The Best Things to Do in Belize

Most people think of Mayan ruins with destinations such as the Yucatan in Mexico (home to Chichen Itza) or even Guatemala, where the iconic Tikal ruins are found. However, the ancient Mayan civilization flourished across what is now known as Belize for centuries, and many of the ruins remain.

Significant sites include Caracol, a 25,000-acre ancient city in the Cayo District that once had over 100,000 residents, and Xunantunich (pictured), a ceremonial city built during the later years of the Mayan civilization. Getting to the latter still requires a river crossing on a hand-crank-operated ferry.

Belize's Great Blue Hole is one of the nation's most iconic landmarks and a premier destination for divers worldwide. This natural marine sinkhole spans approximately 1,000 feet in diameter and plunges 400 feet deep. Its dark, navy-blue center starkly contrasts with the surrounding aquamarine waters and sandy beaches, creating a striking visual that can be observed from space.

Widely regarded as the most prominent natural feature of its kind, the Great Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This challenging dive spot requires an Open Water diving certification—so if you’re a novice, it’s best to stick to exploring this natural wonder via snorkeling or a helicopter tour.

Belize is home to the Western Hemisphere's largest reef system, a 185-mile span of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef located just off its coast. Here, you'll find everything from manatees to sea turtles, along with sharks, rays, and a huge variety of brightly colored fish. Snorkelers won't want to miss the protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve just off the coast of Ambergris Caye and the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, where visitors may even spot a whale shark. Adventurous (and experienced) divers should look into exploring the gargantuan Giant Cave under Caye Caulker, which many speculate might be the largest sea cave on the planet.

Seafood lovers will not go hungry in Belize. There's no shortage of seafront restaurants serving the day's fresh catch from the country's coastline and cayes. As Belize is a culturally diverse country with large populations of Mayan, Mestizo, Creole, and Garifuna people, you'll also find a vast array of culinary offerings.

Start your day with a breakfast of refried black beans (often pureed to silkiness and cooked with tasty coconut oil), served with Belize's beloved fry jacks (deep-fried wheat-based dough with a consistency similar to beignets). Creole favorites include stew chicken (the national dish), often accompanied by rice and beans popular throughout Central America. Other tasty options include cassava dumplings, fish soup, and barbecue seafood. And if you need a little extra heat to your meal, just add a few drops of the ubiquitous Marie Sharp's hot sauce, a delicious carrot-based sauce flavored with habaneros.

Finally, if you just want to take it easy, Belize has you covered. No matter where you are along the country's coastline, you're sure to find a stunning patch of sand. In fact, many travelers devote their trips to the sea and sun, particularly those vacationing in offshore hot spots like Ambergris Caye (a quick puddle-jump flight from Belize City) and the increasingly popular Caye Caulker nearby. Your best bets on the mainland are the white-sand beaches along the Placencia Peninsula, which juts out between a lagoon and the Caribbean Sea.