Belize's Leisurely Pleasures: Exploring A Country's Pastimes And Passions

Belize is a great place for a tropical vacation, with warm and tranquil waters, and beautiful beaches. The country has a lot to offer everyone, from solo adventurers to honeymooners to families.

Belize City, the largest urban centre in the country, has a lot of British colonial architecture and narrow streets that give it a historical feel. It is home to a cruise ship port, trendy boutiques, restaurants, and lively bars. It is also a cultural melting pot, with people from different ethnic backgrounds such as Creole, Chinese, East Indians, Mestizos, and Maya.

If you want to get away from the city, you can take a quick flight or water taxi to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, two popular island destinations off the coast of Belize. Ambergris Caye, the largest and most popular of the islands, offers a wide range of outdoor activities, luxury resorts, fine restaurants, and beach cafes. It is also home to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a great spot for snorkelling, diving, or swimming.

Caye Caulker, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed vibe. It is a great place to hike and explore the estuary, which is teeming with wildlife like crocodiles, iguanas, and tarpons. The island also has plenty of budget-friendly accommodations and beachside restaurants serving local favourites like conch and grilled fish.

Belize also has plenty of inland adventures, including several Maya ruin sites such as Lamanai, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich. You can also explore underground cave systems by kayak or inner tube, hike through the rainforest at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve, or go birdwatching—Belize is home to over 200 species of native and migratory birds.

The country also hosts numerous unique festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Fiesta de Carnaval in February and the Lobster Festivals in June and July.

Explore Maya ruins

Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The country is now home to over 600 Mayan sites, the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. The ancient Maya built large cities that housed hundreds of thousands of people. Today, these sites offer a fascinating insight into the mysterious Maya empire. Here is an exploration of some of the Maya ruins in Belize:

Caracol

Caracol is located in the Cayo District, within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, near the border with Guatemala. It is the largest Maya site in Belize and was once one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world. The site covers around 25,000 acres and contains thousands of structures, including the tallest man-made building in Belize, the Caana pyramid. Caracol was the centre of one of the largest Maya kingdoms and played a significant role in the Classic period political struggles of the southern Maya lowlands. The city is also known for defeating and subjugating Tikal, another major Maya site in modern-day Guatemala.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is located near San Ignacio in western Belize. The site can be reached by taking a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River from the village of San Jose Succotz. Xunantunich is a Classic Period ceremonial centre with impressive structures, including the second-tallest temple in Belize, which rises 133 feet (40 meters) tall. The site also features well-preserved sun god masks, six major plazas, more than 25 temples and palaces, and a new museum.

Lamanai

Lamanai is located in the Orange Walk District, on the banks of the New River. It is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize and is known for being the longest continually occupied site in Mesoamerica. The site can be reached by boat from Orange Walk Town or by road through San Felipe, Orange Walk. Lamanai features beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings, including the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple. The site also has the remnants of two 16th-century Spanish churches, as well as an old sugar mill from the 19th century.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is located in San Ignacio, in the Cayo District. The site is easily accessible and offers a valuable glimpse into the life of the ancient Maya during the Preclassic period. Cahal Pech features a visitor centre with information about the site's origins. The ruins themselves include two ball courts and around 34 structures, including temples, residential buildings, and courtyards, all interconnected via a series of plazas. The hilltop location also provides panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is located about 31 miles north of Belize City and is one of the most visited sites in Belize. The site is easily accessible and features two large central plazas surrounded by Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Altun Ha is also known for the discovery of the largest Maya-carved jade object, the Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God. The site is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including armadillos, foxes, and over 200 species of birds.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun is located near the Maya village of San Pedro Columbia in southern Belize. The site is unique in that it is constructed without mortar, with each stone carefully measured and cut to fit together. Lubaantun features five main plazas, two ball courts, and 14 major structures. The site is also known for the discovery of the famous Crystal Skull, a crystal skull carved from a single crystal of quartz.

Cerros

Cerros is located on a small peninsula in Corozal Bay, making it the only Maya site in Belize located on the coast. Several structures at Cerros have been submerged due to rising sea levels. The site features a 72-foot-tall funerary building, several plazas, and an extensive canal system. One notable temple at Cerros features stucco masks representing the sunrise, sunset, morning star, and evening star.

Nim Li Punit

Nim Li Punit is a smaller Maya site located near the village of Indian Creek in the Toledo District. The site is known for its large number of stelae, or stone slabs, with intricate carvings of Maya hieroglyphs and pictures. The longest stela in Belize, standing at 30 feet tall, can be found at Nim Li Punit. The site also features a ball court, several palaces, and a long terrace.

Scuba dive the Blue Hole

Belize is a great place for scuba diving, and one of the most popular spots is the Blue Hole. Here is some information about scuba diving in the Blue Hole:

Location

The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole near the centre of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a small atoll off the coast of Belize. It is the only blue hole that can be seen from space.

Size and Shape

The Blue Hole is almost perfectly circular, stretching over 300 metres (1,000 feet) across and 125 metres (410 feet) deep. It has a circumference of 3,140 feet.

History

The Blue Hole was formed as a limestone cave system during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower. As the ocean began to rise, the caves flooded, and the roof collapsed. It is believed to be the world's largest feature of its kind.

Diving Conditions

The Blue Hole is consistently ranked as one of the top dive sites in the world due to its impressive cave formations and marine wildlife. The excellent visibility underwater allows divers to easily see the cave formations and marine life. However, some divers have found the experience disappointing, especially if they prefer colourful coral reef diving.

Marine Life

The Blue Hole is known for its large population of sharks, including lemon, black tip, reef, hammerhead, and bull sharks. Divers have also reported seeing Caribbean Reef Sharks during their descent.

Requirements

Divers must be Advanced Open Water Divers or equivalent from a reputable scuba agency and must have dived within the last six months to do the Blue Hole Dive. Divers must also complete a safety screening form before the dive.

Costs

The Blue Hole Dive costs $360 USD for three dives, including equipment, lunch, and conservation fees.

Other Activities

For those who don't want to scuba dive, the Blue Hole can also be enjoyed by snorkelling or taking a scenic flight over the site.

Party on Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is not known for its vibrant nightlife, but there are still plenty of options for those who want to party on this sun-soaked island.

The Split

Head to the northern tip of the island, where you'll find a concentration of restaurants, shops, and hotels near the Split, a popular spot for water sports. This is also where you'll find the Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill, a casual, comfortable, and family-friendly restaurant and bar.

Barrier Reef Sports Bar

Think of the Sports Bar as the community living room, where locals, expats, and tourists come together. Join them for your favorite sporting event, live music, trivia, holiday parties, darts, cards, or dancing.

El Portal Island Lounge and Tapas

One of the best places for nightlife in Caye Caulker, according to Tripadvisor.

West Bay Beach Club

Another top spot for nightlife on Caye Caulker, as recommended by Tripadvisor.

Southside Pizza

Caye Caulker's one and only biker bar, serving up "free shit and abuse fresh daily!"

The Dock – Bar & Coffee Shop

A place to chill and party, with coffee and cocktails on offer.

Beach Bars

Caye Caulker has plenty of beach bars where you can start a daytime party on the beach.

Late Evening Bars and Nightclubs

If you're still up and running after a few rum punches on the beach, there are late-night bars and a nightclub to keep the party going.

So, while Caye Caulker may not be renowned for its nightlife, there are certainly options for those who want to let loose and have some fun!

Go birdwatching

Belize is a great place for birdwatching, with over 570 species of birds. The country is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to coastal areas, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

Top Birdwatching Destinations in Belize

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

This 44,000-acre preserve is one of the best bird-watching locations in Belize. It was established in 1984 to protect resident and migratory birds, and its mix of upland and wetland habitats supports a diverse range of bird species. During the dry season, tens of thousands of wading birds flock to the lagoons, making it a great spot for birdwatching.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

This 128,000-acre sanctuary is home to a large population of jaguars and over 330 species of birds. The well-maintained trails allow visitors to explore the dense lowland forests and experience the high biodiversity of the area. It is also near the Mayan village of Red Bank, where you can see the largest concentration of the northern subspecies of Scarlet Macaws.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

This reserve offers a landscape of rolling pine forests and is home to a variety of bird species, including the rufous-capped warbler, crossbill, pine siskin, stygian owl, and eastern bluebird. It is also one of the best places in Belize to spot the rare Orange-breasted Falcon.

Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary

This nature reserve in the Toledo District protects important breeding colonies for many bird species. Common sightings include cormorants, wood storks, herons, egrets, whistling ducks, sandpipers, stilts, swallows, flycatchers, and more.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Adjacent to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, this recently declared national park offers over 7,000 acres of pristine lowland and highland rainforest, along with mountains, waterfalls, walking trails, and Maya archaeological remains.

St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park

Located just 12 miles south of Belmopan City, this national park hosts 575 acres of jungle and well-maintained trails that make bird watching very accessible.

Best Time for Birdwatching in Belize

Birdwatching in Belize can be done year-round, as the warm weather allows for the spotting of native bird species throughout the year. However, from December to April, local resident birds are joined by migratory birds escaping the North American winter, making it a great time to see both Central and North American bird species.

Visit the Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC) is a non-profit organisation located in the Maya Forest Corridor, around 47 kilometres west of Belize City. It was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who began by caring for a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. Since then, it has become a world-renowned wildlife education centre, with over 68,000 visitors annually, including 15,000 students, teachers and parents.

The zoo is set across 29 acres of land, with over 150 animals of about 45 to 48 species, all native to Belize. The natural environment of the country is left entirely intact within the zoo, with dense, natural vegetation separated only by gravel trails through the forest. The zoo is home to a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in the country: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays and jaguarundis. Other animals include spider monkeys, toucans, crocodiles and iguanas.

The zoo offers a unique opportunity to encounter these animals in their natural habitat, promoting appreciation, pride and a desire to protect and conserve Belize's natural resources. It is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities, with wheelchair-friendly pathways, an accessible bathroom facility and a limited number of wheelchairs available for complementary use.

In addition to the traditional daytime tour, the zoo offers a nocturnal tour, providing a glimpse into the activity of crepuscular and nocturnal animals, such as tapirs, jaguars and howler monkeys. The zoo also has a restaurant, the Harpy Cafe, which serves a full menu, all-day breakfast and daily baked pastries and desserts.

For those looking to make a weekend of it, the Tropical Education Center, located just a mile away, offers various lodging options, meals and airport transfers.

Frequently asked questions