The countdown for spring break begins
It’s time to book your flight to Belize – a spring break mecca. The popular spots such as Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Miami, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico are overrated and overpopulated. Travel to a unique destination on the Caribbean coast with the second largest barrier reef in the world offering jungle zip-lining, cave tubing, windsurfing, world-class diving, mountain bike excursions through jungle trails, Maya temple tours and much more. Curious to find out about Belize? Continue reading,
Shots, Shots, Shots! Of tequila of course! Spring break has the reputation of college students “living their best life” while partying the night away. Can Belize, which is known for its tranquil Caribbean lifestyle, fit as a location for wild partying? Yes! Belize has a combination of the best. Belize has mesmerizing nature packed activities by day and a lot of party lit venues by night.
Brief Synopsis of Belize
Belize is a Caribbean country located south of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is bordered north by Mexico, west, and south by Guatemala and east by the Caribbean Sea. The country has a 174-mile coastline with a subtropical climate all year round. English is its official language with other languages spoken such as Kriol, Garifuna, Mandarin, Mayan, and Spanish. Though small in population, its people are ethnically diverse and rich in culture. The Belizean people are made up of Kriol, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Mennonite, Chinese and Arab. There are also immigrants in Belize from Europe, Canada, and the United States.
Belize is known for its ultimate biodiversity and original ecosystems. Located on the coast are swampy coastal plains with mangrove swamp. Down south and the interior, there are hills and mountains. Belize has many jungles, wildlife reserves, a vast variety of different flora and fauna species and the largest cave system in Central America.
Belize is a small nation, but one that has a well-planned highway and road system that connects all mainland towns and villages. No need to worry about transportation, there are ample options: local airlines, rental car, boat, helicopter, tour operators, buses, taxis, and even horses. There are small airports in Belize located centrally at key points of touristic attractions, boat services operating from all major coastal regions and islands and bus terminals in towns and villages.
Day Activities
JUNGLE/RAINFOREST
1. Go hiking to a breathtaking viewpoint
- Antelope Falls in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park
- Horseback riding: Hanna Stables, Outback Trails, Banana Bank Horses & Belize Jungle Lodge
2. Spot a Jaguar
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: Internationally known as the world’s first jaguar preserve.
- Panthera Belize: A conservation of the wild cats of Belize, in particular, jaguars
- Belize Zoo
3. Find a truly magnificent waterfall and sweet swimming spot
- Hidden Valley Inn: A private nature reserve set on 7,200 acres of wilderness in the Maya Mountains
4. Experience birding at sunrise. With over 600 species of birds in Belize, this is a mystical sight.
- Mayflower Bocawina National Park
- Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
5. Wine and Dine in the Belize Rainforest
- Mariposa Restaurant at Chaa Creek
- The Wild Fig Jungle Bistro & Bar at Bocawina Rainforest Reserve
- The Sleeping Giant at the Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
- La Ranita Restaurant at the Mystic River Resort
6. View a Butterfly farm (with over 700 butterfly species)
- Green Hills Butterfly Ranch located on Mountain Pine Ridge in Cayo District
- The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek
- Tropical Wings Ecocenter Butterfly Farm located in Cayo District
7. Rappel Down a Waterfall:
- Bocawina Rainforest Resort
- Antelope Falls in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park
8. Zipline through the jungle
- Bocawina Rainforest
- Xunantunich Zipline Adventure
- Belize Zipline Canopy Excursion
- Caves Branch River
INLAND MAYA RUINS
Cahal Pech: the perfect introduction to ancient Maya architecture with a wonderful view over the river valley below
Xunantunich: one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever built with an impressive display of pyramids, palaces, and other grand buildings.
Tikal: located just over the border in Guatemala and perhaps the most famous ancient Maya site in the world. Tikal contains more than 3,000 structures and easily accessible from Belize.
Nim Li Punit: The Maya name meaning “Big Hat” referring to the most iconic Maya sculptures in Belize. The ancient rulers commanded for large sculptures of themselves including one ruler with a large hat.
Lubaantun: Located in southern Belize and unique for hundreds of tiny ceramic objects found at the site. Archaeologists assumed they were used as lucky charms by the ancient Mayans or special tools for religious ceremonies
ISLAND VIBES/SEA LIFE
1. Snorkeling/Scuba Diving
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley (Ambergris Caye)
- Southwest Caye- Glovers Reef Atoll
- Tobacco Caye- South Water Caye Marine Reserve
- Half Moon Caye– Lighthouse Reef Atoll
- Great Blue Hole
2. Sailing / Kayaking/ Paddle Boarding
- Placencia Lagoon & Belize Barrier Reef (Placencia)
- Ambergris Caye
- Caye Caulker
- Hopkins
3. Fishing/Fly fishing
- Turneffe Atoll
- Ambergris Caye
- Placencia
- Hopkins
- Punta Gorda
- Caye Caulker
4. Relaxing / Sunbathing/Swimming
- Halfmoon Caye
- Goff’s Caye
- Caye Caulker
- Ambergris Caye
- Tobacco Caye
- Silk Caye
- St. George’s Caye
PARTY VENUES/NIGHTLIFE
1. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
- Coco’s Loco Beach Bar
- Secret Paradise Beach Bar
- Truck Stop
- Jaguar’s Night Club
- Fido’s Beach Bar
2. Caye Caulker
- Koko King
- The Lazy Lizard
3. Placencia Village
4. San Ignacio, Cayo District
- Tandoor
- Princess Hotel & Casino
- Blue Angel Night Club
5. Belmopan City, Cayo District
6. Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Cayo District
- Picadilly Nightclub and Lounge
7. Belize City
Written by Jiyoung Chehade
