2024 Belize Vacation Guide
An adventurer’s paradise, Belize is your peaceful, English-speaking neighbor only two hours away from 3 major U.S. Gateways. With a diversity of adventure opportunities unmatched by any other country, the Belize people have protected 40% of the country as parks and natural reserves. Belize is on the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, and offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic 3,675-foot mountains, mysterious Mayan temples, and diving and fishing experiences beyond compare. In a single day, you can go from a tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
The people of Belize are as warm and friendly as the climate. For the outdoor enthusiast and adventure traveler, Belize presents unlimited opportunities. You might say that Belize is outdoors. You may not find a lot of big nightclubs, expensive shopping, or fancy restaurants. You will find diving, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, bird watching, and exploring nature at its best. For the special interest traveler, Belize offers a great diversity of attractions and activities both inland and offshore. Whether you choose to travel alone, with a group or accompanied by your family, your options are numerous. The following specialty travel pages can help you plan your vacation as well as learn more about some of these interests.
Planning a Belize vacation?
Come on a journey down the road to discovering a true hidden gem in the Caribbean. Learning about Belize with all its natural beauty, diverse cultures, and friendly people is truly the “Jewel of the Caribbean”. Imagine sitting in the shade of a coconut tree. A tropical breeze cools your skin after a wonderful swim in the warm Caribbean Sea.
You have a favorite beverage in your hand, a good book in the other. Local music is coming from the tiki bar on the beach. You are now in Belize. We will guide you through all the information you need to plan a truly amazing vacation. You will find interesting facts about Belize. Whether you are looking for a picture of the flag or for a map, you can find it here.
There is so much to see and do there. No matter what type of vacation you are looking for I am sure you will find it. You can take a day trip to one of Belize’s beaches or plan your entire vacation on one of the larger islands. If a more quiet and secluded island is more your style you can find that too.
Looking for an adventure vacation in Belize?
Take a tour and go cave tubing tour down one of the rivers on an inner tube. Plan a trip to Shark Ray Alley and swim with the sharks and the stingrays. You can even pet them if you dare. Dive with the whale sharks in Placencia. Read more about diving in Belize.
Are you a history buff?
Then visit one of the many ancient Mayan ruins. Visit a museum to travel back into the colonial days and experience the country as it used to be. Take a bus ride inland a visit San Ignacio. Do all this and more.
Places to stay are abundant. You can choose from private resorts and larger hotels to smaller guest houses and bed and breakfast inns.
Everywhere you go you can find somewhere to try the local cuisine as well as dishes from the Caribbean. You can also easily find other international dishes.
So come on in and explore. Get ready to plan a relaxing and exciting vacation to one of the few natural places left to explore. After your vacation is over maybe you are convinced that you want to retire in Belize or purchase that tropical vacation home you have always dreamed about. Well, check out our real estate information that describes how to purchase real estate.
Remember, as the Belizean people often say, “No shoes, no shirt, no problem.”
Interesting Things to Know About Belize
Money
Belize’s local currency is called the Belize Dollar. The exchange rate is US $1 = BZ $2. Cash can be exchanged at any of the local banks. They will also cash your traveler’s checks. ATM machines are available for easy access to cash as well. Just about everyone will accept American dollars as payment if this is easier for you. Major credit cards are accepted in most places.
Electric Requirements
Just as in the United States, 110 volts AC with two and three-pronged sockets is standard; 220 volts are also available.
Population
The population of Belize is approximately 295,000
Residents
The people are called Belizeans.
Language
English is the official language although nearly everyone speaks Kriol (Belizean Creole). Kriol is pretty easy to understand and you will be speaking it in no time at all. Everyone is always willing to help you learn. Spanish is also very common especially in the northern and western parts of the country. In some parts, you can still hear Mayan dialects being spoken. In the southern parts, there is a large population of Garifuna people who speak the Garifuna language. No matter what their primary language is, most people understand and speak Kriol.
What is the weather like?
Hot and humid describe most of the year but there is usually a cool tropical breeze blowing. It also has a hurricane season as well as a rainy season so be sure to plan ahead.
The Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center has been called “The Best Little Zoo in the World”. It is located about 30 miles from Belize City on the Western Highway. You will pass it on your way to Belmopan and you should definitely make a note to stop in. Occupying over 29 acres of land, the zoo is host to over 125 animals. The unique thing is that all the animals are native to Belize. Unlike many other zoos, the animals are kept in enclosures of wood and wire. These enclosures have large areas of vegetation and are meant to simulate the animal’s natural habitat. To truly appreciate what the zoo has to offer to be prepared to spend about two hours walking around. There are gravel trails throughout and the signs are pretty helpful and informative. At the end of the tour, stop in the gift shop. They have some very nice items to sell.
The zoo is open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The entrance fee is US $8 for adults and US $4 for children.
You never know who you may encounter there. If you are a celebrity watcher it may interest you to know that Cameron Diaz made a visit there a while ago. And the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, did a segment on the Belize Zoo for one of his shows. There is quite often something new to see. The last time we were there, the zoo had a baby jaguar that was born at the zoo. Its mother had abandoned it and the zoo staff had to raise him since he was a cub. It was so fascinating to just stand there and watch him at play. You will also be able to see a tapir, the national animal of Belize. It is definitely a trip worth taking.
Belize Blue Hole
The Belize Blue Hole is a part of Saint Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. It is so named as a result of the deep sapphire color of the pool. It is located about 12 miles from the capital city of Belmopan on the way to Dangriga. The Blue Hole has become a popular recreation spot among visitors and locals alike. Many people like to swim in the beautiful water. Be forewarned, it is often quite cold. However, it is nice to take a dip after being in the hot Belize sun. Also, keep an eye on children as the pool is about 25 feet deep. The pool winds its way for a brief moment through a patch of rainforest to disappear into a large underwater cave.
There is a trail that provides easy access from the side of the road to the Blue Hole below. After one of the tropical rainstorms the trail can be a bit slippery so do be careful. If it has been raining a lot you may want to postpone your visit for another day. The area can become quite muddy and the pool is usually not nice to swim in during that time.
Visitor Information
The park is open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visitors must pay a small fee of BZ$8 to enter the park. There are rest areas available for picnics and benches to take a breather after hiking the trails. There is an attendant at the entrance of the Blue Hole to answer any questions. Please stop by the visitor’s center which is located not too far away at the entrance to the trails at Saint Herman’s.
What to bring
Bring along shoes with non-skid soles, just in case it is slippery when you visit. You may want to consider those aqua-type shoes that you can wear in the water. Those will also come in handy if you decide to visit one of the many waterfalls. Lots of insect repellent is a must. We wouldn’t want you to get eaten by the bugs. Water is usually a good thing to have with you on any trip to Belize. It can get pretty hot and humid and bottled water is not readily available at the more remote sites. Always remember to bring your camera. You never know when you will get that special shot.
Snake Caye
Snake Caye is located off the southern coast of Belize. It will take you about an hour by boat from Punta Gorda Town to the island. Prepare for a day trip as there are no regular boats going to Snake Caye. You will have to charter a boat to take you there. There are several local boat captains who would be happy to charter their boats for the day. Ask around for a reliable captain. Be sure you ask for prices as well since the cost can vary significantly from one captain to the next. They will take you there and wait for you until you are ready to return. Most captains will leave about mid-morning and return early in the evening. If you return too late the sea starts getting rough and the ride back will not be so pleasant.
While you are on the boat ride be sure to enjoy the views of the mountain range in the background as you make your way along the coast. You can take some wonderful pictures along the way. Snake Caye is actually a mangrove island. However, the one little stretch of beach that it has is absolutely amazing. The water is shallow enough that the kids can have a blast. The surrounding water is deep enough that you can take your snorkeling gear and see what the Caribbean Sea has to offer.
The area around the island is a Marine Reserve so just be careful not to disturb anything. Most boat captains would be willing to take you fishing for a bit if you ask. They know what the boundaries of the reserve are so that you can fish responsibly. Just off the shore, about a hundred yards or so is a tiny little island with an old dying tree on it. The water is shallow enough that you can walk to it. Kids enjoy it because they can usually find several little hermit crabs crawling around.
Shark Ray Alley
Come swim with sharks and stingrays
Shark Ray Alley is a part of the greater area known as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It is considered one of the best animal dive sites in the Caribbean. It is located not too far from the Belize Barrier Reef. It is a very popular destination and is easily accessible from either Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye. Believe me, when I say it is a must-have experience if you are staying on either of those islands. The site features nurse sharks and a rather sizable population of stingrays. As soon as your boat approaches the site and the motor is turned off the sharks and rays will come swimming up to the boat. The sharks usually come so near to the surface that you can touch them.
They are not aggressive at all. However, it still takes some courage to jump in the water with them. They will brush up against you. If you are willing to get in it is an experience you will not soon forget. Some of the divemasters, who will be your guide, actually feed the sharks with small fish. Others will pick up a stingray and hold it for you to hold. Whether you stay in the boat or jump in the sea, this is definitely a destination you want to add to your list of must-see places in Belize.
What should I bring?
There is nowhere to shelter on the island so keep that in mind when making your plans. It is a wonderful place for a picnic. That is always good since swimming in water as salty as the Caribbean Sea makes me extremely hungry. Pack lots of water and plenty of sunblock, or you will get pretty toasty.
Diving in Belize
There are so many wonderful sites for diving in Belize. The waters off the coast of Belize are full of life and things to see. Belize is well known for its spectacular coral reefs and some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. In fact, Belize boasts the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The waters of Belize are home to many different types of marine life. On any given dive you may encounter a sea turtle, a dolphin, a manta ray, or a shark. Enjoy an amazing variety of corals and fish of all different colors.
Scuba Diving
You can take a dive trip to the Great Blue Hole and scuba dive Belize’s most famous dive spot. There is so much to see and do for the scuba diving lover. There are sites for the novice to the advanced diver.
Snorkeling
For those who would prefer to snorkel, there are still places for you to enjoy yourself. You can dive into Shark Ray Alley and swim with the stingrays and sharks.
The Ultimate
If you are looking for the ultimate diving experience then come to Belize. You can have the opportunity to dive with whale sharks at Gladden Split near Placencia. This is one of the things that our family has on its list of things we must do in Belize. With so many choices the one problem you will have is selecting which one to do first. It will be difficult to visit all the dive sites in one trip to Belize. You can easily solve that by planning another trip to Belize! Come back and experience underwater Belize all over again. One piece of advice, be sure to book your dive tours in advance. It gets pretty busy during the peak season.
Belize Travel Information
Belize is located in Central America just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. Although not geographically a part of the Caribbean, it is very much a part of the Caribbean through its people, culture, music, and food. It is bordered along its eastern coast by the Caribbean Sea. There are many islands dotting the coast. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are two of the larger and more popular island destinations.
To get to Belize travel there by plane or by cruise ship. How do I get to Belize? There are several ways to get there. The easiest way is flying there. A lot of visitors to Belize are actually cruise ship passengers. Belize is a popular stop on many Caribbean cruises. When you arrive, there are several options available for getting around. All the local airlines offer several flights directly from the airport to major towns and islands. Local taxis are readily available to take you into Belize City. If you would rather an adventure you can always get to any town on a bus. You can also get to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, two of the more popular islands, by boat on any one of the water taxis leaving from Belize City almost every hour.
Air Service
If you are flying to Belize travel from the United States and get there in a breeze. There are daily flights from several American cities. Most of the flights will get you to Belize in about two to three hours depending on where you are leaving. Currently, you can choose to leave from Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Most of the major airlines offer service to Belize including American Airlines, Continental, and US Air. Delta is the most recent airline to add service to Belize.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Europe or any other Caribbean country to Belize. It is only a matter of time before there will be flights available from these destinations as well. We will be sure to update you when additional airline service is being offered to Belize. Once you arrive I am sure that you will find that the extra travel time was well worth it.
You will arrive at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, which is Belize’s only international airport. From there you can fly directly to many destinations in Belize. All the local airlines offer routinely scheduled flights. Local taxis are also available to take you into Belize City, which is only about 10 miles from the airport. Some of the larger hotels will arrange a shuttle to pick you up from the airport once you make prior arrangements.
Another Option
Some of the more adventurous people can take a flight to Cancun, Mexico. Then you can take a bus to Chetumal which is a city about 30 minutes from the border into northern Belize. The bus ride is pretty good but it will take you about five hours to get to Chetumal. If you are budget-minded then this may be an option for you since the overall cost will probably be less than flying directly to Belize. You can read more about adventurous and alternative ways of traveling on Adventure Travel Tales and Tips. Check out the different means of transport you could use to travel to and around Belize and anywhere else in the world.
Cruises
Many of the people who have visited Belize do so on a cruise ship. There are various cruise lines that dock in Belize during their Caribbean cruise. While in Belize passengers have a variety of activities to choose from. There are also different day tour packages offered. The cave tubing tour is very highly recommended. Most people really seem to enjoy floating down the river, through the caves, while seated on an inner tube.
Getting Around Belize
In Belize getting around is pretty simple. You have finally arrived at one of the most beautiful countries in the Caribbean. So how do you get to all those places you have been reading about? In Belize getting around is easily done by air, land, or sea actually.
Local Airlines
There are regular flights to major destinations in Belize including the larger islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air both offer several daily flights within Belize. Do not worry if you are traveling to one of the smaller locations. Most of the hotels and resorts will arrange transportation for you if you ask.
Car Rentals
Depending on which destination you are visiting in Belize you can get by just fine without a car rental. However, to truly appreciate all that Belize has to offer you may want to consider renting one. If you are the adventurous type just make sure you rent a vehicle with four-wheel drive. That way you can explore all the off-road sites and other adventures. All the major highways are paved. Most of the interesting places are off the beaten path though. During the rainy season, the roads can get pretty muddy and driving is difficult without a four-wheel-drive vehicle. There are many car rental agencies to choose from.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available no matter where you are. Today even the larger islands have taxis. You can recognize them by their traditional green license plates. Local taxi drivers are some of the best people to talk to if you want stories about Belize and tips on interesting places to visit. Most taxi drivers would be happy to arrange a day charter for you. This is especially nice if you do not want all the additional people who usually take the larger tours. Be sure to ask your hotel for their recommendations. They usually have a favorite driver, someone trustworthy.
Buses
The most economical way to travel around Belize is by bus. Tickets are not normally required, but they are strongly suggested. During certain times of the day the buses fill up quickly and you will have to stand. Try to take one of the Express buses since these only stop at major stops along the way. Regular buses will stop frequently almost doubling the time it takes to get to your destination. If you do not mind all the hassle, riding on a bus is a sure way to experience Belize’s life and meet interesting people. People are always willing to share a good story with you.
Golf Carts
Golf carts have become a popular way of getting around on the islands. The streets on the islands are not usually paved and they tend to be pretty narrow. The larger islands usually have many people walking about, local inhabitants and visitors alike. Since golf carts are not very big they are easier to handle as you make your way across the island. They also have the added advantage of getting you all the way up to the beach. They are usually easy to come by from any of the golf cart rental agencies on the islands.
Bicycle
Bicycles are another popular option on the islands. They are pretty cheap to rent and can get you places that not even the golf carts can take you. So remember, while in Belize getting around is a breeze.
History of Belize
Mayan Civilization
From one to two million Mayans lived in Belize from 1000 BC to 1500 AD when they disappeared.
Europeans
Christopher Columbus found the bay of Honduras bordering the southern part of the barrier reef of Belize in 1502. English Puritans were the first settlers in Belize. Pirates, shipwrecked sailors, and adventurers set up bases in Belize and raided Spanish galleons stealing their gold, silver, and wood which were going from Central America to Europe.
Timber became Belize’s leading industry where the loggers were called “Baymen” after the Bay of Honduras. The British harvested lumber and skirmished with Spain until treaties signed in 1763 and 1786 allowed the British to continue occupying and logging in exchange for protecting the Spanish galleons from marauding pirates.
Colonialization
The British made Belize into a colony known as British Honduras in the 1840s. The present Creole majority evolved from European settlers marrying free slaves.
Present
Belize grew to almost 40,000 inhabitants by the early 1900s. A destructive hurricane destroyed Belize City in 1931. In the 1930s the economy became so poor that the residents began to demand independence. Voting rights were granted to all citizens in 1954. England began the process of independence in 1961. The name British Honduras changed to Belize in 1973 and on September 21, 1981, Belize became independent. Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language and has been a British colony for more than a century. The total land area is 8,867 square miles (22,966 km2) with a population of a little over 300,000 with the capital being Belize City.