Belize may seem small on a map, but it is actually a destination with great natural and cultural diversity: primary rainforests, Caribbean cays, Mayan ruins, and one of the most impressive coral reefs on the planet. If you’re thinking of visiting for the first time (or returning with a fresh perspective), here are five experiences you won’t want to miss.
Explore the barrier reef
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world after Australia’s. One of its iconic sites is the Great Blue Hole, a circular marine cenote over 300 meters in diameter and 125 meters deep, visible from the air and considered one of the best diving spots in the world. Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Glover’s Reef, and Turneffe Atoll are also worth a visit, whether for diving or snorkeling: the water is so clear that a simple mask is enough to observe entire schools of fish and fan corals.
This experience is not just for experienced divers: Belizean waters are home to more than 500 species of fish, a hundred types of hard coral, and an exceptional fauna of sponges, sea turtles, sharks, manatees, and seabirds. This unique biodiversity is the subject of special attention, with marine protected areas and conservation projects carried out jointly by the state and local communities.
Sail at the leisurely pace of Cayo Caulker
About 35 km northeast of Belize City, in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, lies Cayo Caulker. Far from mass tourism, this peaceful island proudly displays its motto: “Go Slow,” which perfectly reflects its bohemian and relaxed atmosphere. Its iconic landmark, The Split, is a channel separating the island in two, ideal for swimming or admiring the sunset. You can also go kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, diving, or snorkeling, with daily excursions to the coral reef or Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim alongside nurse sharks and rays.
Enter a cave like an ancient Maya
Belize is one of the few countries where you can explore a cave that literally served as a sanctuary for the Maya. Actun Tunichil Muknal, ranked among the ten most sacred caves in the world according to National Geographic, means “Cave of the Stone Tomb.” Pottery, artifacts, and even human remains dating back more than a thousand years have been found there. The most famous object? The entire skeleton of a young woman, nicknamed the Crystal Maiden, whose calcified bones shine in the light.
The adventure begins with a hike through the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, along muddy trails and crystal-clear streams, before reaching the cave entrance.
Discover Garifuna culture in Dangriga or Hopkins
On the south coast, history is written to the beat of the drum. This is where the Garifuna people live, descended from a mix of Africans, Arawaks, and Caribs, who have preserved their unique language, music, and spirituality. Trying a traditional dish like hudut—fish simmered in creamy coconut milk and served with mashed plantains—is like stepping into another world.
In Dangriga, a visit to the Gulisi Garifuna Museum offers an insight into the history, rituals, and identity of this community. A few miles away, the village of Hopkins invites you to a more lively experience with cooking classes, percussion lessons, dancing by the sea, and more. Here, culture is not just talked about, it is shared.
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Venture into the jungle and observe the wildlife
Beyond the cays and reefs, Belize hides another treasure: its jungle. In the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first reserve dedicated to the protection of the jaguar, nature reveals itself with every step you take on its trails: toucans, howler monkeys, pumas, and ocelots. Hikers accompanied by local guides can venture in to explore the jungle, cool off under waterfalls, or discover the traditional uses of medicinal plants, passed down from generation to generation. It’s a way to discover the jungle with those who know it intimately.
Belize is not a destination to rush through or tick off a list. It is a country that reveals itself slowly, between a swim in turquoise waters, a walk in the forest amid abundant biodiversity, or the echo of a Garifuna drum at dusk. Its gems are not hidden because they are inaccessible, but because they require something more precious: time, attention, and genuine curiosity.
Photos: Belize Tourism Board
