Where to Stay in Belize This Winter

by Larry Waight
blackbird caye overlooking Belize Barrier Reef

If you detest the chilly temperatures and dormant nature of winter, you may be considering somewhere to keep warm during the season. If you’re still weighing your options on winter-proof vacation spots, look no further than the little nation known as Belize.

Belize – An Ideal Winter Getaway

Belize is a small country that borders Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. This location means that you get to enjoy lots of tropical weather and sunny skies. And that sounds much better than suffering through chilly temperatures, grey skies, bundling up, and having to run the heater. One notable distinction that Belize has from the rest of Central America’s countries is that you can get by just fine without needing to speak much, if any, Spanish. This is because English happens to be the official language of Belize (the country is a former British colony).

When you choose to winter in Belize, you never have to worry about roads icing over or snow thwarting your plans. The only white stuff you should concern yourself with down here would be the sugar-white sandy beaches. This country has a fine view of the Caribbean and its coastline is just perfect for fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or booking one of many tours and excursions in and around the sea.

Of all of the things Belize’s watery border has to offer, though, no trip would be complete without visiting the Great Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef.

The Great Blue Hole

belize blue hole

The Great Blue Hole in Belize. Photo courtesy Belize Tourism Board

Whether you would prefer to take a shot of it from above or go diving about its depths, this iconic natural feature of the Caribbean Sea is connected to the Belize Barrier Reef. While the reason for this feature’s name is obvious when you see it, it came into being after a sinkhole manifested beneath the water, creating a natural depression that stretches 1,043 feet across and 407 feet deep.

The Belize Barrier Reef System

belize barrier reef

Image via Wouter Naert on Unsplash

This is the second-largest barrier reef on the planet and is home to a dizzying array of sea creatures, including corals, turtles, several species of shark, and all sorts of other marine life. Understandably, it is a major point of interest for scuba divers, snorkelers, and anyone with an interest in nature conservation.

Other Activities During A Warm Winter Vacation

Even if your tastes aren’t suited to Belize’s aquatic offerings, there is still plenty to see, do and eat when you choose to hide from the cold down in Belize. Belize is the ancestral homeland of the Maya, a people who still live, love, and work to this day. You can visit several well-known Maya sites and ruins during your stay. Some of the more notable Maya sites that any qualified resort can connect you to a tour of include:

  • Lamanai. This ancient ruin is found deep within the jungles of the country and is notable for a robust population of bird species and an array of masks depicting the likenesses of past Maya rulers.
  • Altun Ha. This ruin is the home of the tallest preserved structure and the greatest jade carving of the Maya world. Jades and green obsidian blades, some traced back to central Mexico, litter the place as it served as a major hub for trading and religious ceremonies.
  • Tikal. Although located in Guatemala, Tikal was the grandest Maya settlement on record.

If your tastes run a little more modern, you might consider looking into booking a trip for ziplining, cave-tubing (traversing cave systems and riding along their rivers via inner tube), or checking out the local fauna at the baboon sanctuary or the Belize Zoo.

The Belize Biltmore Plaza: An Ideal Launching Pad

best Western Belize Biltmore plaza pool

Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza. Photo by Duarte Dellarole

If any of these points about culture, weather, language, or activities have you at all considering spending some or all of your winter in Belize, you will need to book with a quality resort. To that end, consider booking your trip with the Belize Biltmore Plaza.

The Biltmore is one of the premiere hotels in Belize, offering exceptional service and equipped with more than enough amenities to keep you happy if you would rather spend a day doing nothing.

Featured Photo courtesy the Belize Biltmore Plaza. 

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