A Caribbean paradise in Central America, Belize offers the adventure of a lifetime with the opportunity to enjoy an amazing beach and jungle vacation easily.
Related: Best Time To Visit Belize and Plan Your Belize Trip
Widely known for diving and snorkeling, Belize is home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef, which includes the famous Great Blue Hole. However, for tourists that venture past Belize’s popular cayes, atolls, and coastal beach towns, pristine jungles await, filled with wildlife, ancient Maya sites, and rich cultural experiences.
10 reasons why you should visit Belize
1. Unique and fun adventures
The key to having good conversations is having interesting stories. And after visiting Belize, you’ll have plenty of unique-adventure stories to share. For example, in Belize, you can swim with whale sharks and river tube through sacred Maya caves.
2. Incredible hiking experiences
Hiking in Belize offers rare experiences. Imagine that after a two-hour jungle hike, you end up at the mouth of the no. 1 cave on National Geographic’s list of “Sacred Places of a Lifetime”. The Actun Tunichil Muknal adventure involves swimming into the cave and squeezing yourself through narrow crevices until arriving at a central atrium filled with old Maya pots, cool rock formations, and sacrificial remains.
3. Belize is a divers’ paradise
Belize is home to the world-famous Great Blue Hole. C’mon, any serious diver already knew this! Come cross it off your bucket list and also take advantage of being here and dive many other top diving sites in Belize.
4. Access to the Mayan heartland
Since Belize was once the Mayan heartland, the country has the highest concentration of Maya archaeological sites. My
5. Perfect for relaxing
If you’re commuting during rush hour you’re bound to get the “evil eye” from someone having a bad day, right? Not in Belize. Belizeans are always friendly, wearing a big smile and are never in a hurry. So when you’re in Belize, put your feet up, relax, and learn to Go Slow!
6. Waterfalls and rivers are everywhere
If you, by any chance, thought that you could only swim in the Caribbean sea when in Belize, you’re missing the big picture. The country has plenty of rivers, creeks, ponds, and lagoons. And many of the nature reserves such as Mountain Pine Ridge and the Cockscomb pair hiking with waterfall chasing.
7. Simple, amazing food
Belizean cuisine is an amalgamation of the various cultures (Mestizo, Maya, Creole, and Garifuna) that call the country home. Expect to eat fry jacks and refried beans for breakfast and rice and beans with stew chicken for lunch. Once you’re here for a week, you’ll quickly adapt to eating like a local.
8. Abundant wildlife and nature
Belize offers easy access to wildlife and nature. Imagine being alone, paddling down the river and hearing the various sounds of birds and other wildlife such as howler monkeys. Everywhere in Belize is surrounded by nature, offering easy access to the outdoors year-round.
9. World-class snorkeling
After Australia, Belize has the largest barrier reef in the world, and it is considered a UNESCO World
10. Approx. 450 islands dot Belize’s coast
Whether you want to stay in Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Tobacco Caye, or Half Moon Caye, Belize has many islands and atolls to explore. Your options include enjoying luxury accommodations at some of the best beach destinations in Belize or visiting remote coral atolls where you can pitch a tent and sleep under the stars. Choose a budget and there’s an island that will be perfect for you.
Convinced yet? What other reasons would you add to this list?
we are in Texas right now and are from Canada in an RV Is it safe to travel from Texas to Belize In an RV and wich route shall we take safety wise we want to move to Belize
So glad to read you and others had such an amazing time in Belize, it is so beautiful! Anyone looking to travel there in the near future should absolutely check out this article, a great drinking guide to where to find some great places to grab a drink in Belize!: https//www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog/2014/10/10/boozing-in-belize/
Happy travels!
ABSOLUTE BEST VACATION EVER spent 5 days in the jungle and 5 fabulous days on Cay Caulker. Visited ruins swam in river ponds dove the grat blue hole. The reef is absolutely beautiful.
Glad you loved it! 🙂
not fun , actually quite boring the government harrasses U.S. NATIONALS entering and leaving the country , then the natives will try to get over on you.
Sorry to hear this. If this happened to you it must have been an isolated experience.
Taking a cruise in late January….Only one day in Beliize. Want to learn to snorkel . What or. Where should I go near Belize City. Am a senior citizen so I need a patient teacher. Are the snorkel tours there good do you know?
can some one tell me if it is fun there or not fun there please
i bet it will be fun for my faimly.
Hi,
Thanks for the detail information about Belize
It’s really a beautiful country and we love to retire there
Is this part of Belize safe to buy a beach front home?
Caye Caulker, Belize District, Belize
Hey! My boyfriend and I are interested in traveling here, when is the best time of year? and Where should we stay, somewhere romantic 🙂
please i need the tour operator contact i need to visit
Hi Lorenzo,
I am looking for a tropical get away for our 20th anniversary. Where would you recommend we stay?
Hi, I would like to purchase a Beach Front Property preferebly a house at Belize and after checking different posts on this website and others it looks to me that my best bet would be at the Southeast part of the country more specifically the Plasencia Peninsula. I think the Ambergris Caye would be more crowded and expensive.
I would like your opinion on all this or any suggestions about my inquiry
I want the property as a second or vacation home
Thanks
im sure you could
I want to bring my entire family to Belize for New Years. That includes my 72 year-old parents and my 2-year old son. 8 adults in total.
Where is the best place to stay?
Hi David, I suggest you do a few days in the jungle and a few days at the Beach. Look up Creek Creek and Roberts Grove in Placencia.
Do people visit The Great Blue Hole if they are not diving? Can you snorkel or swim in it?
Hi, yeah some people go for snorkelling but it’s not much fun. I suggest you do a fly-over instead and you’ll get to see how beautiful it looks from up above!
I would definitely go there when I have the chance. You really persuade me just by looking at your pictures. Such clear waters.
Yeah, the water is beautiful! And it’s always warm 🙂
Beautiful reasons to visit beautiful city . 🙂
Thanks
I am convinced! Although – you know I already was! Great list of Belize top 10s!
Thanks, Anita. RIP! 🙁 I miss your comments here.