Find Mesoamerica’s Treasures in Belize

Belize brings together pristine rainforest, the remnants of mighty city states and the natural allure of the Caribbean into one small but mighty package. Spend a few days zip-lining through forest canopies, learning about the society, conflicts and enduring mystery of the region’s Maya cities, and spotting a wide variety of native birds and animals. Then turn your focus to the sea, where untouched coral reefs and warm waters immerse you in a different kind of natural paradise. When you land in Belize City, all that travellers have come to love about Central America waits within easy reach.

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Belize’s Maya Legacy

Situated at the heart of the Maya world, Belize today possesses some of the most fascinating and extensive Maya sites. These include Lamanai, the longest continually occupied site in Mesoamerica, and one of the most successful at resisting invasion by the conquistadors. Cerros on Belize’s northern coast is also noteworthy as one of the oldest known Maya settlements. Neither, however, matches the fame of Caracol. Once thought to be a simple ceremonial site, further excavations in the 1980s revealed an expansive city of over 35,000 structures, with a rich history that included a military triumph over mighty Tikal in modern-day Guatemala. An enormous site with a detailed history still being explored, Caracol is best experienced on a private tour if possible.

Another site that’s fascinating, beautiful and relatively easy to visit is Altun Ha, located just 31 miles/50 kilometres north of Belize City. Though a relatively small site, it’s been well-excavated, making it a worthwhile day trip from the capital before you get out to more remote Maya sites like Caracol. For a completely different kind of archaeological treasure, visit Actun Tunichil Mucnal —a cave also known (somewhat confusingly for foreigners) as ATM. While it won’t be dispensing any cash, it does reward those who wade through its waters with a uniquely vivid glimpse of Maya spiritual life. Visitor numbers are tightly controlled to preserve the artifacts, and the trip isn’t for everyone. It’s physically taxing, claustrophobic, and very wet, but if you want to see a completely different side of the Maya, it’ll be a memory you treasure forever.

Wildlife in the Belize Rainforest

Belize harbours incredible biodiversity in both its forests and seas. The jaguar is the magnificent symbol of the country, though these nocturnal cats are a rare sighting. You’re more likely to spy its housecat-sized cousin, the jaguarundi, or perhaps even an ocelot. Howler monkeys (known affectionately to the locals as ‘baboons’), spider monkeys, tapirs and crocodiles are all pretty safe bets for a sighting, while toucans and scarlet macaws brighten the rainforest canopy. Embarking on a zip-lining tour or a forest canopy walk allows you to reach those parts of the rainforest where the more elusive animals thrive. With an open mind and a low-impact, sustainable approach, Belize can be one of the most satisfying wildlife viewing destinations on Earth. In between sightings and hikes, cool off in the natural pools, admiring the waterfalls that dot regions like Mountain Pine Ridge.

Ambergris Caye: Gateway to Another Caribbean

Think you know the Caribbean? Ambergris Caye, located just off Belize’s mainland shore, humbly invites you to open your mind and experience its incredible mixture of beauty and wildlife. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest of its kind in the world, and contains the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a shallow cut in the reef offering superb snorkelling and diving for every level. Turtles, rays, harmless nurse sharks, a wide range of tropical fish, corals, and sea plants all play their part in this incredible ecosystem, while sustainable, tightly managed fishing and tourism preserve it for future generations.

The Coral Gardens are one of Belize’s most popular snorkelling and diving spots, with rich, vivid colours year-round and a wide variety of sea life including turtles, sharks and rays. Things get a little bigger at Manatee Reef, where a free flow of nutrients lures its majestic namesake mammals to graze in the peaceful waters. Both sites sit at a reasonable depth for snorkelling, so it’s possible for visitors of all experience levels to enjoy them.

Want to test your nerves and swim with the big fish? Shark Ray Alley off of Caye Caulker is one of the country’s most thrilling aquatic experiences, as dozens of curious nurse sharks and rays go about their daily routine, unbothered by the odd cluster of humans braving the waters. They’re harmless, of course, but you can omit that part when you tell your friends you swam with sharks in Belize.
One of Belize’s most famous aquatic attractions is the Blue Hole. While this massive sinkhole off the coast beyond the Cayes is only suited to experienced divers (and a challenge even then), flying over the Blue Hole can be an unforgettable experience, taking in one of Belize’s true wonders from above.

What to Know About Visiting Belize

From mountainous rainforests to the soft sands of the Cayes, Belize has a little something for every traveller looking for a blend of all Central America has to offer. It’s also unique in the region as the only mainland country where English is the official language. Belize City is the primary air hub, with nonstop flights to a handful of American and Canadian cities, plus many additional seasonal services and connecting options. Once you get there, things are pretty compact, with Caracol, one of the more remote major attractions, located just under 3.5 hours’ drive from Belize City. In the west, San Ignacio makes an ideal base for visiting Caracol’s great historic rival, Tikal, located three hours’ drive away, including a border crossing. It’s an ideal base for visiting Caracol too—a two-hour drive—or even ATM, just over an hour away, should you wish to indulge your adventurous side.