Belize travel guide
Belize is one of Central America's smallest countries – but for a tiny place, Belize is big on adventure
Though many visitors barely touch mainland Belize, instead chilling on the tropical islands (cayes) that speckle the length of the east coast, the visible traces of the world's second-longest barrier reef.
Here, snorkelling and diving rules - underwater adventurers come to gawp at coral-encrusted walls, spot manatee and sharks, and plunge the 120m-deep Blue Hole, one of the world's iconic dive sites. Inland Belize, too, hosts captivating wildlife - toucans, iguanas, howler monkeys, coatimundis, kinkajous, tapirs and even jaguars.
Tangled in Belize's forests lurk millennium-old Maya sites. Explore the jungle-clad temples, ball courts, friezes and plazas of Xunantunich, Caracol, Lubaantun, Altun Ha and Lamanai, or delve into the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre - Actun Tunichil Muknal.
Meet the descendents of those ancient architects in Belize's modern Maya villages in the south of the country.
Wanderlust recommends
- Delve into mysterious caves – see sacrificial victims in Actun Tunichil Muknal
- Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Lamanai, Xunantunich and Altun Ha
- Dive the Blue Hole - one of the largest, deepest and most famous sites
- Meet modern-day Maya in the villages of Toledo district
- Chill on the beaches of Caye Caulker
- Spot a jaguar and other wildlife in Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary
- Explore jungle-clad Maya ruins in Caracol - as a bonus often you can see real archaeologists at work here
Wanderlust tips
Allow plenty of time for transport and organising activities. Belize functions at a very relaxed pace; if you demand punctuality, you may get very frustrated.