Explore Belize's Adventure Independently

Belize is a tiny Central American country that has become a popular cruise destination. It is also a popular spot for vacationers who enjoy the outdoors, shore excursions, eco-adventures, culture, and history. The official language of the country is English, and the capital is Belize City. Belize is hot, and on the mainland, the humidity can be oppressive. The dry season runs from November to April, and that is typically the best time to visit. The currency is the Belize dollar, though U.S. dollars are accepted nearly everywhere.

Belize is known for its magnificent Ecotourism-oriented excursions. Its pristine tropical rainforest, untouched cave systems, incomparable wildlife, and fascinating Maya temples make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you're looking for things to do in Belize without an excursion, here are some options:

- Visit the Belize Zoo, which is home to over 170 animals, representing 45+ native species.

- Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Altun Ha, a heavily excavated site that is a convenient day trip from the city.

- Take a boat ride down the New River to the Lamanai Mayan Ruins and enjoy a rainforest walk from temple to temple.

- Discover the rich marine life of Belize by snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

- Go cave tubing at Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve, where you can float through natural caves and admire the rock formations.

- Visit the Museum of Belize, which is housed in an old prison and features exhibits that explore the city's past, including the pirate years and colonial era.

- For bird lovers, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary offers over 16,000 acres of lagoons, creeks, forests, and pine savannas where you can spot dozens of bird species, as well as howler monkeys and crocodiles.

Snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular snorkelling and scuba diving sites in Belize. Located just off the coast of Caye Caulker, the reserve covers about 3 square miles (7.7 square kilometres) and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse range of marine life, including over 160 species of fish, nearly 40 species of corals, 5 sponges, 8 algae, 2 seagrasses, 3 marine mammals, and 3 species of sea turtle.

When snorkelling at Hol Chan, you'll be greeted by schools of jacks, groupers, and snappers as you're guided to the channel's edge, where vibrant coral forms crevices and an overhang that green eels and lobsters call home. Just a short 3-minute boat ride away is Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim with Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays.

There are a variety of tour options available for snorkelling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, ranging from half-day to full-day trips. Tours typically include snorkelling gear, refreshments, and a knowledgeable guide. Some tours also offer additional stops, such as Caye Caulker or other snorkelling sites like Mexico Rocks or Coral Gardens.

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: This tour departs from San Pedro and includes a knowledgeable guide, snorkelling gear, and refreshments.
• Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: This tour takes you to two of the most popular snorkelling sites in Belize, where you can see stingrays, nurse sharks, and vibrant coral reefs.
• Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkelling and Marine Life Tour: This eco-friendly tour includes a fresh lunch on board the boat, and a portion of the proceeds is donated to community projects.
• All-inclusive Snorkelling at Hol Chan: This full-day tour includes six different snorkelling stops around the marine reserve, including sites known for nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and manatees.

Visit the Museum of Belize

The Museum of Belize is housed in a former prison, which operated from 1857 to 2002. The building has been renovated, but the layout remains largely the same, and you can even walk into a jail cell to experience what prison life was like. The museum covers the history of Belize City, including the pirate years, the colonial era, and natural and man-made disasters. There are also exhibits on the slave trade in Belize, with text and sketch depictions of piracy, and some Mayan artefacts. The museum also features a rotating temporary exhibit, with a recent one showcasing the art of Belizean contemporary artist Pen Cayetano.

The museum is located in the downtown tourist area of Belize City, with street parking available outside. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 am to 4:30 pm, and entry is a very reasonable $7. You can easily spend an hour or two here, exploring the two levels of exhibits.

Explore the Community Baboon Sanctuary

The Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS) in Belize is a protected area that was established in 1985 to address the threats of agriculture, logging, and hunting of the black howler monkey, also known as the "baboon" in the local Creole dialect. The sanctuary is located 31 miles northwest of Belize City and includes 7 villages from the Belize River Valley. Here are some reasons why you should visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary:

• To Learn More About the Planet's Loudest Animals: Black howler monkeys are the loudest land animals in the world, with their calls and hoots audible from up to three miles away. Their cries can reach over 128 decibels, louder than a rock concert!
• To Support Conservation Efforts: The sanctuary has been recognised internationally for its successful conservation of the endangered black howler monkey and has helped increase their population. Over 200 private landowners across 7 villages have pledged to conserve their land for the protection of the black howler monkey habitat.
• To Experience Grassroots Conservation: The CBS is a grassroots conservation operation, with locals from the 7 villages living and working within the sanctuary. By visiting, you directly support the local community and their efforts to protect the black howler monkeys and their habitat.
• To Learn About Nature: Black howler monkeys are fascinating creatures that primarily eat leaves and fruit, using their tails as a fifth limb to climb through the trees of the Belizean jungle. The sanctuary also offers guided nature walks and a Tour of Medicinal Plant Life within the habitat of the howler monkeys.
• To Explore the Wildlife and Hiking Trails: The CBS is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, crocodiles, and other amazing animals. There are several hiking trails open to the public, making it a great place to explore the lush natural beauty of Belize.

The Community Baboon Sanctuary is a unique and innovative project in grassroots conservation, offering a great opportunity to witness black howler monkeys in the wild while also experiencing the rich natural beauty of Belize.

Try Belizean food and drinks

Belize's culinary scene is a melting pot of cultures, offering a diverse range of flavours influenced by its Central American and Caribbean neighbours. Here are some Belizean food and drinks to try:

Rice and Beans

Rice and beans is considered Belize's national dish. It typically includes a choice of protein, such as beef, chicken, pork, or seafood, cooked with recado, a spice made from annatto seed. The dish is often served with potato or garden salad, fried plantains, and a sauce made from habanero, onion, and lime juice.

Fry Jacks

Fry jacks are a traditional Belizean breakfast item. These deep-fried flour dough pieces can be shaped like circles or triangles and are usually served with refried beans, sausage, bacon, and eggs.

Tamales

Tamales are another traditional dish with ancient roots, traced back to the Maya and Mestizo cultures. They are made of corn dough (masa) filled with seasoned chicken or pork, steamed or boiled in plantain or banana leaves.

Ceviche

Ceviche is a popular Belizean appetiser, typically made with fresh raw conch, shrimp, or lobster, marinated in lime juice, and mixed with onions, garlic, habanero peppers, and other ingredients. It is often served with homemade corn chips and a Belikin Beer.

Panades

Panades are deep-fried corn tortillas folded in half and filled with smoked fish, beans, chicken, or cheese. They are commonly topped with 'Cortido', a sauce made from white vinegar, onions, salt, and habaneros, adding a spicy kick to the dish.

Chimole

Chimole, also known as "Black Dinner" due to its dark colour, is a traditional Belizean dish. It consists of chicken, boiled eggs, and vegetables cooked with spices and black recado (achiote paste) in a dark soup.

Salbutes

Salbutes are a popular Belizean snack. They are small fried corn tortillas topped with a mixture of cabbage, chicken, avocado, and locally made hot sauce, offering a tasty combination of textures and flavours.

Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil is a traditional slow-roasted pork dish. The pork is marinated with sour orange juice, annatto seed paste (recado), garlic, and allspice, then wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked in a smouldering pit or clay oven. It is often served with corn tortillas, pickled onions, and corn tortillas.

Drinks

Belize offers a range of unique drinks to complement its cuisine. Belikin Beer is a popular choice, synonymous with the country and named after one of the ancient Maya names for Belize. For wine lovers, cashew and craboo wines are produced locally, and rum is a common spirit, often enjoyed in fruit cakes during the holidays.

See the Altun Ha Mayan Site

Belize is home to the highest concentration of Mayan sites in Central America, and one of the best sites to visit is Altun Ha. This archaeological zone, dating back to the Classic Period (200-900 AD), is located about 31 miles north of Belize City and 6 miles west of the Caribbean Sea shoreline. Here's what you need to know to plan your visit:

History of Altun Ha

Altun Ha, or "Rockstone Water" in Yucatec Mayan, was first inhabited in the Pre-Classic Period (1000 BC-200 AD), with the earliest monumental construction dating back to around 100 BC. The site was occupied for many centuries, from about 900 BC to 1000 AD, with the largest population during the Classic Period. After a slow decline in the Late Classic Period, the site was eventually abandoned in the Post Classic Period (900-1200 AD), with a brief re-occupation after that.

What to See at Altun Ha

Altun Ha covers about 5 square miles, with a small core area that has been partially restored and is open to the public. Here are some highlights of what you can see:

• The Temple of the Masonry Altars: This is the largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, standing at 16 metres (52 feet) high. It is located in the central precinct of the site, in Group B, and dates back to the Late Classic Period. Inside, several royal tombs have been discovered, including the most impressive, the Tomb B-4/7, which dates back to around 650 AD. This tomb contained the remains of an adult male along with a large number of jade artefacts, including a carved jade head of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, weighing nearly 11 pounds.
• Group A: This was the early civic/ceremonial core of the site, arranged around a large plaza. The most important structure in this group is Structure A1, a truncated pyramid with three staggered terraces. A royal tomb was discovered under the temple floor, containing over 300 jade objects and other funerary items, including the remains of a rare codex.
• The Water Reservoir: The Maya constructed a large reservoir, lined with a clay bottom, to provide water for the settlement. This engineering feat is particularly impressive given the swampy nature of the area during its pre-Columbian occupation.
• Flora and Fauna: Altun Ha is situated amid one of the richest wildlife areas in Belize, with over 200 species of birds, as well as bats, foxes, white-tail deer, tapir, and armadillos. The archaeological park contains a large selection of flora and fauna typical of lowland tropical forests.

Practical Information

Altun Ha is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, with an entrance fee of US$5.00. To get there, take the Northern Highway towards Orange Walk, turn right onto the Old Northern Highway just past Sand Hill, and then make a left onto Rockstone Pond Road. The site is about an hour's drive from Belize City. Alternatively, you can take a daily bus from Belize City to Lucky Strike village and then walk about 2 miles to Altun Ha.

Frequently asked questions