Belize: A Tropical Paradise For Tourists

Belize is a popular tourist destination in Central America, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and adventure activities. From its pristine beaches and lush jungles to its rich history and diverse wildlife, Belize has something for everyone.

One of the country's biggest draws is its world-class diving and snorkelling opportunities. Home to the world's second-largest barrier reef, Belize attracts enthusiasts from around the world eager to explore its vibrant marine life and majestic sites like the Great Blue Hole. Beyond the coast, Belize's interior reveals a different kind of wilderness, with hiking trails leading to ancient Maya sites and breathtaking views.

For those seeking a more relaxed pace, Belize also delivers. Its laid-back Caribbean vibe, friendly locals, and delicious local cuisine make it an ideal place to unwind and immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural experience. Whether it's exploring the vibrant city of Belize or adventuring through the jungle, Belize offers a memorable and enriching experience for all who visit.

Adventure sports like ziplining, scuba diving, snorkelling, and river tubing

Belize is a haven for outdoor activities, including water sports and adventures in the jungle. With its abundance of forests, coral reefs, rivers and sand, Belize is a dream destination for adventure sports enthusiasts.

Ziplining

Ziplining through the lush, verdant jungle is an exhilarating way to experience Belize's natural beauty. The Bacab Eco Park, located just 20 minutes outside of Belize City, offers ziplining as one of its many attractions.

Scuba Diving

Belize is a diver's paradise, boasting the world's second-largest barrier reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, teeming with hundreds of species of coral and fish. Serious divers will be drawn to the Great Blue Hole, a striking underwater sinkhole with crystalline waters, coral, fish and stalactite-filled caves.

Snorkelling

Belize's marine life is also easily accessible to snorkelers. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which includes the Belize Barrier Reef, offers the chance to snorkel among beautiful caves, coral and tropical fish. Shark Ray Alley is another popular spot, where you can get up close and personal with nurse sharks, sea turtles and southern stingrays.

River Tubing

Belize has plenty of rivers, creeks, ponds and lagoons to explore. One of the most popular river tubing experiences is through the sacred Maya caves. This adventure involves a 30-minute hike to the cave entrance, followed by a float through the largest cave system in Belize. Another popular option combines river tubing with a zipline excursion.

Relaxing on the beach and enjoying the local cuisine

Belize is a great place to relax on the beach and enjoy the local cuisine. The country has a magnificent coastline along the Caribbean Sea and more than 200 offshore islands, with golden and white-sand beaches that are accessible by boat or plane from Belize City. The beaches of Belize are diverse, with some boasting white sand and others featuring rocks. The coastline isn't one long stretch of white sand, and the many cayes off the shore are encircled by native mangroves rather than classic beach destinations. However, the country does have some spectacular beaches that are worth visiting.

One of the most popular beach destinations in Belize is the Placencia Peninsula, which offers the longest stretch of beach on the mainland. This beach is dubbed "barefoot perfect" and stretches across three villages: Maya Beach, Seine Bight, and Placencia Village. Placencia Village features a tourist strip with bars and restaurants along its golden sandy coastline, while Seine Bight and Maya Beach offer quieter, fine, white sand beaches.

Another popular beach is Hopkins Village Beach, located in the eastern Garífuna village of Hopkins. This uninterrupted, quiet 5-mile beach is lined with coconut trees, locals' homes, colourful guesthouses, and local eateries. The water is clear and refreshing, although not as turquoise as some Caribbean beaches. Visitors can experience Garífuna culture, try local dishes like hudut (fish soaked in a coconut stew served with mashed plantains), take drumming lessons, or play dominoes with residents.

For those seeking a more secluded beach experience, Laughingbird Caye and Silk Cayes are two islands located 11 miles from Placencia. These beaches are located in marine reserves and offer a quiet escape from the crowds. Visitors can spend the day sunbathing, swimming, or exploring the rich marine life.

When it comes to local cuisine, Belizean food is an amalgamation of the various cultures that call the country home, including Mestizo, Maya, Creole, and Garifuna influences. A typical breakfast in Belize might include fry jacks (deep-fried dough) and refried beans, while lunch often consists of rice and beans with stew chicken. Belize is also known for its variety of soups, such as escabeche (onion soup) and chimole/chirmole.

One of the most famous dishes in Belize is Rice and Beans, which is often served with a choice of meat such as beef, chicken, pork, lobster, shrimp, or game meat. The dish is cooked in coconut milk and served with potato or garden salad, and ripe fried or baked plantain when in season. It is often accompanied by a Habanero, onion, and lime juice sauce.

Belize also has a variety of delicious desserts, including the traditional Belizean rum cake, which is popular during the holidays. This cake is baked with preserved fruits and then soaked in dark local or Caribbean rum. It is typically enjoyed with a glass of locally made wine or a soft drink.

Belizean cuisine also features a range of drinks, such as cashew and craboo wines, which are produced locally and can be found in many areas of the country. Belikin beer is another popular beverage, known for its indigenous flavour and widely consumed by both tourists and locals.

Exploring the ancient Mayan ruins and archaeological sites

Belize is a treasure trove of ancient Mayan ruins and archaeological sites, making it a popular destination for those fascinated by this once-powerful civilisation. With the country being the former heartland of the ancient Maya Empire, it is no surprise that Belize has the highest concentration of Maya archaeological sites. Here are some of the key sites to explore:

Altun Ha

Located 31 miles north of Belize City, Altun Ha is a major ceremonial and trade centre during the Classic Period. The site is easily accessible, with a two-mile dirt road connecting it to the main road. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife, including armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, and deer. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the area, and large crocodiles inhabit the Maya-made water reservoir. The main attraction of Altun Ha is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua, and is the largest jade object carved in the Maya civilisation.

Caracol

Caracol is the largest known Maya centre within Belize and is located within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. It is one of the most challenging sites to reach, but the trip is rewarded with a scenic drive. Caracol features majestic temples, including the Canaa (Sky Place), the tallest man-made structure in Belize at 140 feet tall. The site is still an active archaeological dig, with many treasures yet to be uncovered.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is located near the village of San Jose Succotz and is accessible by a hand-cranked cable ferry across the Mopan River. This site dates back to around 600 BCE and was once a prosperous city-state during the Classical Maya era, housing up to 200,000 people. The main attraction is the El Castillo pyramid, standing at 131 feet tall, with ornate carvings and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Lamanai

Lamanai is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize, situated 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town. The site's name, which means "submerged crocodile" in Maya, is fitting as it is located near the New River Lagoon. Lamanai is accessible by road or boat, with the river trip offering the opportunity to spot iguanas and crocodiles along the way. The site itself boasts over 719 mapped structures, including two 16th-century churches and a 19th-century sugar mill, showcasing the different periods of Maya construction techniques.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is located in San Ignacio and offers a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Maya elite. The site consists of seven plazas, temples, residential buildings, ball courts, and an altar, all situated on just two acres. A royal burial chamber was discovered here, containing shell and bone ornaments, pottery, and jade objects. The site also provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding Belize River Valley.

Nim Li Punit

Located in the Toledo District, Nim Li Punit is known for its large stone columns or stelae, intricately carved with Maya hieroglyphs and pictures. The site features a main plaza, a ball court, and several buildings, but it is the collection of stelae that is most impressive, with one being the tallest carved example in Belize.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun, located in southern Belize, is a Late Classic ceremonial centre known for its unique construction style. The large pyramids and residences are built without mortar, with each stone carefully measured and cut to fit together. Unlike other sites, the buildings on top of the pyramids were made of perishable materials, which have since disintegrated.

These sites offer a fascinating insight into the ancient Maya world, their advanced agriculture, mathematics, and architecture. With ongoing excavations and discoveries, Belize continues to unveil the mysteries of this captivating civilisation.

Hiking through the jungle to discover natural wonders and wildlife

Belize is a small, easy-to-navigate country in Central America that offers a ton of attractions for tourists. It is widely known for its beaches and water-based activities, such as diving and snorkelling, but for tourists who venture past the coast, pristine jungles filled with wildlife, ancient Maya sites, and rich cultural experiences await.

Belize has 17 national parks, three nature reserves, five natural monuments, seven wildlife sanctuaries, 16 forest reserves, and various private reserves. With so many protected areas, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking through the jungle to discover natural wonders and wildlife.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Mayflower Bocawina National Park is home to seven natural waterfalls and several miles of trails to hike. The park features the longest zip line in Belize and numerous trails that lead to mountain lookouts, waterfalls, swimming holes, and Maya archeological remains. The trail to Antelope Falls is a medium-to-difficult hike that takes you to the top of the falls, where you can enjoy a beautiful view and cool off in the emerald green pool of freshwater.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Mountain Pine Ridge offers a departure from the typical broadleaf jungle landscape of Belize, featuring granite outcroppings and pine forests. Visitors can enjoy some of Cayo’s best natural attractions, including Big Rock Falls, Thousand Foot Falls, Rio Frio Caves, and the Rio On Pools. The majestic Maya site of Caracol is also located nearby.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is known as the world's first jaguar preserve. The thick jungles offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities and amazing hiking trails leading to refreshing waterfalls and rivers. The Victoria Peak Trail is a challenging multi-day hike that takes you to the second-highest mountain in Belize, where you may be lucky enough to spot a jaguar. For those who want a more relaxed hike, the Ben's Bluff Trail offers beautiful views of the Stann Creek District without the exertion.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a sacred cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve that was once used by the ancient Maya for ceremonial purposes. After a two-hour jungle hike, you can swim into the cave and squeeze yourself through narrow crevices to reach a central atrium filled with Maya pots, cool rock formations, and sacrificial remains.

Bacab Eco Park

Located just 20 minutes outside of Belize City, Bacab Eco Park offers over 500 acres of lush jungle with hiking trails, waterways, and wildlife such as howler monkeys. It's a great place to visit for families, with plenty of activities like horseback safaris, kayak tours, jungle biking, nature walks, and more.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

While not a jungle, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is another natural wonder in Belize that shouldn't be missed. It is a hotspot for snorkelling and diving, with abundant coral formations and vibrant marine life.

Island-hopping across the many small islands off the coast of Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, known for its Caribbean paradise vibes, offering a mix of beach and jungle vacation experiences. With the world's second-largest barrier reef, it is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers. The country also boasts pristine jungles, abundant wildlife, and a rich cultural heritage, including ancient Maya sites.

One of the biggest draws for tourists in Belize is the opportunity to island-hop across the many small islands off its coast. Here is a suggested itinerary for island-hopping in Belize:

Day 1:

Start your day by boarding a catamaran or boat to begin your island-hopping adventure. Set sail towards the picturesque Goff's Caye, one of the approximately 450 cayes that dot Belize's coast. Goff's Caye is a tiny piece of sand, offering a glimpse of what an uninhabited island looks like.

From there, continue to Rendezvous Caye, where you will spend your first night. This tiny strip of sand has a few huts and basic facilities, including a caretaker. Pitch a tent and enjoy the sound of the waves as you fall asleep under the stars.

Day 2:

Wake up early to the sound of the waves and take a morning snorkel before heading to Tobacco Caye, a charming little island with a population of just 30 people. Stroll around the island, enjoy a cold beer at the local bar, and interact with the friendly locals.

In the afternoon, make your way to Ragga Caye, a slice of paradise where you will spend your second night. You can choose to sleep in a tent again or upgrade to a dorm room or cabana for a more comfortable night's rest.

Day 3:

After a delicious breakfast, spend some time birdwatching and spotting manatees before heading back to the mainland. From Ragga Caye, take a speedboat to Dangriga, where you can continue your Belizean adventure or catch transportation to nearby destinations such as Hopkins and Placencia.

Practical Information:

The 3-day sailing trip with Raggamuffin Tours costs $450 per person, including all equipment, food, and drinks. The price may increase during the holiday season (December 21 - January 11). The trip starts in Caye Caulker and ends in Dangriga, with no option to return to Caye Caulker for safety reasons.

When packing for this trip, bring a duffel bag, a dry bag for electronics, a camera, an underwater camera, a travel pillow, a flashlight, and reef-safe sunscreen.

Frequently asked questions