Backpackers' Belize: Top Travel Destinations

Belize is a small country in Central America, with a Caribbean feel, that is a popular backpacking destination. It is known for its stunning beaches, majestic Mayan ruins, and vibrant local culture. The country is safe and easy to explore, with friendly and helpful locals.

Belize has a diverse landscape, from the islands (known as Cayes) to the jungle and mountains of the interior. The country is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, which draws in scuba divers and snorkelers. Other popular activities include exploring Mayan ruins, such as Altun Ha, Lamanai, and Caracol, and relaxing on picturesque beaches. The country also offers excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, with nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries where jaguars, toucans, and other exotic wildlife can be found.

Belize is known for being more expensive than other Central American countries, but it is still possible to backpack on a budget. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April, when the weather is pleasant and there is less rainfall. However, the shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October can also be good times to visit, as the country is less crowded and prices are lower.

Backpackers can find affordable accommodations, including hostels, guesthouses, and budget hotels. Eating street food and local dishes, such as rice and beans, tamales, and fry jacks, is a great way to save money. Transportation options include buses, which are the cheapest option, as well as shared shuttles, taxis, and water taxis for traveling between the islands.

Some of the top spots for backpacking in Belize include San Ignacio, Placencia, and Caye Caulker. San Ignacio offers easy access to Mayan ruins and nature reserves. Placencia is known for its pristine white sand beaches and fresh seafood. Caye Caulker is a backpacker hub, with a laid-back vibe, affordable accommodations, and excellent snorkeling and diving spots.

Overall, Belize offers a range of experiences for backpackers, from exploring ancient ruins to enjoying the natural beauty of the beaches and reefs. With careful planning and a tight budget, it is possible to have a memorable and affordable backpacking trip to Belize.

Mayan ruins and archaeological sites

Belize is home to over 600 ancient Mayan sites, making it the perfect destination for backpackers looking to explore Mayan ruins and archaeological sites. Here is a list of some of the most impressive and significant Mayan ruins and archaeological sites in Belize:

Caracol

Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in western Belize, Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in the country. It was once a powerful centre, controlling a vast area, and is believed to have been home to more than 140,000 people. The site features majestic temples, including the tallest man-made structure in Belize, the Canaa ("Sky Place"), which rises 140 feet high. Caracol is an active archaeological site, with ongoing excavations revealing new insights into this ancient civilisation.

Lamanai

Lamanai, meaning "submerged crocodile" in Maya, is one of the largest Mayan ceremonial centres in Belize. Located on the banks of the New River Lagoon, it was inhabited for over 3,000 years and features a range of beautifully preserved Mayan structures. The site also has remnants of two Spanish churches and a sugar mill, showcasing the colonial history of the area.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha, located about an hour's drive north of Belize City, is one of the best-excavated archaeological sites in Belize. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Altun Ha is known for the discovery of the Jade Head, a 9-pound carving of the Mayan sun god, Kinich Ahau, the largest jade artefact found in the Mayan world.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, located near the village of San Jose Succotz, is a major ceremonial centre from the Classic Period. It features six major plazas, more than 25 temples and palaces, and impressive structures such as El Castillo ("The Castle"). Xunantunich is easily accessible by a hand-cranked cable ferry, making it a popular destination for backpackers.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, meaning "Place of Ticks" in Maya, is located on a hill overlooking the town of San Ignacio. It is one of the oldest Mayan sites in Belize, dating back to around 1000 BC. The site features two ball courts, over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, an altar, and a sweat house, all within a 2-acre area. Cahal Pech offers a glimpse into the complex residential architecture of the ancient Maya.

Caye Caulker

The primary mode of transportation on the island is by golf cart or bicycle, or you can wander the sandy streets by foot. The island is known for its vibrant turquoise waters and its hip, low-key Caribbean feeling.

There are a variety of activities to keep visitors entertained, with watersports being the main draw. You can go snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Fishing is also a popular activity, with the opportunity to have your catch cooked up at one of the local restaurants in town.

For those looking to relax, Caye Caulker's Split is the local hangout for travellers and locals from all around Belize. The shallow waters are perfect for cooling off, and the Lazy Lizard serves up bar food and strong drinks.

The island has a range of budget-friendly accommodation options, from hostels to boutique properties with more modern amenities. Lodging tends to be simple and geared towards laid-back travellers looking to spend most of their time outdoors.

Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo is a non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola. It is located around 29 miles west of Belize City and is set across 29 acres of natural, dense vegetation. The zoo is home to over 120 species of animals, all of which are native to Belize.

The zoo was started when a film crew, accompanied by Matola, came to Belize to create a documentary. When the crew left, Matola was left with 17 animals and started a small zoo to generate funding for their care. The zoo has since relocated and expanded, now employing over 45 Belizeans and receiving over 40,000 visitors annually.

The Belize Zoo is unique in that it only houses native animals, and none have ever been taken from the wild. The animals were either previously pets, donated, born at the zoo, or sent from another zoological facility. The zoo is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.

The zoo features a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles, all of which are housed in natural habitats. Examples include the five wildcat species found in Belize (jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi), white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared peccaries, keel-billed toucans, scarlet macaws, American crocodiles, boa constrictors, and green iguanas.

In addition to traditional daytime tours, the zoo offers night tours to observe the nocturnal animals, such as tapirs, jaguars, and margays. The zoo also offers guided tours and special education days focused on specific animals, such as World Croc Day and National Tapir Day.

Xunantunich

Excavations at the site have uncovered a number of artefacts, including an untouched burial chamber containing a male corpse aged between 20 and 30, along with various ceramic vessels, obsidian knives, jade pearls, animal bones and other stone artefacts.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a marine protected area established in 1987, located off the coast of Belize, close to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Covering approximately 18 km² (4,448 acres) of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest, the reserve is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

The reserve is divided into four zones with different regulations to ensure sustainable fishing practices and conservation:

• Zone A includes the inside and outside of the reef, with no fishing permitted but snorkelling and diving allowed for a fee.
• Zone B covers the seagrass beds inside the reef, where both commercial and sport fishing are allowed with a license.
• Zone C encompasses the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, with no commercial fishing allowed but sport fishing permitted under license.
• Zone D, added in 1999, is the adjoining area of Shark Ray Alley, a second charged snorkelling area where commercial and sport fishing are permitted in some parts under license.

The Hol Chan Cut, a natural break in the reef, is a popular spot within Zone A, known for its rich marine life. Over 160 species of fish, forty types of coral, five species of sponge, sea turtles, and marine mammals such as dolphins and manatees can be found in the reserve. The mangrove forests serve as nurseries for many fish species, while the seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles.

The reserve is managed by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Trust Fund Committee, with funding generated primarily from visitor fees for access to Zones A and D. The establishment of the reserve aimed to preserve the coral reef ecosystem, provide recreational and tourism services, promote education and research, and conserve genetic resources.

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