With paradisal landscapes and a colorful culture, Belize is one of Central America’s most celebrated tourist destinations, drawing rave reviews from backpackers, honeymooners, and international students alike, and attracting more than one million visitors every year.

With so much to see and do in the country, it can be difficult to know where to begin. That’s why we’ve put together a travel guide to assist with your preparations. Below, you’ll find advice on safety, sightseeing, budgeting, and more to help you plan the perfect trip to Belize!

Best Places to Visit in Belize

Belize is home to a range of fascinating cultural sites and natural wonders, offering unrivaled opportunities for sightseeing and adventure. We’ve narrowed down the country’s best offerings to three must-visit attractions for your trip.

Belize Barrier Reef

Straddling the Caribbean coast lies the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-longest coral reef system in the world. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Belize’s palm-fringed beaches and diverse marine ecosystems are sure to live long in the memory.

Visit the tranquil Caye Caulker or the vibrant San Pedro to access world-class snorkeling and diving at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, or descend the mysterious Great Blue Hole 100km off the coast of the country. For those who prefer land, nothing beats a cocktail on the sunlounger!

Mayan ruins

Did you know Belize is believed to have once been the epicenter of the Maya Empire? The great civilization left behind dozens of breathtaking temples, with the best ruins at Caracol, Lamanai, Xunantunich, and Altun Ha. The latter three are all accessible from Belize City.

Another popular attraction is the chilling Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. Hidden away in Belize’s tropical heartland, the “ATM” is a Mayan archaeological site that displays the skeletal remains of sacrifice victims from more than a millennium ago.

Tropical jungles

Preferring to stick to the coast, most tourists miss out on the abundant Maya Forest that covers the vast majority of the mainland. Belize’s jungles are extremely well preserved and secluded, making the country one of the best in the world for wildlife watching.

Head south to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for unrivaled rainforest hikes and, if you’re lucky, a glimpse of the elusive jaguar. Just outside Belize City, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary’s wetland lagoons show another side to the country’s diverse landscapes.

Belize sample itinerary

Check out our sample itinerary for a one-week trip to Belize below:

Arrive in Belize City and immediately catch a water taxi to San Pedro to soak up the best of Belize’s beaches and Barrier Reef at Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
After a couple of days, return to the mainland and head southwest to San Ignacio, a tourist hub with connections to Actun Tunichil Muknal and the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich.
Once satisfied with San Ignacio, return to the coastline for transport links south towards Placencia, finding time to stop off at Mayflower Bocawina National Park and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary along the way.
After ample adventures in the jungle, finish up in Placencia for one more day of coastal paradise before returning home.

Best Belize Travel Tips

Now that you know where to visit, here are some useful tips that will help you get the most out of your time in Belize.

Listen out for different languages

Belize’s official language is English, however many locals are multilingual and will often switch between English, Spanish, and Kriol, an English dialect closely linked to Caribbean patois. You’ll generally be fine with English, though Spanish is more common close to the country’s borders.

Live like a local

As with any trip, we urge you to step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the host culture. This means leaving behind the tourist resort, and instead taking public transport, eating street food, and socializing with locals! You’ll learn more and save a lot of money this way.

Stick to tourist neighborhoods in Belize City

As a caveat to the previous point, remember to follow standard travel safety tips like keeping an eye on your bad when out in public. Belize is one of the safest countries to visit in Central America, though there are a few areas, such as Belize City’s Southside, that are best avoided.

Allow plenty of time for activities

Compared to some other countries, Belize runs at a relatively relaxed pace. Make sure to leave plenty of time for transportation when it comes to tours, activities, and other bookings, as your connections may not always arrive on schedule.

Budgeting in Belize

Belize caters to both affluent travelers and budget backpackers. While luxury resorts abound, it’s also possible to travel the country on a tight budget of about $50 a day. If you’re planning a trip during peak tourist season (October–April), expect higher prices.

Below, you’ll find budgeting guidance for four key expenses: accommodation, activities, food, and transportation. Please note that the figures below are rough estimates, and should only be used to get a general idea of your budget.

Accommodation

Belize’s busiest tourist destinations are well served by hotels and hostels. The cheapest accommodation costs about $20 per night, while luxury resorts will set you back $130 or higher.

In the more remote, inland locations, accommodation will be pricier — keep this in mind if you’re planning any overnight stays in the jungle, and be sure to book early to access the best rates.

Activities

Depending on your budget, you may have to pick and choose from Belize’s big-ticket activities. Top attractions like snorkeling in the Barrier Reef or touring the ATM caves are likely to set you back around $100 each.

If you’re looking to limit spending, simply go without a guide and enjoy the charms of Placencia and Caye Caulker on foot. Many of the temples in the San Ignacio region, including Xunantunich, have a very nominal entrance fee of $5 that’s well worth the price.

Food

Belize has a wide range of food options for different budgets. Eating at cheap restaurants and street stalls will allow you to limit daily food costs to around $15, while regular sit-down meals at the pricier establishment will incur daily costs of about $50.

If you have access to your own cooking facilities, check out this cooking demo from our friend Chef Silvia, who works with the nonprofit Hope Haven to provide food to families in need in San Pedro.

Transportation

Public transportation is inexpensive, and provides an economical (though not always comfortable) way to travel across the country. A bus ticket from Belize City to San Ignacio, for example, costs around $5, while a return ferry to Caye Caulker is priced at about $25.

Bus and shuttle operators will often provide transport to nearby tourist sites, offering a cheaper alternative to taxis. If you go with the economical options, you should be able to keep daily travel costs to no more than $10.

Plan Your Trip to Belize

Despite its small size, Belize is packed with delights befitting a country much bigger in stature. From sweeping sands and coral reefs to ancient ruins in the rainforest, adventure is never far away in this enchanted country. Get started with your planning today!

If you’re interested in arranging a trip to Belize, don’t hesitate to contact us. Learn from Travel is connected to a vast network of local providers and will work with you to design your very own culturally-immersive travel program.