Belize Travelers Recommend

English-speaking Belize is a small jewel on Central America’s Caribbean coast. It combines historic attractions with natural beauty spots to make a magnificent holiday destination. Belize City is no longer the country’s capital but remains its largest city. You’re most likely to encounter it only at the beginning and end of your visit, but before you escape to your tropical paradise, take a moment to get to know this local hub. How you approach the city is up to you: visit the historic highlights, concentrate on the excellent zoo, or see the best of ancient and modern by combining your sightseeing with a visit to the Mayan city of Altun Ha. That reef, by the way, is Western Hemisphere’s most extensive. Discover it by speedboat as you head to the breeding grounds of the amazing manatee and snorkel around breathtaking coral growths. Or maybe you’d prefer to discover inland Belize’s waterways? Go on the ultimate tropical adventure.

Grab a Belizean breakfast of fry jacks at the beachfront Estel’s Dine By the Sea. Hop on a half-day snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, just a mile from shore on the Barrier Reef. Back on shore, grab a sunset happy hour drink at BC’s beachfront bar or at Cholo’s sports bar, a more local hangout. If it’s Thursday, grab drinks at Wahoo’s and do not miss the weekly Chicken Drop. Dine at Elvi’s Kitchen, an authentic and famous Belizean restaurant in town. Hop on a full day trip to Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, a World Heritage site on the pristine northern tip of Ambergris. The day will include hiking, snorkeling or diving and a beach barbeque. Get a sailing lesson from Sail Sports Belize and have fun exploring the waters solo. Parasail over the Barrier Reef or rent a jet ski. Or book a fly fishing casting class with El Pescador on the north end. Go for a sunset cruise on the Sirena Azul sailboat.