Belize's Best New Year's Eve Destinations

Belize is a great place to spend New Year's Eve, with its warm sunshine and balmy temperatures. There are plenty of fun parties, cocktails, music, delicious food, and fireworks. From elegant resorts with thatched-roof cabanas to tranquil jungle lodges, Belize has something for everyone looking to ring in the new year in style.

For those seeking adventure, ancient secrets, and R&R, Belize offers ziplining through tropical jungles, exploring Mayan ruins, and lounging on white-sand beaches. Belize's San Ignacio Resort Hotel, located in the colourful Cayo District, invites guests to include their favourite rituals as they ring in the new year.

New Year's Eve in Belize City

Belize City is a great place to spend New Year's Eve, with plenty of warm sunshine and balmy temperatures, and exciting activities. Here are some ideas to make your New Year's Eve celebration in Belize City memorable:

Fireworks Displays

Belize has a strong tradition of welcoming the new year with an explosion of pyrotechnic fun. You can expect to see everything from expensive municipal firework productions to locals setting off bottle rockets, cherry bombs, and sparklers. Join in the fun and celebrate the arrival of the new year with a dazzling display of colours in the night sky!

Parties and Celebrations

Belize City comes alive on New Year's Eve, with numerous parties and celebrations taking place across the city. Visit the downtown areas, where people go bar-hopping, drink in hand, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. If you're looking for a more tranquil setting, head to the beach or one of the city's rooftop lounges to watch the fireworks from a distance while enjoying a glass of champagne.

Delicious Food and Drinks

Indulge in the delicious cuisine that Belize has to offer. Sample the local specialties, such as the traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Beef Wellington and Christmas Tiradito, or treat yourself to a luxurious meal at one of the city's upscale restaurants. Don't forget to try the tropical drinks and cocktails that are sure to be flowing on New Year's Eve!

Music and Dancing

Dance the night away to the sounds of over a dozen genres of music spun by Belize's popular DJs. Whether you're into salsa, reggae, or something more modern, you'll find a venue playing your favourite tunes. If you're feeling adventurous, learn some local dances and join in the cultural experience.

Adventure Activities

If you're looking for a more active way to ring in the new year, consider spending New Year's Eve and New Year's Day diving or snorkelling. Belize is known for its incredible sea life and beautiful flora and fauna. You can also explore the rainforests, visit Mayan ruins, or take a trip to the nearby islands for a truly unforgettable start to the year.

Accommodation Options

When it comes to accommodation, Belize City offers a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. For a luxurious stay, consider the Black Orchid Resort, located in the idyllic village of Burrell Boom, just a 15-minute drive from the international airport. If you're looking for a more private and secluded experience, Cahal Pech Village Resort in San Ignacio is an excellent choice, offering elegant thatched-roof cabanas and freshwater pools.

San Ignacio: a jungle in town

San Ignacio in western Belize is a great choice for a New Year's Eve celebration. The town is a melting pot of cultures, each contributing to festivities that make them uniquely Belizean. It is also a perfect base for a trip to Belize, as it is relatively close to many attractions.

Where to Stay

Cahal Pech Village Resort is an excellent choice for accommodation. Located just outside the town, it offers elegant thatched-roof cabanas, a gourmet restaurant, three swimming pools, and a fully-stocked bar.

Things to Do

For those seeking adventure, there are plenty of activities to choose from, including:

• Exploring ancient Mayan ruins, such as Xunantunich and Caracol
• Cave tubing and exploring sacred caves like ATM cave
• Ziplining through tropical jungles
• Horse riding and hiking to waterfalls
• Chocolate tours and iguana projects
• Snorkelling with colourful marine life at the Belizean Barrier Reef

New Year's Eve Celebrations

On New Year's Eve, you can expect fireworks displays, from municipal productions to locals setting off bottle rockets and sparklers.

For a lively party, Bonkers club is a popular choice, being the current number one hangout spot in town. Alternatively, the San Ignacio Hotel is also recommended for a fun New Year's Eve celebration.

If you prefer a quieter evening, most resorts can arrange a romantic evening under the stars.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is typically a chill-out day in Belize. Some people choose to unwind with friends and family, while others attend horse races, such as the Krem's New Year's Day Cycling Classic, which begins in Corozal and ends in Belize City.

Belize also has several unique New Year's traditions, such as:

• Sweeping minutes before midnight to usher out bad luck
• Eating 12 grapes, each representing a month and a wish for the year ahead
• Packing a suitcase to send out positive travel vibes for the year

Ambergris Caye for a beach party

Ambergris Caye is a great choice for a New Year's Eve beach party. Located in the island's capital of San Pedro, Victoria House is a recommended place to stay, offering easy access to the colourful fun and excitement of the town.

For a beach party, head to Central Park, where the San Pedro Town Council hosts a spectacular free event with live music, food, drinks, and fireworks. The entire square fills up with people, and the party spills over to the beach and the municipal pier. There's also a DJ playing Caribbean beats, and party-goers are given light sticks to wave along to the music.

If you want to start the night with a dinner, there are plenty of options. Gem Restaurant at Sapphire Beach Resort offers a multi-course dinner with live entertainment. Or, for a unique experience, try the French Touch lounge bar and restaurant, which offers a five-course 'Fireworks' dinner.

If you're looking for a party crawl, there are plenty of bars to choose from. The Dive Bar, Crocs Sunset Sports Bar, and the Palapa Bar and Grill are all great options, with live music, DJs, and drinks specials.

Ambergris Caye is a fantastic choice for a fun-filled and festive New Year's Eve celebration, with a variety of options to suit different tastes and preferences.

Explore Mayan ruins

If you're looking to ring in the New Year while exploring Mayan ruins, Belize is the perfect destination. With over 600 Mayan sites, Belize offers a wealth of opportunities to delve into the ancient world of this fascinating civilisation. Here are some ideas for exploring Mayan ruins in Belize:

Caracol

Tucked away in the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. Once a bustling city home to more than 140,000 people, Caracol boasts impressive structures such as the Canna ("Sky Palace"), ball courts, an astronomic observatory, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics. The site is still being excavated, with only a fraction of its 35,000 structures uncovered. The sheer size of these well-preserved ruins makes Caracol a must-visit destination for those seeking to understand the complexity of the Mayan civilisation.

Lamanai

Lamanai, located in the Lamanai Archeological Reserve, is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize. Getting to Lamanai is half the fun, as it requires a boat ride up the winding New River from Orange Walk Town. The site itself is named after the sharp-toothed creatures that inhabit the lagoon out front, "Lamanai" meaning "submerged crocodile". Lamanai features beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings, including the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple. What sets Lamanai apart is the presence of remnants from the Spanish colonisation, including two 16th-century churches and an old sugar mill.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha, located just an hour's drive north of Belize City, is one of the best-excavated Mayan sites in Belize. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Altun Ha is known for the discovery of the "Jade Head", a 10-pound carving of the Mayan sun god, which is now emblazoned on Belizean bank notes. The site is also a nature lover's paradise, home to over 200 species of birds and various exotic creatures such as armadillos and white-tailed deer.

Xunantunich

To reach the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, you'll need to hop on a hand-cranked cable ferry across the Mopan River. Xunantunich is believed to be much older than the structures that date back to the 7th century, with some experts estimating its origins to be around 3,000 years ago. The highlight of Xunantunich is El Castillo ("The Castle"), a pyramid adorned with friezes depicting the gods of creation and the tree of life. Climbing to the top of El Castillo rewards visitors with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, located in the Cayo District, is the perfect site for those seeking a less crowded and more independent archaeological experience. As the oldest-known ruins in the Belize River Valley, Cahal Pech offers valuable insights into the Preclassic period of Mayan civilisation. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, including temples, residential buildings, and an altar, all interconnected via a series of plazas. The hilltop location of Cahal Pech also provides panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

El Pilar

El Pilar, located in the Cayo District, is an archaeological site that is still in its early stages of excavation. Believed to be three times the size of Xunantunich, El Pilar has already revealed 25 plazas, temples, courtyards, palaces, pyramids, a ball court, and water reservoirs. What sets El Pilar apart is its focus on providing a glimpse into the lives of everyday Mayans, showcasing common homes and gardens alongside the more spectacular structures.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

If you're looking for an adventurous way to ring in the new year, why not try snorkelling or scuba diving in Belize? Belize is known for its stunning marine life and coral reefs, making it the perfect destination for those seeking an underwater adventure. Here's what you need to know:

Where to Go

The best diving in Belize is found on the surrounding cayes (small islands or reefs). The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the best dive sites in the Caribbean and is home to a variety of marine life, including coral gardens, sponges, reef sharks, rays, and tropical fish. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretching over 190 miles in length.

Some specific locations to consider include:

• Ambergris Caye: This hotspot is close to San Pedro and is home to many resorts and a vibrant nightlife. It offers easy access to the northern reefs of Belize and longer full-day dive trips to the Turneffe Atoll area. One of the top dive sites in Ambergris Caye is Shark Ray Alley, where you can dive with different species of sharks and rays.
• Turneffe Atoll: This is one of the best areas for diving in Belize, with a wide variety of dive sites and marine life. The Elbow and Lighthouse Reef are two of the best dive sites at Turneffe Atoll.
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Belize's first and oldest marine reserve, featuring four zones: The Reef, The Mangroves, Shark Ray Alley, and The Seagrass Beds. The Reef is excellent for night diving, and you'll get to see a variety of marine life, including stingrays, spotted lobster, and moray eels.
• Placencia: This location in southern Belize offers fewer crowds and great topside wildlife areas. It is also close to Mayan ruins and Gladden Spit, where you can spot whale sharks during their migration in April and May.

When to Go

Belize is a great destination for diving year-round, with warm water temperatures and good visibility. However, the best time to see whale sharks is during their migration in April and May. June to November is the rainy season, but it can still be a great time to dive with fewer tourists and more affordable prices. December to April is the dry season and peak tourist season, with slightly cooler water temperatures.

Where to Stay

There are several hotels and resorts in Belize that offer easy access to scuba diving and snorkelling spots. Here are a few options:

• Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino: Located in the heart of Belize City, this hotel offers easy access to scuba diving and snorkelling spots. It also features a Las Vegas-style casino, a private marina, a cinema, and a nightclub.
• Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza: This hotel is a great choice for those looking to spend New Year's Eve with family and friends. The Caribbean Sea is just a short drive away, offering various adventures, including snorkelling and scuba diving.
• Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina: This hotel is located on the shore of the Caribbean Sea in Belize City's historic Fort George area. It is close to the barrier reef, making it an ideal base for snorkelling excursions.

So, if you're ready to start planning your New Year's Eve adventure in Belize, be sure to consider snorkelling and scuba diving as your choice of activities! With its rich marine life and diverse dive sites, Belize is sure to offer an unforgettable underwater experience.

Frequently asked questions