Corals and cayes: 15 best things to do in Belize

Cradled between Mexico and Guatemala and lapped by the shimmering waters of the Caribbean Sea, Belize is one of Central America’s most captivating gems. Rich in natural diversity and profoundly multicultural, it’s a vibrant mosaic where emerald rainforests melt into sun-baked shores and where Creole, Garifuna, Maya, and Hispanic influences blend in a unique and rhythmic cultural tapestry. Whether you’re scuba diving the kaleidoscopic Blue Hole or drinking a cocktail on the sand, Belize is a country where any kind of traveller can find their paradise. Grab your sunhat and sense of adventure as we journey through our favourite things to do in awe-inspiring Belize.

Sip frozen cocktails in Caye Caulker

A small island just 8km (5 mi) long about 45 minutes from mainland Belize, Caye Caulker is a picture-perfect Caribbean hideout, where turquoise waters kiss the shore and fresh snapper sizzles on beachside grills. In this tropical dreamscape, golf carts have replaced cars, and even the dogs napping on the dirt roads seem to have taken the motto of "go slow" to heart. Indulge in a day of snorkelling and then head to the Split, a narrow channel dividing the developed south from dense mangrove to the north, and enjoy rum punch to the sound of soca music and waves.

Top tip: Book a flyover from Caye Caulker to see the great Blue Hole from above. The trip lasts about an hour and offers aerial views of the Belize Barrier Reef, Turneffe Atoll, and Lighthouse Reef Atoll, including the famous shipwrecked British cargo ship M/V Transfer.

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Witness jungle magic in San Ignacio

Nestled in the Cayo District and known for its lush rainforests and natural beauty, San Ignacio is a gateway for exploring the wildlife, Maya temples, and cave systems of western Belize. From here, venture to Cahal Pech (walkable from the town) or take a 20-minute ride to Xunantunich for stunning views above the canopy. If nature is your calling and you’re not easily spooked, don your headlamp and discover the jungle after dark with a guided night hike. Think cicadas, scorpions, tarantulas, and owls — a symphony of shadows and sound beneath the moonlight.

Top tip: Get a taste of local culture at the San Ignacio Market. From produce vendors and artisanal goods to street food prepared on charcoal stoves, it’s a great way to immerse yourself in Belize’s vibrant flavours and community spirit. Tuesdays and Saturdays are best.

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Step into living Maya traditions

While in the Cayo district, connect the past and present by pairing your visit to the archaeological sites of Xunantunich or Cahal Pech with an immersive cultural experience in San Antonio. Learn about traditional Maya cuisine at the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative and get a front-row seat to the enduring traditions, such as grinding maize with a metate. Try your hand at pottery and understand how this ancient craft served daily life in eras past and how its role has evolved. The cooperative is a vital pillar of the community, helping to empower women through tourism and safeguard the Maya way of life, including the preservation of languages like Yucatec and Q'eqchi'.

Experience it for yourself on: Belize Family Journey: Rainforests, Beaches & Ancient Caves

Gaze into Belize's Blue Hole

A striking natural phenomenon from the sea or above, the Belize Blue Hole is a legendary wonder. About 320m (1,040 ft) across and plunging to an intimidating 124m (400 ft) in depth, this surreal marine sinkhole surrounded by coral has captivated the attention of scuba divers and marine biologists since it came to prominence in 1971. Inside the inky blue lies a labyrinth of underwater caves, adorned with giant stalactites and teeming with sharks, rays, and other aquatic creatures.

Top tip: An advanced-level diving certification is required to scuba dive at the Blue Hole, but it’s also possible to snorkel around the rim or view it from the air.

Uncover Belize City’s past and present

While Belize City is often used as a jumping-off point for onward connections and adventures farther afield, travellers who choose to linger will find a microcosm of the country’s layered and complex identity. Remnants of its colonial past remain visible in the architecture, while the Museum of Belize, housed in a former prison, traces the nation’s journey from ancient Maya civilizations through slavery, colonization, and independence. In contrast to its island and jungle counterparts, the city reveals a rawer side of the country, and you should exercise caution in some areas, particularly after dark.

Top tip: Don’t leave Belize City before you’ve tried a national staple: rice and beans with stew chicken and plantain. Load it up with Marie Sharp’s hot sauce (¡pica mucho!) and wash it down with a local Lighthouse beer.

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Feel the rhythm in Hopkins, Belize

Often described as the cultural centre of the Garifuna Belize community, Hopkins is a small coastal village in the Stann Creek district that blends a slow, welcoming pace with a deep-rooted connection to ancestral heritage. Attend drumming and dancing displays, discover more about traditional cuisine, and learn to make hudut (coconut fish stew served with mashed plantains) in a local cooking class.

Top tip: Hopkins is a good base for experiencing Belize’s incredible wildlife, with fantastic bird-watching opportunities. Many hotels in the area rent out kayaks, so journey down the Sittee River to catch a glimpse of keel-billed toucans (Belize’s national bird), squirrel cuckoos, and pale-billed woodpeckers. Don’t forget your bug repellent and keep your hands out of the water — crocodiles may be lurking nearby.

Meet green iguanas

If you’re partial to scaly creatures or want to get a deeper understanding of one of Belize’s many conservation initiatives, this experience is for you. Operated by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, the Green Iguana Conservation Project aims to safeguard its namesake animal, an endangered species, by educating the public about its role in the wider ecosystem. Learn about the end-to-end conservation process from incubation to release, along with fascinating insights into the reptiles’ behaviour and eating habits.

Enter the underworld at ATM

Begin a journey into myth and mystery with a 45-minute trek through dense jungle in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve to reach a cave called Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). You will get soaked in the water crossings en route, and you can expect some light swimming and clambering once inside the cave, too. The Cave of the Stone Sepulchre was a sacred site to the Maya people of Belize, who believed it to be a gateway to Xibalba, the underworld and lair of the gods. As you squeeze through its winding chambers and plunge into its dark pits, take a moment to reflect on the artifacts you find within, which include sacrificial human remains.

Top tip: Bring sunscreen, water, a snack, and plenty of insect repellent. Even better, dress in long, light layers to cover your skin completely. Cameras are not allowed.

Experience it for yourself on: Mayan Adventure: Mexico, Belize & Guatemala

Savour island life on Ambergris Caye

Combine relaxation and adventure with a visit to Ambergris Caye, about 1.5 hours from the mainland by water taxi. Larger and more developed than Caye Caulker and offering easy access to diving, sailing, and snorkelling in the Belize Barrier Reef, it’s worth budgeting a few days of your itinerary to soak up the full experience of this dynamic Caribbean island. Head south to find San Pedro, a charming town with colourful buildings and beach bars serving up some of the best seafood in Belize, or venture to the far north and discover incredible wildlife and ancient Maya history in Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve.

Top tip: Plan your visit for early July to catch the opening of lobster season, marked by the week-long Lobsterfest, which is bookended by lively parties.

Journey deep into the Belize jungle

One of the things that makes Belize so compelling is the rich interplay of its people, cultures, and landscapes. Step beyond the cities and powder-sand islands and discover the stirring beauty of the protected Belize Maya Forest. Feel the thrill of zip lining high above the canopy or rappelling down a thundering waterfall. Get closer to Belize’s wildlife with a jungle trek, featuring the guttural roar of howler monkeys, the crimson flash of scarlet macaws and — if you’re lucky — tracks of the elusive tapir.

Interesting fact: Belize is home to five species of wild cats, from the distinctive pointed-faced jaguarundi to ocelots, margays, and pumas. The country is also a stronghold for jaguars, boasting one of the healthiest populations in all of Central America.

Snorkel the Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Enhance your visit to Ambergris Caye with a day of snorkeling in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Dive beneath the surface into a rainbow of tropical reef fish, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and sea turtles, or head to Shark Ray Alley for up-close encounters with nurse sharks and stingrays. Meaning "little channel" in Mayan, Hol Chan was established in 1987 as a protected marine area and offers one of the best ways to sustainably interact with the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the second-largest reef system in the world.

Top tip: About 80% of marine life is nocturnal, making a moonlight snorkelling tour one of the most thrilling ways to experience Belize’s underwater world. Take to the warm sea waters after dark to see garden eels, bioluminescent plankton, and octopuses emerging in the glow of your dive light.

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Explore the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest

Cool off from days of sightseeing with a visit to the secluded swimming holes and waterfalls of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Located in the highlands of San Ignacio, the area features pine-covered hills and valleys that can feel somewhat out of place given their proximity to Belize’s tropical rainforest. The protected reserve also serves as a corridor for jaguars and ocelots, making it a hot spot for conservation research, while activities like horseback riding and hiking serve as a magnet for nature lovers.

Top tip: Keep your fingers crossed for the chance to see the rare orange-breasted falcon. This stunning creature is spottable in few places in the world, but one is Mountain Pine Ridge.

Swim beneath Big Rock Falls

If you visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, don’t leave without enjoying a splash at the Big Rock Falls. A 45m (150 ft) waterfall that feeds a series of swimming holes, this serene spot is the perfect place for a picnic with a view or a post-hike plunge. Surrounded by granite boulders and pine forest, it’s a peaceful complement to the country’s high-adrenaline activities like zip lining or swimming with sharks, and a must for nature lovers looking to unplug.

Top tip: Bring water shoes because the rocks can be slippery, and you might want to explore the many shallow pools.

Ascend the steps of Xunantunich

Perched on a ridge above Mopan River about 128km (80 mi) from Belize City, this enigmatic site is one of the country’s most majestic Maya complexes. Start the adventure by traversing the river via hand-cranked ferry and explore the site’s ancient wonders. The real fun starts when you climb the main structure, El Castillo, which rises above the tree canopy to offer panoramic views across Belize and into Guatemala.

Top tip: Carry local currency when you visit. The ferry is free, but tips are appreciated.

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Discover hidden trails in Cockscomb Basin

A must for aficionados of the great outdoors, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Belize’s largest protected natural areas. Although sightings these days are somewhat rare, the sanctuary is home to 40 or 50 jaguars, and the lush environment is a paradise for hikers craving a connection to untouched wilderness. Grab your binoculars and sturdy shoes and turn your eyes to the trees to spot monkeys, iguanas, wild cats, and some 300 species of birds.