Planning on having that yearly trip but don’t have the slightest idea where to go? Belize might just be the dream destination for your next family vacation. The activities that Belize has to offer can easily accommodate a multi-gen family. Some of those activities include swimming, diving, kayaking, and caving, to name a few. Has your interest been piqued? Keep reading for some suggestions on where to go in Belize.
Tobacco Caye
Colorful cabanas of Tobacco Caye Paradise. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
Looking to have fun and unwind someplace that far away from the daily stress? The perfect place to do that is Tobacco Caye, an isolated island paradise.
Photo courtesy Marta Corchete
Tobacco Caye is a tiny island located off the coast of Belize’s Dangriga Town. Walking the entire caye only takes about 15 minutes as it is 200 feet wide and 400 feet long. Plus, it has no roads or vehicles, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in true island life. Located inside the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Tobacco Caye is known for its fishing and snorkeling opportunities.
Caracol
Caracol Maya Site, elected a 2020 ‘wonder of the world’ by Conde Nast Traveler. Photo by the BTB
Caracol is perfect for lovers of archaeology. Situated on a plateau 500 meters above sea level, the site is considered one of the largest of its kind in Belize.
Caracol. © Duarte Dellarole Photography
Intrepid travelers from all over have flocked to this stunning destination to see the prominent temples, grand pyramids, and royal tombs. When you visit, enjoy beautiful vistas overlooking the protected Chiquibul forest reserve. After a long day, stop for a dip at Rio on Rools and Rio Frio cave.
San Ignacio Town
If your vacation involves learning about world-cultures, then San Ignacio town is where you’ll get a taste of Belizean culture.
Stroll vendor stalls at the San Ignacio Farmer’s Market. Photo courtesy Duarte Dellarole
While here, take a walk through the streets and experience finger-licking delicacies from a variety of Belizean ethnic groups like the Chinese, Mestizos and Creole. The primary languages used in San Ignacio are English and Creole, but in the streets, you will also hear Spanish, Mayan, and perhaps even Lebanese Arabic.
Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole in Belize. Photo courtesy Belize Tourism Board
The Great Blue Hole, located off the coast of Belize, for decades has been known as a diver’s paradise. This massive underwater sinkhole is 300 meters wide and 124 meters deep. Every year the Great Blue Hole attracts travelers from all over the world who take pleasure in diving in the cobalt water. The Blue Hole is known for its abundance of sharks, fish, coral, and limestone formations.
Toledo District
Some may be tempted to call this district Belize’s Forgotten Land. But due to its isolation, Toledo is one of the most stunning districts in the country. Once you are here, you’ll enjoy the adventures of your life – everything from spelunking to swimming in rivers in the rainforest.
Plus, for the travelers who love bird watching, Toledo is ideal, since the rainforest provides an environment suitable for bird habitation.
Silk Cayes
A beautiful approach to the Silk Cayes in Southern Belize. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
The Silk Cayes are part of a protected marine reserve near the central part of Belize’s Barrier Reef. The islands offer perfect snorkeling opportunities for those wanting to explore the reserve. It’s home to wild turtles like the Loggerhead turtle that grows to over four feet in length, and is also where you can spot the gentle whale shark.
Actun Tunichil Muknal
The entrance of ATM Cave. Photo by Leonardo Melendez Photography
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave) is located near San Ignacio. You’ll have to trek through the jungle and swim through the cave entrance to get inside, but you’ll soon find yourself in awe at the pottery, ceramics, crystallized skeletons, and stoneware that lie inside. The cave is famous because of the Crystal Maiden, a female skeleton covered in limestone crystals.
Featured Photo: Silk Caye. Photo by Ray Caye Island Resort.
Editor's Note: This article was first shared on April 28, 2021. It was updated on February 16, 2022.
