Explore the Maya ruins of Caracol
Belize's largest ancient Maya site, deep in the Chiquibul Forest, with a pyramid taller than any modern building in the country.
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Central America
Things to do in Belize
The Western Hemisphere's largest barrier reef, jungle-swallowed Maya ruins, and an English-speaking, low-key alternative to its Spanish-speaking Central American neighbors.
Explore Belize on the map →Budget$$
Best for8-10 days
CapitalBelmopan
VisaVisa-free entry for up to 30 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, extendable at immigration offices within the country.
CurrencyBelize dollar (BZD), pegged 2:1 to the US dollar
LanguagesEnglish (official); Spanish, Kriol, and Mayan languages also widely spoken
InternetGood in Belize City and cayes, more limited inland
Typical lodging$30–$85/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage110V / 60Hz (Type A/B plug)
Time zoneUTC-6
Emergency number911
Dialing code+501
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Wildlife★★★★★ Beaches
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or filtered water recommended. 10% at restaurants is common.
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and its Great Blue Hole, a nearly perfect circular sinkhole visible from space, is one of the most recognizable dive sites on Earth. Belize is also the only officially English-speaking country in Central America, a legacy of British colonial rule that makes it an unusually easy first stop in the region for English-speaking travelers.
When to go
Dry seasonDecember–May
The most popular and reliable window, with lower humidity and the best diving visibility on the reef.
Early wet seasonJune–August
Regular but often brief afternoon rain, with lush jungle scenery and fewer crowds at Maya ruins.
Peak wet seasonSeptember–November
The wettest months and highest hurricane risk, though inland jungle lodges remain workable with flexible planning.
Transition periodNovember–December
Rains and hurricane risk easing as the dry season approaches.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
5Explore Xunantunich's Maya temple with river-crossing ferry access
A hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River leads to a well-restored Maya site with sweeping views into neighboring Guatemala.
Visit a Garifuna cultural village in southern Belize
The Garifuna, descended from shipwrecked and escaped African and Indigenous Caribbean peoples, maintain a distinct language, drumming, and food tradition around Dangriga and Hopkins.
Explore Lamanai's Maya ruins by riverboat
Reached by a scenic jungle river journey rather than a road, with howler monkeys and crocodiles commonly spotted along the way.
Watch a traditional Garifuna drumming performance
Punta rock and traditional Garifuna drumming remain a living cultural tradition in southern coastal towns, performed at community events and cultural centers.
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Adventure & outdoors
7Dive or snorkel the Great Blue Hole$20–40
A nearly perfect circular sinkhole roughly 300 metres across and 124 metres deep, one of the most recognizable dive sites on Earth.
Cave tube through the Belize jungle
Floating on an inner tube through limestone cave systems carved by underground rivers, a popular and accessible half-day adventure.
Explore Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave
A wading and swimming cave expedition to a chamber containing ancient Maya ceremonial artifacts and skeletal remains, among Belize's most memorable tours.
Kayak the mangrove channels of Belize's cayes
Calm, shallow water winding through mangrove islands, popular for both wildlife spotting and a slower-paced alternative to reef diving.
Fish the flats for bonefish and permit
Belize's cayes and lagoons offer world-class shallow-water fly fishing, drawing serious anglers specifically for the flats fishing.
Zip-line through the Cayo District's canopy
Several jungle lodges in western Belize offer canopy zip-lining alongside cave and river adventures, popular as an add-on to Maya ruin visits.
Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve
One of Belize's oldest protected marine areas, with dense fish life and easy access from Ambergris Caye's San Pedro town.
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Wildlife
3Snorkel with nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley
A shallow sandbar near Ambergris Caye where docile nurse sharks and southern stingrays gather, a genuinely close and safe wildlife encounter.
Spot jaguars (or their tracks) at Cockscomb Basin
The world's first jaguar sanctuary, offering hiking trails through jungle where sightings are rare but tracks and other wildlife are common.
Birdwatch at the Belize Zoo
A rehabilitation-focused zoo showcasing only native Belizean species, widely regarded as one of the best ethically run small zoos in the region.
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Beaches
2Snorkel the reefs off Caye Caulker
A laid-back, car-free island where 'go slow' is a genuine local motto, with easy reef access and a more budget-friendly base than Ambergris Caye.
Relax on the beaches of Placencia
A quieter, more laid-back peninsula in southern Belize, popular for its long stretch of sand and mellower pace than the northern cayes.
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Food & drink
2Eat rice and beans with stewed chicken
Belize's everyday staple, distinct from neighboring countries' versions through its coconut-milk-cooked rice, a genuine national comfort food.
Try Belizean rum and ginger beer
Locally distilled rum paired with spicy ginger beer, a genuine Belizean staple drink found at bars across the cayes and mainland.
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Nature & scenery
1Explore the Blue Hole National Park (inland, distinct from the reef site)
A different, freshwater 'blue hole' cenote near Belize's Hummingbird Highway, good for a refreshing swim and short jungle hikes.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Belize?
Most Western passport holders, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, extendable at immigration offices for longer stays.
▾Is Belize's language really English?
Yes. Belize is the only officially English-speaking country in Central America, a legacy of British colonial rule, though Belizean Kriol and Spanish are also widely spoken depending on the region.
▾How do I get to the Great Blue Hole?
Reaching it requires a boat trip from Belize City or one of the cayes, typically as a full-day diving or snorkeling excursion, or a scenic flight for those wanting the classic aerial view without diving.
▾Cayes or the mainland jungle, which should I prioritize?
Both if time allows: Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker offer the reef and diving experience, while the mainland (Cayo District) has Maya ruins, cave systems, and jungle wildlife lodges.
▾Is Belize expensive?
Mid-range for the region: pricier than Guatemala or Honduras, comparable to Costa Rica, particularly for reef-focused diving trips and cayes accommodation.
▾How much does it cost to dive the Great Blue Hole?
Marine park and reserve fees for the Great Blue Hole and surrounding Lighthouse Reef run in the $20-40 range per person depending on exactly which reserve fees apply to your route, on top of whatever a dive operator charges for the boat trip itself, which is a separate and larger cost. It's a full-day trip either by boat or scenic flight, so factor that into how you budget the day, not just the entrance fee.
