What’s your most favourite place that you’ve been? is a common question I hear from people. While it’s hard to choose one place (I normally come up with a list instead) a common answer is “If you love nature you have to go to Belize”.
Most of Belize is undeveloped (more than 50%), as you can see by the miles of thick rainforest covering the mountains when you travel through the country (it’s easy to explore as it’s only around 68 miles wide and 180 miles long). According to the Word Land Trust, about 40% of the landmass is protected, preserving the habitat of many wildlife species.
Belize is raw and gorgeous and wild, with a landscape that is fit for a Jurassic Park sequel and with the longest palm leaves I’ve seen in my life.
And within that lush jungle you’ll walk among archaeological sites. Early Mayans roamed around Belize centuries ago (Mayans weren’t confined to Mexico or neighbouring Guatemala) building impressive structures above ground and performing sacred ceremonies underground in the many caves.
Within the lush jungle you’ll also find beautiful “resorts”. Cue the quotes, as these aren’t the typical massive buildings with some sprinkle of green and two macaws in a cage. Think more like cabanas and tree houses where wildlife thrives a few feet away behind a wall of trees. And the food is amazing!
But that’s not all.
You’ll also find over 230 miles of coastline facing the Caribbean, with sandy beaches and a sea of turquoise and navy hues. Across that coastline, interspersed among the endless blue there are hundreds of small and tiny cayes (pronounced “keys”) and atolls you can explore.
Take your exploration underwater and dive (or snorkel) along the second longest barrier reef in the world. Yes, right here.
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Official language: English (and you’ll hear Spanish everywhere).
Currency: Belizean dollar.
Capital: Belmopan.
Power outlets: type A and B; 120V/60 Hz
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Best Time to Travel to Belize
There are two seasons in Belize: dry season and wet season.
When it rains in Belize, it pours. Which translates into rising rivers, flooded caves and rural roads that look like muddy creeks.
If you want to enjoy all the outdoor activities without restrictions, plan your visit between December and May.
From June until the end of November you have to deal with the rain (don’t even think about visiting in October as it’s the wettest month), hurricane season, and the heat (hot as hell in August).
Top Things to Do in Belize
-Visit the National Parks and reserves: Hike through the jungle, float through rivers in caves and see tons of wildlife. Belize is an amazing destination for birdwatching and to see other wildlife including the howler monkeys.
–The ATM cave: the most visited cave in Belize. Walk, swim, climb, and slide through a stunning cave network with pottery from ancient Mayans and calcified skeletons. Read my blog post about the ATM cave before you go as it’s not a walk in the park (but it isn’t a pioneer expedition either). You must book a tour in advance with a certified guide.
-See Mayan ruins: and ancient artefacts in Belize’s archaeological sites. Not only can you climb most of the structures, but most sites are populated by big trees home to birds and monkeys making it an extra pleasant trip.
-Work on your tan: visit the beautiful beaches of Hopkins and Placencia, or cruise through the islands for great snorkeling and scuba diving. San Pedro, in Ambergris Caye, is the most visited destination in Belize and it also offers plenty of opportunities to see wildlife in the reef or the mangrove ponds.
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How to Get to Belize
By Air
Belize’s major airport (Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport) is about eight miles northwest of Belize City. You can fly direct to Belize from major cities in the United States, in Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala.
To arrive to your destination you can board connecting flights to regional airports (Corozal, Dangriga, San Pedro and others) or you can book a shuttle in advance (some hotels and resort in Belize include this service) to your destination.
By Sea
You can travel from Chetumal, Mexico to San Pedro, Belize with Water Jets International (sanpedrowatertaxi.com). It’s a 1.5-hour trip on a ferry (we departed Belize on this ferry). Keep in mind that in addition to the fees you’ll need to pay entry and departure taxes.
Getting Around Belize
Renting a 4X4 SUV is the best option to explore Belize. A car is fine for the main roads, but will leave you stuck once you go deep into the jungle (which isn’t that far from the main road), especially after rain.
Public buses connect the main towns but won’t take you to the remote areas where you can visit some of the most beautiful sites.
Most units consist of old school buses (not comfortable, no AC, with a less than reliable schedule) and a few coach buses recently introduced. If you decide to hop on a bus, keep your belongings with you at all times.
You can also skip transportation altogether and take guided tours that offer hotel/resort pickup. Some sites, such as the ATM cave and the Nohoch Che’en caves require that you book a tour with a certified guide. If you’re going to spend only a few days in Belize and your itinerary includes these two sites (awesome choice!), you’ll be better off without a car.
If time is of the essence you can fly on tiny little planes between regional airports.
Blog Posts About Belize
Best Booking Resources
These are the go-to resources we use all the time to find where to stay, book flights, and get travel insurance
- Agoda: we’ve found great deals in apartments, guesthouses, and boutique hotels through this site.
- Airbnb: rent a whole house or a room directly from the homeowner through Airbnb. We’ve used it to book apartments and private rooms.
- Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels and apartments.
- Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, and Skyscanner (on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
- Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
- House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities. Are you an animal lover? You may want to give it a try.
- Momondo: we check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights.
- SafetyWing: travel medical insurance gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and great for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check my Resource Page to learn about the brands I use and trust during my travels and how they can save you time and money. More sightseeing and more cocktails for you!