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11 Incredible and Unique Things to do in Belize

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Belize is a tiny country that borders both Mexico and Guatemala, located on the Caribbean Sea. It’s also the only English speaking country in Central America. Belize is a country I hadn’t heard a lot about before visiting, but after exploring almost the entire country I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely worth a visit! There is so much to do and see and you can easily rent a car and drive around the whole country. Ready to find out what exactly to do on your trip? Keep reading for 11 incredible things to do in Belize! 

11 Incredible Things to do in Belize

Explore the Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

About an hour outside of Belize City you’ll find the incredible Altun Ha Mayan Ruins. This ancient Mayan city, which was inhabited between 250 BC to AD 1000,  is absolutely worth visiting for a variety of reasons. 

First, the ruins are very well preserved. You’ll be able to see former residential sites, temples, ceremony sites and more. You can even climb several of the pyramids, enjoying epic views over the archaeological site from above. 

What I loved most about Altun Ha is that, when we visited, no one was there. We were the only tour group. Our tour guide shared that it’s usually not busy and that makes it all the more incredible. 

You can drive to Altun Ha on your own and pay 20 Belize (10 USD) to enter, but I definitely recommend going on a guided tour so that you can learn more about this historic site and Mayan life in Belize. 

Without a tour guide, I wouldn’t have gained an understanding of what life was like in Altun Ha during its peak, nor would I have known what the different structures were. 

Often, you can find a tour guide right when you get to Altun Ha. So, if you want to drive there yourself and still get a guide, this is an option, too! 

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins, Belize.
Exploring Altun Ha Mayan Ruins Belize.
Exploring Altun Ha

Guided Tours of Altun Ha

Note on Belize City

I’m never one to “skip” a major city. While Belize City isn’t the capital of Belize (Belmopan is), Belize City is where the airport is. However, in the case of Belize City, I don’t recommend spending much time there. There really isn’t much to do or see, besides touring Altun Ha and taking the ferry to the islands. 

In order to visit Altun Ha, spend one day/night in Belize City when you fly in, see Altun Ha the next morning and then hop on a ferry and head to Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye. There is much more to do and see there (plus the beach!)

Belize City Tours 

Depending on what time your flight arrives, you may have time for a Belize City tour that day. If you have time, I recommend doing this so you can at least say you saw Belize City. However, if you prefer to hangout at your hotel pool, I think that’s a fantastic option as well. 

Great Hotels in Belize City

Belize sign in Belize City.
Belize sign in Belize City

Spend a Couple Days in San Pedro or Caye Caulker

San Pedro is a town on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island. You may also have heard of another popular, but smaller, island, Caye Caulker, which is close by. 

Visiting Ambergris Caye, basing yourself in San Pedro, and spending a few days exploring is an essential part of any Belize itinerary!

San Pedro has great hotels, wonderful restaurants, beautiful beaches and is a fantastic place to spend a few days relaxing. It’s also very walkable, so it’s a lot of fun to explore on foot. 

While the beach, in my opinion, is one of the top draws of San Pedro, there are also great shops, art galleries and tours to go on. 

Don’t miss out on snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve (explained below) and a day at Secret Beach (more information below!). 

San Pedro, Belize.
San Pedro Ferry Dock

Things to Know When Visiting San Pedro

Things to do in San Pedro:

Amazing Hotels in San Pedro:

San Pedro, Belize, pool.

Delicious Restaurants:  

  • Coffee de los Mayas
    • They have a few locations throughout Belize and it’s my favorite coffee I had on the trip. Local, fresh and so good!
    • They also have a golf cart drive through, which is cute
  • Patz Delicatessen
    • Casual restaurant with outdoor seating, great for breakfast or lunch
  • Green Espresso Cafe Bar
    • Great for breakfast, lunch or coffee
  • Elvi’s Kitchen
    • One of the most famous restaurants on Ambergris Caye
  • Maxie’s Restaurant & Lounge
    • Known for their seafood
    • Make a reservation
  • Neri’s Tacos
    • Very affordable and casual – more of a street food option
      • These are Belizean style burritos, tacos, etc
  • Paradice Cream
    • Lots of delicious flavors

How to Get to San Pedro

To get to San Pedro (or Caye Caulker), you’ll take a ferry from Belize City. These ferries go regularly and cost about $25-$44 USD each way per person. The ferry duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Buy your timed ferry tickets online in advance here. 

The other option for traveling from Belize City to San Pedro is by small plane. There are two airlines that fly to San Pedro, Tropic Air and Mayan Air. This is also an affordable option, with one way flights often under $100. Keep in mind these are very small planes, but the views are epic. These flights last approximately 15-20 minutes.

Tropic Air also offers scenic flight tours (to see the Blue Hole, for example!) that leave from San Pedro, Caye Caulker or Belize City. This is on my list for my next trip!

Once you get to San Pedro, you’ll want to rent a golf cart. This is the best way to explore the island and get around. Many golf cart companies will meet you at the ferry dock, or air strip, in San Pedro and have your golf cart ready to go so you can take it right to your hotel!

Many hotels are also walkable from the ferry and airport, so you can easily pick up your golf cart at a later time.

Ferry to San Pedro Belize
Ferry to San Pedro Belize from Belize City
Ferry to San Pedro & Caye Caulker

See Amazing Sea Life Snorkeling at Hol Chan

The snorkeling in Belize is spectacular and there’s no better place to do it than Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is located off of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. 

You’ll see amazing coral and abundant sea life like turtles, manatees and tons of incredible fish. 

Usually, when snorkeling at Hol Chan you’ll also get the chance to snorkel at Shark Ray Alley, which is known to be a popular spot for nurse sharks and sting ways. 

Bonus: some of these tours also include a stop at Caye Caulker for lunch. If you don’t already have a day (or few days) planned in Caye Caulker, this is a great way to see the island for a couple hours! 

Overall, if you enjoy snorkeling, or if you’re interested in trying it – Hol Chan is a breathtaking place to do it! 

Snorkeling Excursions at Hol Chan

Visit Secret Beach & Have Lunch in the Ocean

Secret Beach, located on Ambergris Caye, isn’t much of a secret, but it’s a very nice beach. From the town of San Pedro, you can drive your golf cart to Secret Beach. It should take about 45 minutes. 

This beach has a variety of beach clubs and restaurants where you can rent chairs and order food and drinks. You can also take part in activities like jet skiing and kayaking!

Secret Beach, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Secret Beach

My favorite place on Secret Beach is Blue Bayou. You can rent beach chairs here, but they also have a restaurant where you’re seated in the water. The water is really warm and this is definitely a unique dining experience! 

Lunch in the water at Secret Beach.
Cocktails in the ocean, Secret Beach Belize.
Blue Bayou

Since Secret Beach is quite far from the hotels in San Pedro, I’d plan to spend at least a few hours here!

Sample Local Cuisine on a Food Tour

Food tours are one of my favorite things to do when I travel! I’m going to be honest, I didn’t love the food in Belize overall. I found it to be really hit or miss. Compared to the other Latin American countries I’ve visited, I didn’t think it had a ton of flavor. However, I will say that some of my favorite food I had on the entire trip was on the food tours I took. 

Food tours are a great way to try a variety of local food and food that locals actually eat themselves. This way, you know it’s authentic, sought after and, more than likely, delicious. 

Some of my favorite dishes I had in Belize include: 

  • Ceviche
    • I legit think I ate ceviche 5 days in a row lol. So fresh and delicious! 
  • Pupusas
    • Pupusas, traditionally, come from El Salvador but they are very popular in Belize and so, so good. 
  • Fry Jack
    • This is basically fried dough and is served for breakfast. It’s pretty heavy (obviously, it’s fried dough), but very good. 
  • Rice and beans
    • Always good! Usually served with stewed chicken.
Pupusas in San Pedro, Belize.
Pupusas
Ceviche in Placencia Belize.
Ceviche

Food Tours & Experiences in Belize

Belize City:

San Pedro:

Placencia: 

Take a Day Trip From San Ignacio, Belize to Tikal Guatemala

There are incredible Mayan ruins in Belize, Altun Ha for example, but there are truly spectacular Mayan ruins just across the border in Guatemala. 

Tikal should be on any traveler’s list and it’s actually, often, easier to visit from Belize than from Guatemala. From Belize City, take the drive to San Ignacio (less than 2 hours) and from there, you’re right on the Guatemalan border. 

You’ll arrange a tour, walk across the border, and head on the 2ish hour drive to the incredible ancient city of Tikal. 

Logistically, this whole excursion is something you’ll need to do with a guide. Having a guide is essential to show you around Tikal and explain everything you’ll want to know about this incredible, historic site. 

You can choose a group tour or private tour and honestly, for everything you’re getting, they’re pretty affordable. 

Tikal Tours

Tikal National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, at its peak, it was estimated to have up to 90,000 inhabitants. Construction of Tikal began as early as 900 BC, peaked around 700 AD and began its gradual decline around 900 AD. 

There are tons of incredible structures to see in Tikal, including temples, plazas, and acropolises. Tikal is huge and there is so much to see, climb and explore. 

Expect it to be hot, but it’s so worth it. Tikal is definitely the most impressive Mayan ruins I’ve seen anywhere. 

Tikal Pyramids, Guatemala.
Tikal, Guatemala.

Hotels in San Ignacio

Note on San Ignacio

While there are some fun things to do around San Ignacio, like visiting Mayan ruins, cave tubing and ATVing, you won’t need much time in San Ignacio itself. The town is small, and while it’s nice, you can see it all very quickly.

Because of this, if you have a car and want to stay at one of the nicer hotels outside of town, I think that’s a great option.

More fun tours from San Ignacio:

Enjoying the sunset over San Ignacio, Belize.
Watching the sunset in San Ignacio, Belize.
San Ignacio Sunsets

Soar Over the Jungle on a Zip Line

Ziplining is fun anywhere and Belize is no exception. It’s such an incredible experience to fly through the jungle, over rivers and see beautiful scenery and landscapes. 

There are several options for zip lining in Belize, but these are some of the top options based on where you are in the country, with many being near Belize City. After getting back from the islands, you can take a zip line (and cave tubing!) adventure before heading to San Ignacio!

Zip lining adventures in Belize:

Many of these are zip lining and cave tubing combo tours and I definitely recommend doing this! You can zip line and cave tube in the same part of Belize and it’s such a fun day with these two adventures.

Ziplining in Belize.
Zip lining!

Go Cave Tubing in Ancient Mayan Caves

Cave tubing is an activity that’s pretty unique. While you could, in theory, put a tube in a cave anywhere, the experience in Belize is unlike any other. 

The Branch River and Sibun River are both popular cave tubing spots, with the Sibun River offering more adventurous and challenging rapids. Which tour you choose will determine which river you’re on. 

When cave tubing in Belize, you will float through incredible ancient Mayan caves. You’ll learn how these caves were used by the Mayans all while floating along the river and through pitch black historic caves. Parts of my cave tubing adventure were calm, like a lazy river, and other parts picked up a little. 

I felt incredibly safe the entire time. You’re always fully connected to the other participants and the guide, so there’s no risk of floating off on your own. 

This is by far one of my favorite things I did in Belize! Many tours combine zip lining with cave tubing (like mine did!) so it’s a great way to experience two amazing adventures in one day.

Cave tubing adventures in Belize:

Cave tubing in Belize.
Cave tubing!

Visit the Che’Il Mayan Chocolate Factory

Belize is known for its chocolate and visiting a Mayan chocolate factory is such a great way to learn the history of chocolate in the country, sample delicious treats AND bring home delicious souvenirs. 

My favorite chocolate factory in Belize is Che’Il Mayan Chocolate Factory. If you’re driving to Placencia to spend a few days (which you totally should) this is basically right on the way. While you can definitely stop on your own and purchase products, in order to have the full tour of the farm and the chocolate making class, you’ll need to book a guided tour.

Below is a great option from Placencia

ice cream at a Mayan chocolate factory in Belize.
Homemade ice cream at Che’Il Mayan Chocolate Factory

Visit the Great Blue Hole, The Great Blue Hole National Park OR Fly Above the Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a gigantic marine sinkhole 50 miles off the coast of Belize. It’s one of the most popular excursions in the country and you can visit by boat (about a 2.5 hour ride from shore) OR you can fly above it and enjoy views from a small plane. 

Most boat tours depart from San Pedro or Placencia and you’ll be gone all day. Almost all of these tours include snorkeling or diving as well as lunch. 

Short scenic plane tours can be booked with Tropic Air Belize and honestly they look amazing! A 2.5 hour boat ride each way wasn’t for me, but next time I’m in Belize I’m definitely doing the scenic flight. 

On my trip to Belize we visited the Great Blue Hole National Park, which has a small, on-land blue hole. It is nowhere near as impressive as the Great Blue Hole, but it was still cool to visit and swim in. There are also some nice, easy hikes at the National Park, so you can hike and then cool off in the water at the Blue Hole.  Entrance is pretty inexpensive, so it’s worth it if you’re driving by. 

When you’re driving from San Ignacio to Placencia, the Great Blue Hole National Park is right on the way.

Great Blue Hole National Park, Belize.
Blue Hole National Park.
Blue Hole National Park

Spend a Few Days Enjoying Placencia

Placencia was, without a doubt, my favorite place I visited in Belize. Placencia sits on the Placencia Peninsula, so it feels like you’re on an island, even though you technically aren’t. There are tons of great hotels, the town is super cute and walkable, there are great restaurants and it’s overall very cute. 

Placencia, Belize.
Restaurant in Placencia Belize.
The Streets of Placencia

While in Placencia you can do so many fun activities, like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, ATVing, chocolate tours and so much more. You can spend lots of time relaxing on the beach, exploring the cute town and shopping in the local shops. 

Placencia is about 2.5 hours from Belize City and 3 hours from San Ignacio. 

Great hotels in Placencia: 

Umaya resort Maya Beach, Placencia, Belize.
Umaya Resort

Delicious Restaurants in Placencia:

Things to do in Placencia:

Cute shops in Placencia.
Placencia Beach, Belize.

FAQ: Things to do in Belize

  • What is the number one thing to do in Belize?
    • Visiting the islands, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, are definitely one of the most popular things to do in Belize. While on the islands, you’ll definitely want to go snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve.  
  • What is Belize best known for?
    • Belize is known for its amazing snorkeling, barrier reefs, Mayan ruins and the Great Blue Hole. It also offers beautiful beaches and a variety of fun, outdoor activities. 
  • What language does Belize speak?
    • When speaking to each other, most Belizeans speak Belizean Creole. However, English is the official language of the country. Many Belizeans also speak Spanish. 
  • What is the safest part of Belize?
    • San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, San Ignacio and Placencia are all very safe and tourist friendly. I felt very safe during my whole trip to Belize. 
  • What is the best time to go to Belize?
    • The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season, which is January – May. The “worst time” is probably hurricane season, which is August – November. However, I went in September and it was great. It rained a little, but not much at all, and the weather was very pleasant. Overall, there isn’t a bad time to go to Belize, just watch the weather and be aware of incoming storms. 
  • How many days is enough in Belize?
    • If you’d like to see the major tourist areas of the country and really get a feel for Belize, I recommend 10 days. If you’re just going to stick to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, 5 days is plenty. 
    • When going to Belize, driving is so easy that I definitely recommend renting a car and driving around the country. You’ll be able to explore so much and see tons of beautiful places! 
Placencia Beach, Belize.
Placencia Beach

In Conclusion

So there you have it – the best things to do in Belize on your vacation! For being such a small country, Belize really has so many incredible experiences to offer travelers.

Ready for your trip to Belize? If you have any questions, or anything you’d like to add to this post, please let me know in the comments below!

Lastly, be sure to follow us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad, for tons of photo inspo and mini guides!

Thanks so much for reading and enjoy your trip to Belize!

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♡Kate

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