6 Vacation Spots In Belize That Are Worth The Trip!

Belize is one of the most diverse countries in terms of adventure, fun, history, and culture. And, here are some of the best vacation spots in Belize.

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Top Six Best Vacation Spots in Belize

Despite its relatively small size, Belize overflows with amazing places to explore and incredible attractions.

It’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches, lush jungles, hundreds of islands, ancient archeological sites, great food and culture, coral reefs, and forest-covered mountains, just to name a few.

Simply put, Belize has everything for every type of vacationer. But, with so many amazing places and locations to choose from, deciding where to go for a vacation in Belize can be tricky. But, we’ve already done the heavy lifting for you. 

We’ve identified the top six best vacation spots in Belize. And, here they are.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is located on the edge of the Yucatan Peninsula, approximately 35 miles from Belize City. 

It’s the country’s biggest island and one of the most popular vacation spots in Belize. This island is flanked by the Caribbean Sea, with its stunning white-sand beaches and world-class resorts.

There are more than enough activities to engage in on this island and have a great time during your vacation.

If you love watersports, then you can choose from activities like windsurfing, kayaking, jet skiing, or parasailing. And of course, you also have the option of spending the entire day lounging and strolling on the beach.

Also, the Belize Barrier Reef system is nearby. It’s the second-largest barrier reef system in the world and it’s less than a mile from Ambergris Caye. 

Top attractions in the barrier reef include diving and snorkeling, where you will have close encounters with southern stingrays and nurse sharks. Fishing is also allowed here.

The Island’s main town is San Pedro, located on the eastern tip. Here, you will find most of the area’s bars and restaurants, hotels, shops, and other modern conveniences.

 Here, you can opt to rent a golf cart, which you can use to explore the entire island. Alternatively, you can participate in some of the events or festivals happening on the island.

There is a wide range of lodging options in San Pedro for different budgets. You can opt to sleep in hostels, five-star resorts, or in one of the hotels.

The best time to vacation in Ambergris Caye is between December and April.

Placencia

Placencia is a beach resort located on the southern end of the 16-mile sandy Placencia peninsula. 

Thousands of both local and international tourists come here to sunbathe on one of the most stunning beaches in the country, enjoy fresh seafood and participate in various water activities.

At Placencia, you can begin your vacation by exploring the fishing villages on the entire peninsula.

They include Placencia, Seine Bight, Maya Beach and Riversdale. You can explore them either north-to-south or south-to-north, depending on your preferences. While exploring these villages, make sure you also explore the top bars and restaurants along the coast.

If you feel like you’ve finished exploring everything that the Placencia peninsula has to offer, you can hop on a boat and head to the Southern Belize Reef. Popular activities here include snorkeling and diving. 

Fly fishing is also another activity for angling enthusiasts. Here, you can catch different species of fish like Permit, Bonefish and Tarpon.

Placencia is also conveniently and strategically located for mainland tours. For instance, you can use it as a jumping-off point for visits to the Bocawina National Park and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for hiking and wildlife viewing, Red Bank Village for fishing as well as Monkey River for boating and jungle hiking.

As for accommodation, you have several options to consider. For instance, you can decide to rent a room in town in one of the resorts and hotels. You can also stay at one of the nearby private islands if your budget allows it.

Also, there are several budget-friendly apartments and cabanas nearby.

Caye Caulker

Ambergris Caye has some of the most stunning islands in Belize. However, the beaches here tend to fill up quite fast, with summer vacationers from North America and Europe. 

f this happens to be the case during your visit and you still want to spend some time by the beach, then Caye Caulker offers a great alternative.

Located approximately 15 miles south of Ambergris Caye, this tropical bliss is popular with budget travelers, backpackers, and vacationers who prefer a quieter, laid-back atmosphere. 

Unlike Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker rarely gets crowded, even during the peak seasons. So, you are assured of having a great time, away from the crowds.

Caye Caulker offers activities like relaxing at the beach, exploring the island via a bike or golf cart, or going on a fishing tour with the locals. 

Other things to do in and around this island include snorkeling and diving in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, going on an exploration tour of the Great Blue Hole, or hiking and birding in the Caye Caulker Mini-Reserve.  

And if you just want to spend your day hanging out, then you should head over to an area known as the Split. 

As its name suggests, this area was created when Hurricane Hattie hit the island and split it into two, forming a small channel. This channel is currently a public beach. Its shallow, calm waters make it the ideal place for hanging out and cooling off.

There are plenty of street stalls and beach restaurants to take care of your dining needs. Lodging options here are designed for the budget traveler. So, if you are looking for luxury-type accommodation, then this is not the island for you.

 But for those who prefer a laid-back vacation, then Caye Caulker is the perfect place for them. It’s undoubtedly one of the best vacation spots in Belize.

San Ignacio

San Ignacio is set on the western side of Belize in Cayo District. In and around this place, you will get an opportunity to visit and explore various ancient Maya ruins, discover waterfalls, hike through forest-covered mountains, explore caves and get an opportunity to spot wildlife.

Once you land in San Ignacio, you can begin your vacation by exploring the ATM Caves. During this guided tour, you will hike through lush jungles, swim in springs, and discover beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

The trail will eventually lead you to an ancient Maya ceremonial site.

Other Maya sites to explore in this area include Caracol Ruins and Xunantunich Ruins. You can also explore Barton Creek, an underground cave system that runs for around a mile. 

If time allows, you should also check out the Green Iguana Conservation Project. Here, you will learn more about these unique creatures and even get the rare opportunity of touching them.

If you love hiking, then you should head over to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Some of the popular activities in this forest reserve include trekking, exploring waterfalls, swimming, cliff-jumping and simply soaking up the sun in one of the rivers.

You will also enjoy Belizean cuisines freshly prepared on the boats.

Hopkins

Hopkins is situated in the Stann Creek District, which is on the southern side of this country. 

Most people consider it the cultural capital of this Central American country, mainly due to the predominant Garifuna who call it home. 

This coastal town attracts thousands of visitors every year, who are looking to learn and know more about the local Garifuna culture.

Since its establishment around the 1940s, this village has grown considerably. Today, it has numerous upscale restaurants and resorts, night clubs, gift shops, world-class beach bars and several local eateries.

But, despite its considerable growth and western influencers, Hopkins has surprisingly managed to retain its culture and coastal charm. 

You will feel and experience Garifuna culture everywhere in this coastal village. Besides learning more about the Garifuna culture, you will also sample local Belizean food.

If you love watersports, then the Southern Barrier Reef is also nearby, where you can engage in snorkeling or diving. You can also go on a fishing tour with some of the local fishermen.  

And if you love jungle adventures, then Hopkins is also within a short distance from several nature reserves and national parks. 

Some of the notable nature reserves in this area include the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Mayflower Bocawina National Park, which offer plenty of wildlife-viewing and hiking opportunities.

Punta Gorda

Located on the country’s southern border, Punta Gorda has one of the densest jungles in Belize. Also, it has one of the highest concentrations of the Maya community.

Punta Gorda is one of the best vacation spots in Belize for those looking to spend their time away from the crowds.

Hiking is the main activity here, thanks to the numerous dense forests in the area. Also, there are a couple of lesser-known Maya ruins in the area, which you can explore during your hikes. 

They include Lubaantum, which is situated about 13 miles away, and Nim Li Punit sitting close to the Indian Creek village.

Furthermore, you can go on an eco-tourism tour, where you will be taken to village and farm visits, participate in crafts, learn cacao grinding and immerse yourself in the local culture and live the Mayan experience.

Other activities in Punta Gorda include swimming in the rivers found in the Rio Blanco National Park, trekking to the Hokeb Ha Cave, spending the day river-tubing and zip lining at Big Falls Extreme Adventures, kayaking along the Joe Taylor Creek or visiting rum distilleries.

Key Takeaways

• Belize has some of the best vacation spots in the world
• There are great vacation spots for nature lovers, sunbathers and history buffs
• The destination you choose will depend on your interests
• The best time to visit these vacation spots is during the dry season