For such a small country, Belize sure has plenty of things to do! And you may be overwhelmed by long lists of things to do all over the country. Don’t be! While there are plenty of things to do in Belize, we think that there are five unique things to do in Belize that will ensure you get a good sampling of Belize.
This simple list of five things to do in Belize can help you make your travel planning easy. Keep reading for details on each of these adventures and recommendations on where you can check off these Belize bucket list items.
Top Things To Do
Snorkel or Scuba the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
The coastline along Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world. This reef is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and Scott and I disagree as to which dive experience is better. But if you are in Belize, visiting the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a must and it is consistently ranted one of the top things to do in Belize and one of the best diving experiences in the world!
You can also choose to get your dive certification with a dive shop in Belize too! Whether you visit Belize with or without your dive certification, there is an option for visiting the reef for you. Even if you don’t want to dive, there are plenty of places where the reef is in shallow waters and snorkeling is an option.
Where To Go for the Reef?
Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are the most popular base camps for a snorkeling or scuba diving experiences. This is because there are many dive sites located close to these islands. Also, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley is between these islands and is the best place to go snorkeling in Belize! We saw the same level of biodiversity when snorkeling as we did when diving.
Even if you choose to visit a seaside village in Belize, you’ll likely be able to rent snorkel gear and swim right out from the beach and see amazing sea life (we saw plenty of rays from our beach in Placencia). However, dive shops are less common so if scuba diving is something you’d like to do, plan ahead and make sure you’re visiting an area with a certified dive master who is willing to take you out when you’re passing through. Many dive shops do not take tours daily but tours are based on booking levels.
Explore A Cave
The caves in Belize are amazing. And the caving experiences in Belize are truly unique. Which is why we think taking a cave tour is one of the best things to do in Belize. Actually, our visit to ATM cave was the best thing we did in Belize.
The ATM cave tour feels like you’re creating your very own adventure movie and you’re the star. There is caving, swimming, rock scrambling and spooky stories of dead people. However, we understand that those may not be selling points for some people. So if you’re more interested in a relaxing cave experience, considering taking a cave float tour instead. These tours will allow you to experience a Belizean cave from the comfort of an inner-tube without much effort on your part.
While we love a good self-guided tour, a majority of cave tours in Belize need a guide – we used the company in the link below. ATM cave tours require a guide to preserve the artifacts within the cave. And cave floats need a guide for the sheer logistics factor – the tour companies will pick you up and drop you off.
Where to Go for Caves?
The ATM cave and a majority of the larger caves in Belize are located in the San Ignacio region of Belize. However, cave tours are one of the most popular things to do in Belize so you can find guided tours from a majority of tourist areas.
Visit Mayan Ruins
Mayan Ruins in Belize are plentiful and beautifully preserved. These are one of the best things to do in Belize to learn about the history and culture.
It blows our mind, but you can visit these ruins on your own. Most ruins are well preserved by the parks. However, the parks don’t do the best job at providing information about what you are seeing. Most parks have a map and that’s about it. The best way to visit is with a guide. This is because the guide can give you the context for the ruins – the history, the architecture, the spooky stories.
Where to Go for Ruins?
San Ignacio is easily the best place to stay if you plan on visiting the biggest and the best Mayan ruins. There are 3 easily accessible ruins located a short distance from town. There are also several harder to access ruins with tours leaving from San Ignacio.
However, there truly are beautifully preserved Mayan cities throughout Belize. So regardless of where you are staying, check a map and you’ll likely find a ruin nearby.
Taste On A Cacao Tour
Cacao tours don’t typically make the short list of things to do in Belize, but the tour that we went on was so educational (and filled with cacao products) that it has made our list. And where better to learn about the drink of the gods than in the country that has been growing and trading it for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
You’ll find two different variations on these tours: the farm tour and the tasting tour. Some companies will combine these two. On a farm tour, you’ll learn all about how cacao trees are grown, cultivated and harvested. On a tasting tour, you’ll learn about how cacao beans are processed, how they’ve been a part of the Mayan culture and Belizean trade and the different products they are used to produce. While our favorite part was obviously the tasting portion of the tour, the history was fascinating.
Where to Go for Cacao?
There are cacao productions throughout Belize and you can often find tours provided by locals whose families have been in the cacao trade for generations. A majority of cacao farms are inland (where the trees grow) so this is a great activity to look for when you’re visiting the San Ignacio region. However, as chocolate is basically a glowing neon sign to us tourists, you’ll find cacao tours offered in a majority of the touristy regions.
Relax at the Beach
You can’t go to a Caribbean country and not visit the beautiful blue beaches. And Belize is no exception. Belize is not the country we’d recommend for a relaxing beach vacation because there are just so many amazing adventures to have in Belize and better beaches elsewhere in the Caribbean. However, spending a day soaking in the sun and bathing in the crystal clear waters of the sea is one of the best things to do in Belize and deserves at least some time in your Belize itinerary.
Visiting the beach in Belize can be a wonderful experience. The waters are clear so you’ll likely see some sea-life. The sand is really nice. And the bars are frequent. So you can easily find your own secluded section of beach (note that all beaches are public) and relax for the day or visit a beachside bar where you’ll meet new friends and have easy access to refreshments.
Where to Go for Beaches?
As Belize is a coastal country surrounded by barrier Cayes, you can practically throw a rock and find a beach. However, not all beaches are created equal. For the best (aka sandy shores and clear water) beaches, try Placencia, Hopkins or Dangria. These coastal towns are popular expat regions known for their beaches.
Belize is an amazing place to visit. What struck us the most was the blend of modern culture, ancient history and natural adaptations. This blend was seen everywhere. And this easy to manage list of the best things to do in Belize will help you explore this diverse country no matter what your budget or location. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Or check out our other posts on Belize here.
