Central America´s only English-speaking country has a population of around 397,000 and is about the size of New Jersey and a little larger than Wales. It´s something of a diamond in the rough whose small package can deliver gifts of wonderful islands, beaches, eco-experiences, and even Mayan archaeological sites — and all with fewer crowds and often lower prices than its neighbors. And here are seven of its highlights:
Belize’s largest and most famous island (top, 25 miles long and just a mile wide) is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Belize Barrier Reef, as well as the world´s second largest. Visitors dive the Blue Hole, snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve, or unwind on laid-back beaches around its main town, San Pedro (pop. 20,000). Ambergris mixes barefoot charm with chic resorts and lively nightlife. To get here, fly into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City, then take a 15-minute domestic flight on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air to San Pedro Airstrip (SPR). Alternatively, ferries run from Belize City (taking about an hour and a half).
Up on the northern coast, the country´s largest city (pop. 64,000) was its capital until 1970, and as the site of Belize´s main international airport, most visitors fly into here. Most use it as a gateway to beaches, rainforests, or Mayan ruins elsewhere in the country. but it can still be worth a short visit for curious travelers. The city offers a glimpse into the country’s complex history and culture, with the Fort George colonial quarter and sites like the Museum of Belize, housed in a former colonial prison, and St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest Anglican church in Central America. The Swing Bridge, one of the world’s last manually operated bridges, reflects the city’s maritime past. The Baron Bliss Lighthouse is a prominent landmark, and the Belize Tourism Village serves as a lively hub for shopping and catching ferries to cayes (pronounced “keys”) such as Caulker and Ambergris. Visitors interested in local life can explore markets and taste local cuisine, especially Creole (with African, British, and Caribbean influences) and Garifuna cuisine (of a Belizeans of mixed free African and Amerindian ancestry whose ancestors came from St. Vincent and traditionally speak Garifuna, an Arawakan language).
Smaller and more boho-feeling than Ambergris, this limestone island some five miles long and less than a mile wide is a backpacker’s dream — colorful guesthouses, beach bars, and the famous Split (above), where locals and visitors alike splash around in turquoise water. Barefoot charm to the max, where the tourism motto is literally “go slow.” Fly to BZE, then take a 10-minute puddle-jumper flight or a water taxi (around 45 minutes) from Belize City’s marine terminal.
Hopkins Village and the Garifuna Coast
This relaxed coastal village of around 1,500, located south of Dangriga, the main town of the Stann Creek District, is a hub of Garifuna culture — music, drumming, and cuisine — as well as close to both reef and jungle. You can snorkel in the morning, hike waterfalls by afternoon, and partake of local culture in the evening. Fly from BZE to Dangriga Airport (DGA) in about 20 minutes, then drive a half hour south to Hopkins (lots of people also take shuttles and private transfers).
Mayan Archaeological Sites
Packed into this tiny country there are some 30 remnants of the great Mesoamerican civilization that spread here between 1500 BCE and 300 CE and flourished until about 1200. here are three of the top ones (for more, click on the link above):
Caracol - Deep in the Cayo District´s Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize’s largest and most impressive Mayan site boasts towering temples (the main pyramid, Caana, is still Belize’s tallest man-made structure) and intricate stone carvings. The jungle setting and relative isolation give it a powerful, almost mystical atmosphere. The nearest town, a 2½-hour drive away, is San Ignacio (see more below), reachable via short flight from Belize City and Placencia.
Lamanai - Near the town of Orange Walk and reached by a scenic boat ride up the New River, this was Belize´s longest occupied Mayan cities (for millennia) and combines archaeology and nature—temples rise from rainforest teeming with howler monkeys and tropical birds. The site’s name, translated as “Submerged Crocodile,” fits its riverside setting perfectly. It´s a popular day trip from both Belize City and Ambergris Caye/Caye Caulker.
Xunantunich - Also rich in history – and just 20 to 30 minutes from San Ignacio – it has a well preserved layout and detailed stucco friezes, and the highlight here is a 130-foot-high temple dubbed El Castillo, which offers panoramic views over the Mopan River valley and even into neighboring Guatemala.
Chris Babcock
Placencia Peninsula
On the southern coast, this area combines idyllic beaches, Caribbean charm, and easy access to rainforest adventures. It’s great for both diving and inland excursions to Mayan ruins (see above) and waterfalls. With a population of around 2,000, the village itself has excellent seafood and boutique resorts such as the excellent (and Tripatini member) Chabil Mar Villas. From BZE take a 40-minute domestic flight to Placencia Airport (PLJ) with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. Overland options include a scenic three-to-four-hour drive.
San Ignacio and the Cayo District
Inland Belize shines here this charming village of just under 13,000 is the base for jungle hikes, cave tubing, and Mayan sites like Xunantunich and Caracol. It’s also something of a cultural hub with markets, eco-lodges, and riverfront dining. From BZE, drive or take a shuttle about 2½ hours west along the George Price Highway. Domestic charters sometimes land at Maya Flats Airstrip near San Ignacio.
Tropic Air
Flying to/within Belize
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), 16 km northwest of Belize City, has direct flights from major North America hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, and Toronto (flight times two to five hours); travelers flying from Europe and elsewhere need to do so via those airports. Meanwhile, internally Maya Island Air (to San Pedro) and national airline Tropic Air link all major coastal and island destinations.
More info: TravelBelize.org.
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