Belize
Belize is the kind of destination that adventure travelers dream about and then never stop talking about once they get home. It is a small country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, but it punches well above its weight. The second largest barrier reef in the world sits just off its coast. Ancient Maya ruins rise out of dense jungle. And the whole place speaks English, which makes it one of the most accessible adventure destinations in the region.
What sets Belize apart from other Caribbean destinations is the combination of land and sea. You can spend the morning exploring a thousand year old Maya temple in the jungle and the afternoon snorkeling over a coral reef teeming with tropical fish. Very few places in the world let you do that in the same day.
Why Belize Works
Belize attracts a certain type of traveler. If you want a polished, all inclusive resort experience with a swim up bar and a towel animal on your bed, this is probably not your island. But if you want to snorkel the Great Blue Hole, tube through underground cave systems, hike to waterfalls in the jungle, and eat fresh ceviche on a dock while the sun goes down, Belize is your place.
It is also one of the closest Caribbean and Central American destinations to Texas. Direct flights from Houston and Dallas put you on the ground in under three hours. The country is small, English speaking, and uses a currency pegged directly to the US dollar. For adventure without the hassle, it is hard to beat.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season runs from late November through April, and this is the most popular time to visit. Expect sunny skies, warm temperatures in the 80s, and great visibility for diving and snorkeling. The wet season from May through October brings higher humidity and afternoon showers, but also lower prices and fewer tourists. Diving is still excellent during the wet season, and many of the jungle lodges offer reduced rates.
Where to Stay
Belize has two very different vacation experiences, and most visitors choose one or combine both. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are the main island destinations, offering beach vibes, snorkeling, and diving. San Pedro on Ambergris Caye has the most developed hotel and restaurant scene. For a more laid back, backpacker friendly feel, Caye Caulker is the place where the motto is literally “Go Slow.”
On the mainland, the Cayo District is the adventure hub. Jungle lodges like Chaa Creek, Ka’ana Resort, and The Lodge at Chaa Creek put you right in the middle of the rainforest with easy access to Maya ruins, cave tubing, zip lining, and waterfall hikes. Placencia on the southern coast offers a quieter beach experience with a charming village feel.
Things to Do
The Great Blue Hole is Belize’s most iconic attraction. It is a massive underwater sinkhole about 1,000 feet across and over 400 feet deep, and diving it is a bucket list experience for divers worldwide. Even if you do not dive, a scenic flight over the Blue Hole is worth the price.
The Maya ruins at Xunantunich, Caracol, and Lamanai are spectacular. Xunantunich is the most accessible from San Ignacio, with a hand cranked ferry crossing the Mopan River to reach the site. Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize, sits deep in the Chiquibul Forest and rivals Tikal in Guatemala in scale.
Cave tubing at Jaguar Paw is a unique Belize experience. You float on an inner tube through an underground cave system that the Maya once considered the entrance to the underworld. ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) takes it further with a guided trek through the jungle and into a cave system filled with ancient Maya artifacts and skeletal remains still in place.
Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley off Ambergris Caye is world class. You will swim alongside nurse sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and enormous schools of tropical fish in crystal clear water.
Food and Drink
Belizean food is a mix of Caribbean, Central American, and Maya influences. Rice and beans cooked in coconut milk is the staple, served alongside stewed chicken, pork, or fresh fish. Fry jacks, puffy fried dough served at breakfast with beans and eggs, are addictive. Conch fritters and fresh ceviche are everywhere along the coast.
Belikin is the national beer, and you will see it at every restaurant and bar in the country. For rum, try Travellers One Barrel, a local favorite that holds its own against any Caribbean rum.
Let Us Plan Your Belize Trip
Belize trips work best when they combine islands and jungle. We will help you build an itinerary that gets the balance right, whether you want three days on the reef and two in the rainforest or the other way around. We know the best lodges, the most reliable tour operators, and the flights that minimize your travel time.
