Seven Ways to Improve Your Vacation in Belize

A Belize vacation is not just an exercise in relaxing in a tropical Caribbean beach resort. It can, and should, be far more than that. In this article we show you seven great ways you can improve your vacation in Belize and turn an already wonderful time into something super special.This article contains links to Amazon, from which, as an Amazon Associate, this website will earn a small commission if you make any purchases. Visit our Affiliate Disclosure Page for more info. 

If you’re like most individuals preparing for a tropical vacation in Belize, figuring out what to see and do can be confusing. We understand. To assist you in planning the perfect trip, here are seven tips to transform your Belize vacation from great to sublime. You’ll want to thank us for the following advice, but there’s no need. Our reward is you finding yourself planning your next Belize trip on your return flight home!

Diving and snorkeling

Belize has plenty of dive spots. Let no one tell you the Blue Hole, the deep dive made famous by Jacques Cousteau, is the only place to satisfy your diving fix in Belize. Experienced divers reveal their preferred alternatives, and you should be aware of them too. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Gladden Spit (off the Placencia coast) allow you to scuba dive and swim with whale sharks.

Spreading your wings beyond the usual hot spots

A Belize vacation is more than just Ambergris Caye. While it’s true that Ambergris Caye gets the lion’s share of publicity in Belize travel circles because it was once the only town with nightlife, cultural spots, and tourist attractions, you do yourself a disservice if you don’t explore other destinations. Places like San Ignacio, Corozal, Hopkins, Punta Gorda, Placencia, and Orange Walk, for example. You might find one of these towns more to your liking—and they can be less expensive and less crowded too!

Eating

Belize’s culinary scene is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. Tempt your palate with food choices ranging from European gourmet dishes prepared by international chefs to Belize-style barbecue, tamales, salbutes, sere, and escabeche, plus traditional rice and bean combinations. Don’t forget to wash it all down with an ice-cold Belikin, hands down the best beer in Central America!

Getting into the music, language, and culture

You don’t have to spend all your time outside in the sun or on the ocean if you don’t wish to. Lots of people now travel to Belize for the burgeoning international music scene. The sheer variety of music genres in Belize delights those unfamiliar with this much diversity. If you’ve never experienced Garifuna, reggaeton, island-style percussion, and other types of Caribbean music, you’re in for a treat. The year-round Belize music festival scene is sensational.

While English is the official language of Belize, you’ll also hear so many languages spoken here you might think you landed at the United Nations. We may be a small country, but our linguistic diversity is significant. We have our national dialect Kriol, Garifuna, Maya, Spanish, and even German thanks to our large Mennonite population.

Visiting national parks and Mayan archeological sites

Frequent visitors to Belize attest that nothing surpasses our nature reserves. Exploring the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Payne’s Creek, and others never disappoint. And don’t forget the Mayan sites either! While neighboring Guatemala might be more famous for its ancient archeological ruins, Belize actually has a lot more, and they’re amazing to visit.

The wildlife itself

The sheer variety of endangered species protected from extinction in Belize is mind-boggling. It’s true Belize is for the birds—over 500 species, in fact. But don’t spend all your time looking up; if you look down, you’ll discover the exotic flora and fauna, medicinal plants, and anthropoids (spiders, crustaceans, and other critters) unique to this region.

Easy to get around and explore

Belize is easy to navigate. Who says you have to rely on shuttles, buses, or rental cars to explore every inch of Belize? The domestic airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, can transport you everywhere to maximize your time in Belize. Plus, their fares are very affordable. Triple or quadruple the number of places you visit by flying in Belize. Frequent visitors say the reason they select the place in Belize they return to again and again has a lot to do with the ease of getting around. They can sample lots of places in a short period and decide which one they like best.

So don’t listen to people who tell you Ambergris Caye and the Belize Barrier Reef are the only reasons to visit

From mysterious caves to ancient Mayan ruins, cultural diversity, and deep jungles, Belize will impress. Of course, Ambergris Caye and the reef are amazing too! You needn’t miss out on anything. Tours combining the reef with other one-of-a-kind site visits are common so you can make the most of your Belize vacation. What would you recommend people see and do during their Belize vacation?

Larry Waight is the best-selling author of the book, The Ultimate Belize Bucket List and the founder of Belize Hub. He lives in Bullet Tree Falls, near San Ignacio in Western Belize.