kinich Ahau," the Mayan sun god. This artifact is the largest carved jade item found at Mayan ruins in the region and is featured on Belizean banknotes. Altun Ha is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including armadillos, foxes, white-tailed deer, and over 200 species of birds.

Xunantunich

To reach Xunantunich, you'll need to take a hand-cranked cable ferry from San José Succotz over the Mopan River. The site features six major plazas, over 25 temples and palaces, and a museum. The tallest structure, "El Castillo" ("The Castle"), stands at 130 feet and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Xunantunich is also known for its well-preserved sun god masks.

Cahal Pech

Located in San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is easily accessible from the town proper. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, including temple pyramids, an altar, and five plain stelae. Cahal Pech is notable for its well-preserved examples of the Maya Corbel or False Arch, also known as the Maya Vault. From the hilltop location, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Wildlife spotting

Belize is a nature lover's paradise, boasting a diverse range of wildlife and an admirable conservation agenda. Here are some of the top spots for wildlife spotting in this Central American country:

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Stann Creek district, is the world's only known jaguar preserve. It is home to Belize's five elusive wildcats, including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and kajous. The sanctuary also offers evening guided tours to increase your chances of spotting these majestic creatures. In addition to its rich feline population, the sanctuary is home to a variety of other animals, such as deer, peccaries, and tapirs.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located off the coast of Ambergris Caye, is a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers. It is separated into four parts: the mangroves, the reef, the sea-grass beds, and Shark Ray Alley. In addition to its stunning coral formations, the reserve is known for its diverse marine life, including stingrays, nurse sharks, eels, and various species of fish.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize's first government-designated wildlife reserve, is a bird-watcher's paradise. It spans 16,400 acres of wetlands, lagoons, swamps, and marshes. Visitors can expect to see a variety of wetland birds, with the Jabiru Stork being the most famous resident. This massive bird has a wingspan of up to 12 feet, making it the largest flying bird in Central and South America.

Rio Bravo Conservation Area

The Rio Bravo Conservation Area, located in northern Belize, offers a great opportunity to spot some of the country's elusive wildcats. With a bit of luck, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous jaguar or the rust-colored puma. The area also boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, iridescent ocellated turkeys, and howler monkeys.

Green Iguana Conservation Project

The Green Iguana Conservation Project, located in San Ignacio, aims to protect the endangered Green Iguana species. Visitors can interact with these fascinating reptiles and learn about their life cycle, incubation, hatching, rearing, and release processes. It is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with these timid lizards and support their conservation efforts.

Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo, located about an hour away from Belize City, is home to a variety of rescued and orphaned animals. It cares for over 150 native species, including jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, and various birds. The zoo offers interactive tours where visitors can get supervised one-on-one time with the animals. It is a great option for those looking for a quick wildlife fix on their way to the Cayo District.

Discover Belizean food and culture

Belize is a melting pot of cultures, and its cuisine reflects its rich history. Here's a guide to discovering Belizean food and culture.

Mestizo Culture

The Mestizo people, with their Spanish, Mexican, and Mayan influences, have had a significant impact on Belizean cuisine. Corn is a staple, and you'll find it in various forms throughout the day, from tortillas to tamales. Spicy peppers, black beans, squash, plantains, and fresh fruit are commonly used in their dishes. Some popular Mestizo foods that have become favourites across Belize include Relleno negro, escabeche, tacos, panades, and garnaches.

Chinese Culture

The Chinese community in Belize has adapted their traditional dishes with local ingredients, creating a unique Belizean-Chinese fusion.

Garifuna Culture

The Garifuna people, with their blend of African, Caribbean, and Belizean influences, have a rich tapestry of rituals, traditions, and cuisine. Their language is a mix of Arawak, French, Creole, Maya, Spanish, and English. Their dishes include Garifuna fish sere, cassava bread, bundiga (fish soup), hudut, and darasa.

Creole Culture

The Creole diet is diverse, just like their genealogy. Breakfast often includes Johnny cakes or fry jacks, and rice and beans is a common meal, usually accompanied by fried ripe plantains. Other delicacies include cow food soup, conch soup, fudge, tableta, potato pound, lemon pie, and milk cake. They also make homemade wines from berries, cashews, sorrel, grapefruit, or rice.

East Indian Culture

East Indians, or Indo-Belizeans, make up about 3% of Belize's population. They contribute unique dishes like cohune cabbage, dhal roti, and turmeric-based curry.

Lebanese Culture

Lebanese cuisine is known for its liberal use of herbs and spices, such as mint, thyme, saffron, and turmeric. Lamb or chicken dishes are often accented with tahini and yogurt. Popular Lebanese dishes in Belize include kibbeh and hummus.

Mayan Culture

The Maya people have contributed many savoury dishes to Belizean cuisine, including the ancient gift of chocolate. Their most famous dish is called caldo, made with tortillas, meat, and beans. They also use recado and corn or maize as staple ingredients.

Kriol Culture

Kriol dishes include bile up, a combination of boiled eggs, fish or pig tail, and various ground foods like cassava, green plantains, yams, sweet potatoes, and cocoa. They also enjoy rice and beans with meat and salad, seafood, and ground foods like cassava and plantains. Common Kriol desserts include wangla, powderbun, cakes, pies, and potato pudding.

Popular Dishes in Belize

• Rice and beans
• Stew chicken
• Chimole
• Salbutes
• Tamales
• Ceviche
• Conchita pibil
• Garnaches
• Panades
• Fry jacks
• Johnny cakes

Experience the Belizean jungle

With over 60% of Belize's land covered by forest, the country is filled with national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Belizean jungle is a must-see for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Here are some of the top destinations and activities to experience the beauty and thrill of the Belizean rainforest:

• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve: This nature reserve is dedicated to preserving Belize's native pine forest. It offers various outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, and wildlife spotting. The reserve features scenic waterfalls, rushing pools, and mysterious caves.
• Actun Tunichil Muknal: Listed by National Geographic as one of the top Sacred Places, this impressive Maya ceremonial cave is located within the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The tour involves a 2-hour hike through dense rainforest and rivers before reaching the cave, which contains rare bloodletting altars, sacrificial human remains, and Maya artifacts.
• Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve: Located near San Ignacio, this Maya site offers a great opportunity for relaxation and wildlife spotting. The main temple, El Castillo, rises 130 feet from the ground, providing spectacular views of the surrounding area.
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: Known as the world's only Jaguar Preserve, this sanctuary is a top jungle destination for hiking. While jaguar sightings are rare, the sanctuary is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including margays, deer, ocelots, and howler monkeys.
• Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve: This reserve features an extensive network of limestone caves surrounded by dense rainforest. It is a popular destination for cave-tubing, kayaking, and spelunking. Visitors can also enjoy a zip-line canopy tour.
• Mayflower Bocawina National Park: With over 7000 acres of pristine lowland and highland rainforest, this national park offers opportunities for zip-lining, exploring mountains, waterfalls, walking trails, and Maya archaeological remains. It is also a great spot for birding.
• Chaa Creek Nature Reserve: This 400-acre privately protected area offers extensive ecotourism facilities, including a butterfly farm, natural history museum, medicinal plants trail, Maya organic farm, guided birding, horseback riding, and rainforest ATV tours.
• Lamanai Archaeological Reserve: Located on the banks of the New River, this reserve is known for its Mask Temple, an ancient Mayan ruin featuring a 13-foot stone mask of a Maya king. The scenic 26-mile boat safari ride to the reserve offers wildlife encounters with crocodiles, river otters, monkeys, and exotic birds.
• St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park: This park hosts 575 acres of jungle, including the famous Belize Blue Hole, a sapphire-coloured cenote. The park also features Maya caves and well-maintained hiking trails for jungle exploration.
• Caracol Archaeological Reserve: Located south of Mountain Pine Ridge, Caracol is the largest archaeological reserve in Belize. It features the massive "Caana" or "Sky Palace" pyramid, which rises over 140 feet above the jungle floor. The surrounding rainforest provides opportunities for advanced birding and wildlife adventures.

The Belizean jungle offers a plethora of activities and sights to explore. Whether you're seeking adventure, wildlife encounters, or a peaceful connection with nature, the diverse destinations within the Belizean rainforest will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Frequently asked questions