Belize Honeymoon: Adventure And Relaxation

Belize is a small Central American country, known for its lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, and superb snorkelling and scuba diving spots. It is an ideal honeymoon destination for couples seeking a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration. The country offers a range of romantic and luxurious resorts, intimate eco-lodges, and exciting activities to make your honeymoon unforgettable.

Day 1-3: Arrival and Beach Relaxation

Fly into Belize City and transfer to your chosen beach resort, such as the Matachica Resort and Spa, Victoria House Resort & Spa, or Pelican Reef Villas Resort. Spend a few days unwinding on the white sandy beaches, enjoying tropical cocktails, and indulging in a couple's massage.

Day 4-6: Island Hopping and Snorkelling

Take a boat or seaplane to explore the idyllic islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Go snorkelling or scuba diving in the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world. Don't miss the famous dive site, the Great Blue Hole.

Day 7-9: Jungle Adventure

Head to the inland jungles of Belize and stay at a luxurious rainforest lodge, such as the Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge or Blancaneaux Lodge. Explore the diverse wildlife, go zip-lining, and visit ancient Mayan ruins like Xunantunich and Caracol.

Day 10-12: Cultural Immersion

Spend a few days immersing yourself in the rich culture of Belize. Visit the vibrant town of San Ignacio, explore the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, and enjoy the local cuisine and music. Take a food tour in San Pedro or try wedding bubbly, where couples tie the knot underwater with dive operators.

Day 13-14: Final Relaxation and Departure

Before departing from Belize City, spend a day or two at a private island resort, such as Ray Caye or Coco Plum. Enjoy the seclusion, indulge in spa treatments, and savour the natural beauty of Belize one last time before returning home.

Beachside cabanas and luxury resorts

Belize is an ideal honeymoon destination for those seeking a mix of lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, superb snorkelling, scuba diving, adventure activities, and luxury. The small country offers a range of beachside cabanas and luxury resorts for couples to unwind and explore.

Matachica Resort and Spa

Rated as one of the top properties in the world, Matachica Resort is a luxury boutique resort nestled along a remote beach beside the barrier reef. It boasts an open-air layout with sustainability in mind and offers activities such as sailing, snorkelling with sharks, and cave tubing.

GAIA Riverlodge

For a private and intimate honeymoon experience, GAIA Riverlodge is a rainforest retreat located within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. With fewer than 20 guest rooms, this lodge offers a secluded escape where wildlife sightings are common. Enjoy the rushing river views from your private deck or hot tub.

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is a full-service lodge located in the heart of the Mayan heartland. It is part of The Belize Collection, a luxury hotel group specialising in nature reserves. The lodge features plush accommodations with private plunge pools and open-air layouts, allowing you to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the rainforest.

Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club

For those seeking a more traditional resort experience, Mahogany Bay Resort provides an extensive range of amenities. Located on Ambergris Caye, it offers over 200 villas and cottages, multiple onsite restaurants, and a large pool.

Itz'ana Resort and Residences

Itz'ana Resort, located in Placencia, offers a similar resort experience with a touch of luxury. It features extravagant accommodations, including cottages perched atop the waves, fine dining, and a stunning Instagram-worthy pool overlooking the ocean.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

If you're eager to explore the Cayo District, consider staying at The Lodge at Chaa Creek. This high-end, eco-friendly resort is a favourite among honeymooners, offering cottages nestled within the rainforest and equipped with jacuzzis for the ultimate relaxation.

Mayan ruins and ancient temples

Belize is considered the epicentre of the ancient Maya world, and it once hosted more than 2 million Mayas. The country is home to over 600 Mayan sites, making it the perfect destination for honeymooners looking to explore ancient ruins and temples. Here is a guide to some of the most impressive Mayan ruins and ancient temples in Belize:

Altun Ha

Located 31 miles north of Belize City, Altun Ha is one of Belize's best-excavated archaeological sites. The site is easily accessible and features two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife, including armadillos, bats, squirrels, and white-tailed deer. The most significant find at Altun Ha is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua. It is the largest jade object ever discovered at a Mayan site in the region.

Lamanai

Lamanai, meaning "submerged crocodile," is one of Belize's largest Mayan ceremonial centres. Located in the Orange Walk District on the New River Lagoon, Lamanai is known for its exotic styles of ancient Mayan art and architecture. The site has been inhabited for over 3,000 years and features a range of beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings. The Mask Temple, with its striking limestone masks adorned with crocodile headdresses, is a highlight of this site. Lamanai also features remnants of two 16th-century Spanish churches and an old sugar mill.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, meaning "maiden of the rock" or "stone woman," is located across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz in western Belize. This site features impressive structures such as El Castillo, a 130-foot-tall pyramid believed to have been used as an ancestral shrine for the ruling family. Xunantunich was a major ceremonial centre for the ancient Maya and was the first Mayan site in Belize to open to the public in 1954. Visitors can explore the site's six plazas, over 25 temples and palaces, and a new museum.

Caracol

Tucked inside the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. Once a thriving city home to more than 140,000 people, Caracol covers approximately 25,000 acres. The site features the Canna ("Sky Palace"), the tallest man-made structure in Belize, rising 140 feet high. Caracol also boasts ball courts, an astronomic observatory, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics. The sheer size and preservation of these ruins make Caracol a must-visit destination for those interested in ancient Mayan culture.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, located in the Cayo District, is one of the oldest-known ruins in the Belize River Valley. The site features a visitor centre that provides insights into the origins of Cahal Pech. The hilltop complex includes two ball courts and approximately 34 structures, showcasing the complex residential architecture of the ancient Mayans. The panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley from Cahal Pech are breathtaking.

El Pilar

El Pilar, located in the Cayo District, is an archaeological site that has only begun to be excavated. It is believed to be three times the size of Xunantunich and features over a dozen courtyards, temples, palaces, pyramids, a ball court, and water reservoirs. El Pilar offers a glimpse into the lives of everyday Mayans, showcasing common homes and gardens alongside more spectacular structures.

Cerros

Cerros is the only Mayan site in Belize located along the coast. Rising sea levels have submerged several structures, but there are still fascinating remains to explore. Visitors can climb the 72-foot-tall funerary building for a panoramic view of the Bay of Chetumal and the town of Corozal. Cerros features an extensive canal system and stucco-facade buildings, offering a unique experience compared to the jungle-hidden ruins of other sites.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Belize is an excellent destination for scuba diving and snorkelling, with its stunning white sandy beaches, 298 kilometres/185 miles of coastline, and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The country's small size means that, wherever you stay, you'll be within reach of the coast and the many water-based activities on offer.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling Sites

Belize is home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a living coral reef described as solid mounds of submerged limestone. It is the richest and most diverse habitat in the ocean and the largest living coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular scuba diving and snorkelling site, with clear waters, warm temperatures, and an abundance of marine life. It is also a great option for beginners, with calm waters and plenty of fish and coral to see.

The Blue Hole is probably Belize's most famous dive site, a huge sunken cave that was the subject of a documentary by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. While it is not for novices, it offers a unique experience with its circular limestone sinkhole and the opportunity to see hammerhead sharks and other species.

Other notable scuba diving and snorkelling sites in Belize include:

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley: Located in northern Belize, it offers vibrant fish, nurse sharks, rays, turtles, and occasional dolphins.
• Caye Caulker: The relaxed cousin of Ambergris, with solid snorkelling and dive sites like Coral Gardens and a manatee habitat nearby.
• Turneffe: The largest of Belize's offshore atoll reefs, offering shallow reefs, wrecks, and diverse sea life, including reef sharks, morays, turtles, dolphins, and rays.
• Lighthouse Reef Atoll: Features the famous Great Blue Hole, as well as Aquarium, Silver Caves, and Tres Cocos dive sites.
• Glover's Reef Atoll: Southern reefs with less crowd and diverse biology, including Long Caye Wall, Octopus Alley, and Pinnacles.

Where to Stay

There are several resorts in Belize that cater specifically to couples and offer scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities:

• Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort: This resort in Southern Belize offers romantic suites, private treehouses, and beachfront rooms. The honeymoon package includes a couple's massage, fine dining, and activities like snorkelling and jungle adventures.
• Matachica Resort and Spa: This resort offers handmade hammocks on the verandah, private sunset dinners, and snorkelling with nurse sharks and stingrays.
• Las Terrazas Resort: Located on Ambergris Caye, this luxurious resort offers candlelit dinners on the beach and sunset sailing for couples.
• Victoria House: This award-winning property on Ambergris Caye offers barefoot luxury, with 42 suites, casitas, and beachfront villas, as well as 10 acres of white-sand beaches and tropical gardens.
• Ka'ana Resort: This resort promises cave tubing, zip-lining, jaguar tracking, and Mayan immersion, as well as understated luxury and farm-to-table dining.

Practical Information

When planning a scuba diving or snorkelling trip to Belize, keep the following in mind:

• Best Time to Visit: Belize has two seasons: the dry season (December to May) and the rainy season (June to November). For the best weather, consider visiting in the spring (March to May).
• Getting Around: You can get around Belize by domestic flights, rental cars, taxis, water taxis for island hopping, and buses.
• Language: English is the official language, but Spanish, Creole, Maya, and Garifuna are also widely spoken.
• Currency: The Belize Dollar (BZD) is the official currency.
• Flight Time: Direct flights from major US cities like Miami and Houston take around 2 to 3 hours to reach Belize City.
• Entry Requirements: A valid US passport, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds for the length of your stay are required.

With its diverse marine life, clear waters, and range of resorts, Belize offers a unique and romantic experience for couples seeking scuba diving and snorkelling adventures.

Island-hopping and boat trips

One option is to book a sailing trip with Raggamuffin Tours. The 3-day and 2-night trip includes snorkelling in the second-best coral reef in the world, fishing, and camping on an uninhabited island. The trip costs $450 per person and includes snorkelling and fishing equipment, food, and drinks.

If you're looking for a day trip, you could visit Caye Caulker, a small island around 5 miles long and less than 1 mile wide. Here, you can stroll along the sandy streets, rent a bike or golf cart, and visit The Lazy Lizard bar, located on a narrow waterway that divides the island in two.

For a more adventurous day out, you could book a tour with Tsunami Adventures, which includes snorkelling, a visit to a small reef, and a chicken and pasta salad lunch.

Belize is a great choice for a honeymoon, with its mix of lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, superb snorkelling, scuba diving, and adventure activities.

Jungle lodges and eco-resorts

Belize is an ideal honeymoon destination for couples seeking adventure and exploration. The country offers a mix of lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, superb snorkelling spots, scuba diving, and various other adventure activities.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is one of the first jungle resorts in Belize and is known as a pioneer of ecotourism in the country. It is located on a 400-acre private nature reserve just a few miles from San Ignacio. The resort offers various onsite activities such as a natural history museum, a medicinal plant trail, and a butterfly farm. It also features a spa for the ultimate relaxation experience. Chaa Creek has something for everyone, from adventure-filled days exploring the rainforest to romantic evenings in the privacy of your own jungle oasis.

Blancaneaux Lodge

Owned by famed director Francis Ford Coppola, Blancaneaux Lodge is located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve and is surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and Maya ruins. Getting to this secluded getaway involves a ride on a long dirt road or a helicopter flight, as there are no immediate communities nearby. With only 20 rooms, Blancaneaux Lodge offers an intimate and exclusive experience in the heart of the Belizean jungle.

GAIA Riverlodge

GAIA Riverlodge is a Green Globe-certified lodge, perched atop the Five Sisters Waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. This secluded lodge offers a sustainable and luxurious experience with stunning views of the surrounding rainforest. It is the perfect choice for couples seeking a combination of nature and luxury.

Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge

The Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is located on 50,000 acres of lush jungle, with stunning views of the Maya Mountains and the Sibun River. The lodge offers various accommodations, including the River House, which is located away from the main lodge for a more private and intimate experience. The lodge provides the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation with activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and swimming in the river.

Table Rock Jungle Lodge

Run by a young American couple, Table Rock Jungle Lodge is situated on 105 acres on the Macal River, just a 20-minute drive from Downtown San Ignacio. The lodge features five romantic cottages with four-poster beds and river stone-lined showers. Couples can enjoy swimming, canoeing, or floating in the river or explore the surrounding rainforest on hiking trails. Table Rock Jungle Lodge offers the perfect balance of nature and comfort.

Frequently asked questions