bELIZE
There are places you visit for the beaches, places you visit for the history, and places you visit because you want a little adventure. Belize somehow gives you all three.
Tucked between Mexico and Guatemala along the Caribbean Sea, Belize is small enough to explore without feeling overwhelming, but incredibly diverse. You can spend one morning wandering through ancient Maya ruins hidden in the jungle and the next floating above coral reefs in impossibly clear blue water.
And while Belize certainly has beautiful beaches, that isn’t really what makes it special.
The reef, the islands, the caves, the jungle and the Maya history are what make Belize worth the trip.
Getting to Belize
Shaping the Landscape
Most international travelers arrive at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City.
From there, where you go depends entirely on the kind of Belize trip you’re planning.
If you’re heading to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, you can continue by a short domestic flight or water taxi. If you’re exploring the interior of Belize, renting a car or arranging transportation toward San Ignacio gives you easy access to some of the country’s best jungle adventures and archaeological sites.
English is the country’s official language, although you’ll hear Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna and Maya languages throughout the country.
Where to Stay
One of the hardest parts about planning Belize is deciding which version of Belize you want.
Ambergris Caye & San Pedro
If turquoise Caribbean water is what brought you to Belize, start here.
Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island, with San Pedro serving as its lively little hub of restaurants, shops, resorts and beach bars.
The Belize Barrier Reef sits just offshore, making this an excellent base for snorkeling, diving and boat trips.
Golf carts are a popular way to get around the island, and life here moves at exactly the speed you hope it will when you’re somewhere surrounded by Caribbean water.
Caye Caulker
For something smaller and more laid-back, head to Caye Caulker.
This tiny island is the kind of place where your itinerary can very quickly turn into swimming, eating, wandering around barefoot and deciding you actually don’t need an itinerary after all.
It’s especially good for travelers who care more about relaxed island atmosphere than big resorts.
San Ignacio
Want the jungle and Maya side of Belize?
Stay in San Ignacio.
Located in western Belize near the Guatemalan border, San Ignacio makes an excellent base for exploring caves, waterfalls, jungle reserves and ancient Maya sites.
This is the Belize I would choose if I wanted adventure rather than several consecutive days sitting beside the ocean.
Placencia
Placencia gives you a little bit of both worlds.
The long peninsula along Belize’s southern coast offers Caribbean beaches and easy access to the reef while still putting you within reach of mainland adventures.
It’s quieter than San Pedro and a good choice if you’re looking for somewhere that feels relaxed without feeling completely isolated.
