If you’re planning your first trip to Belize it can be hard to decide what to do, given there are so many choices. Here’s a list of the top 10 activities to consider when planning your trip:
1. Visit a Maya Ruin
Remnants of the amazing Maya civilization have been found throughout Belize. After all, Belize was the center of the Mundo Maya. It’s a special treat to explore one of the unique ruins and step back in time. In the Cayo you have a choice of touring Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, or Caracol. If in Corozal, check out Santa Rita or Cerros. Even if you stay on Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker you can take a boat trip and tour of Lamanai or Altun Ha.
2. Experience the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
You haven’t truly experienced Belize until you see the aquamarine sea surrounding the cayes, and the stunning offshore barrier reef. Not a swimmer? You don’t need to get into the sea to appreciate the reef’s beauty. Just hop a local flight to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. Or take a water taxi to one of the cayes. You’ll be hypnotized by the color and clarity of the Caribbean Sea beneath you, and the waves breaking on the barrier reef, east of the cayes.
3. Enjoy one of Belize’s Best Beaches
Placencia’s famous for its 17 miles of golden-sand beaches, perfect for lazy hours of sunning, swimming, and strolling… But you’ll find appealing beaches in other areas of Belize, as well. Hopkins, similar to Placencia, has a long, attractive stretch of public beach. The developed cayes have their own, smaller popular beaches, some being off the beaten track. If you escape to a small, remote island you can find a truly peaceful, magnificent beach, such as the half-moon beach on Hunting Caye, in the Sapodillas.
4. Immerse Yourself in the Breathtaking Caribbean Sea
If you’re a swimmer, snorkeler, boater, or angler, you’ll want to jump into the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. Hol Chan Marine Preserve, on the south side of Ambergris Caye, is the perfect place to snorkel or dive. You’ll get up close and personal with Belize’s delightful sea creatures. But you can swim, snorkel, fish, kayak, sail, paddleboard, boat, or kite surf along much of Belize’s coastline. You’ll be amazed at how warm and clear the Caribbean Sea can be…
5. Don’t Miss the World’s Best Little Zoo
Only 45 minutes from Belize City by car, this well-designed zoo is the easiest way to meet the indigenous creatures of Belize. It takes but a few hours to view Belize’s quirky creatures in their natural environment. To see the elusive jaguars and other shy creatures up close, come early or late in the day, at mealtimes.
6. Learn About Belize’s Diverse Cultures
Belize is a rich tapestry of cultures, customs, and races. They include the Maya, Kriol, Garinagu, Mestizos, Lebanese, Mennonites, East Indians, and Chinese. You can learn about their cultures, and how they live, through a variety of programs. Visiting Hopkins? Take a Garifuna drumming class… If you’re staying in Placencia, Hopkins, or Punta Gorda, you can participate in the Maya home stay program, learning about the Maya culture and history. If in the Cayo, or northern Belize, visit one of the Mennonite towns.
7. Take a Boat Trip
This is another splendid way to enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. You only need to decide between a water taxi, catamaran, sailboat, or motorboat trip. Or just jump into a kayak and paddle around. The sea’s shimmering, nuanced shades of aquamarine are utterly calming when viewed this way. And the water’s temperature is perfect; you’ll want to jump in and cool off.
8. Try Some Unusual Local Food
Most tourists try typical Belizean fair–stewed chicken, rice and beans, ceviche, and lobster dishes. Why not try something more unusual, like stewed gibnut…a boil up…or hudut, the Garifuna’s traditional coconut fish stew? Add a splash of Marie Sharp’s, or Hot Mama’s veggie-based hot sauce for an extra kick. But be sure to indulge in Belize’s artisan chocolates. Kakaw/Chocolate Factory, Moho’s, and Cotton Tree all produce high quality chocolate, made from Belizean cacao beans. Look for them in Belizean gift shops and specialty stores.
9. Explore a Maya Cave
Belize is a spelunker’s heaven. Anxious about delving into a dark, dank cave? No worries. Belize offers exceptional, safe cave adventures for all levels of visitors. A trained tour guide will accompany you. Barton’s Cave, in the Cayo, is a popular canoe cave tour. Or try a Caves Branch tour. You’ll float—in an inner tube—through a cave, while passing through the Maya underworld. For the truly adventurous, and fit, there’s the unforgettable ATM cave tour.
10. Take a Waterfall, River or Jungle Tour
Whether you visit the Cayo, Stann Creek, or Toledo regions, Belize’s jungles, rivers, and waterfalls are spectacular, with many options to choose from. You can join one of the trips to the Rio Frio or Blue Creek waterfalls and caves… canoe down the Mopan River…ride a horse through the jungle…take an early morning bird tour…visit a butterfly farm…or zip line through the jungle canopy. It’s a perfect chance to appreciate nature at its best.
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IL Belize Correspondent | Laura Diffendal
Laura Diffendal moved to Placencia, Belize in early 2014 to build a boutique hotel on the beach, and has recently opened a second hotel in Ambergris Caye, As such, Laura is a particularly good resource in terms of getting information and insight’s on starting and running a business in Belize.
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