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With its vast greenery and clear blue waters, Belize is undoubtedly beautiful. This Caribbean country on the northeastern coast of Central America is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. A diverse best-kept gem, Belize offers amazing stories, kind people, and alluring attractions. The Great Blue Hole is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Belize. It is a deep, funnel-shaped hole within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Belize Zoo gives shelter to many native fauna species. Check the Belize Zoo's current schedule before visiting. Tourists may also inquire about special tour programs. Breathe the fresh air of its coast's mangroves and embrace the calmness of its hills and mountains. Belize is where you should be for both exciting adventures and soul refreshment.
BEST TIME TO GO TO BELIZE
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Before traveling to another country, know when the best time is to go. For Belize, the best time to visit is from late November to mid-April.
Late November to mid-April brings a cool breeze and sunny weather. With an average daytime temperature of 27°C (80°F), you can enjoy tropical beaches and wilderness adventures with less rain.
This period is also the peak of the tourist season. Expect crowds at attractions like the Belize Barrier Reef, the country's signature marine attraction. Moderate hotel rates are available, but prices rise, so book reservations in advance to find the best rates for your budget.
WHERE TO STAY IN BELIZE
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Finding a place to stay when you visit a foreign country gets a bit of a hassle from time to time. Most tourists would like to find accommodation that is both cozy and easy to bear financially. Listed below are some of the luxury and budget-friendly hotels you can book before you travel to Belize.
LUXURY HOTELS
RAMON’S VILLAGE RESORT
Location: San Pedro
Ramon's Village Resort is one of the oldest and most popular hotels in Belize, open since 1987. Styled after Tahitian elements with a Mayan influence, its cabanas use native materials and techniques from the old sailing ships era. The garden features royal palms, bougainvillea, hibiscus, and other tropical plants.
Rooms include a wardrobe, air conditioning, and a private bathroom; guests can choose a beachfront, seaside, or jungle location. Steve & Becky's — British Colonial-style cottages from the Belizean Princess — are also available. Accommodation starts at 185.54 USD per night for two guests, including taxes and charges.
The resort serves American dishes. Activities include fishing, beach picnics, snorkeling, cave tubing, and zip-lining.
PELICAN REEF VILLAS RESORT
Location: San Pedro
Pelican Reef Villas Resort is one of the finest modern hotels in the country. With only a few suites, it is one of the Best Small Hotels in Belize. Guests choose from two-bedroom or three-bedroom luxury suites.
The two-bedroom luxury suite is 1,275 square meters. The master bedroom has an attached bathroom, and the other bedroom has a separate bath. Guests can spend time in the living room with a patio facing the Caribbean Sea, and eat meals in the dining area. This suite also has a kitchen complete with appliances and a washer/dryer. The price starts at 307 USD per night for four guests, including taxes and charges.
The three-bedroom luxury suite is 1,850 square meters. It has a master bedroom with an attached bathroom and a jacuzzi tub. The second room has an attached bathroom, while the third has a detached bath. This suite has the same amenities as the two-bedroom suite. The price starts at 398.86 USD per night for six guests, including taxes and charges.
Guests can choose from beachfront, pool and ocean, and garden views. Pelican Reef Villas Resort also offers meals and drinks at a reasonable price. Activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing.
THE LODGE AT CHAA CREEK
Location: San Ignacio, Cayo
The Lodge at Chaa Creek is an eco-friendly resort on the banks of the Macal River. Known as a model for sustainable tourism, it has offered an authentic jungle experience since 1981 and is one of the most awarded Belize Eco Lodges.
For a back-to-nature experience, here are the accommodations:
Belize Ix Chel Villas (from 799 USD) – Choose a junior or master suite with a veranda, private plunge pool, outdoor jacuzzi, and shower in a rainforest setting.
Belize Spa Villa (from 699 USD) – A three-bedroom spa villa in a tropical hillside garden with a kitchen, living room, and veranda with outdoor jacuzzi.
Belize Tree Top Villas (from 759 USD) – Perfect for couples, with a patio, alfresco showers, private plunge pool, and sundecks.
Macal River View Suite (from 599 USD) – A king-sized bed, leisure furniture, terrace with hammocks, and outdoor jacuzzi.
The Cottage Collection (from 389 USD) – A palm thatch cottage with crafted furniture blending rainforest surroundings and local culture.
For a budget option, Belize On A Budget-Eco Pods start at 65 USD. Guests can explore the Belize Nature Reserve, Natural History Center, and Maya Organic Farm. For wildlife, the Belize Zoo gives shelter to many native fauna species; check its current schedule before visiting and inquire about special tour programs.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOTELS
TOBACCO CAYE PARADISE
Location: Tobacco Caye
Tobacco Caye Paradise offers a homey stay in the middle of the Belize Barrier Reef, the country's signature marine attraction. Six over-the-water cabanas let guests relax in a hammock over the Caribbean Sea, with mangrove trees providing fresh air for sunrise or sunset views.
Accommodation starts at 25 USD per night for two guests. Tobacco Caye Paradise adventures include kayaking, snorkeling, and diving.
COLINDA CABANAS
Location: Caye Caulker
Colinda Cabanas offers 14 suites and cabanas. Each room has a patio and balcony with chairs, a table, and a hammock, plus bottled drinking water, fresh coffee beans, and coffee grinders.
Guests can enjoy bicycling after coffee, or go kayaking and snorkeling during their stay. For planning a trip around the best conditions, travelers might consult a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy, though Belize's tropical climate is distinct.
BELIZEAN NIRVANA
Location: Placencia
Belizean Nirvana is an accommodation in the heart of Placencia. Though it is cheap, the rooms have a TV, air conditioning, a DVD player, and private bathrooms. Its dining area is complete with a microwave, fridge, and coffee machine.
Guests may also use an outdoor shower and relax in a hammock in the hotel's veranda. Belizean Nirvana's rooftop deck is a perfect spot for a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. Free bikes and free kayaks are also available in this hotel which guests can use on its private beach area.
10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN BELIZE
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Without a doubt, there are a lot of best things to do in Belize! From the coast to the jungle, tourists get attracted to everything this gem has to offer. If the wanderlust inside you is too excited to know, here are the 10 best things to do in Belize!
1. GO SCUBA DIVING AT THE GREAT BLUE HOLE
Belize is home to the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. It also has three out of four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere! No wonder why divers from all over the world travel to Belize and dive right into the country's diving sites. One of the most famous diving sites that divers should go for is the Great Blue Hole.
What is great about the Blue Hole? Divers who go for this crazy dive will fall in love with the blue waters showcasing Belize's rich marine life. At times, divers will also come across hammerhead sharks and other extraordinary sea creatures. So, see to it that you are prepared to enjoy the depth of the Great Blue Hole with them!
2. TAKE A WALK ON THE MAYFLOWER BOCAWINA NATIONAL PARK
Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a top choice for both leisure and exploration. Located on the eastern end of the Maya Mountains, this park has 7,087 acres of preserved low and highlands. It features natural waterfalls such as Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls, and Antelope Falls, great for relaxation and adventures.
Tourists may go on an hour-and-a-half hiking and water rappelling down the streams for an extra challenge. In case you are not up for such thrill, you may also explore three ancient Maya sites here — the Mayflower Maya site, T’au Witz, and Maintzunum.
3. EXPLORE THE LAMANAI MAYA TEMPLES
Lamanai is just one of the historical sites in Belize. The Spanish first promoted Christianity in this area by establishing two "Ramada" churches sometime in 1544 upon their arrival. During the 1800s, sugar operations began in Lamanai. That is why tourists visiting this site will get to see 16th-century Spanish churches and a colonial sugar mill.
Lamanai also contains a museum with ancient Maya artifacts. It features the monumental architecture of temples and palaces that will bring tourists back to the Classic and Pre-Classic periods. Tourists should also look forward to the well-preserved mask of a Maya ruler emerging from a crocodile headdress.
4. DISCOVER BELIZE’S WILDLIFE
A rescue facility for animals before, tourists may now see jaguars, toucans, and coral snakes in this zoo. Surrounded by canopy trees, other animals like monkeys, harpy eagle, jabiru are also happily living here! The paths of the zoo also have native cats like a puma. Belize Zoo is now under the Belize Tourism Board's Gold Standard Program for its sustainability and commitment to protecting animals.
5. VISIT THE COROZAL HOUSE OF CULTURE
A Municipal Market in 1886 for over one century, the building turned into Corozal Tourism and Culture Center in 1996. After its closure in 2003, the Corozal House of Culture is now sharing stories with all tourists again.
Tourists will get much of the learnings about Belize through its museum and art gallery. The Corozal House of Culture now acts as a Community Center and hosts at least two cultural events monthly.
6. GO FISHING IN THE BELIZEAN WATERS
In Belize, tourists who go fishing will surely get a 'nice catch.' The Caribbean Sea is abundant with fish, from the smallest to the biggest. Tourist guides share information on the perfect areas for fishing. Keep close to them to help you catch a grand slam, permit, or tarpon fish.
Before you go fishing, make sure you have a valid sport fishing license. It is a requirement under the Coastal Zone Management Act (1998) and Sport Fishing Regulations (S.I. 115 of 2009). Tourists may get one at the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) site.
7. EXPERIENCE THE GARIFUNA CULTURE
A trip will be extra memorable if you get to have a glimpse of a place's culture. In Belize, there is an underrated tour called the "Garifuna Drumming Tour" that everyone should experience.
Tourists who try this will go to a village in Hopkins on the southeast coast. Loud and lively villagers will welcome you with banging drums and fun dance. The music is a guaranteed way of making every tourist show their skills in dancing, and the villagers' moves are inviting, so there is no way you will not dance with them. Delicious dishes, mostly seafood, are also available in this village. For tourists, the traditional Garifuna dish is a must-munch.
Compared to the other best things to do in Belize, this tour is not that thrilling. But it will give you a happy soul when you leave the sandy beach.
8. TRY CAVE TUBING IN BELIZE
Try the most popular shore excursion in Belize — cave tubing. Cave tubing will usually start with a half an hour (or more) hike through the Belizean rainforest. Upon finishing the rainforest trail, tourists will tube down the soothing flow of waters in the Caves Branch River. Through the river, the kayaks will go towards the caves offering stunning rock formation. There might not be so many fancy things inside the caves, but the rock formation itself is already spectacular.
For ancient Mayas, these caves are a sacred underworld and home to many powerful gods. That is precisely the idea you will get once you are inside the caves!
9. GO BAREFOOT AT THE PLACENCIA BEACH
Placencia’s golden sands and Caribbean views, paired with air from its mangrove-lined lagoon, offer a simple but memorable beach experience. Fishing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving are top activities on the beach of Placencia. For a restful day, hammocks in palm trees are the go-to spot.
Tourists can sunbathe while waiting for freshly caught seafood to cook. There are no fast-food chains, but “mom and pop” restaurants, sidewalk cafes, juice bars, and yoga studios line the shore. Villas and hotels are available to book.
With an unwritten rule of “no shirt, no shoes, no worries,” visitors embrace the homely atmosphere.
10. TASTE THE BELIZEAN LOCAL FOOD COCHINITA PIBIL
Cochinita Pibil is a dish given by the Mayas. The taste of this local food in Belize is truly unique. Back in the day, the cooking process started with marinating a suckling pig, wrapping it in leaves, and burying it in hot pits covered with stones and fire. The cooking process may be a little different nowadays, but the taste stays.
The marinade includes achiote paste, orange and lime juice, garlic, and mixed spices. Once all these flavors are on the meat, foil or banana leaves are used to wrap it. The magic of this dish relies on its marinade and its slow cooking or roasting, which makes the meat fall in your mouth smoothly. This dish can be on rice and beans, or best on tortillas topped with sliced red onions, herbs, and citrus juice.
WHERE TO EAT IN BELIZE
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POP’S RESTAURANT
Location: San Ignacio Town, Cayo District
Pop’s Restaurant is well-known in downtown San Ignacio. Though it is not as big as other restaurants in Belize, locals and tourists recommend this place to eat.
Serving an all-day breakfast menu, the Pop's Restaurant offers French, Latin American, Mexican, and vegetarian dishes. They also serve mouth-watering burgers and fries, along with classic Belizean food and drink like refried beans, eggs, bacon, coffee, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
If you would like to try one of their signature dishes, go for their fry jacks—airy, puffy, deep-fried pastry. It has sausages, bacon, and eggs on the side.
SMOKY MERMAID RESTAURANT AND BAR
Location: Great House Inn, Belize City
Do you want to dine in a garden setting? Then the Smoky Mermaid Restaurant and Bar is the place to be. Located on the ground floor of Great House Inn, this resto-bar offers international cuisines and fresh seafood. Their special lobster menu is one of the courses that you should try here.
Lobsters are available throughout the year, even off-season. So, if you happen to crave it while in Belize, there will not be any problem. Smoky Mermaid Restaurant and Bar will give it to you.
ESTEL’S DINE BY THE SEA
Location: Buccaneer St., San Pedro
Estel's Dine by The Sea is a Caribbean restaurant in San Pedro specializing in all-day breakfast and brunch. Guests enjoy fresh fruit juice and the famous johnnycake, a cornmeal flatbread. Running for many years, Estel's Dine by The Sea offers authentic Caribbean dining. The menu includes breakfast, fresh fish, barbecue specialties, burritos, tamales, and frijoles. It is a popular stop for those exploring the Belize Barrier Reef, the country's signature marine attraction and backbone of many itineraries.
CARAMBA RESTAURANT AND BAR
Location: Ambergris Caye, San Pedro
Caramba Restaurant and Bar is a family-owned business on the island of Ambergris Caye, serving exciting dishes and drinks to diners for years.
For dishes, go for their coconut shrimp and fish tacos. The sweetness of the shrimp and the savory sauce go well together, while the creaminess, saltiness, and spiciness of the tacos burst in your mouth. Drinks should follow: at Caramba, order cocktails or mojitos. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, Caramba also offers fruit smoothies.
TUTTI FRUTTI GELATERIA
Location: Placencia, Belize
Italian gelato is also available in Belize! Just in case you want something nice and cold, Tutti Frutti Gelateria is where you should drop by.
This gelato store is in Placencia, offering over ten flavors of ice cream. Chocolate, mint, fresh fruit, and the rare Provence lavender are a few of the flavors you can choose. If the tropical heat gets on you, go for a scoop or two!
TIPS WHEN TRAVELING TO BELIZE
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PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Tourists traveling to Belize must have a passport valid for at least three months after the date of arrival. Citizens from the following countries do not need a visa to enter Belize:
United States and its territories
Canada
United Kingdom and its territories
European Union
Caribbean
Central America
If you hold a valid U.S.A. or Schengen Treaty visa in your passport, you can also enter Belize without a visa. A temporary importation permit must be secured by those arriving from Guatemala and Mexico via car or boat.
Children under 18 need a valid passport and a letter of parental consent. If traveling with only one parent, a notarized travel consent letter from the other parent is required. Pets must have a veterinary certificate from a registered veterinarian in the country of origin, plus an import permit from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).
Tourists are granted a one-month stay. To extend, apply with the Immigration Department. Check the Belize Immigration website for details. For passport-specific questions, travelers can refer to resources on identifying the book number on a US passport to ensure their document meets requirements.
CREATE A BUDGET PLAN
Creating a budget plan is helpful when traveling to Belize. Make your itinerary before booking your flight, and research prices for accommodations, restaurants, beaches, attractions, and activities. Once you have a price list, you will know how much you need for the trip.
A budget plan also helps you track expenses while in Belize. For marine adventures, the Belize Barrier Reef is the country's signature attraction and backbone of many itineraries. Check the Belize Zoo's current schedule before visiting, and tourists may also inquire about special tour programs. A solid plan will serve as your guide throughout the journey.
CHOOSE A DESTINATION AND CREATE A “THINGS TO DO” LIST
Choosing a destination beforehand saves time and money. In Belize, plan to include both aquatic and land activities on your bucket list.
BEFRIEND LOCALS IN BELIZE
Traveling to another country can be a little risky as everything is new to you. Befriending locals can surely make things lighter to handle, saving you from a lot of trouble. Locals can give you a guide to the best accommodations and restaurants that fit your budget. If you have questions or want traveling tips in Belize, locals are the ones to run to. Be kind and be the locals' friend!
DISCOVER THE BEST-KEPT GEM OF CENTRAL AMERICA
This country may be small, but it is packed with beauty that keeps the crowd coming. Tourists go here to feel alive and free.
Belize is generous. For something extraordinary, discover the marine life of the Great Blue Hole. Learn about history at Houses of Culture and different temples. For a thrill, try cave tubing and outdoor activities like fishing. Even with its abundance of seafood, this country is open to sharing everything with you.
There are tons of best things to do in Belize, and it will all be memorable. Even if you spend the day in a hammock under palm trees, the memory will not fade. Picture how perfect things can be in Belize, then turn things into reality and discover Belize!
