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Belize

Belize—a small country on the eastern coast of Central America—is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the Americas. With dense jungles, picturesque cayes, and some of the best diving in the world, Belize remains the absolute gem of the Caribbean Sea.

Recommended Duration of Visit

7 days (ideal), 4 day (doable)

  • Download an offline map of the region you intend to visit (especially the cayes), check the weather, prepare all your gear, and finalize nearby lodging.
  • Scuba Diving: If you intend to go scuba diving, make sure to check the weather and prepare the appropriate gear and clothing.
  • Book water taxis ahead of time if you intend to go to islands (i.e. San Pedro, Caye Caulker).
  • Summer clothing, swimming clothes, sun protection, sunglasses, hats, comfortable hiking shoes, and water shoes/slippers among others.
  • Belize is the only Central American country with English as its official language.
  • Belize has the lowest population density in all of Central America.
  • The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave) tour would be illegal in Western countries. It’s incredible but potentially very dangerous.

PEAK SEASONS

Spring (December to April) is the peak season. This is also the dry season.

BELIZE’S STORY

Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.

ATTRACTIONS

San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, among others.

LANDSCAPE

Jungles, beaches, islands, and shorelines.

SPECIAL EVENTS

N/A

PLANNING

Flying into Belize City is the best course of action. However, Belize City itself is not the best attraction. Focus on islands such as San Pedro and Caye Caulker and book water taxis to get there.

Belmopan and San Ignacio are also vibrant and lively towns surrounded by lush jungles and stunning scenery. San Ignacio is also the last major town before crossing into Guatemala to visit Tikal. 

BELIZE’S STORY

Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.

PEAK SEASONS

Spring (December to April) is the peak season. This is also the dry season.

LANDSCAPE

Jungles, beaches, islands, and shorelines.

ATTRACTIONS

San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, among others.

PLANNING

Flying into Belize City is the best course of action. However, Belize City itself is not the best attraction. Focus on islands such as San Pedro and Caye Caulker and book water taxis to get there.

Belmopan and San Ignacio are also vibrant and lively towns surrounded by lush jungles and stunning scenery. San Ignacio is also the last major town before crossing into Guatemala to visit Tikal. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

N/A

Attractions and Activities

Attractions Overview

  • Timing: Realistically, you shouldn’t be visiting Belize outside of the dry season. Much of the country’s appeal depends entirely on the weather.
  • Island Hopping: The islands San Pedro and Caye Caulker should be prioritized. Belize City itself is unimpressive and you shouldn’t stay there more than 1 or 2 days after visiting major attractions in town.
  • Infrastructure Issue: Belize is an underdeveloped country by western standards. If something is out of your comfort zone, don’t push it. When in doubt, play it safe. Your trip can be thoroughly enjoyable staying entirely on the eastern side of the country (where the islands are).
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Logan Pass Visitor Center, Glacier National Park, Montana, United States

Attractions Overview

  • Adventure Gear: The differing climates of the Continental Divide influence Glacier National Park greatly, so you must be prepared for some unusual weather patterns. Within the same day, you might experience warm, cold, sunny, and rainy. Multi-purpose adventure gear is a must.
  • Brighten Up Your Day: You will be taking many photos against a picturesque landscape. Depending on the focus of your camera, the background or your profile might be dark. I recommend focusing on the background and turning on the flash. The flash will brighten your image and the focus will capture the background adequately. Naturally, you can skip the flash if your objective is to draw more attention to the scenery.
  • Just a Little Longer: The attractions are special in the sense that you can visit them in a relatively short amount of time, or you can easily spend the whole day.

Belize City: As the main hub of the country, Belize City is the main entry and exit point with a few noteworthy attractions.

Note: Belize City does have relatively high crime, so stay in crowded places and avoid going out at night.

Cost: Variable. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 days.

Belize Sign: The standard sign and photography point of interest.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 10 – 20 minutes.

Make sure to book lodging close to the water taxis.
There are signs on both the west and east side of the city.

Museum of Belize: Once a prison during times of British Colonial rule, the Museum of Belize was established in 2002 to display the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

Cost: Price of ticket to enter. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

Baron Bliss Lighthouse: Standing on the former site of a Spanish fortress, the Baron Bliss Lighthouse is located in the tourism village with plenty of juice/food stands.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 5 – 10 minutes.

The museum is near a bank in case you need cash.
The lighthouse is near a very cool Belize sign.

St. John Anglican Cathedral: Built before 1820, this humble church is the oldest Anglican church in all of Central America. It is also the headquarters of the Bishop of Belize

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

San Pedro: San Pedro, La Isla Bonita, is one of the main highlights of Belize. As the bigger and busier of the two main islands, it features a larger variety of restaurants and bars.

Cost: Variable. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 4 days.

Bird's Isle Restaurant is a nice restaurant nearby with a nice view.
A golf cart is a great way to get around the island.

Caye Caulker: The Split, located on Caye Caulker, is named after the channel that splits Caye Caulker into its northern and southern components.

As the more chill and relaxed island with the best swimming options, Caye Caulker is my personal favorite of the two islands.

Cost: Variable. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 4 days.

Rio On Pools: Easily one of the most picturesque landscapes on the western side of Belize, Rio On Pools are natural swimming pools featuring mini-waterfalls cascading over rock formations.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 4 hours (short hike time included).

You can stay on Caye Caulker most of the time and just take water taxis to visit San Pedro.
Since it's out of the way and deeper into the jungle, a car is mandatory. However a 4x4 vehicle is not needed.

Barton Creek Cave Reserve: The reserve has a cave that doubles as an archeological site. The reserve is toward the western side of Belize and close to the town of San Ignacio.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 4 hours.

St. Herman’s Cave: Located South of Belmopan, St. Herman’s Cave is…well, it’s a pretty cool cave. Not much else to say there.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

The drive from San Ignacio is approximately 40 minutes.
The spiders are harmless but watch out for them.

Belize City: As the main hub of the country, Belize City is the main entry and exit point with a few noteworthy attractions.

Note: Belize City does have relatively high crime, so stay in crowded places and avoid going out at night.

Cost: Variable. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 days.

Make sure to book lodging close to the water taxis.

Belize Sign: The standard sign and photography point of interest.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 10 – 20 minutes.

There are signs on both the west and east side of the city.

Museum of Belize: Once a prison during times of British Colonial rule, the Museum of Belize was established in 2002 to display the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

Cost: Price of ticket to enter. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

The museum is near a bank in case you need cash.

Baron Bliss Lighthouse: Standing on the former site of a Spanish fortress, the Baron Bliss Lighthouse is located in the tourism village with plenty of juice/food stands.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 5 – 10 minutes.

The lighthouse is near a very cool Belize sign.

St. John Anglican Cathedral: Built before 1820, this humble church is the oldest Anglican church in all of Central America. It is also the headquarters of the Bishop of Belize

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 15 – 30 minutes.

Bird's Isle Restaurant is a nice restaurant nearby with a nice view.

San Pedro: San Pedro, La Isla Bonita, is one of the main highlights of Belize. As the bigger and busier of the two main islands, it features a larger variety of restaurants and bars.

Cost: Variable. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 4 days.

A golf cart is a great way to get around the island.

Caye Caulker: The Split, located on Caye Caulker, is named after the channel that splits Caye Caulker into its northern and southern components.

As the more chill and relaxed island with the best swimming options, Caye Caulker is my personal favorite of the two islands.

Cost: Variable. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 4 days.

You can stay on Caye Caulker most of the time and just take water taxis to visit San Pedro.

Rio On Pools: Easily one of the most picturesque landscapes on the western side of Belize, Rio On Pools are natural swimming pools featuring mini-waterfalls cascading over rock formations.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 4 hours (short hike time included).

Since it's out of the way and deeper into the jungle, a car is mandatory. However a 4x4 vehicle is not needed.

Barton Creek Cave Reserve: The reserve has a cave that doubles as an archeological site. The reserve is toward the western side of Belize and close to the town of San Ignacio.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 4 hours.

The drive from San Ignacio is approximately 40 minutes.

St. Herman’s Cave: Located South of Belmopan, St. Herman’s Cave is…well, it’s a pretty cool cave. Not much else to say there.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 30 – 60 minutes.

The spiders are harmless but watch out for them.

Adventurous Activities

Shark Diving

Chill with sharks

Adventure to Tikal

Cross the border into Guatemala to see Tikal

Activity Description Pro Tip Cost
Shark Diving Partake in a unique diving experience at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Get an underwater camera ideally before flying into Belize. It's rather difficult to find one to rent once you're here. Variable
Adventure to Tikal Cross the border at Benque Viejo del Carmen into Guatemala to visit the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. Crossing the border can be stressful if not prepared. There are currency exchange merchants, but having Guatemalan currency (about 100 USD worth) beforehand will help greatly. You can drive from Belize or you can fly from within Guatemala. Variable
If you are short on time or not planning to be on the western part of Belize, prioritize diving with sharks because it requires far less hassle than Tikal (which you can save for Guatemala). Refer to the Guatemala Adventure Guide for more information.

SHARK DIVING: Chill with sharks.

PRO TIP: Get an underwater camera ideally before flying into Belize. It’s rather difficult to find one to rent once you’re here. COST: Variable

ADVENTURE TO TIKAL: Cross the border into Guatemala to see Tikal.

PRO TIP: Crossing the border can be stressful if not prepared. There are currency exchange merchants, but having Guatemalan currency (about 100 USD worth) beforehand will help greatly. You can drive from Belize or you can fly from within Guatemala. COST: Variable

Food

  • Summary

    Click on the picture to enlarge it and click on the tab for more information and recommendations.

GENERAL

  • This restaurant is literally some guy’s backyard with outdoor seating. This is a common occurence here in Belize.
  • This restaurant is located in Belize City.

What to order: I recommend the Beef Shwarma.

  • Bird’s Isle restaurant is right by the ocean with plenty of outdoor seating and shade.
  • This restaurant is located in Belize City.

What to order: I recommend the BBQ Pork Ribs.

  • A humble Chinese restaurant that offers delicious and affordable fried chicken.
  • This restaurant is located in Belize City.

What to order: I recommend the Fried Chicken.

  • A nice dessert spot near the ocean.
  • There are two locations, but the second one is in a nicer and more centralized area.
  • This restaurant is located in Belize City.

What to order: I recommend the Smoothies.

  • Surprisingly, the food in this restaurant is delicious and unexpected, especially all the way out here in this corner of the world.
  • The owners are very friendly and hospitable, so ask them about their story if you are interested.
  • This restaurant is located in Belmopan.

What to order: I recommend the Butter Chicken. The Masala Tea or Mango Lassi are excellent drinks.

  • A nice seafood restaurant on a chill and picturesque island is about as quintessential Belize as it gets.
  • This restaurant is located in Caye Caulker.

What to order: I recommend the Lobster, of course.

Final Comments

Compared to its neighhors Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is a relatively unknown travel destination. Despite all this, Belize is vibrant and exciting. Perhaps it was the path less traveled, the place less photographed, or the region less explored that truly brought the excitement and stirred the imagination. If you’re in the area, be sure to visit this underrated gem.

On a final note, make sure to share this page so others will know more about Belize!

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