At 8,867 square miles, Belize is a small country but one that’s packed with countless adventures. Let us be your guide to the wonder that is this amazing Caribbean nation with our top suggestions for a truly memorable vacation. Join the adventure and discover a destination unlike any other.
BELIZE DISTRICT
Kukumba Beach. Photo courtesy of Old Belize
1. Take the Old Belize Historical Tour
2. Visit the Museum of Belize
3. Visit St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest church in Belize
Photo by the Belize Tourism Board
4. Learn about and taste local rum at Travellers Heritage Rum Museum
5. Sightsee and take pictures at the Baron Bliss Lighthouse and the colorful Belize sign
6. Meet people for Happy Hour at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza
7. Enjoy delicious pastries for breakfast at Sugar Fix Bakery
Princess the Puma. Photo Credit: The Belize Zoo
8. Visit the Belize Zoo
9. Enjoy a Wildlife Cruise on the Belize River
10. Explore the Archaeological Site of Altun Ha
The Jabiru Stork is Crooked Tree’s most famed resident. Photo by Francis Canto Jr.
11. Take the Birding and Boat Cruise at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
12. Try delicious meat pies for breakfast
CAYO DISTRICT
Photo by Duarte Dellarole
13. Swim at Big Rock Falls and Rio On Pools in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
14. Take in the view at Thousand Foot Falls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
15. Trekking and Birding in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Escape the crowds in Belize. Xunantunich – Maya Site © Roeming Belize
16. Visit Archaeological Sites – Cahal Pech, Xunantunich, and Caracol
17. Ride on horseback to Xunantunich
18. Canoe inside the Barton Creek Cave
19. Experience caving at Actun Tunichil Muknal
20. Explore the Chiquibul National Park
St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
21. Swim at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park
22. Jungle Trek to the Crystal Cave at the Blue Hole National Park
23. Interact with Green Iguanas at the Green Iguana Conservation Project at the San Ignacio Resort
24. Visit San Ignacio’s Saturday Market, and try the craboo, you won’t regret it!
Visit the Rio Frio Cave – One of Belize’s Most Beautiful Spots. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
25. Explore the Rio Frio Caves
26. Cave tube and zipline around Jaguar Paw
27. Enjoy a private picnic at Butterfly Falls while staying at the Hidden Valley Inn
28. Visit the Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek
TOLEDO
Photo by ROEming Belize
29. Explore the Archaeological Sites of NimLi Punit and Lubaantun
30. Learn to play the drums at Warasa Garifuna Drum School
31. Explore Hokeb Ha, Laguna, and Tiger caves in Blue Creek
32. Swim at Rio Blanco National Park
33. Experience an overnight stay at a Maya Village Home Stay
A farm-to-table experience with Copal Tree Lodge’s chocolate tour.
34. Book an Organic Chocolate Making Tour at Copal Tree Lodge
35. Visit the Offshore Islands of Sapodilla Caye and Snake Caye
36. Visit the Spice Farm and experience the Botanical Gardens Walking Tour
37. Enjoy Garifuna Cuisine
38. Shop at the Punta Gorda Market
39. Have fun as you kayak on the Moho River
OFFSHORE CAYES/BELIZE BARRIER REEF
A Caye Caulker sunrise. Image via Belize Tourism Board
40. Island hop between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker
41. Try the famous Lizard Juice at the Split in Caye Caulker
42. Explore Caye Caulker and San Pedro on a golf cart or bike
43. Enjoy the view of the Caribbean Sea on a Sunset Cruise
© Duarte Dellarole Photography
44. View the Great Blue Hole from above with Maya Island Air
45. Take a day trip to dive and snorkel the Great Blue Hole
46. Spot the Red-Footed Booby at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Half Moon Caye National Monument
47. Try your hand at Deep Sea Fishing
48. Snorkel the Elbow at Turneffe Atoll, the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Reserve, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Mexico Rocks, Bacalar Chico, and the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
49. Swim with nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley
50. Go fly fishing, you might just catch a “Grand Slam”
51. Get your fix of Jamaican cuisine, while dining at Jambel Jerk Pit Restaurant and Bar at Sun breeze Suites in San Pedro
52. Have Sunday brunch at Mambo’s Restaurant at Matachica
53. Take the long trip to Secret Beach
Blue Water Grill. Image via Sunbreeze Hotel/Duarte Dellarole
54. Enjoy fresh seafood at Blue Water Grill, at Sunbreeze Hotel in San Pedro
55. Visit Elvi’s Kitchen and try some amazing seafood dishes
COROZAL DISTRICT
Corozal, Belize. Photo by Davy Steinhauer on Unsplash
56. Visit Corozal Town Hall and Corozal House of Culture
57. Take a dip in the Corozal Bay
58. Shop at the local market
59. Visit the Corozal Museum
60. Visit the East Indian Museum
61. Shop at “Art in the Park” in Central Park (a monthly event)
Cerros – Maya Site © Duarte Dellarole
62. Explore Archaeological Sites – Cerros and Santa Rita
63. Go birding at Shipstern Conservation and Management Area
64. Take a day trip to Sarteneja
65. Savor a unique plate of Black Relleno
ORANGE WALK DISTRICT
A small fruit market in Orange Walk Town. Photo by Javier Rejon on Unsplash
66. Visit Banquitas House of Culture
67. Try the famous Orange Walk tacos for breakfast
68. Head over to Queen Victoria Park on Saturdays to savor Mestizo and Maya cuisine
69. Enjoy birding at Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area
Birding at Lamanai. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
70. Cruise the New River Lagoon on a Boat Tour
71. Explore the Archaeological Sites of El Pilar, La Milpa, Lamanai and Cuello
72. Swim and have a picnic at the Honey Camp Lagoon
73. Visit Shipyard Mennonite Village
STANN CREEK DISTRICT
Laughing Bird Caye. Image by Kevin Quischan Photography.
74. Take a day trip to Offshore Islands – Silk Cayes and Laughing Bird National Park
75. Snorkel the Silk Caye and South Water Caye Marine Reserve
76. Explore Hopkins Village and Placencia Village on a bike
The Tipsy Strip has entertainment on tap. Image courtesy Carolee Chanona
77. Shop along the Placencia Sidewalk
78. Enjoy Beach front Walks
79. Take the “Bunches of Fun” Banana Farm Tour
80. Go birding on the Sittee River
81. Visit Belize’s historical reserve, Serpon Sugar Mill near the village of Sittee River
Photo by Duarte Dellarole
82. Spot wildlife on the Monkey River Boat Ride
83. Visit Gulisi Garifuna Museum
84. Kayak at the Glover’s Reef Atoll
85. Jungle Hike, Zip-line, and Waterfall Rappel at Mayflower Bocawina National Park
86. Hike Victoria Peak
87. Explore Davis Falls on an ATV
Whale Shark Diving. Image courtesy of Chabil Mar
88. Dive with Whale Sharks (between March – June)
89. Try Seré, a favorite Garifuna dish
90. Play some golf at Inky’s
This article was first published in November 2019. Featured Photo by Duarte Dellarole / Casa al Mar