Thinking about the top Belize attractions and what to do in here? Well there are countless activities to keep you busy. Sun, sand and beach, tropical rain forests, mountains, extensive cave systems, mostly unexplored remains of the ancient Maya civilization, diverse cultures, people, music and cuisine. There is so much to see that even the most jaded traveler will have an experience that will leave lasting memories. Our editors have compiled the Top Ten Things To Do In Belize List to get you started.
1. Go Snorkeling
The best way to appreciate the amazing variety of marine life in Belize is in a bathing suit. Diving and snorkelling tour operators abound in the coastal communities, although the best tours can be found on the cayes, notably Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker and also off the Placencia Peninsula. Pristine coral gardens and countless marine wildlife are a treat no visitor to Belize should miss. Belize is famous for world-class snorkelling on the Barrier Reef.
It’s easy to learn snorkeling. Even if you’ve never considered underwater sports in the past you’ll be willing to learn. Once you master breathing through a tube it’s simply a matter of relaxing or paddling away or floating. Time disappears once you are introduced to a world of fish in rainbow colors. You’ll discover underwater caverns, tall coral pillars, giant sponges and, shy fish trying to hide in the sandy bottom of their underwater environment. Belize’s shallow seas and pleasant climate make it a snorkellers’ favourite.
2. Maya Ruins and Temples
Maya Ruins are one of the main Belize attractions and make the country stand out from other one-dimensional destinations such as manufactured beaches, concrete roads and franchise fast food joints on every corner. The area was once the very center of the ancient Maya Civilization and they have left their mark in one of the largest concentrations of temples and underground ritual chambers, as well as a magnificent repository of art in gold, jade, obsidian, pottery, elaborate stone carvings and paintings.
This vast civilization that reached its apex when Europe was in the Dark Ages virtually disappeared about a thousand years ago but their descendants remain in the indigenous Maya consisting of various sub ethnic groups including the Yucatec, the Mopan, the Ketchi and the Xol. Some of the best known Maya sites include Xunantunich, Caracol, Altun Ha and Lubaantun. But we suggest you make up you mind after looking at our Top Ten Maya Sites To Visit In Belize.
3. Adventure Tourism
The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world ranked at 209 out of 239 countries – a little under 400,000 inhabitants spread over 8,868 square miles (22,960 square kilometers) – that is about 1 person per 36 square miles. This rank is right up there with The Pitcairn Islands (U.K.) that have a population of 67 inhabitants spread over 1.9 miles.
Taking a hike or mountain bike tour in those wide open spaces is a relaxing way to get around, have fun and learn more about Belize. Most jungle resorts have nature trails, guided or self guided. On these trails you can hike along well defined paths that include signs and unobtrusively marked points of interest. Various plants and trees will have small wooden signs with their local and scientific names, and in some case their medicinal use.
One such area is the Don Elijio National Park named after noted Maya Shaman Elijio Panti. The Bocawina National Park is highly recommended by serious hikers. Other resorts have scientific and nature conservation points of interest such as butterfly or iguana breeding programs and nature trails that outline these programs.
If you are looking for hard adventure, we suggest climbing Victoria Peak one of the highest mountains in Belize. This is a rugged two-night trek and climb in Belize’s southern district of Stann Creek. Other visitors may just decide to take off on their own. The country is well served by bus transportation. Armed with a Map Of Belize and print outs from websites such as this one, you can plan your own itinerary. Just jump on a bus and take off.
4. Enjoy The Beaches
A coastline that extends some 175 miles along the gorgeous Caribbean Sea has you covered if you love the beach, snorkeling, diving or plain beach-combing or relaxing on a hammock strung between two coconut trees. Some of the best beaches are on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia, Hopkins and southern Belize.
Thanks to the Barrier Reef that protects the coast, our beaches are relatively safe. The visitor will not experience much surf or undercurrents. For adventure on the high seas you need to venture outside the reef. This offers spectacular deep sea fishing and SCUBA for the adventurous.
Visitors looking for the ultimate secluded beaches, enticing warm waters and a laid-back Caribbean style will find the cayes (islands) running along Belize’s stunning Barrier Reef, the perfect haven. More than 200 islands are spread over the turquoise waters off the coast offering a wide variety of popular attractions and activities. Visitors are sure to find the Belize vacation that perfectly suits them. You may want to see our article on The Best Beaches In Belize.
5. Jaguar Preserve (Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary)
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is located off the Southern Highway in the Stann Creek District of Belize. It’s approximately 2.5 hours from Belize City, 30 minutes from Hopkins, and about 1 hour from Placencia. An alternate, shorter route from Belize city is through the now completed Coastal Highway. The Jaguar Preserve has one of the most extensive jungle hiking trails in the country. Plants are identified along the trails and animals are often seen. A bus will drop you off at the Maya Centre along the Southern Highway, and from there you can catch a tour bus or taxi for the remaining 7 miles or hike it. The best part of this adventure is that the Jaguar Preserve has its own quarters available for rent by visitors.
The entrance fee is $10, camping is $5 per person/ night and the dorm is $20/ per person night; The cabins range from $40-55 per night. You must bring your own food and water, although they will rent you cooking equipment or tents. Some visitors prefer to purchase a visit to the Jaguar Preserve as part of a tour package that includes full transportation.
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a result of a jaguar study conducted in the area by Alan Rabinowitz. Besides being the home of Belize’s largest cat, the sanctuary protects the headwaters of two major river systems.. Over 128,000 acres of lush jungle are surrounded by the Cockscomb Mountains.
6. Go SCUBA Diving
Belize is a world-renowned destination for scuba diving, boasting the second largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef System (also known as the Great Mayan Reef). Divers from all over the world visit Belize to explore its pristine coral reef and the famous Blue Hole, a large marine sinkhole situated just off the country’s coast.
Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize, provides the best access to the Blue Hole and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Tour companies in San Pedro, the largest town on the island, offer diving tours to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which means “little channel” in the Mayan language. If you’re new to diving, you can even get certified here.
You can reach Ambergris Caye via daily flights from Belize International Airport, which take approximately 20 minutes. Alternatively, if you’re on a tight budget, you can take a taxi to the boat terminal and catch a boat to San Pedro, the largest city on Ambergris Caye, which will take about 40 minutes to an hour. Regardless of how you choose to travel, scuba diving should be at the top of your Belize bucket list. It is undoubtedly one of the best attractions Belize has to offer. Check out our article on The Top Ten Belize Scuba Diving Destinations.
7. Take A Canoe or Kayak Adventure
Born in the Maya Mountains in Guatemala, the Mopan River flows into Belize and with the Macal River forms the Belize River. This primary watercourse flows across the country to the sea. Before roads were built in Belize, the rivers were the main mode of transportation and commerce. You can rent canoes for the Mopan and Macal Rivers and powerboats are also available for fishing cruising the various rivers that include the New River, Temash, Sarstoon as well as inland lagoons.
Tour companies and resorts offer Class II and III rapids (beginner level), and their guides are certified by the local tourist board. Additional instruction is given throughout the runs, which include reading the white water, learning about obstacles, and surfing the river waves. Although it is not a wilderness river, abundant bird life and huge iguanas are encountered on the river at nearly every bend.
Amateur and professional canoe racing enthusiasts make their way here every year for the annual La Ruta Maya Canoe Race. This race is held on time trials and begins at San Ignacio through various villages and settlements such as Banana Bank, Bermudian Landing, Double Head Cabbage and Burrel Boom before the finish line at the Haulover Creek on the sea at Belize City.
8. Go To The Islands
Belize has more than 200 islands – many secluded and less traveled. But we have big islands and a nice peninsula for those looking for the sun, beach and amenities such as gourmet restaurants, fine wines, clubbing and the finer things in life. If this is your preference we recommend Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and the Placencia Peninsula in the south as among the best attractions.
Ambergris Caye is the big island, but before that it was a peninsula of Quintana Roo, Mexico until the Mayas dug a channel making it officially an island and eventually part of Belize. Gotta love the Mayas. Ambergris Caye is a stunted version of Cancun with most anything a visitor from the developed world would want. Ambergris Caye has lots of space – most folks do not realize the island is larger than Barbados. But the population is jammed up inside San Pedro Town. Ambergris Caye is home to the famous Shark Ray Alley.
Caye Caulker is a a couple miles away from Ambergris Caye and much smaller and attracts budget travelers and those looking for a more village style atmosphere. Both islands are an hour away by water taxi from the mainland, or a fifteen minute flight. Placencia is in southern Belize and approximately two and a half hours drive by road. Or a half hour flight from the Belize International Airport.
From the Placencia area you can drive to the vast unexplored southern Belize and even drift down to the fabled Rio Dulce and Puerto Barrios in neighboring Guatemala. From Puerto Barrios it is an easy hop by land into Honduras and other points south – think Roatan, Puerto Cortez, Puerto Limon and inland to San Pedro Sula.
9. Visit The Belize Zoo
Take a leisurely stroll through this 29-acre zoo, and you might feel like you’ve wandered into a lush jungle. The zoo may be small, but it houses an impressive collection of over 45 species of animals. You’ll hear the mighty roars of jaguars and the piercing squawks of keel-billed toucans. Keep your eyes open for the vibrant scarlet macaws and the sleek coral snakes that slither across the thick forest floor. If you look up through the leafy canopy, you may even spot one of Belize’s beloved howler monkeys or a colorful tropical parrot. As you wander along the rustic path, keep an eye out for Belize’s native cats, including margays, ocelots, pumas, and jaguarondis.
The internationally acclaimed Belize Zoo was started as a refuge for wild animals that had been used in making documentary films. An award-winning British documentary filmmaker Richard Foster made the first film on Belize wildlife here – Amate The Great Fig Tree for Partridge Films. The film is centered on the complex ecosystem that revolves around this magnificent tree found in Belize.
After completing the documentary Richard handed over the location used in the film, along with the animals, to ex pat environmentalist Sharon Matola who after years of hard work and with support from international organizations, transformed it into the Belize Zoo.
At the zoo you will not see drab concrete cells with iron bars like those common in other countries. Instead, the resident fauna are housed in as natural an environment as possible. Imagine a natural and real tropical rainforest with discreet enclosures interwoven into the trees and plants.
The zoo exhibits over 150 native animals, all orphaned, born at the zoo, or rehabilitated pets. The enclosures are described by visitors as large, airy and comfortable with natural pens.
Several of the animals native to the area are nocturnal, thus a visit to the zoo may be the only way to see them. The zoo is located 31 miles west of Belize City on the Western Highway. A related establishment, the Tropical Education Center is located across the highway and caters to wildlife researchers and students.
Visiting the Belize Zoo costs $15 USD for adults and $5 USD for children. However, Belize citizens and residents can avail themselves of discounted rates, paying only $7 BZD for adults and $2 BZD for children. Parking at the zoo is free of charge.
The zoo is open seven days a week, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on Sundays when it closes an hour earlier, at 4:00 PM.
10. Explore The ATM Cave – Actun Tunichil Muknal
Prospective visitors have heard about this spectacular one day river run, better known as the ATM Cave, that travels for miles underground. The Caves Branch River is a unique river that races through the karst foothills of the Maya Mountains in central Belize.
During its run through the jungle it encounters numerous limestone hills, and instead of flowing around these obstructions it plunges through them in a wonderland series of caves, some of which are more than 2 miles long – imagine roaring down-river for two miles underground! No amusement park park can compare. The Caves Branch river passes through these caves with enough clearance for adventurers to navigate through them.
Tour companies offer cave tubing packages. Most are for a medium length but an adrenaline pumping run designed for Belize cruise ship visitors with limited time. Others will do the entire day if they have the time. You may also want to check out Top Ten Things Not To Do In Belize
Bonus Things To Do In Belize
Get In Touch With Garifuna Culture
Experience the vibrant rhythms of the Garifuna people at the Lebeha drumming center in Hopkins, Belize.
The Garifuna, descendants of an Afro-Indigenous community in the Caribbean, have a rich history of resilience. Surviving enslavement and shipwrecks, they merged with the Arawak people of St. Vincent before seeking refuge in Belize in the 1800s to escape persecution.
For those interested in immersing themselves in Garifuna culture, consider planning your visit for November 19th, Garifuna Settlement Day. This celebration marks their arrival in Belize and is brimming with traditional food, dance, and mesmerizing drum performances.