Top Things to do in Belize
Top Hotels in Belize
- 1. Pelican Reef Villas Resort
- 2. The Lodge At Chaa Creek
- 3. Colinda Cabanas
- 4. Hopkins Bay, a Muy'Ono Resort
- 5. Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages
- 6. Mariposa Belize Beach Resort
- 7. Ramon's Village Resort
- 8. Caribbean Beach Cabanas - A PUR Hotel
- 9. Las Terrazas Resort
- 10. Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton
Top 10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Belize, Belize
According to famed diver Jacques Cousteau, the Great Blue Hole of Belize is one of the most spectacular dive sites on earth. The crystal-clear sapphire waters are home to colorful tropical fish and several species of reef sharks – ideal for brave divers who love to get up close and personal with sea life. On dry ground, diverse rainforests, mangrove swamps, and Mayan ruins are perfect for exploration. The beaches of Belize are sunny and tranquil spots for a day of relaxation.
Restaurants in Belize
1. The Maya Ruins of Caracol
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 614 reviews
This 30-acre complex is the largest Mayan ruin in Belize.
Reviewed By Sandi-and-Tim - New Castle, United States
Despite having a rental car, my husband, son, and I opted to hire a tour guide (and HIS vehicle) for this trip, in part because of the 52 miles of rough dirt road. Don't be scared off by the "you must join the police escort" warnings. The ruins are close to the Belize-Guatemala border, and the escort was started due to a single incident a few years ago...but there haven't been any reported incidents since then. Caracol has the highest Mayan temple in Belize. In fact, we couldn't see the top from the ground. According to our guide, LIDAR Radar readings taken in the last few years show that there are around 36,000 Mayan buildings in the surrounding jungle that have not been excavated, and they estimate that there were approximately 1.5 million inhabitants at one point. One of the thing that's so amazing about that is that there is no water source nearby. What they did find, though, was over 200 retention ponds. This is a destination that is not as well traveled as some of the other Mayan ruins in Belize due to the poor access, but it is well worth the effort to get there. If you do go without a guide, make sure you sign in at the police checkpoint. Past that point the road is narrow and mostly one way in in the morning and out in the afternoons. Oh, if you do use a guide, make sure he lets you eat some minty-tasting termites. :-)
2. Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By taxladyPA
The owner of our lodge in Belize arranged this half day cave tubing. Our guide was Dione, and it was only myself, my husband and our 24 year old daugher on this cave tubing trip. It was a lot of fun, we saw some beautiful cave formations and enjoyed the opportunity to cool down in the river. At some points it was pretty shallow (lift your butt) but as Dione promised he got us through. Dione was a great guide, and made the whole experience a lot of fun. We had lunch afterwards on site, and the food was very good - try the ceviche.
3. Scarlet Macaw Viewing Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By mturos - Jarrettsville, United States
We just returned from our annual trip to Belize, and I am so happy we were able to spend one of those days with Raul. We met as planned on-time, and made the hike to the viewing areas. The hike is fairly steep in some spots, so be sure to wear tennis shoes or hiking shoes, and be sure to bring bug spray and water. Raul pointed out different birds and plants along the hike, and gave us a thorough history of the conservation efforts of the area, including the educational and environmental plans to discourage the killing of these beautiful birds and the illegal knocking down of trees in the reserve. We were lucky to find a flock of about 30 happy, noisy scarlet macaws. You will hear them before you see them, and it was stunning to see them in the wild. After a couple of hours we went back into Red Bank and floated down the Swayze (spelling?) River and saw more scarlet macaws. Raul was really great in knowing where the birds might be, and since he also trained with the Audubon Society, he pointed out other types of birds, as well as some of the bird sounds we heard while walking in the forest. It was a memorable, fun day, and it makes me happy that the flock is starting to rebound, thanks to efforts of Raul and other people who care about the ecosystem.
4. Great Blue Hole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
The most famous dive site in Belize was discovered by Jacques Cousteau.
Reviewed By charlieo122 - Haleiwa, United States
Seeing the stalagmites and stalactites 140 feet down is an awesome experience. And you can't see the bottom from there. Our dive lasted about 8 minutes at the Arch. Not much to see- a few fish and perhaps a shark. The boat trip from San Pedro takes about 2.5 hours. Open seas can get rough. Park fee is $40 per person. It's a worthwhile experience. The tour includes two additional dive sites where you'll see lots of colorful fish, corals, sharks, rays, turtles, giant groupers, etc. A full day trip that starts at 6:00am and gets back to San Pedro around 5:30pm
5. Nim Li Punit (Big Hat)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
This Mayan site is known for its 25 intricately carved stelae, including a figure wearing a large headdress ("Big Hat").
Reviewed By ElgaK_12
We took a ship tour with a ferry to the mainland from Harvest Caye and then one hour by bus. The guides, Nate and Felix, descendants of the Mayans, were very knowledgeable and told us lots on the way. The drive was easy with little traffic. Felix told us the people use BMWs (Better Me Walk). Beautiful jungle paths through the site and a museum showing artifacts from the site.
6. Shark Ray Alley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,188 reviews
Reviewed By DailyBaileyB
We saw Shark Ray Alley as part of a Hol Chan Marine Reserve Scuba Tour twice. The first time, the tour guide recommended we spend more time on the reef because Shark Ray Alley is about a 10 minute feeding frenzy. While he wasn't wrong (and also a little overwhelming at first), we didn't realize there's a neat little piece of the reef right nearby. When we went on another tour (same trip to Belize - needless to say, highly recommend it do one of these tours!), and another tour company recommend that we swim around the nearby reef just feet away while the frenzy died down. Was another opportunity to see some of the incredible natural beauty of Belize!
7. El Pilar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By X2550CNjohn - Durham, United Kingdom
El Pilar was once a large Mayan city, but unlike more famous archaeological sites nearby there has been minimal excavation here, and therefore offers an almost unique opportunity to experience a city lost to the jungle as the first explorers might have seen it. It's not easy to get here; I took a taxi from San Ignacio which took over 2 hours on very rough roads, and my driver was probably only willing to risk his suspension as it was the off season and the weather was good. I only went because I had a free day, but it turned out to be an unexpected highlight of my trip to Belize; very little write up in the guide books, and few organised tours, but an amazing insight into how the Mayan civilisation was lost for so many centuries. One stumbles across a hillock, realises it's in fact a ruined pyramid, and then it vanishes into the forest after walking just a few yards. There are some explanatory boards which are enough to give a sense of the layout of the city without being intrusive, and a few areas have been excavated to show how the many buried structures would have looked, but for the most part one can imagine how the first explorers felt as they realised they were stumbling through the remains of an ancient metropolis. And because so few people make the effort, you can have the ruins almost to yourself. Amazing!
8. Belize Soul Project
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By S0larC0wb0y - New Braunfels, United States
Enjoyed the evening at soul project with my wife and friends. Downstairs bar services local beer and the owner served up his very own homemade wine. The venue itself is clean and adorned by art on every wall and corner. A local duo sang cover songs but not too cheesy one's.
9. House of Culture
10. Lubaantun
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 63 reviews
The largest Mayan ruin in Southern Belize, dated to 700-900 AD, includes carefully cut limestone blocks which needed no mortar to hold them together.
Reviewed By kelleyst - Albuquerque, United States
Seven miles on a 4WD road to get here. The road itself is amazing as it winds through villages. There is little signage and we had to ask out way once. The ruins themselves are grand, only some restored partially, which for us was very interesting. The grounds are lovely. We loved the trip here.
