Planning a trip to Belize and curious about the best places to visit? Belize, a Caribbean country bordering Mexico, may be small, but it’s incredibly diverse. From lush jungles and beaches to picturesque islands and coral reefs teeming with life, Belize makes for a fantastic vacation spot.
Wondering what to see in Belize? Here are some top recommendations:
The Belize Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site, is a spectacular series of coral reefs situated about 300 meters offshore. Stretching approximately 300 kilometers along the coast, it encompasses beautiful islands like Tobacco Caye and Laughing Bird Caye. These smaller islands are perfect for a relaxing beach getaway with their crystal-clear waters and stunning beaches.
One of the most iconic spots in Belize is the Great Blue Hole, a massive marine sinkhole known for its excellent diving opportunities. Measuring 320 meters across and 124 meters deep, it’s one of the largest Blue Holes in the world and part of the Belize Barrier Reef. While diving here, you’ll encounter submerged stalactites and a variety of fish species in the surrounding reef ring. You can also snorkel around the reefs if you’re not a diver.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located near Ambergris Caye, is another popular diving and snorkeling destination, featuring habitats like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. One of the highlights of this marine park is Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays in a shallow, sandy-bottomed area.
Xunantunich, an ancient Maya city in western Belize, dates back around 3,000 years. This archaeological site features several plazas, over 20 temples, and palaces. The largest structure, “El Castillo,” stands as the second tallest building in Belize and is a must-see spot.
Caracol, another significant Mayan ruin, was once a bustling city with a population of over 100,000. The site now includes numerous temples, altars, ballcourts, reservoirs, observatories, and hieroglyphics. The tallest and most famous structure in Caracol is the Canna, also the tallest building in the country.
Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize, is renowned for water sports and diving. It serves as a convenient base for visiting Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Great Blue Hole, with the Belize Barrier Reef just off its coast. San Pedro, the main town on the island, offers access to surrounding reefs and islands, and features broad white sandy beaches with clear, aqua-blue waters teeming with fish.
Caye Caulker, a smaller island south of Ambergris Caye, is divided by a stretch of water known as The Split, which is an excellent swimming spot. The island’s northern part features a dense mangrove forest reserve rich in birdlife, while Caye Caulker Village, its only settlement, is situated in the south.
Lastly, the Jaguar Reserve Nature Center, located 25 kilometers from the coastal village of Hopkins, is a wildlife sanctuary within the lush, tropical forest of the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary. It cares for injured, sick, and orphaned jaguars and other animals and is home to various species like howler monkeys and tapirs. A variety of trails here offer an immersive experience in this unique environment.
Belize offers a diverse and breathtaking array of attractions that cater to nature lovers, adventure seekers, and history buffs alike.