10 Things to Do in Belize

You’ll find Belize offers incredible diversity from diving the world-famous Great Blue Hole to exploring ancient Maya ruins at Caracol, where you can climb Belize’s tallest temple. Experience unique adventures like cave tubing through Nohoch Che’en, spotting nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and taking jungle boat trips to Lamanai. Don’t miss island-hopping between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, chasing waterfalls in Mountain Pine Ridge, and enjoying Garifuna culture at Hopkins Village for extensive insights into this Central American gem.

Dive or Snorkel the Great Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef

The Great Blue Hole stands as Belize’s most iconic underwater attraction, drawing advanced divers from around the world to explore its perfectly circular, 300-meter-wide marine sinkhole located 70 kilometers offshore at Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

You’ll need Advanced Open Water certification and solid experience for this challenging 40-meter dive, where ancient stalactites create dramatic overhangs in near-darkness. Caribbean reef sharks patrol the blue water column while limestone walls tell a 153,000-year geological story.

Most operators offer day trips from Ambergris Caye or Placencia, combining the Blue Hole with two shallower reef dives showcasing vibrant coral gardens. Due to the extreme depth, expect rapid air consumption that limits bottom time to approximately 8 minutes.

If you’re not ready for deep diving, snorkeling the shallow rim still provides stunning views of this UNESCO World Heritage site within the world’s second-largest barrier reef system.

Explore Caracol and Climb Belize’s Tallest Maya Temple

While Belize’s underwater wonders captivate marine enthusiasts, its ancient Maya heritage offers equally spectacular adventures on land. Caracol, Belize’s largest Maya site, once housed nearly 100,000 people and defeated the mighty Tikal in AD 562. You’ll explore three main plaza groups, ball courts, and carved stelae that reveal this civilization’s sophistication.

The highlight is climbing Caana, meaning “Sky Place,” Belize’s tallest man-made structure at 141 feet. This royal palace and ceremonial center offers breathtaking 360-degree jungle views from its summit. The steep but manageable ascent requires sturdy footwear and plenty of water.

Recent archaeological discoveries have uncovered the tomb of Te Kab Chaak, Caracol’s founding ruler who established the royal dynasty in AD 331. Expect a challenging 2.5-3 hour drive through dense jungle from San Ignacio, followed by 2-3 hours exploring this pristine archaeological wonder that dominated the Maya world for centuries.

Take a Boat to Lamanai Through the Jungle Waterways

One of Belize’s most enchanting adventures combines wildlife spotting with ancient Maya exploration as you navigate the jungle waterways to Lamanai aboard a high-speed motorboat. You’ll depart from Tower Hill in Orange Walk District, covering 25-26 miles upriver through mangroves, wetlands, and lowland rainforest.

The hour-long journey offers excellent opportunities to spot crocodiles, iguanas, herons, and howler monkeys along the densely vegetated banks.

Your boat snakes through narrow jungle channels before emerging into the expansive New River Lagoon, where Lamanai’s temples rise dramatically above the canopy. This archaeological site spans 950 acres with over 700 identified structures.

The name “Lamanai” means “submerged crocodile,” reflecting the area’s lagoon setting and ancient crocodilian iconography that connects past and present. Among the most impressive structures is the High Temple, which visitors can climb for panoramic views over the surrounding jungle canopy.

Go Cave Tubing at Nohoch Che’en or Explore ATM Cave

Two dramatically different cave experiences await adventurous travelers in Belize’s Cayo District, each offering unique ways to explore the country’s extensive limestone underworld.

At Nohoch Che’en, you’ll float through interconnected cave chambers on inner tubes along the Caves Branch River. After a 20-45 minute jungle hike, you’ll drift past stalactites and flowstone formations while spotting eyeless cave fish and ancient Maya paintings on cave ceilings. The 1.5-2 hour float is classified as easy to intermediate. This most visited tourist attraction in Belize welcomes adventurers of all ages, from toddlers to seniors.

For a more challenging adventure, tackle ATM Cave in Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. You’ll swim into the cave entrance after three river crossings and a 45-minute hike. This controlled archaeological site requires advance booking due to strict visitor limits protecting its precious Maya artifacts.

Island-hop Between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker

Belize’s two most popular cayes sit just 12-15 miles apart, making island-hopping between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker surprisingly effortless. Frequent water taxis run 13+ daily sailings between the islands, with 30-53 minute crossings costing $11-25. You can also splurge on 5-10 minute flights for $45-110+.

Base yourself on one island and day-trip to the other, or stay overnight to experience both atmospheres. Ambergris Caye offers busier nightlife and more development around San Pedro, while Caye Caulker embraces its “go slow” motto with sandy streets and budget-friendly vibes. With 42 departures daily between the islands, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to customize your island-hopping schedule.

Both islands provide easy reef access—you’re just hundreds of feet from the Belize Barrier Reef, with tour operators offering inter-island pickups for snorkeling Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

Swim With Whale Sharks at Gladden Spit

While the cayes offer incredible reef snorkeling, Belize’s most extraordinary marine encounter happens at Gladden Spit, where you can swim alongside whale sharks—the ocean’s largest fish. Located 30 miles east of Placencia within the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, this protected site attracts whale sharks during spawning aggregations from March through June.

Plan your trip around the full moon when snapper release nutrient-rich eggs that draw these gentle giants. The 1.5-hour boat ride leads to blue-water diving conditions where you’ll encounter sharks up to 60 feet long. The reserve spans approximately 25,980 acres and serves as critical habitat for about 24 fish species.

Most operators require 25+ logged dives due to challenging mid-water conditions, though snorkelers can participate when sharks surface.

Book early—time slots are limited to protect the ecosystem, and recent seasons have shown declining reliability.

Spot Howler Monkeys at the Community Baboon Sanctuary

Deep within Belize’s river valleys, you’ll discover one of Central America’s most successful community conservation stories at the Community Baboon Sanctuary, where over 3,000 Yucatán black howler monkeys thrive across 5,000 hectares of protected habitat. Located 31 miles from Belize City near Bermudian Landing, this volunteer-led sanctuary offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along maintained forest corridors.

You’ll find howler troops resting in canopy trees near riverbanks and village edges, with high-density populations increasing your chances of close encounters.

Start at the museum and visitor center for guided nature walks that interpret monkey behavior and calls. The sanctuary also offers canoe trips, crocodile watching, and homestays with participating families, combining wildlife conservation with authentic cultural experiences. The sanctuary supports over 200 bird species alongside diverse wildlife including tapirs, jaguars, pumas, and crocodiles throughout its riverine forests and secondary growth areas.

Experience Garifuna Culture in Hopkins Village

After exploring Belize’s wildlife conservation efforts, you’ll find equally compelling cultural preservation in Hopkins Village, where the vibrant Garifuna community maintains one of Central America’s most authentic Afro-Indigenous cultures. This coastal settlement serves as Belize’s Garifuna cultural epicenter, where you’ll hear the melodic Garifuna language spoken daily and witness traditional drumming ceremonies extending from dusk until dawn.

Visit during Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19th to experience sunrise boat landing reenactments and spirited processions. Take hands-on drumming lessons from local musicians who’ll teach you punta and paranda rhythms while explaining their cultural significance. Don’t miss sampling hudut—fish stewed in coconut milk served with mashed plantain fu-fu—at authentic village eateries that showcase centuries-old Garifuna culinary traditions. The significance of this cultural heritage was globally recognized in 2001 when UNESCO declared Garifuna culture a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Chase Waterfalls in Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Beyond Belize’s coastal attractions, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve beckons adventure seekers with some of Central America’s most spectacular waterfall experiences across its 106,000-acre granite landscape.

Start your waterfall chase at Big Rock Falls, where you’ll find a 150-foot cascade plunging into deep swimming pools with cliff jumping opportunities up to 30 feet.

Next, explore Rio On Pools‘ series of granite rock pools perfect for natural slides and sunbathing on exposed boulders.

Don’t miss Thousand Foot Falls—actually 1,600 feet tall and Central America’s highest waterfall—viewable from a distant overlook. The viewing area includes benches and restrooms for visitor comfort during your photography session.

Base yourself in San Ignacio for easiest access, and visit during dry season (November-May) for safer road conditions and clearer swimming.

Watch Nurse Sharks and Stingrays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

While Mountain Pine Ridge showcases Belize’s terrestrial wonders, the country’s marine treasures await just four miles south of San Pedro at Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

There, you’ll encounter nurse sharks and southern stingrays in their natural habitat at the famous Shark Ray Alley. You’ll snorkel in shallow, crystal-clear waters averaging 2-4 meters deep, observing non-aggressive nurse sharks resting on sandy bottoms and stingrays gliding through seagrass edges.

Most tours combine Shark Ray Alley with Hol Chan’s coral reef zone, using designated moorings to protect the ecosystem. Established in 1987 as Belize’s first marine reserve, this no-take zone maintains abundant fish populations that support these magnificent creatures. The reserve has expanded dramatically from its original size, now encompassing 102,400 acres of diverse marine habitats including coral reefs, sea-grass meadows, and mangroves.

Pay the required marine reserve fee and prepare for unforgettable underwater encounters.

The Sum Up

You’ve got an incredible adventure waiting in Belize that’ll satisfy every type of traveler. Don’t try cramming everything into one trip—you’ll burn out and miss the magic. Instead, pick three to four experiences that genuinely excite you and dive deep. Book cave tours and marine reserves well ahead, especially during peak season. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and waterproof gear. Most importantly, embrace Belize’s laid-back pace—you’re on island time now, so slow down and savor it.