Belize's Music Scene: Concerts And More

Belize is a great place to visit for music lovers, with a variety of concerts, live shows, and festivals taking place throughout the year. The country's largest city, Belize City, is a hub for musical events, with venues such as the Victoria House Resort & Spa, Marion Jones Stadium, and Castaway Belize Resort & Restaurant hosting performances by popular artists.

In addition to these regular concerts, Belize also hosts several music festivals that celebrate the country's culture and traditions. For example, the International Billfish Tournament, La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, and the Costa Maya Festival are all events that feature live music alongside other activities such as canoe races, regattas, and street parades.

Overall, Belize offers a diverse range of musical experiences, from intimate concerts to large-scale festivals, that are sure to appeal to music enthusiasts of all tastes.

Annual events and festivals

Belize has a packed calendar of annual events and festivals. Here is a selection:

Krem New Year's Cycling Classic

A road race that starts in Corozal Town and ends in Belize City. The race is open to cyclists from Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. It usually takes the winners around 3 and a half to 4 hours to complete the course. It has been held every year since 1992.

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge

A 4-day, 179-mile canoe race from San Ignacio in the Cayo District to the Swing Bridge in Belize City.

Baron Bliss Day

A national holiday honouring Baron Bliss, a benefactor of Belize. It is celebrated with fishing, races, and a harbour regatta.

Labour Day

The prime minister or minister of labour makes a national address, followed by street celebrations, regattas, and horse races.

Cashew Festival, Crooked Tree Village

A weekend-long celebration of the cashew harvest, with local vendors selling cashew-based products, including cashew wine and cashew jelly. The festival also features live music.

National Agriculture & Trade Show, Belmopan

A national fair aimed at farmers, cattle ranchers, and large-scale agro-businesses.

Toledo Cacao Fest, Punta Gorda

A late May festival in southern Belize, featuring food, desserts, concerts, games, parades, and tours.

Lobster Festival, San Pedro

A week-long celebration of the opening of lobster season, with food, music, dancing, and an arts fair.

Día de San Pedro, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

A 3-day celebration of the island's patron saint, Saint Peter, or San Pedro. Boats are blessed, and there are parades and processions.

July Lobster Festival, Caye Caulker

A long weekend of food, music, and dancing, celebrating the start of lobster season.

Costa Maya Festival, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

Belize's largest festival, with participants from El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. The festival features live concerts, street parades, beauty pageants, and water shows.

Deer Dance Festival, San Antonio, Toledo District

A 9-day Mayan festival in the small village of San Antonio, with costumed performances and dances.

Independence Day

Patriotic parades and official celebrations, mixed with street parties, beauty pageants, and open-air concerts.

Pan American Day

Formerly known as Columbus Day, this day celebrates mestizo and Mayan culture with parades, street fairs, and concerts.

Garífuna Settlement Day

The biggest Garífuna celebration takes place in Dangriga, with Garífunas from across Belize and the region gathering to commemorate their arrival from St Vincent in 1832. The celebrations include street parades, religious ceremonies, and dance and drumming performances.

Boxing Day

A day of dances, concerts, horse races, and general festivities around the country.

Nature and wildlife tours

Belize is a haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a range of tours that showcase its diverse ecosystems and rich history. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing some of the best nature and wildlife tours available in Belize:

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located off the coast of Ambergris Caye, is a nature lover's paradise. It is the oldest reserve in Belize and was established to protect the diverse marine life that inhabits its waters. The reserve is divided into four distinct parts: the mangroves, the reef, the sea-grass beds, and Shark Ray Alley. With crystal-clear waters and an abundance of sea life, it is a prime spot for scuba diving and snorkelling. Visitors can expect to encounter stingrays, nurse sharks, turtles, and a variety of tropical fish.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

For those seeking an adventure into the unknown, the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave offers a unique and challenging experience. Located within the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, the journey to the cave involves a 45-minute trek through the forest and several river crossings. Once inside, visitors must squeeze through tight spaces to reach the sacred chamber that houses the "Crystal Maiden," a skeleton believed to be that of a young girl who was ritually sacrificed by the Mayans.

Lamanai Temples and River Cruise

The Lamanai Temples are perched on the New River Lagoon in northern Belize and boast a unique connection to crocodile art. The name "Lamanai" means "submerged crocodile" in Yucatec Maya. This 960-acre site was inhabited from 1500 B.C. to A.D. 1700 and is the longest-occupied Maya site in the world. Visitors can explore three Maya pyramids, the remains of a 16th-century Spanish church, and several plazas and temples. The river cruise offers the opportunity to spot crocodiles, iguanas, and howler monkeys along the banks of the New River.

Xunantunich Maya Site

Xunantunich is a prominent Maya site located near the Mopan River and the Guatemalan border. To reach the site, visitors must cross the river via a hand-cranked ferry. Xunantunich features six major plazas and the impressive "El Castillo," a 130-foot tall structure with intricate carvings. Visitors can climb the steps of "El Castillo" for breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle and neighbouring Guatemala. The site is also home to spider monkeys, which can often be spotted dangling from the trees.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature lover's paradise, offering a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Belize's tropical rainforest. This sanctuary is known for its diverse nature and is home to a wide range of wildlife, including the elusive jaguar. The area is ideal for hiking and nature photography, with the trail ending at a picturesque waterfall where visitors can take a refreshing dip.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch

The Green Hills Butterfly Ranch is a nature lover's paradise, boasting thousands of live butterflies in a 4,000-square-foot walk-in flight area. Visitors can witness the full metamorphosis of butterflies, from egg to adult, and learn about the importance of butterfly conservation. The ranch is surrounded by a botanical garden with over 150 plant species, and it also features a hummingbird viewing area, providing unlimited photo opportunities.

Caverns and caves

Belize is home to some of the world's most spectacular caves and caverns. Here is a list of some of the best caverns and caves to visit in Belize:

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Also known as the ATM Cave, this cave is one of the most impressive and artefact-rich Maya ceremonial caves ever found. It contains rare bloodletting altars used in sacrifices by Maya royalty, as well as over 1400 catalogued artefacts and sacrificial human remains. To reach the cave, visitors take a short drive from San Ignacio, followed by a 45-minute hike through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. After a short swim into the cave's mouth, visitors wade through water and climb through chambers to reach the main hall, filled with artefacts and remains. Another climb leads to the stone sepulchre, where the famous Crystal Maiden lies. This skeleton, covered in calcium carbonate, sparkles eerily in the lamplight.

Barton Creek Cave

Located in the small Mennonite community of Barton Creek, in the Cayo District, Barton Creek Cave was used by the ancient Maya for rituals. Visitors can enjoy a kayak tour through the cave system, with an experienced guide.

Rio Frio Cave

The Rio Frio Cave is located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and has an impressive 65-foot arch at its entrance. At just half a mile in length, it is a great option for novice cavers. From the cave's opening, visitors can see the entire cave and the stream that runs through it.

Che Chem Ha Cave

Che Chem Ha Cave is located 16 miles from San Ignacio and offers a unique experience. The cave's entrance is decorated with Maya motifs and guards a collection of hundreds of fully intact ancient Maya pots. Visitors take a 45-minute uphill hike to reach the cave, which is carefully monitored to prevent looting.

St. Herman's Cave

One of the most accessible caves in Belize, St. Herman's Cave is located in the dense tropical forest on the Hummingbird Highway, just 12 miles southeast of Belmopan. It is part of the St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park and holds cultural and archaeological significance, having been used by the Maya during the Classic Period.

Crystal Cave

Also known as Mountain Cow Cave, Crystal Cave is located within the Blue Hole National Park and is recommended for more experienced cavers. Visitors take a guided hike through rugged terrain to reach the cave, which features huge caverns adorned with crystalline formations.

Sporting events

Belize is a great place for sports lovers, with a wide range of sporting events taking place throughout the year. Here is a list of some of the most popular sporting events in Belize:

Cycling

Cycling is huge in Belize, with the country hosting several annual cycling races. The Krem New Year's Cycling Classic is a single-day road race held on New Year's Day since 1992. The race starts in Corozal Town and ends in Belize City, with competitors mostly being Belizean but also including Guatemalan and Mexican teams.

The Valentine Cycling Classic is another popular event, organised by the Cycling Federation of Belize. This two-day event includes a prologue and circuit race on day one and a road race on day two.

Holy Saturday in Belize is all about the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, a gruelling 140-mile race from Belize City to San Ignacio-Santa Elena and back. This amateur race is Belize's biggest cycling event and has gained international recognition.

Other notable cycling events include the San Cas Belmopan Cycling Classic and the Female Cross Country Cycling Classic.

Canoeing

The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is a four-day, 179-mile canoe race along the Macal and Belize Rivers. The race takes place every year in March, with competitors from many local villages paddling from San Ignacio Town to Belize City.

Horse Racing

Belize has a passion for horse racing, with the largest racetrack in the country located in Burrell Boom. Baron Bliss Day, a national holiday honouring Baron Bliss, includes horse races as part of the celebrations.

Football (Soccer)

Football is the most popular sport in Belize, with a national league and regional matches held regularly. The sport is governed by the Football Federation of Belize, and some areas even have leagues for children.

Basketball

Basketball is a close second to football in terms of popularity. The sport is regulated by the Belize Basketball Federation, with competitions held in schools and sports complexes at various levels. Almost every village has a basketball court, and watching US basketball in bars is a common pastime.

Fishing

Fishing is an integral part of Belizean culture, and the country offers excellent opportunities for anglers.

Sailing

Sailing is popular on some of Belize's islands, and regattas are often held as part of celebrations and festivals.

Other Water Sports

With its abundance of water sources, Belize offers a variety of water-based activities. Scuba diving is a major tourist attraction, and kayaking and canoeing are also popular. Swimming is enjoyed by most Belizeans, and windsurfing has gained popularity in recent years.

Running

Belize hosts several long-distance running events, including the End of the World Marathon in Placencia and the Hike & Bike for the Rainforest, a two-day cross-country run and mountain bike race.

Other Sports

Softball is gaining popularity, especially in rural areas, and local and national tournaments are organised regularly. Cricket, hiking, spelunking, and volleyball are also enjoyed by many Belizeans.

Boxing is particularly popular to watch on TV, with big pay-per-view matches shown in bars across the country.

Archaeology tours

Belize is home to a plethora of ancient Mayan archaeological sites, and there are many tours that can take you to explore them. Here is a list of some of the best archaeology tours in Belize:

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio

This tour takes you to explore the ruins of a once-powerful Mayan city, Xunantunich. You will cross the Mopan River on a traditional hand-cranked ferry and then climb to the hilltop complex, where you can admire the remnants of plazas, royal quarters, ball courts, and the imposing El Castillo temple, the second tallest in Belize. From the top of the great pyramid, you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding area, stretching into Guatemala. A knowledgeable guide will accompany you, shedding light on the fascinating ancient Mayan civilisation.

Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave with a Picnic Lunch

On this tour, you will explore the vast archaeological site of Caracol, once a mighty ancient Maya city. A guide will lead you through the site, where you can observe glyphs, stelae, and carvings that tell the history of Caracol. After delving into the past, you can take a refreshing swim in the natural pools of Rio On and visit the vast limestone cave system of Rio Frio Cave in Pine Ridge.

Tikal Day Trip with Local Lunch from San Ignacio

This day trip takes you across the border into Guatemala, where you will find the incredible ancient Mayan city of Tikal, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A professional guide will lead you through the archaeological complex, allowing you to imagine the city's former glory during the Mayan period.

Lamanai Temples, River Cruise, Bird Watching and Monkeys from Belize City

This tour combines archaeology with wildlife watching. You will take a river cruise along the New River, spotting wildlife such as birds and crocodiles, before reaching the Lamanai ruins, one of Belize's most impressive Mayan sites. You will explore the Jaguar and Mask Temples, ancient Mayan palaces, and a museum housing artefacts like clay pots and temple carvings. The tour includes a typical Belizean lunch.

Altun Ha Temple and Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour

This tour combines archaeology with wildlife watching. You will visit Altun Ha, a well-preserved ancient Mayan site, and learn about how the Mayans lived. You will then visit the Black Howler Monkey Sanctuary, where you can hike through the jungle and observe these loud creatures in their natural habitat.

Private Altun Ha Maya Ruin and Belize City Adventure from Belize City

This private tour takes you to the ruins of Altun Ha, an ancient Maya trading centre. After exploring the site, you will also have the opportunity to do some sightseeing in Belize City and enjoy a delicious lunch.

These are just a few examples of the archaeology tours available in Belize. Each tour offers a unique perspective on the country's rich Mayan history and cultural heritage.

Frequently asked questions