Belize's Tourism: Adventure And Relaxation

Belize is a major tourist destination in Central America, offering a mix of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and adventure activities. The country has seen steady growth in its travel and tourism sector, with a significant contribution to its economy. With its diverse landscape, Belize attracts nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world, is a hotspot for divers and snorkelers, while the lush rainforests, mangrove swamps, and Mayan ruins provide ample opportunities for exploration. The country also boasts picturesque beaches, perfect for relaxation.

Belize offers a range of activities such as ziplining, cave rafting, boating, paddleboarding, and wildlife watching. It is also known for its archaeological and cultural sites, including some of the largest Mayan cities and temples in Central America. The country's eco-tourism sector is growing, with a focus on local culture, wilderness, and adventure. Belize's tourism industry provides opportunities for minority communities, such as the Maya and Garifuna people, to engage in alternative markets and showcase their culture.

With its proximity to the United States, Belize is a popular destination for American tourists and retirees, contributing significantly to the local economy. The country's tourism sector offers a unique, boutique experience, and the government is working to expand high-end travel opportunities.

Scuba diving and snorkelling

Belize is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling, with its stunning white sandy beaches, 298 kilometres of coastline, and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The country's warm, clear waters are rich with marine life, offering great conditions for beginners and thrilling experiences for more advanced divers.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley

Located in the north of Belize, Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are perhaps the country's most popular dive and snorkel spots. At a depth of just 30 metres, and with an abundance of colourful fish, nurse sharks, rays, turtles, and the occasional dolphin, these sites are ideal for beginners. Shark Ray Alley is a shallow sand plateau on the Belize Barrier Reef where fishermen would clean their catches, luring in nurse sharks and stingrays. Today, divers and snorkelers can enjoy a close encounter with these creatures in their natural environment.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a relaxed alternative to the tourist hotspot of Ambergris Caye. It offers solid snorkelling and dive sites, such as Coral Gardens, which are a short boat ride away. A day trip to Caye Caulker typically includes snorkelling stops like Goff's Caye and a visit to Shark Ray Village, where you might spot delicate seahorses entwined in the mangroves.

Turneffe Atoll

Turneffe Atoll is the largest of Belize's three major offshore atoll reefs, known for its varied features, including shallow reefs, wrecks, and diverse sea life. It is home to more than 200 mangrove islands and a diverse range of species, including the endemic whitespotted toadfish, reef sharks, morays, turtles, dolphins, rays, and jewfish. Visibility ranges from 30 to 45 metres, providing excellent conditions for macrophotography.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is home to dozens of Belize's best dive sites, including the famous Great Blue Hole, a massive marine sinkhole that was popularised by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s. While the Blue Hole may not offer a diverse array of marine life due to its depth and limited sunlight, it is still a bucket list dive for many, offering a unique underwater topography with gigantic stalactites.

Glover's Reef Atoll

Glover's Reef Atoll is the southernmost atoll in Belize's Barrier Reef and is known for its diverse coral and whale shark population. Between March and June, divers and snorkelers can easily spot these gentle giants feeding on the many spawning fish populations. The atoll is also ideal for beginners, with shallow depths and incredible biodiversity.

Other Notable Spots

Belize offers numerous other snorkelling and scuba diving spots, including the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest living barrier reef in the world, stretching nearly 700 miles. Spanish Bay, a shallow reef dive near Turneffe Island, is another popular spot, known for its diverse soft and hard coral and frequent visits from dolphins and sharks. For coral canyons and multi-level diving, Esmeralda Canyons is a great choice, located just a 30-minute boat ride from San Pedro.

Exploring Mayan ruins

Belize is considered part of the southern Maya lowlands of the Mesoamerican culture area, and the sites found there were occupied from the Preclassic (2000 BCE–200 CE) until and after the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The land that is now Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. Today, Belize has more than 600 Mayan sites (and counting!) Here are some of the best sites to explore:

Caracol

Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest known Maya centre in Belize. It was once home to more than 140,000 people and stretched over 70 square miles, making it larger than modern-day Belize City. Caracol was the centre of one of the largest Maya kingdoms and contains the remains of thousands of structures. The Caana pyramid is the tallest man-made structure in Belize at 140 feet tall. The site also features ball courts, an astronomic observatory, altars, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics.

Lamanai

Lamanai is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize, inhabited for over 2,000 years. The site is located on the banks of the New River Lagoon and features a range of beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings, including the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple. Lamanai is Mayan for "submerged crocodile", and the site is named after the lagoon out front, which is filled with crocodiles.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is one of Belize's best-excavated archaeological sites and is easily accessible, located about an hour's drive north of Belize City. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Altun Ha is also home to a variety of wildlife, including armadillos, foxes, and white-tailed deer. The site is known for the Maya Jade Head, a 10-pound jade carving of the Mayan sun god, which is the largest jade artifact found in the region.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is a Classic Period ceremonial centre located across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz. The site can be reached by taking a free ferry across the Mopan River. El Castillo, a 130-foot pyramid, dominates the excavated site and is the second-largest building in Belize. Xunantunich features six major plazas, more than 25 temples and palaces, and a new museum.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is located just outside of San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley and is one of the oldest-known ruins in the area. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, including temples, residential buildings, and an altar. The hilltop location of Cahal Pech provides panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Cerros

Cerros is the only Mayan ruin in Belize located along the coast. The site is situated on a peninsula in Corozal Bay and features five temples, plazas, and a canal system. Rising sea levels have submerged several structures, but there are still fascinating remains to explore. One notable temple features stucco masks that represent the sunrise, sunset, morning star, and evening star.

Nim Li Punit

Located in the Toledo District, Nim Li Punit is a smaller Mayan site known for its large number of stelae, or stone slabs, with intricate carvings. The name Nim Li Punit means "Big Hat" and is derived from a carving of a figure wearing a large headdress. The site features a main plaza, a ball court, several palaces, and a long terrace.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun is the largest Mayan site in southern Belize and is notable for its unique construction style. The site features 11 limestone pyramids, 5 plazas, and 3 ball courts, all built without the use of mortar. The stones were precisely measured and cut to fit together, creating strong structures that have stood the test of time.

Relaxing on the beach

Belize is a medium-sized country with a magnificent coastline along the Caribbean Sea and more than 200 offshore islands, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers. The country offers a mix of both gold and white sand beaches, with calm and clear waters, providing the perfect setting for relaxation. Here are some of the best places to relax on the beach in Belize:

Maya Beach, Placencia

Maya Beach, located on the Placencia Peninsula, tops the list of spectacular beaches in Belize. It boasts calm and clear waters, with a picturesque stretch of white sand. You can soak up the warm Caribbean sun, stroll along the palm-lined beach, or explore the rich marine biodiversity by snorkelling.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, renowned for its beautiful beaches and world-class scuba diving sites, including the Belize Barrier Reef. San Pedro, the island's only town, invites you to stroll along its sandy streets and dive into the turquoise sea to encounter exotic marine life. As evening falls, enjoy the vibrant nightlife along the beach.

Hopkins Village Beach

Hopkins Village Beach, located in the eastern Garifuna village of Hopkins, offers a quiet and uninterrupted 5-mile stretch of coastline. Lined with coconut trees, locals' homes, colourful guesthouses, and eateries, it provides a serene atmosphere for relaxation. The waters are clear and refreshing, although not as turquoise as some other beaches.

Secret Beach, Ambergris Caye

San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is a top tourism destination, and Secret Beach has recently emerged as a popular and accessible beach spot. Located 4.5 miles north of San Pedro, it offers calm, clear, and shallow waters ideal for snorkelling and other water activities. It is a great place to unwind, with music, piña coladas, and a lively party scene.

Turneffe Atoll

Turneffe Atoll, one of the three atolls in Belize, is a nature lover's paradise. Its secluded beaches are surrounded by mangroves, providing shelter to a diverse array of birdlife. The calm blue waters are perfect for swimming, diving, and fishing. The beachfront resorts offer lounge chairs, hammocks, and easy access to the bar and pool, making it a great place to relax and unwind.

South Water Caye

South Water Caye, located off the coast of Hopkins and Dangriga, is a picture-perfect tropical paradise. It boasts soft, soothing, and powdery white sand, fringed by lush vegetation. The warm, clear waters invite snorkelling and wading, while the tranquil beach setting provides a peaceful escape from the buzz of civilisation.

Hiking in nature reserves

Belize is a haven for hikers, with more than 30% of its territory dedicated to nature reserves and national parks. The country's diverse landscape includes pristine aquatic ecosystems, lush jungles, and sky-high Maya mountains. Here are some of the best spots for hiking in nature reserves in Belize:

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, located in southern Belize, is the world's first Jaguar Preserve. It offers well-marked trails suitable for all skill levels, making it ideal for hikers interested in wildlife spotting. The sanctuary features extensive tropical trails with the largest concentration of wild cats in the world. Visitors might catch a glimpse of a jaguar or find their paw prints along the trails. In addition to its diverse wildlife, the Cockscomb Basin also boasts scenic views of towering waterfalls, rivers, and creeks that can be explored via canoe, tube, or kayak.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Adjacent to the Cockscomb Basin, Mayflower Bocawina National Park covers over 7,000 acres of pristine lowland and highland rainforest in southern Belize. It offers a variety of easy, moderate, and challenging hiking trails leading to mountains, waterfalls, swimming holes, and Maya archaeological remains. This park is a popular destination for hikers staying in nearby Hopkins Village.

Elijio Panti National Park

Named after Belize's most famous Maya healer, Elijio Panti National Park is a nature reserve near San Ignacio filled with trails, waterfalls, and ceremonial caves. The Elijio Panti Summit Trail is a highlight, offering a mountain hike with grand views of the Black Rock Valley before ending at a natural spring pool.

Chaa Creek Nature Reserve

Chaa Creek Nature Reserve, located along the banks of the Macal River, is a 400-acre protected area near San Ignacio. It offers extensive ecotourism facilities, including a vast array of hiking trails, an eco-lodge, butterfly farm, natural history museum, Maya organic farm, guided birding, and horseback riding.

Shipstern Nature Reserve

Covering over 22,000 acres, Shipstern Nature Reserve protects a variety of ecosystems and boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna. With over 250 bird species, it is a bird-watcher's paradise. The reserve also features mangroves, lagoons, flat wetlands, a butterfly-breeding project, and a natural history museum.

Guanacaste National Park

Guanacaste National Park, located near Belmopan, is one of the most accessible nature parks in Belize. With over two miles of hiking trails, it offers a great opportunity to experience the country's flora and fauna, including a variety of native plants and wildlife, especially birds.

Birdwatching

Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 570 species of birds documented in a country the size of Massachusetts. Two-thirds of Belize is covered in tropical forest, with half of that being old-growth primary forest. This, along with the country's mangrove communities, riparian lagoons, coral reefs, and outlying islands, makes for a diverse range of bird habitats.

Belize is home to a variety of colourful and exotic birds, including keel-billed toucans, collared aracaris, oropendolas, snowy egrets, frigates, blue-crowned motmots, trogons, and the occasional rare or uncommon species like harpy eagles, jabiru storks, king vultures, and yellow-headed Amazon parrots. The country is also known for its population of scarlet macaws, with the largest concentration found in the northern subspecies, which has an estimated population of only 400 individuals.

Some of the best birdwatching destinations in Belize include:

• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: This 44,000-acre preserve is one of the top birding spots in the country. It is home to a diverse range of bird species, including herons, muscovy ducks, and the endangered Jabiru stork, which is the largest flying bird in the Western Hemisphere.
• Half Moon Caye Natural Monument: This site is home to a rare colony of red-footed boobies, with an estimated 4,000 breeding birds. It is the only breeding ground in the western Caribbean for these birds.
• Mayflower Bocawina National Park: This recently declared national park offers dozens of different bird species to see and hear. It is also home to the Belize Bird Conservancy, which holds an annual Lodge Bird-a-thon in April.
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary is internationally recognised as the world's first jaguar preserve. It is also known for its rich diversity of neotropical birds, including the emerald toucanet, keel-billed toucan, king vulture, and scarlet macaw.
• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve: This reserve is home to a variety of bird species, including the rufous-capped warbler, crossbill, pine siskin, stygian owl, and eastern bluebird. It is also the most likely place in Belize to spot the rare Orange-breasted Falcon.
• Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary: This nature reserve in the Toledo District of Southern Belize protects important breeding colonies for many birds, including cormorants, wood storks, great blue herons, little blue herons, tricoloured herons, great egrets, whistling ducks, sandpipers, stilts, swallows, flycatchers, and more.

Frequently asked questions