Belize proudly hosts the longest unbroken barrier reef surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands. The dense rainforest also has temples with deep Mayan History.
Belize is one of those countries that's really weird in a good way. You arrive to what seems like another Latin American country, but everyone speaks English and the vibe feels... Caribbean.
The country is known for its reef, rainforest and ruins. The best part is that unlike bigger countries, you can literally go from reef to rainforest in the same day.
My Top 5 Local Picks 👇
- 🗻 ATM Cave Tour - Rated most sacred cave in the world
- 🐆 Cockscomb Basin - World's only jaguar preserve
- 🤿 Belize Barrier Reef - Second-largest barrier reef worldwide
- 🌊 Pristine Waterfalls - Mountain Pine Ridge is an adventurer's paradise
- 🌮 Authentic Street Food - Garifuna dishes are crowd favorites
Touristy Vs Local Experiences
As a local Belizean, I highly recommend doing what the locals do and seeing things through our eyes. But, touristy activities in Belize are unique so... why not do both?
This list will include both touristy and local experiences so you can get the full experience for your next trip.
Here's the mega list of touristy & local things to do in Belize: 👇
Top Things To Do
Explore The Mystical ATM Cave
Regarded as the #1 Sacred Cave in the World by National Geographic, the ATM Cave Tour is truly worth the hype. The three-hour caving adventure includes a hike through the jungle, a river crossing, climbing over rocks and swimming through crystal clear water.
Frankly, that summary doesn't do it justice. But, this will be the highlight of your trip.
Hike At Cockscomb Basin
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the only preserve of its kind. The sanctuary is filled with over a dozen hiking trails, the highest peak in the country and pristine waterfalls.
With over 200 jaguars in the protected area, it's no surprise that your best chance to spot a jaguar is at this reserve. There are also camping grounds and modern cabin spaces available for rent. And for the hardcore hikers, there's also the Victoria Peak hike lasting a total of 3 days.
Snorkel The Belize Barrier Reef
Having the second-largest barrier reef in the world means having world-class snorkeling and scuba diving at your fingertips. Most travelers opt for a half-day snorkeling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley.
Wildlife you can spot include turtles, nurse sharks, sting rays, fishes and coral formations. Other snorkeling spots include Mexico Rocks near San Pedro and Half Moon Caye near Belize City.
Fly Over The Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is known as one of the top scuba diving sites in the world but did you know you can also fly over it? The tour can be booked through Tropic Air or Maya Island Air and includes several fly-bys of the majestic blue hole, a view of the Atolls and even a large shipwreck sitting on the edge of the reef.
While I haven't done this tour myself, my friends have commented that the fly-over tour is an out-of-this-world experience which can't be compared to swimming in it. Well, at least for non-divers.
Go Cave Tubing
While cave tubing is considered to be a very touristy activity, it's a novel tour unique to Belize. The tour is mentally & physically relaxing and easy while still being exciting. It's a perfect activity for families with kids. The most popular place to go cave tubing is at Caves Branch river system at the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve.
From Belize City, there is a 1.5-hour car ride to the site before entering the cave system.
Swim With Manatees
Did you know that Belize has one of the largest concentrations of manatees in the world? Yes, it's because of the unique ecosystem, but it's also due to the Manatee Conservation Program.
If you would like to swim with these gentle giants called Sea Cows, take a trip to Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary which is near the coast of Belize City. Tour companies also offer the tour activity on popular islands and the coast.
And, remember to do so responsibly and not touch them, feed them or put them in any danger. Be patient and enjoy the magical encounter.
Although West Indian Manatees can be seen all year round, there is a higher chance of spotting them between June & November due to the warmer waters.
Stay In An Overwater Bungalow
You don't have to go to the Maldives to stay in an overwater bungalow. There are some off these floating houses available on Airbnb that we can actually afford! A plethora of luxury stays are available as well.
Some popular recommendations include St. George's Caye near Belize City, Coco Plum Caye, near Dangriga and Tobacco Caye also near Dangriga.
Stay At A Jungle Eco Lodge
To compliment an over-water bungalow experience, stay at jungle eco lodge. With over 60% of Belize's land surface covered by forest, aerial shots of jungle lodges look like scenes straight out of a movie.
Eco lodges in the jungle provide you an intimate connection with nature and wildlife. It's a perfect way to recharge from all the adventurous tours available in the region.
Take A Cultural Cooking Class
As an amateur plant-based cook, I'm always curious about the ingredients and history behind new dishes. Here in Belize, you can expect cooking classes for Mayan, Garifuna & Creole food – all guaranteed to be fun culinary experiences. Dishes might include tamales, hudut and the ever-so-famous rice & beans.
Some recommendations include Eden Valley mayan Kitchen near San Ignacio, Palmento Grove Cultural & Fishing Lodge near Hopkins and Open Hearth Kitchen at Lodge at Chaa Creek. And... if a cooking class are a bit too daunting, you can settle for a more relaxed chocolate-making tour.
Try An Educational Nature Tour
Sometimes, we just want to kick back, relax and take a break from all the adventures. A slow vacation day can help you recharge for the next day. And what better way to do it than taking an educational nature tour which can be perfect for families.
These tours can teach you about the local flora and fauna and in Belize including butterflies, local spices and even natural medicine. I highly recommend Belize Spice Farm near Punta Gorda, Ya'axkin Butterfly House near Hopkins and Rainforest Medicine Trail near San Ignacio.
Unique Things To Do
Go Bird Watching
While I'm not a hardcore Birder, some of my close friends are, so I've spent some time identifying birds on my local trips. According to eBird.org, close to 600 species have been observed in the country as of 2022.
My personal favorite site has been Sittee River which is close to Hopkins Village. Northern Belize is also highly recommended due to the rivers, wetlands & savannas which includes Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary near Orange Walk. Lamanai Archeological Reserve and Chan Chich Lodge, are also popular sites for birdwatching.
Drive The Hummingbird Highway
The Hummingbird Highway is one of the most photogenic highways in the country. It's loaded with stunning natural attractions and delicious food along the way.
If you're heading south towards Hopkins or Placencia, you'll be passing through this highway. Stop at Marie Sharp’s Factory for a unique tour experience – Belizeans love and are proud of their hot sauce.
Go Scuba Diving
Scuba diving in Belize second to none. While I'm not a diver myself, my friends are, and they share all their experiences with me. I can't imagine how magical it would be to hover in the water.
Some recommended sites include the Great Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye and Hol Chan Reserve.
Float On A Jungle Pontoon
There's a scene in the original Anaconda Film with a house-looking boat floating on a river by a waterfall that reminds me of this tour. It takes place on Vaca Lake, a man-made reservoir caused by the Vaca Dam in the upper Macal River near Benque Viejo Town.
While on the tour, you can climb several waterfalls, tube behind the boat, hang on a rope swing and have a barbecue lunch onboard. If this is not a unique tour, I don't know what is.
Experience A Night Tour
If hiking tours during the day aren't enough for you, try adding the cover of nightfall to it. This is when the jungle wakes up and things get a tad bit more interesting.
A very exciting night hike would be tracking jaguars in their natural habitat at the only jaguar preserve in the world, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Other recommendations include Belize Zoo Nocturnal Tour near Belmopan and Bioluminescence River tour near Sittee River
Go Island Hopping On A Sailboat
Described by many as the trip of a lifetime, going on a three-day sailing adventure hopping from island to island is story to tell for a long time. The tour companies offer multiple day trips as well as same-day sunset tours if you have limited time.
The multi-day tours is designed as an island hopping adventure where you get to visit tiny islands known as cayes like Rendezvous Caye, Tobacco Caye, Goffs Caye and South Water Caye. Some of them are uninhabited pieces of paradise.
Chase Pristine Waterfalls
There's nothing quite like a relaxing massage around a waterfall after a long day of hiking through the jungle. Belize is home to over a dozen waterfalls all perfectly scattered throughout the country.
My favorite waterfalls are those that are slightly hard to reach giving you a good chance of having the entire site to yourself. I would recommend Big Rock Falls near San Ignacio, Maya King Waterfall near Hopkins and Antelope Falls also near Hopkins
Enjoy A Local Food Tour
While food tours are not as popular in Belize as yet, the landscape is rapidly changing. Food tours like those from Taste Belize take you around the tiny Belize world to experience traditional food of the area in a short but engaging walking tour.
Some tours even offer cooking classes and rum tasting. Popular food tour companies include Taste Belize in Placencia, Belize Food Tour in San Pedro and a freelance company called Culinary & Culture Tour by Otehlia Travels.
Attend A Mayan Chocolate Tour
The Maya people are technically the country's indigenous population. One of their cultural traditions has been the preparation of chocolate using stone to grind organic cacao bean into paste. The end product is authentic Mayan Chocolate.
Besides chocolate making and tasting, some tours include a farm tour that lasts two to three hours. You can find these tours in Western and Southern Belize where the Maya Tradition remains alive and well.
Popular chocolate tours include AJAW Chocolate near San ignacio, Ixcacao Maya Belizean Chocolate near Punta Gorda and Lamanai Chocolate near Hummingbird Highway.
Take A Garifuna Drumming Class
The first time I was ever introduced to Garifuna drumming was on their name day, Garifuna Settlement Day (November 17th). The Garifuna people perform a re-enactment ceremony of them arriving Belize in their canoes along with their children, cultural food and of course, their drums.
You can learn to play those drums from expert teachers that have played it since they were kids. In fact, there's only one drumming school you can take – Lebeha Drumming in Hopkins Village.
And if that's not your jam, you can opt to simply listen to the drumming at Driftwood Beach Bar on most weekends which is also in Hopkins, home of the Garifuna people.
Local Things To Do
Shop Around Like A Local
After the pandemic started, I was extremely excited to see locals produce more homemade products. Now we have much more local products available in addition to our beloved Marie Sharp pepper sauce. Some ideas for locally made souvenirs include cacao chocolate, art pieces, coconut rum, wood work and coconut oil.
My Picks
- Artbox
- GariMaya Gift Shop
- Maya Center Women’s Group Gift Shop
Go Hiking At A National Park
National Parks are scattered all over Belize, but the best ones have waterfalls and tons of wildlife around. If hiking is your priority, I highly recommend staying in the western and southern part of Belize which is both mountainous and home to large natural reserves with dozens of hiking trails. Wildlife is also booming in the area with hundreds of birds and a chance to spot the elusive jaguar.
Visit A Local Farmers Market
One of the joys of traveling is getting to visit the local market and tasting the local fruits and vegetables. Markets are normally hubs of activity & commerce. And the best part is getting to taste the local dishes at these markets. With Belize having such an unusual mix in cultures like the Mayas, Garifunas and Creoles, you might find some interesting food on your visit.
Try Authentic Street Food
In my opinion one of the best ways to experience a country is to eat like the local people. While it may not be 100% healthy, it's downright delicious and sometimes criminal. While fancy restaurants try to infuse other cuisines, it doesn't quite hit the spot like street food. For the best experiences, I recommend looking for those hole-in-the-wall joints with lots of locals lined up in front. The best food spots in Belize are those that serve food to the local workers.
My Picks
- Breakfast: fry jacks, johnny cakes, meat pies
- Lunch: rice & beans, boilup, tamales
- Snacks: plantain chips, coconut tarts, creole bread
Attend A Food Festival
This might require a bit of luck or some planning, but festivals are worth the hassle. Not surprisingly, most festivals are related to food from the region. Look up one of these festivals below and see which one lines up with your taste buds.
My Picks
- Chocolate Festival (May)
- Cashew Festival (May)
- Lobster Festival (June)
Visit An Uncrowded Mayan Ruin
If you visit a Mayan Site somewhere in the Yucatan, chances are that it will be crowded not as magical as you hoped it to be. Fortunately for Belize, this isn't the case. The majority of Mayan Ruins are uncrowded. The largest Mayan Ruin in Belize is actually so remote that it normally only gets about a dozen visits per day, so you might get it to yourself.
Visit A Small Village
One of the most memorable experiences I've had traveling is visiting small remote villages. In Belize, some of the most traditional villages can be found down south where the local Maya people thrive living simple lives surrounded by incredible nature.
My Picks
- Sarteneja Village (North)
- Crooked Tree Village (East)
- Blue Creek Village (South)
Ride The Local Bus
While the public bus isn't for everyone, it can be an opportunity to experience the local culture. How often do you get to sit in a school bus with a Mennonite man to left, and a Garifuna lady to your right, all listening to Reggae music on a highway with a lush view of the rainforest. Maybe not that many times.
Hang With The Locals
What better way of understanding a country's people than eating, moving and maybe even drinking with them? If you get a chance to interact with locals on a tour, restaurant or bar, take some time to ask them about their life. You'll be surprised how interesting some people can be. You might make some new friends in the process. Belizeans tend to chill and hangout over barbecue in the weekends, so that's a good time to hang out.
Try Local Products
Belize doesn't produce many products unfortunately, but there are two popular products we do make – beer and hot sauce. If you do try them, do it the way locals do it – buy your Belikin beer at the local Chinese shop and put your hot sauce on your rice & beans or fry jack.
Besides beer and hot sauce, Belize also produces their own rum. Two popular breweries include Cuello's Distillery in Orange Walk and Traveler's Rum in Belize City. Both offer rum tours.
My Picks
- Marie Sharp Pepper Sauce
- Travelers Rum (One Barrel)
- Caribbean Rum (Coconut)
About Author
Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.
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