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
What to do and see in Belize, Belize: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. Xunantunich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,467 reviews
Reviewed By galencampbell - Calgary, Canada
The ruins are excellent and will be workout climbing up and down, with fantastic views from the highest points. We picked up a guide before crossing the ferry. Elfego had A LOT of knowledge, which makes sense since he must have been at least 70 and had been giving tours and working with archaeologists at Xunantunich for decades. The visitor center is good, with enough information to educate you, but not so much as to be excessive. I still recommend a guide though for better explanations of what you are seeing when you are actually looking at it. We also got lucky and saw two troops of howler monkeys howling at each other in trees just up the hill from the ferry (so keep your windows down and your ears listening as you drive in).
3. Actun Tunichil Muknal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 874 reviews
This remote cave is filled with relics left over from the Mayans.
Reviewed By 143trishc
My family and I visited Actun Tunichil Muknal June of 2019. This is not like a cave in the US where tourists visit. YOu must hike, cross rivers, swim across the pool at the entrance of the cave, wade up streams, squeeze through tight passages, climb rocks in you socks and up a ladder to reach the crystal maiden. Worth every second! It is so beautiful, amazing and tragic too. I am grateful for the experience, it was truly a trip of a lifetime.
4. Lighthouse Reef
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Photograph_Travels - Toronto, Canada
Booking our 8 day Lighthouse Reed Adventure with Island Expeditions was easy - including help to extend our stay on the mainland. They continued to impress with complete and knowledgable information on everything we needed to know to prepare for then enjoy our stay. We've travelled with many tour operators and this was the first time we received a call from the tour company the day before departure to ask if we had any last minute questions and to wish us a great trip. Well done Island Expeditions! Our stay at Lighthouse Reef: - The location is a tropical paradise, - Tents were well maintained, clean, the beds comfortable - all with a million dollar ocean view, - The food was fresh, plentiful and absolutely delicious, - Dining family style with the entire group of 24 was a wonderful way to get to know fellow travellers and share your daily experiences on the reef - Our Belizean guides were experienced, knowledgeable, always engaging and eager to share a good story and a hearty laugh, and - The activities (snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, walking tours, etc.) were conducted by the guides with an emphasis on safety, fun and learning. Our stay on Lighthouse Reef proved to be exactly what we were looking for in a vacation....a beautiful location with just the right amount of interesting activity but not too much to be tiring (hammock surfing is always an option), great people (staff and guests both) and amazing food. All of this in a well organized package by Island Expeditions.
5. Nautilus Express Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
Convenient Transportation to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, Belize. We provide complimetary pick up at the International Airport, optional grocery store stop and transfer to your dock on the Cayes with comlimentary refreshments. We are also available for Private Charters and connect you with your ideal tours to complete your vacation in Belize.
Reviewed By lyndsyr2017 - Los Angeles, United States
We were a group of eight and they greeted us at the boat with beers and rum punch - best way to start out the trip with smiles, a beautiful sunset and an amazing crew! Mario and Chris dropped us directly at our resort (Mahogany Bay Resort) and assisted with all our bags. It took about an hour and 20 minutes from dock to dock and they made it all so easy! Highly recommend booking with them if you are a group looking or even just you and a friend/partner/spouse. Very affordable and enjoyable! Will definitely be using them again!
6. Mexico Rocks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By Woodbine_Resident - Bonita Springs, United States
We went on a snorkel tour with Daryl from Searious Adventures to Mexico Rocks Reef. We saw abundant reef fish, a big barracuda named Henry, many lobsters, southern rays, several coral varieties and green sea turtles. It was an easy place to get around, with lots to see. High quality snorkel tour.
7. 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.
8. 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
9. Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,912 reviews
This beautiful nature reserve is in an area world famous for its excellent diving.
Reviewed By BostonSpaann
Marine reserve is so well managed. Amazing corals and huge and abundant variety of fish from Angel fish, parrotfish, grouper, horse-eyed jacks and barracuda Went on to Shark Alley and swam with the Nurse Sharks and Rays - fantastic experience. We went with Ramons Dive Village who were excellent.
10. The Belize Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,838 reviews
The Belize Zoo is an institution that cares for over 150 native wildlife, and promotes Conservation, Education, Recreation, and Research. It is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. We are committed to the conservation of Belize's wildlife and its habitats through the establishment of a well maintained zoological facility and education center, both poised to bring about a greater environmental awareness to the people living in Belize, and to visitors from abroad. In 2014, the Zoo became the first nature destination in the country accessible to persons with physical disabilities. TBZ believes that by bringing the people closer to the animals, which are their natural heritage, they will feel proud of these special resources, and wish to protect them for future generations. All Zoo "residents" were once pets; donated to the Zoo; rescues found injured, abandoned or orphaned and brought in rehabilitation; or born at the Zoo. The Belize Zoo receives no financial support from the Government of Belize, and generates funding to care for its residents through admission fees, tours, donations, and adoption and membership programs.
Reviewed By wendyjared - Palo Alto, United States
We *loved* this little zoo! We stayed a night at the Zoo's Education Center (excellent budget accommodation) and did the night tour. The night tour is totally worth it! Zookeeper Jose walked us through to visit with the tapirs and big cats - it was an amazing experience to come face to face with the cougar and the jaguar. We then went again the next morning to see the animals that are awake during the day. The zoo is run by people passionate about preserving Belize's wildlife, and all the animals are either rescues or were born there. The enclosures are large and jungle like. This means that the animals have a great environment, but sometimes it might be hard to see them - but it gets our vote because it means the animals are happy!
