5 Can’t Miss Things To Do In Belize

Belize is a stunning and diverse little country on the Caribbean coast of Central America. Originally a British Colony; English is commonly spoken and the country still falls under British law.  Weather you are searching for beaches, waterfalls, caving or Mayan Ruins; Belize is the place for you! Keep reading for our favorite things to do in Belize.

See The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a gigantic marine sinkhole that has become the trademark of the country. Located near the center of an offshore reef; this is the number one thing to do in Belize. If you`d like to see The Great Blue Hole from above; you can take a helicopter or small plane tour from multiple different locations. We would highly recommend doing it this way if you want to have a view of the entire sinkhole.

A more adventurous option is to scuba dive inside the Great Blue Hole. There are pros and cons to both options; but ultimately we decided against the diving because its actually more expensive, its really far (it takes a minimum of 2 hours to get there by boat) and you won`t get that spectacular view only attainable from the sky. We booked through Tsunami Adventures in Caye Caulker who offer both options, competitive prices and good customer service.

Marvel at Mayan Ruins

There are several Mayan Ruin sites spread throughout Belize. Although Caracol and Xunantunich are probably the most common; you have multiple options based on where you are leaving from and how long you would like to be on the road. Xunantunich is not far off the main highway in Belize making it a common stop for travelers. Although it`s a smaller sight it is unbelievably beautiful!

Caracol is the largest site in Belize and my personal favorite in all of Central America (yes.. even over Tikal!) The reason for that is because it is far less developed. We chose to drive ourselves in on the 2 hour dirt road full of potholes. We got there around 10 am which was before the tours arrived and there was literally no one else there! It was so amazing to be able to explore this marvelous archaeological site without the crowds.

Snorkel In Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley is an area in the nature reserve where you are guaranteed to see nurse sharks, different kinds of rays, and usually sea turtles! It is accessible from many different locations with Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye being the most common. This was honestly one of the highlights of our entire trip to Belize; you don`t want to miss it!

So how can you be guaranteed to see this sort of wildlife? This area use to be a common place for fisherman to clean out the catch of the day before bringing them in to sell. The marine life got use to this food source and continue to live there to this day.

Explore Giant Underground Caves

Belize is famous for its massive underground cave systems. There are so many different experiences you can have from rappelling into them to exploring ancient remains. Ian Anderson`s Caves Branch offers cave tubing, climbing waterfalls in a cave system and even an overnight cave stay.

The ATM cave is one of the most popular caves to explore in Belize. It contains skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware left by the Mayan People. The cave is several kilometers long and throughout the tour you will spend a few hours exploring different chambers and swimming around. The average price of a tour is around $125 USD per person; click here for more information!

Go Hiking At Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Also known as the Jaguar Preserve; Cockscomb Basin is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Belize.There are over than 30 kilometers of maintained hiking trails of varying length and difficulty. Entrance is $5 USD per person and the park is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily.

We chose to hike Tiger Fern Trail which is moderately challenging and took about 3 hours to complete. It leads you to an excellent viewpoint and ends at a gorgeous and secluded double waterfall with a swimming hole! We lucked out and had this little piece of paradise all to ourselves..it was surreal! For more information on other trails, climbing Victoria Peak, camping and more check out this awesome blog post!

 

https://www.madetotravel.ca/things-to-do-in-belize/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=642936046_25040570_114910

 

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Destination Belize on YouTube

Want to learn more about Belize? Visit Destination Belize YouTube page to see great videos of our beautiful country, people and adventures.

#destinationbelize
#belize
#belizeawaits

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

Latinos try Belizean food for the first time.

 

U.S. Embassy Belize

A video message to U.S. citizens and Belizeans from U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges.

NOTICE TO BELIZE TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS

NOTICE TO TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS

COVID-19 Update

Thursday, March 19, 2020

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) assures our partners and tourism stakeholders that we remain vigilant in monitoring the situation in order to provide the most up-to-date information available:

Status of COVID-19 in Belize:

As of today, Thursday, March 19th, 2020, Belize’s Ministry of Health (MOH) indicates that there are NO confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Belize.

Ports of entry:

The Philip Goldson International Airport and the Santa Elena Border (Northern Border with Mexico) remain open. Belize’s Western Border with Guatemala will be closed for 15 days effective immediately, as are all other small ports of entry.  The border closure does not apply to our seaports; these remain open for cargo traffic.

Flight Update 

 

United Airlines

 

Effective April 1st, 2020, United has announced that there will only be one daily afternoon flight from Houston.

Avianca

Effective immediately, Avianca has suspended its operations to Belize at the direction of the Salvadoran government for fifteen (15) days in the first instance.

WestJet

Effective, Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 at 11:59pm, WestJet will be suspending flights to the US, Europe, Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America including Belize, for a period of 30 days in the first instance.

Air Canada

Air Canada will be temporarily suspending service from Toronto to Belize City from March 31st – April 30th, 2020.

Cruise Operations

 

All cruise lines have paused operations for 30 days with immediate effect.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

1.  In accordance with the MOH best practices, we encourage stakeholders to continue promoting good hygiene practices.

2. Stakeholders are also encouraged to adopt the recommendations announced by the Prime Minister in his Press Conference on Monday, May 16th:

a. Wash hands frequently

b. Make hand sanitizers available to staff and guests, and institute more frequent sanitizing of public spaces at your property

c. Practice social distancing – gatherings of more than 100 persons is highly discouraged

3. BTB encourages all hotels to waive or be flexible on cancellation and change fees. Offering incentives such as a free night or other special packages can be helpful to travelers in these difficult times.

4. If all efforts fail and the traveler demands a refund, we encourage you to consider it and facilitate it.  The destination’s image and the way we assist travelers during this time will be important in how well we rebound when normalcy returns.

5. Visit the Belize Tourism Board website for important updates from the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Health here.  You will also find COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which we will be updating regularly as the situation is constantly changing.  We are updating our Travelbelize.org with FAQs for travelers as well. Please feel free to direct travelers to the site or download the information for your guests here.

Yours in Tourism,

Belize Tourism Board

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/NOTICE-TO-TOURISM-STAKEHOLDERS-COVID-19-Update.html?soid=1105674443419&aid=IKd9pOnks60&fbclid=IwAR3LC9Oc_hhlh-63FyN3JYcNbYk6wrFYUmdV-YKXVAMD6QS3jHtZ-fUpXDY

http://www.destinationbelize.com

Belize: One Week, 7 Must-Dos

Tucked just below the Yucatan Peninsula is the stunning jewel of Belize. With rainforests teaming with birds, striking ancient Mayan ruins and the world’s second-longest barrier reef, Belize boasts a dizzying array of activities and sites that could keep one busy for a year. If you are like most, however, you will only have seven vacation days. Here’s a list of must-do activities for that one week in Belize.

1. Dive or Snorkel the Barrier Reef!

At 185 miles long, the Belize Barrier Reef is the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere. Off Belize’s southern coast is the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, the largest marine reserve in the country where you can spot fevers of eagle rays and schools of Creole wrasse.   Just beyond the barrier reef lie 3 of the Caribbean’s 4 atolls.

Snorkeling the Southern Barrier Reef

Glover’s Reef Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of staghorn coral and swim-throughs, as well critical grouper spawning grounds. Made famous by Jaques Cousteau is the Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef Atoll. This trip typically involves a commitment of a 2-3 hour boat ride to see the collapsed cave that is 1000 feet across and 400 feet deep surrounded by a ring of coral. Regardless of where you go, be sure that you choose a reputable dive and snorkel facility.

2. Explore a Cave!

Spotting formations while cave tubing

With its limestone substructure, Belize is ideal for spelunking. Here it’s the real deal. The only lights in these subterranean mazes are the ones on your helmets.   Guides lead you past massive stalactites, stalagmites and crystalized flow formations. Caves were sacred ceremonial sites for the ancient Maya, who believed they were the entrance to “Xibalba” the Mayan underworld. To this day pottery chards and skeletal remains are found in many of Belize’s cave systems. Check out St. Herman’s Cave along the Hummingbird Highway or the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, a.k.a. Crystal Maiden Cave, in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. For the more adventurous, try cave tubing! Imagine floating down an underground river in the comfort of your own inner tube – with only your headlamp lighting the way.

3. Try Birding!

Juvenile Chachalaca

Never been a birder? After a trip to Belize, you will be! Belize is home to 600+ species of birdsranging from the colorful national bird, the keel-billed toucan, to statuesque jabiru storks to raucous parrots. Along the coasts and cayes you’ll find sand pipers darting in the tides, pelicans scooping up fish and boobie and frigate colonies clinging to mangroves. In the coastal savannahs are a variety of wading birds including roseate spoonbills, wood storks and tiger herons. In the dense mountainous rainforests are red-capped manakins, jacamars, blue-gray tanagers and more. Belize is the type of place where you become a birder, and if you already are one, it’s the place where you’ll add many new birds to your life list!

4. Go back in time with spectacular Mayan Ruins!

El Castillo at Xunantunich

For two millennia Belize was at the heart of the ancient Maya world. Throughout the country are hundreds of Mayan sites, some well excavated, some swallowed by the jungle. Every visit to Belize should include visiting at least one ancient Mayan ruin!

Near the western border is Xunantunich, whose main pyramid has impressive hieroglyph friezes and views for miles over the Maya lowland. Deep in the Maya mountains is Caracol, the sprawling city-state that once defeated Tikal.

Mayan hieroglyphs on pyramid

In the south are several important sites, including Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun. Walk amongst ancient Mayan temples and feel yourself transported to a long lost civilization.

 

5. Swim in a Jungle Waterfall!

Swimming at Antelope Falls

No trip to paradise can be complete without a refreshing plunge in a rainforest waterfall pool! When that paradise is Belize, the only question is which waterfall you’ll choose! At the world’s only jaguar preserve, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, there are several waterfalls you can hike to.

In Mayflower National Park a steep climb to Antelope Falls is rewarded with a well-deserved swim in a pool above the main falls AND a fabulous lookout to the Caribbean Sea on the way down. Elsewhere in Belize, there is no shortage of secluded waterfalls to discover – don’t leave without taking a dip!

6. Zipline Through the Rainforest Canopy!

Ziplining at Bocawina

A rush like no other!   Try ziplining through the rainforest canopy past towering trees and curious birds, often with the roar of howler monkeys in the background. With extremely safe equipment and experienced guides, almost all ages are able to experience this thrill.

7. Hang with the Locals!

One of the great things about Belize is it is a cultural mixing bowl. Here you can make chocolate with Mayas and in Garifuna communities like Hopkins, catch the beat at a local drumming center.   The cuisine combines elements of these cultures, along with Creole, Mestizo, East Indian and even Chinese. And if you see a horse and buggy on the road, you’ve likely encountered a Mennonite. The best part is that English is the official language of Belize and the locals are very friendly. So, grab a Belikin beer and make some new friends.

 

 

 

 

With only one week, you’ll be busy with the activities above. If you have some extra time, there are a few more adventures you might squeeze in:

• Stargazing! With little light pollution in Belize, the Milky Way is yours.   If you look carefully, you can even see the Southern Cross constellation, not visible in most Northern Hemisphere skies.
• Jungle horseback riding with Outback Trails through citrus orchards and into the jungle.
• Spotting howler monkeys on a Monkey River Tour.
• Taking a Garifuna or Mayan cooking class.

 

Whatever you do on your trip to Belize, be sure to spend some time swaying in a hammock on the beach. And then come back for more!

https://www.hamanasi.com/belize/belize-one-week-7-must-dos/

http://www.destinationbelize.com

8 reasons Belize should be on your radar

From the verdant jungles to the I-can’t-believe-these blues of the coast, Belize is a small Central American nation that packs a punch for those looking for an affordable paradise. We’ve compiled a list of reasons why you need to drop everything right now and book a trip.

A plane flies over Goff’s Caye Island in Belize © Slow Images / Getty Images

It’s affordable and easier to get to than ever before

Thanks to new flight routes through Dallas and Houston, there are now 8 U.S. cities that fly direct into Belize’s Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE); most flying into Belize from outside the U.S. will still need to connect through one of the eight cities, such as Atlanta, Newark, or Los Angeles. There are also flights on Avianca, Copa and TACA that originate from a select few cities in Central America.

Once on the ground in Belize, it’s a quick, inexpensive flight on one of the local airlines to your preferred destination. Internal flights run often — but on island time – so be prepared and adaptable and make sure you leave plenty of time for your connections. When you arrive, you’ll be able to use US dollars at a rate of two Belize dollars to one US; stores and restaurants are usually pretty lax about giving you back American money if you’re on your way out of the country, saving a stop at a currency exchange.

It’s about as untouched as a place can be these days

Belize might be best known as a place where ex-pats from the US and Canada go to live out their retirement, but as you fly over the lush landscape on your way in, you’ll be captivated by the serene skyline and begin to understand why. There are no chains of any kind, save for one hotel in Belize City, and it’s incredibly easy to slip into the slow ways of this melting pot nation. Small towns and pockets of activity will make you feel like you’re the only person to ever have stumbled upon them, with most businesses, such as the Omar’s Creole Grub in Placencia and the high-class resort Hamanasi in Hopkins, run locally.

It’s incredibly culturally diverse

Mennonites mingle among Maya descendants, and Spanish can be heard mixing together with Kriol (Belizean Creole) and the native language of Garifuna. The country was settled by the British in the mid-1800s and was called British Honduras until the middle of the 20^th century, and today you’ll see a few leftovers of colonial rule – English is the official language, and the country is home to a large Protestant population; you can get a good grasp of what the local culture is like by visiting the Lebeha Drumming Center for a traditional dancing and drumming session.

A Mennonite farmer sells produce to a restaurant owner in Sarteneja, Belize © Margie Politzer / Getty Images

It’s an outdoor junkie’s paradise

Move over, Costa Rica, because Belizeans also practice pura vida, though it’s not the national slogan. (Unofficially, you might hear ‘You better Belize it!’ more than once.) You can rappel through the jungle, go caving through the largest cave system in Central America, and spot toucans in the canopy. Many activities can be arranged through your accommodations; take flight on Belize’s longest zipline with Bocawina Rainforest Resort (bocawina.com) or head out for some birdwatching with Ramon’s in San Pedro (ramons.com).

It has some of the best marine life in the world

Divers and snorkelers should be ready to gear up, because this is one of the most revered spots on earth for marine life. Serious divers will want to hit up sites such as the Great Blue Hole, best done in conjunction with professionals from a place like the Belize Pro Dive Center. Those who prefer to skim the surface and snorkel instead will be hard-pressed to find a better spot to see fan coral, parrotfish and horse-eyed jacks than at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, off the coast of Ambergis Caye. An outfitter like Seaduced by Belize can offer a full or half day of catamaran sailing, a guided, in-water tour of Hol Chan’s reef and a thrilling time at Shark Ray Alley, where both bull sharks and sting rays can be spotted.

There’s something for history buffs, too

Belize boasts the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America, and they run the gamut from the easily accessible Altun Ha, the closest to Belize City, to more remote structures such as Nim Li Punit in the south and Lamanai to the north. The most well-known and largest of the ruins in Belize is Caracol, a 55 square-mile city that was once one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world. The tallest pyramid within Caracol is Caana, which, at about 140 feet, is still the tallest man-made building in Belize.

Visitors climb to the top of the Maya ruins in Lamanai, Belize © Patrick J Endres – AlaskaPhotoGraphics / Getty Images

There’s an up-and-coming culinary scene

Those arriving with low expectations regarding Belizean food might be stunned by the complexity of dishes at establishments such as Victoria House in San Pedro and Limilita, a pop-up restaurant at Itz’ana (itzanabelize.com), a luxury resort opening at the end of this year. The success of both of these restaurants is in part to chef Mara Jernigan, who moved from Vancouver several years ago to help train local chefs to use native ingredients in new and inventive ways, resulting in dishes such as cucumber and watermelon granite with wild Belize shrimp and oven-roasted Cayo chicken leg. Belizean staples like fry jacks and conch are readily available as well, the latter grilled to perfection at Maya Beach Bistro (mayabeachhotel.com) in Placencia and served with a leek flan.

For those looking for more traditional meals, try Omar’s Creole Grub in Placencia, where simple dishes such as eggs and fry jacks or coconut shrimp curry are on offer. Estel’s Dine by the Sea in San Pedro on Ambergis Caye in another local favorite, serving up tasty dishes such as breakfast burritos and Mayan eggs with fry jacks and beans; you’ll be overwhelmed at the extensive chalkboard menu, but rest assured it’s all fresh and hearty.

People sit on the small beach outside the Lazy Lizard bar © Alex Robinson / Getty Images

It’s a great place to do literally nothing

If you find yourself in Caye Caulker like many visitors do, you will be rewarded with an edict to ‘go slow’ and do nothing. Hang under a palm tree, kayak around the tie-dye blue waters, drink rum punch or wander one of the three streets on this car-less island. Genial Rastafarians might chase you down, asking if you want to buy some of their wares, but that’ll be the most stressful thing that happens to you all day here. If an escape to paradise is what you are after, then hightail it to Caye Caulker now.

Lauren Finney traveled to Belize with support from the Belize Tourism Board (travelbelize.org). Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage. 

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Top 3: Los hoteles más románticos de Centroamérica

Verdaderos templos del amor y romanticismo, así son estos hoteles reconocidos con los Traveller’s Choice de TripAdvisor.

Foto: Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux

Centroamérica alberga algunos de los recintos más románticos del mundo. En la pasada edición de los Traveller’s Choice de TripAdvisor, en la categoría de ‘hoteles para el romance’, tres hoteles destacaron dentro de la lista de los 25 de los más románticos en el mundo.

Estos hoteles se han convertido en los preferidos de los viajeros que ven en sus instalaciones el escenario perfecto para los enamorados. Sus paradisíacos destinos los hacen destacar como los nichos de amor que muchas parejas buscan.

Quienes se hospeden en alguno de ellos encontrarán la privacidad y romanticismo; sus instalaciones, así como sus amenidades, están diseñadas para enamorar a cualquiera. A continuación te mostramos los tres hoteles que tienes que visitar en estos países de Centroamérica para vivir el amor en su máxima expresión.

1. Coco Plum Island Resort – Belize 

Los atributos que le otorga su peculiar ubicación en una isla de Belice lo hacen el sitio ideal para las parejas que buscan un destino único para su luna de miel, o por qué no, para sellar su compromiso en una boda rodeados del paraíso que es Belice.

El resort todo incluido ofrece 18 coloridas cabañas privadas e independientes donde los huéspedes tendrán a unos pasos las playas de ensueño del mar Caribe. Este hotel ocupa el puesto número dos de los veinticinco seleccionados de TripAdvisor alrededor del mundo.

2. Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux – Costa Rica 

El lujoso hotel para adultos se encuentra en el país centroamericano de la ‘pura vida’, Costa Rica. Su excepcional ubicación tiene a su alcance los más impresionantes paisajes de la selva tropical costarricense a sólo unos kilómetros, entre la cascada de La Fortuna y el volcán Arenal, dos espectáculos naturales imperdibles.

Este recinto proporcionará amenidades pensadas para el descanso de la pareja, pero también brindará la oportunidad de descubrir la naturaleza desde una perspectiva aventurera. Deja que el verde de la selva sea tu confidente amoroso dentro de las instalaciones de este hotel que tiene el puesto número nueve de la lista.

3. La Fortuna at Atitlan – Guatemala 

Por último, pero no menos importante, se encuentra este hotel ubicado en Guatemala, a un costado del lago Atitlán. Cinco bungalows de madera noble, bambú y techos de paja podrán ser el refugio del amor para los huéspedes. La exuberante jungla y jardines que lo rodean fungen como atractivos naturales que tendrán al alcance sus visitantes.

La Fortuna está diseñado para, además de ser un escaparate romántico, ser un hotel ecológico, por ello utiliza energía solar para su abastecimiento, mientras que cada bungalow está construido con materiales sostenibles. Este hotel tiene el puesto 15 dentro de la lista.

https://forbescentroamerica.com/2020/02/01/top-3-los-hoteles-mas-romanticos-de-centroamerica/?fbclid=IwAR19pp25bJIiPRf_sQzafa1TkL9TgzbRXA9JYT7W0HEprBOxgK8vz7PaHSg

http://www.destinationbelize.com

Destination Belize Beyond The Pages

CHAA CREEK – A PIONEER IN ADVENTURE TRAVEL TO BELIZE SINCE 1981 http://www.chaacreek.com

Wondering where to stay in Belize? Grand Caribe Belize truly has a place for everyone. From spacious Caribbean-themed, kid-friendly resort condos, to luxurious beachfront walkouts or our cozy studios, you’ll find the perfect place to stay—all with outstanding beach and pool access. https://www.grandcaribebelize.com

 

http://www.destinationbelize.com

 

 

See More at www.destinationbelize.com

FIND OUR ROOTS FEEL (Y) OUR RHYTHMS

Bileez! It’s a name that remained shrouded in mystery for centuries, its etymology only recently confirmed to be of Maya origin. And as you begin exploring and making your way around “The Jewel”—as Belizeans call their home–you will quickly realize that this small country in the heart of Central America is, indeed, one big, colorful collage of origins.  

Belize is roots. And Belize is rhythms.  

It’s a small place overflowing with ancient customs, indigenous tongues, and traditions passed on from generation to generation. It’s a nation whose people are intent on preserving their ancestry, and fiery in protecting their pristine environment against the vices of the modern world. It’s a haven for diversity—a land that has welcomed settlers and migrant populations across the centuries, with seven major cultural groups enriching every corner of the country.    

In Belize, roots are 

The two thousand year old Maya temples you’ll climb  

The incomparable living Barrier Reef, where hundreds of critters await 

The caves and crevices where sacrificial relics lie   

The idyllic cayes, where fishing and flip-flops are a way of life 

The medicinal plants, and the furry kinkajous on your rainforest walks  

The riverside Kriol communities, and the mangrove cathedrals hugging your boat 

The vast reserves and jungle hikes, where you’ll conquer your fears  

The sizzling tacos, and steamy johnnycakes that fill your belly on the road 

The Mestizo fiestas, and the thatched-roof villages where time seems to have stopped 

That sweet Belizean rum, and the spicy micheladas curing your hangovers. 

 As you discover more roots on your journey across the Jewel, you’ll fall into a world of vibrant sounds. 

In Belize, rhythms are 

The drumbeats of the Garifuna, and the swing of their punta 

The beat of the steel pan, and the thump of the sambai 

The song of scarlet macaws, and the croaks of the keel billed toucan 

The melodic sounds of Kriol, Qeq’chi, and Chinese 

The ring of the Maya marimba, and the nostalgic blues of paranda 

The chilling roar of howler monkeys, and the gush of 1,000-feet waterfalls 

The stealth prowl of jaguars in the night, and the squeal of manatees underwater 

The mystical deer dances, and the shamans of yesteryear  

 The cheer of marching bands, and the joyful spirit of September carnivals 

The stories shared over Sunday dinner, and that sweet, slow Caribbean pace. 

 Wherever you end up in the Jewel, find di roots, and you’ll feel di rhythms—ours, and yours.  

 

That’s the real meaning of Bileez!