The Belize Bucket List

Belize’s lush jungle, pristine Barrier Reef, Ancient Maya Cities, rich culture, and natural beauty make it the perfect playground.

Its diverse terrain results in a guaranteed destination for some fun, suitable for all levels of endeavors.

Discover nature trails that lead you to beautiful hidden waterfalls, get your heart racing as you rappel down gushing cascades, or simply spend the day river tubing in crystal clear waters.

There are countless “OFF THE BEATEN PATHS” waiting to be explored!

For more adventures, the Belize Barrier Reef has plenty to offer. Enjoy swimming in clear turquoise waters or go snorkeling and be mesmerized by the healthy aquatic life that you can only find in Belize.

As you wander Belize’s great outdoors, go at your own pace and you will be sure to have a fantastic time!

What are the best Outdoor Activities in Belize?

The Most Popular Foods in Belize

Cayo District

Home to the capital, the City of Belmopan, Cayo District’s picturesque small towns, lush tropical forest, and wining rivers are sure to charm you.

 

As the smallest capital in the Americas, Belmopan’s central location makes it a perfect day-stop base for your adventures – whether hiking or exploring limestone cave systems at nearby National Parks.

 

Further West takes you to Belize’s “breadbasket”, the colorful twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, connected by the iconic 1949 Hawksworth Bridge over the pristine Macal River. As the district that borders Guatemala, Cayo inspires irresistible Latin and Maya flavors go on full-display every Saturday morning at the local farmer’s market in San Ignacio with stalls from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Belize City

Belize City, located on the Central Coast, has become the most commercial hub and populated city in the country.

 

Since becoming the endearingly “old capital” after the destruction of Hurricane Hattie in 1961, the city has rebuilt to now house the Belize Tourism Village as a cruise port, The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) just 15 minutes on its outskirt, and the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (TZA) for regional and domestic flights.

Getting to the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker is easy from the coast with daily water taxi charters available from downtown Belize City.

Islands

Easily accessible from the mainland, Belize’s northern islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye makes island hopping a bona fide activity. As the most populated and visited, San Pedro is within a 1/2 mile of the reef, regardless if you’re staying in a private villa, budget-friendly boarding or boutique resort.

 

Dashing adventure beckons by day, while infectious entertainment comes alive at night. Meanwhile, Caye Caulker’s unmistakable magnetism lies within its colorful wooden homes, sandy streets, and verified “go slow” schedule. Daily sights include curious sting rays and shorelines seemingly melting into Belize’s crystalline waters.

 

Though geographically small, Belize is blessed with an incredibly diverse landscape, including numerous offshore cayes spanning across the 185-mile long Barrier Reef. Besides being the second longest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the natural and cultural wealth of the Belize Barrier Reef is ingrained in each Belize’s national identity. Over 200 islands and 3 of the 4 Western Hemisphere coral atolls dot the Belizean coastline, boasting marine beauty parallel to non. With mangrove islets to sea grass beds and coastal lagoons, discover what makes Belize’s offshore world so curious – from secluded private islands, beaches with bustle, or postcard-perfect seashores.

Orange Walk

Nicknamed “Shuga City” as Belize’s sugar cane processing hub, the northwest district of Orange Walk is a mere one-hour drive from Belize City. Home to the majority of Belize’s Mestizo population. Orange Walk Town is known as any things: and agricultural town, economic hub, street-food capital, and Mennonite rest stop. However, do as the Orange Walkeño and take advantage of its wonderfully-wild landscapes and fun loving spirit, including impressive ancient Maya sites, Belize’s largest fresh water body of the New River lagoon, and boisterous wildlife.

 

The Orange Walk District, with a population of just over forty thousand, is the country’s third largest populated district and is much more than sugar, soybean and honey country. Orange Walk provides exotic places to visit. The sights and sounds of nature abound here, either at the famous Mayan ruins of Lamanai and Cuello, or at various places along the New River for the jungle river adventurer.

Punta Gorda, Toledo District

The Toledo District is 210 miles by road from Belize City. With the new Southern Highway, traveling south by car or bus is a scenic ride through the rolling hills of the Hummingbird Highway, then onto the Southern Highway.

 

A tattered palapa and a beautiful welcome sign line the entrance to Punta Gorda. The town has a magnificent view of the Caribbean Sea and the mountains of Guatemala looking to the south. To the west of Punta Gorda you will find more than 30 traditional Maya villages with their tidy thatch roof homes constructed much the same way their ancestors built homes thousands of years ago. To the east lie several cayes sitting on the brilliant aquamarine waters of the Bay of Honduras.

Stann Creek District

Stann Creek, divided into three destinations: Dangriga, Hopkins, and Placencia.

Dangriga, love, culture, and no crowds. The culture capital of the country, Dangriga, is a proud and festive town with a vibrant Garifuna heritage. Despite being the largest town in Southern Belize, Dangriga’s unpretentious coastal vibe and cultural sights are akin to the quintessentially laidback “Belize time”.

 

Hopkins Village allures with culture, food, and vacation thrills. Travelers looking to soak up sea breezes and Garifuna culture can enjoy the near five-mile stretch of Hopkins’ sugar-like coastline, which shines against friendly smiles and an easy pace.

 

Placencia, the peninsula’s sandy hub serves up barefoot tropical delights with its seafront action.

As a traditional fishing village, eco-resorts and cozy cabanas take full advantage of Seine Bight’s marine wonders offshore, while honoring its strong and colorful art pulse.

 

The Belize Barrier Reef

The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries.

 

The system’s seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history of reef development and are a significant habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees and the American marine crocodile.