From beaches and mangrove swamps to rainforests and mountains, Belize is known for its biodiversity. Ancient Mayan ruins, remote islands, waterfalls, and the second largest barrier in the world, the Reef, captivate visitors with the country’s natural beauty.
“We offer our visitors the best of both worlds, with coral reefs and rainforests so close to each other, you can spend the morning having a jungle adventure and hit the beach in the evening. ” Belize Tourism Board told Travel + Leisure. “We are a proud nation committed to preserving our heritage and natural resources.”
Belize is located on the northeast coast of Central America, just south of Mexico. It borders the Caribbean Sea and consists of a diverse mainland region and approximately 450 islands called “cays” or “kays” (pronounced “key”). Belize also has the longest cave system in Central America.
Belize’s official language is English, and visitors will also hear the local Kriole language. “This country has a unique history as it is the only country in Central America that was colonized by Britain and English is the official language,” Puga said.
Using English makes it easier for Americans to travel and allows them to use the US dollar along with the Belize dollar.
Best Hotels & Resorts
Alaia Belize
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This luxury hotel is located on the water’s edge on Ambergris Caye and features spacious rooms, suites and three-bedroom beachfront villas. Featuring a full-service spa, six restaurants, four bars, and three pools, including a rooftop hanging pool and lounge with ocean views.
Kayo Espanto
Provided by Cayo Espanto Island
Located on its own 4-acre, 5-star island off the coast of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Cayo Espanto offers luxurious beachfront one- and two-bedroom villas and a spacious 1,100-acre property with private dock. We offer overwater bungalows with sq.ft. The cuisine is all-inclusive and paired with world-class wines. This tranquil private island also has its own spa and hosts daily trips and tours including fishing, scuba diving, and bird watching.
Char Creek
This ecolodge is located along the Makalu River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, about two hours southwest of Belize City. The hotel is located within a 400-acre private nature preserve that boasts its own butterfly farm, and its motto, “Wild and Civilized,” pretty much sums up the experience. We encourage you to coexist with nature during your stay with accommodations such as eco pods, treetop suites, and villas with private plunge pools.
Turneffe Island Resort
Provided by Turneffe Island Resort
One of Belize’s best all-inclusive resorts is located on a 14-acre private island just 30 miles southeast of Belize City. The luxurious Turneffe Island Resort is popular with travelers who love fishing, diving, and snorkeling. Guests arrive by boat or helicopter from the international airport and are met by resort personnel. We offer a variety of rooms and beachfront villas.
Blancano Lodge
Provided by Blancano Lodge
This luxury boutique retreat is located in the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in western Belize, surrounded by tropical trees, shrubs, waterfalls, and jungle. Our 20 elegant accommodations include cabanas, villas, and an ultra-luxury Francis Ford Coppola villa with two bedrooms, a private plunge pool, and an expansive hardwood deck surrounded by lush tropical gardens. It is included. Montagna Ristorante serves Italian cuisine and can be enjoyed by the pool or in the garden.
what to do
great blue hole
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Famous to divers around the world, the Great Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The circular blue hole derives its rich color from its depth. At its deepest point, it reaches over 400 feet. Geological formations, various corals, tropical fish, sharks, shrimp and unique marine life form the main attractions of this place. French explorer Jacques Cousteau called this one of his top 10 diving spots in the world. Only a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland, it’s easy for divers in Belize.
Celosia Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
“Belize has the world’s first jaguar sanctuary,” Puga said, noting that the sanctuary is part of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve in south-central Belize. This reserve protects 122,260 acres of subtropical forest in the Maya Mountains, home to the powerful jaguar. It is also very unlikely that you will see a jaguar, although you may be able to see one, as well as howler monkeys, jaguarundi (a small wild cat), pig-like peccaries, and over 300 species of birds. You might be able to catch a glimpse of it.
Altun Ha
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There are many Mayan ruins in Belize, but Altun Ha is one of the most easily accessible. Many tours depart from Belize City and San Pedro, which is less than an hour’s drive from the center of the capital. That said, Altun Ha’s accessibility is also its curse. If you have time, consider visiting Caracol, the largest ruin, as it is significantly more crowded than other Mayan ruins. Lamanai in the jungle. and Xunantunich, known for its Mayan hieroglyphics.
Ambergris Caye Secret Beach
Arturo Pena Romano Medina/Getty Images
With more than 320 miles of Caribbean coastline, Belize has more than enough beach space for those looking to throw in a towel, open a book, and relax. But one of the most iconic beaches, and ironically one of the best known, is Ambergris Caye’s Secret Beach. Surrounded by islands, this beach offers white sand and crystal clear water, plus music, food, and drinks all day long.
best restaurant
Vino Tinto Restaurant & Bar (Belize City)
As Puga admitted, this rooftop restaurant offers “amazing views of the city, coastline and sunset.” The restaurant and bar is located on the top floor of the Golden Bay Berry’s Hotel and offers a Caribbean inspired menu and a variety of cocktails, beers and wines. On a Sunday, it’s the perfect place to eat breakfast with a view.
El Fogon Restaurant (San Pedro)
This San Pedro restaurant is known for its unique cooking style, where each dish is prepared over an open fire. El Fogon is Puga’s favorite, saying it has “authentic Belizean food cooked on a traditional hearth.” Fare includes Belikin fried chicken, beef soup, ceviche and lobster.
Hobbs Beer Barge (Plasencia)
The Punta Placencia restaurant, also known simply as “The Brew Barge,” is unique in that it’s located on a barge “in a lagoon on a peninsula,” according to Puga. The unique dining experience is complemented by a creative cocktail list, beer flights, and ongoing live music.
Love on the Rocks (Hopkins)
This is oceanfront dining at its finest. The views and breeze are impossible to beat (or recreate) and the food is very unique. The Love On The Rocks menu uses lava rocks to prepare food. This is the method used by the ancient Mayans of Belize. In addition to the stoneware menu, this restaurant also has a cocktail list made for the beach.
best time to visit
The best time to visit Belize is between late November and May. This Central American country has a pleasant climate year-round, but the weather varies greatly depending on the region. Rain tends to be heaviest in southern Belize and the jungle regions of Belize, and least rainy in northern Belize and many of Belize’s islands and islands. The driest period is from February to May, and the wettest period is from August to October. Those looking to travel to Belize during the rainy season will enjoy low prices, abundant wildlife, and blooming flowers.
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how to get there
Most international flights arrive at Philip SW Goldson International Airport (BZE), just 24 miles northwest of the capital, Belize City. From the international airport, you can hail a taxi into the city, take a ferry, or take a connecting local flight to your final destination.
Islands I want to visit
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Ambergris Caye
If you want to visit one of the islands off the coast of mainland Belize, you’ll likely start your trip in San Pedro Town, south of Ambergris Caye. Whether your last stop or a stop, be sure to walk on the sand, visit one of the many beach bars, and explore the nearby Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where you can dive among parrotfish, nurse sharks, and eels. “If you’re looking for an island vacation and multiple nightlife and dining options, San Pedro is a must-visit,” Puga said.
Caye Caulker
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Between Belize City and San Pedro is Caye Caulker, a small coral island with great diving and snorkeling and famous for its manatee habitat. “If you’re not already there, take a day trip to Caye Caulker to experience ‘The Split’ activities, tarpon viewing, and other family-friendly activities,” Puga said.
Moving method
Puga said traveling within Belize is fairly easy. If you’re staying in mainland Belize and want to travel freely, he recommends renting a car, saying, “There are only five major highways, so it’s very easy to get around.”
Those heading to the island will find that “golf carts and bicycles are the preferred means of transportation.” Puga also said that if you only plan to visit a few places during your stay in Belize, “you can use public transportation, transportation companies, puddle jumping, or ferries.”
If you want to get to the islands, check out the schedule for the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi. A ferry system runs regularly from Belize City to San Pedro and Caye Caulker.
