Top 10 Best Things To Do in Belize

Post summary: Best things to do in Belize.

If you’re unsure of what to do in Belize, you’re not alone.

Belize usually isn’t top of mind when people consider where to go for their next tropical vacation – but honestly they’re missing out! Having traveled to every country in Central America, Belize is one of my FAVORITE countries because there’s so much more to this place than meets the eye.

This tiny country is the perfect tropical vaca destination if you love having outdoor adventures – like snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, and exploring ancient ruins – all at your fingertips.

Keep reading about these spectacular things to do in Belize!

PS: Check out my detailed 12-day Belize road trip itinerary if you’re planning a longer getaway.

Planning your adventure to Belize? Check out these helpful guides!

12-Day Belize Road Trip Itinerary

All You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Belize | Cost, Tips, FAQs

How to Plan Your Road Trip using Google Maps

Is Belize Safe To Travel To?

Sunset in Cockscomb Basin jungle, Belize
Sunset over Cockscomb Basin, Belize

Top 10 Things To Do in Belize

Let’s dive into the most adventurous things to do and top activities in Belize!

Relax on Caye Caulker

The Cayes are like little slices of heaven in the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Belize. There are several to choose from, but if you’re looking for something laid-back and budget-friendly, Caye Caulker is the place to be.

This tiny island is home to around 1,000 locals, making it much quieter and more low-key than the larger (and more touristy) Ambergris Caye.

You won’t find any cars or long stretches of white sand here, but you will find golf carts, barefoot cyclists, and plenty of hammocks swaying in the breeze.

The islands motto is literally “go slow”, but there’s still plenty to do if you’re up for some adventure:

  • Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Swim with nurse sharks, rays, and vibrant fish while exploring the coral reef (check out this tour).
  • Hang out at The Split: Cool off in the water, grab drinks, and enjoy snacks at The Lazy Lizard.
  • Dive or fly over the Great Blue Hole: This is a must for adventurous travelers looking for epic underwater or aerial views.
  • Relax beachside: Grab a hammock, a rum-filled coconut, and soak up the island vibes.

Caye Caulker Belize

Scuba Dive the Blue Hole and Belize Barrier Reef

The Great Blue Hole is one of Belize’s most famous landmarks. You’ve seen it featured in NatGeo, Discovery, Travel and just about every scuba media outlet in the world. Jacques Cousteau even ranked it as one of the top dive sites in the world, and it regularly makes the list of natural wonders you need to see.

This giant sinkhole measures about 1000 feet wide and 400 feet deep. Located near Lighthouse Reef, it’s about two hours by boat from the coast of Belize.

If you’re a certified SCUBA diver, this should definitely be on your Belize itinerary. You need at least an Open Water certification to dive here, but honestly, it’s worth it only if you have an Advanced certification. Without that, you can’t dive deep enough to see the most interesting features of the sinkhole.

If you don’t dive, you can still see the Blue Hole on a scenic flight with Maya Island Air.

For beginner divers, there are plenty of amazing dive spots, including The Aquarium (Long Caye Aquarium), which is known for its colorful underwater scenery and abundant marine life.

Scuba diving in Belize

Visit Placencia

If you need a place to add to your Belize road trip or just a cute spot to chill for a few days, then you need to visit Placencia Peninsula.

This small, charming peninsula is located in the Stann Creek District of Belize, about 2 hours south of Belize City.

It’s a popular destination in Belize because of its clear blue water and sprawling sand beaches.

Placencia is also particularly interesting because parts of it have become very “Americanized” over recent years, but still has some of the best beaches, restaurants, nightlife in Belize.

The best places to visit in Placencia are:

  • Placencia Village – the unofficial capital filled with bars for fun nightlife, restaurants, cafés, and golden sand beaches
  • Maya Beach area – located on the north end of the peninsula with unspoiled nature, quaint hotels and stunning seascapes
  • Village of Seine Bight – located on the southern end of the peninsula. This is the best place in Belize to immerse yourself in Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture

The Placencia Peninsula is one of the best places to enjoy fishing in Belize, and it’s a huge part of the local culture.  Check out this fishing tour with snorkeling, lunch and gear included (don’t forget to order your fishing license before your trip via the Coastal Zone Management Authority).

Watching sunrise on the beach is one of the best things to do in Belize

Step back in time at Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

I honestly think all the Mayan Ruins in Belize are worth the hype, but if you only have time for one, make it Xunantunich Mayan Ruins (pronounced shoo-nan-too-neech in case you were wondering).

Straddling the edges of Belize and Guatemala, most people come here to see the large temple known today as El Castillo (Spanish for “The Castle”).

Fun fact: this temple is more than 130 feet (30 meters) tall, making it the second tallest building in Belize.

Built during the Classical Maya era, Xunantunich was once home to a thriving Maya civilization of more than 200,000 people, which makes seeing it now even more special.

You can explore the ruins on your own, but you’ll learn more and get more from the experience if you hire a local guide to show you around.

I suggest this tour of the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins from San Ignacio.

Tour the Altun Ha Mayan Site

If you love Mayan culture, this is an easy addition to your trip!

Altun Ha is an ancient Maya city located in Rockstone Pond, and it’s the closest archaeological site to Belize City, which makes it one of the most popular ruin sites in Belize.

This site is famous for the discovery of the jade head in 1968, a six-inch-tall carving that’s the largest jade artifact ever found in the Maya region.

The jade head, representing Kinich Ahau, the Sun God, is considered Belize’s crown jewel. With an estimated value of $5–10 million, it holds incredible cultural significance and is one of the country’s most iconic treasures.

Don’t forget to pack a pair of comfy shoes! Most tour of Altun Ha include a climb to the top of the Temple of the Masonry Altars. This temple was once used for community rituals, which adds to the sense of history you’ll feel as you explore.

Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)

Nope, this isn’t some fairytale cave with a secret ATM machine (although that would be amazing).

The real Actun Tunichil Muknal, known as the ATM Cave, is an underground archaeological site with actual human sacrificial remains (yes, you read that right), you can step into the ancient Maya underworld.

As eerie as that might sound, this tour is an absolute must-do.

What makes it so unique is how untouched everything is. The cave looks exactly like it did centuries ago, with pottery, artifacts, and even human skeletons left in the same places archaeologists found them. It’s like stepping back in time.

To this day, it’s the most unforgettable experience we’ve had in Belize.

Photos courtesy of Maya Walk, Belize

Things you should know about the ATM Cave Tour:

  • You can only get to the cave with a guided tour to ensure you explore it safely.
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  • The cave is also subject to flooding and tours are highly weather dependent. For this reason, the ATM Cave is typically closed during the rainy season and any time there is heavy rain.
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  • Only 175 people (total across all tours) are allowed inside per day and there are no cameras allowed.
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The tour starts with a long bus ride into the jungle. From there, it’s an easy 45-minute hike with some river crossings. Finally, you’ll get into a larger river and swim into the opening of the cave, where you get to explore the cave systems, tunnels, chambers, and sacred sites filled with ancient ceramics and stoneware.

The tour does involve swimming and squeezing through tight spaces, but anyone with a moderate fitness level can easily complete it.

Venture into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest

The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve is home to some of the most unique landscapes in Belize. In fact, parts of it might even remind you of the American Southwest more than Central America.

Located in the Cayo District, this area is packed with incredible caves, Maya ruins, and waterfalls.

The most popular spots are Rio on Pools and Rio Frio Cave, but these are also a popular spot for tour buses so I would avoid going around lunchtime.

Our personal favorite is Big Rock Falls. The hike down is short but steep, and the waterfall itself is a local favorite. It’s the perfect spot to swim, cool off, and soak in the scenery.

On sunny days, you’ll probably find groups of locals hanging out and making the most of this beautiful spot.

Swimming at Big Rock Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Belize
Big Rock Falls, Belize

Tip: Looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure nearby? Check out Caracol Maya Ruins, located deep in the jungle near the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve.

Most people book a tour from Belize City or San Ignacio, which is a great option if you want a guide to handle the logistics (if you’re interested in joining a tour, check out this link)

But if you have a 4×4, you can safely make the drive yourself with a bit of advanced planning.

Read next: How to safely drive to Caracol, Belize

Go on a Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure

If outdoor adventures and adrenaline are your thing, Belize has you covered.

One experience I can’t recommend enough is a cave tubing and ziplining adventure, which is the ultimate combo for your Belize bucket list (and guaranteed bragging rights).

Belize’s lush jungles and winding caves are perfect for zipping over treetops and floating through underground rivers. It’s an exciting way to soak up the country’s natural beauty and do something a bit different.

Most tours leave from San Pedro and are led by experienced guides, so you can focus on the fun while they handle the rest.

Take a Guided Hike to Tiger Fern Falls

Tucked deep within the dense jungles of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is what I confidently call the best hike in Belize. And I’m not just saying that…one time I hiked this trail three times in one week.

The Tiger Fern Falls trail is a relatively strenuous hike. But it’s a true hidden gem, packed with everything you’d want: sweeping mountain views, stunning waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and lush jungle vibes.

I’ve already covered the hike to Tiger Ferns Falls in great detail with everything you need to know.

PS: bring your swimsuit! Nothing beats cooling off in the waterfall after a sweaty hike through the jungle. Plus, it’s perfect for those epic post-hike photos.

A guide is now required for this hike due to an accident in recent years. Expect to pay around $70 per person, but it’s truly worth every penny.

Visit the Garifuna Community of Palmento Grove on Kalipuna Island

Mingle with the local Garifuna people and learn about one of the many ethnic groups in Belize at Palmento Grove Garifuna Eco-Cultural & Healing Institute on the north side of Hopkins, Belize (about 24 miles from Placencia Village).

The Garifuna people are descendants of West African, Carib, and Arawak ancestors from St. Vincent, who arrived in Belize in 1802. Their rich culture, language, and traditions are integral to Belize’s heritage.

At Palmento Grove, you can stay in rustic eco-lodge cabins and participate in authentic Garifuna experiences like drumming, dancing, fishing, and cooking. This immersive stay offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with the Garifuna way of life

Getting to Belize

The easiest way to get to Belize is to fly into Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. From BZE, you can connect to domestic flights across Belize.

Once you arrive, you can rent a car or arrange for a registered taxi or transfer service to get to your hotel.

Belize has a pretty good bus system that runs between major towns and cities, but reliability mostly depends on route and time of day. Additionally, there are currently no ride-shares like Uber or Lyft available in Belize. Therefore, renting a car or taking a registered taxi is your best bet.

To stay safe in Belize, always verify that your taxi has a green license plate which indicates that it’s officially registered. Be aware that taxis may pick up additional passengers during your ride, as shared rides are pretty common.

Driving in Belize is the best way to get around

Where To Stay in Belize

Here are some budget-friendly accommodations across Belize’s top destinations. I chose them based on the unique experiences they offer to complement your adventure!

Belize City – Golden Bay Belize Hotel: Conveniently located with comfortable rooms and easy access to city attractions.

San Ignacio – Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge: A unique wilderness lodge with pool, sun terrace, and outdoor activities.

Hopkins – Parrot Cove Lodge: Facing the beachfront, this lodge offers free bikes, an outdoor swimming pool, and a garden.

Placencia – K’in Resort Lodge: Beachfront rustic eco-lodge cabins with a peaceful and laid-back atmosphere.

Caye Caulker – Colinda Cabanas: Beautiful, affordable beachfront accommodations with free use of bicycles, kayaks, and snorkel gear.

Fun Things To Do in Belize Wrapped Up

It’s time to wrap things up so you can start planning your trip.

From hikes through untouched jungles and diving the reef barrier to exploring ancient ruin sites and foodie excursions, there’s endless adventures waiting for you.

Now that you know more about Belize, you have nothing holding you back from making it your next dream destination!

Before you go: Find out how to get from San Ignacio, Belize to Tikal without a tour.

Did you enjoy this guide to top things to do in Belize? Let me know in the comments!

More Central America Travel Guides:

Road trip Costa Rica: The Perfect 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary

Visiting Tikal, Guatemala: How To Get From San Ignacio to Tikal

Nicaragua: Staying at Rancho Santana in Nicaragua (Where Luxury Meets Outdoor Adventure)

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