What Are The Best Things To Do In Belize?
When I visited Belize for the first time, I was looking for some details on things to do in Belize. But at that time, I didn’t find any useful information about it. However, when I returned from the tour, I thought it would be a great idea to share my travel experience in Belize. It was a very exciting trip and I had a wonderful time with my friends. I loved the beauty of nature, visited multiple ancient caves, floated with lovely aquatic creatures, and a lot of exciting things. So, read on to discover what are the cool things to do in Belize.
Apart from the Belize trip, I visited many of the best places in the USA. One of my most adventurous journeys was to Zion National Park. I enjoyed a lot of outdoor activities while traveling from Las Vegas to Zion National park. You can travel solo or you can plan your tour with your family or friends, that’s your choice. As a traveler every year I explore new places. On my New York Trip, I enjoyed many attractive views such as The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and many others. Now let us know a few things about Belize before we know the things to do in Belize.
Things to Know About Belize
Before you plan to travel to Belize, here are a few important things to know about it. No doubt, there are many fun things to do in Belize, but it is better to be aware of the things about the location.
Honestly, Belize is a little more expensive country for traveling than other North American countries. You’ll find several attractive sea beaches, ancient caves, adventurous jungles, nice islands, the Belize Zoo, and a few other spots. Now, let us know the languages spoken in Belize.
However, the country is surrounded by Mexico, Guatemala, and The Caribbean coast, the official language is English. But the people of Belize talk different languages. Most of the population speaks the Kriol language. Several other languages, such as Spanish, Garifuna, and Mayan, are also spoken. Now let us know what are the things to do in Belize to make your journey memorable.
Caving is One of The Adventurous Things to Do in Belize
Belize is famous for its ancient caves, so it is one of the most interesting things to do in Belize. There are several caves where you will find the history of the Maya religion and culture. You can travel to these caves with your friends and family. However, different caves have different rules, pricing, and other things that you need to keep in mind. Let me share my experience at the caves that I have visited.
Things to do in Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (or ATM Cave), Belize
I found it very adventurous and exciting when I visited this place. Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM Cave) is known as the most sacred cave of ancient Mayan culture in the world. The cave has many archaeological remains, such as skeletal remains, pottery, and ceramics. The key attraction of the place is “The Crystal Maiden,” the skeleton of an 18-year-old girl. The skeleton is shimmering due to calcification.
If you are a nature lover and want to explore historic places then you will enjoy this place a lot. Make sure to book your stay online in advance to avoid the rush and extra charge. Only 125 people can visit the cave per day.
Things to do in Barton Creek Cave
Barton Creek Cave is another ancient cave that I found interesting. This is a fantastic place in the Maya Mountains and it is 4.5 miles long. I visited the site on a canoe trip and it was really amazing. Here I explored the burial sites of the Mayans.
There are many archaeological remains on the edges of the cave. In this cave, archaeologists found skeletal remains of people of different age groups, ancient cooking vessels, agricultural instruments, monuments, etc. So, I would suggest you go on a canoe trip to explore this wonderful cave. Canoeing in the Barton Creek Cave was one of the memorable experiences in my Belize trip.
Actun Loch Tunich Cave
Another adventurous cave in Belize is the Actun Loch Tunich Cave. This is also known as the “Mother of All the Caves” in Belize. The prime attraction of this cave is that the edge of the cave is 300 feet above the cave base. It was really a thrilling experience to drop by a rope into the cave basin. If you ever travel to Belize, never miss this place.
Apart from these caves, there are many other caves in Belize such as Rio Frio Cave, St. Herman’s Cave, Che Chem Hah Cave, etc. However, I had not visited these caves due to a shortage of time, you can explore them as well. Caving is one of the most adventurous things to do in Belize. Lastly, one thing I want to say is that caving is really exciting if you love nature and historical places.
Kayaking and Canoeing are The Cool Things to Do in Belize
If you love to travel on a river trip, then Kayaking and Canoeing are the most exciting things to do in Belize. It offers you a number of water-based activities such as canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and swimming. The Macal River and the Mopan River are the two major locations in the Cayo District for these water activities.
You can book a canoe trip from San Ignacio Town which is between the Macal River and the Mopan River. The canoe trip takes around 2 hours and you will get a fantastic experience in the rivers. While traveling on the waterway you will spot a variety of wildlife birds and animals in the river. Ensure to take your binoculars with you to get a view of the tropical wildlife such as egrets, giant animals, tropical birds, iguana, crocodiles, etc.
During the canoe trip, you will discover many Maya ruins and various archaeological spots. One of the key attractions of these spots is the Xunantunich which includes a few attractive palaces and temples. Another adventurous location while traveling in the Macal River is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Funniest Things to Do in Belize is Scuba Diving
The best part of my Belize tour was scuba diving. This was my first experience of scuba diving, and I would say this is one of the funniest things to do in Belize. Honestly, I enjoyed it a lot, the underwater experience was a bit difficult at first. My breathing slowed down, and I felt that I couldn’t breathe anymore. However, when I got used to the underwater environment I was amazed by the beauty of the aquatic creatures.
Best Scuba Diving Sites in Belize
There are a number of scuba diving sites in Belize. The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the most rated scuba diving locations and is the largest double barrier reef in the world. There are only 6 reefs of this kind and the Belize Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Site named by UNESCO.
You will find 3 major atolls and 7 marine reserve zones and 400 cayes in this reef. The most interesting part of the reef system is that there are more than 100 species of coral and 500 species of fish. The best part of the reef system that I found was the Great Blue Hole which is a great site for diving and also viewing from above.
The Deep Dive in the Great Blue Hole
One of the best memorable experiences of my Belize trip was the deep dive in the Great Blue hole. The size of the blue hole is 1,043 feet wide and 407 feet deep. However, you are only allowed to dive into a depth of a maximum of 130 feet for safety purposes. When you dive into the Great Blue Hole, you will explore the stalactite formations rather than abundant aquatic creatures.
Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley
Diving in the Hol Chan and snorkeling in the Shark Ray Alley will give you the most unique experience. In this trip, you will find all varieties of marine life including a number of species of fishes, sharks, sea turtles, algae, sponges, marine mammals, and corals. Belize offers you the chance to jump into the water and swim along with the sharks and rays. If you ever plan a trip, don’t miss these adventurous things to do in Belize.
Fishing is one of The Fun Things to Do in Belize
The geographical features make Belize a perfect place for fishing. As I mentioned, the land lies along the coast of Belize Barrier Reef, a natural place for fishing. In this Reef, more than 500 species of fishes are available. You will find all varieties of fishes in the reef such as Snook, Snapper, Jacks, Silver King, etc. However, you need a fishery license for fishing, you need to follow the fishery regulations. If you do not go fishing but travel in a fishery boat then also you need a license. One of the most attractive activities is the fly fishing challenge. Fly fishing Super Grand Slam in the reef is really one of the cool things to do in Belize.
Now, discover the beauty of Belize and experience exciting activities. I think these are the best things to do in Belize. Share your opinion if you have already traveled to Belize before.
Some Honorable Mentions
The list is already quite extensive and informative. We have tried including most of the interesting activities one can take part in while being in Belize. However, there were some activities that did not make it to our list. The reason behind this is that they are a little offbeat and only appeal to people with specific tastes. The list is not arranged in any order, so, feel free to approach it from any angle you want.
Touring Caracol
Belize is a famous tourist spot known for its amazing beaches and palm tree-dotted coastal lines. However, Belize is also the host of one of the largest Mayan sites of Caracol. This ancient city covers approximately 25,000 acres of land. The detailed carving and lofty pyramids will keep you engaged and mesmerized. This ruin is a record of the days that have gone.
Snorkel In The Great Blue Hole
If you take a helicopter ride over the waters of the Ambergris Caye, you will come across a mysterious deep blue hole. Guess what? You can actually take a dip in this hole and explore its expanse. The symmetrical shape of this mysterious natural formation really makes it look like it is a man-made hole underneath the water. Apparently, the hole is 1,000 feet deep and 400 feet wide. You can access this hole using dive boats that will take about three hours from Ambergris Caye. However, the water can get pretty chilly, so make sure you have the proper equipment to counter those conditions.
Enjoy The Food
You have not truly experienced a culture till you have experienced its culinary delights. If you are going to explore the streets of Belize, I suggest that you check out the famed El Fogon eatery located in downtown San Pedro. The eatery serves authentic Belizian food that can touch your very soul.
These are al the important places and activities you should engage yourselves in order to make your Belizian experience more complete.
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