Top Experiences in Belize—From Thrilling Jungle Expeditions to Stunning Reef Diving

Belize truly embodies the phrase 'small but mighty.' Comparable in size to U.S. states like Maryland and Massachusetts, this Central American gem just south of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula is bursting with adventure. Whether you're diving the world’s second-largest barrier reef, exploring ancient Mayan ruins, or trekking through lush rainforests, Belize offers it all. My recent spring trip revealed a surprising number of returning visitors, showcasing the country’s special allure. Here’s your guide to the must-see attractions in Belize for first-timers or seasoned travelers alike.

Soar Over the Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole, Belize’s most renowned landmark (at least according to guidebooks), is a stunning marine sinkhole measuring roughly 1,000 feet in diameter and 400 feet deep. It’s teeming with sharks, vibrant coral, and the occasional group of divers eager to check off one of the world’s natural wonders from their bucket lists.

The ideal way to experience it is through a flyover with the local airline, Tropic Air. In spring 2023, I took to the skies with a small group, seated right behind the pilot, who captured numerous photos as he circled the spectacular site, just like the rest of us.

Visiting Tips

Tropic Air offers flights from San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Belize City Municipal several times a week. The flights take you over the Belize Barrier Reef (and on our journey, we spotted a large shipwreck), lasting about an hour. Multiple operators provide diving excursions as well.

Snorkel or Dive at the Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, is the largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere and the second largest globally, following Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This stunning ecosystem features seven protected areas, three atolls, and around 450 sand and mangrove cayes. It is rich in biodiversity, hosting over 500 species of fish along with an abundance of corals and mollusks. For an extensive list of diving locations in Belize beyond the Great Blue Hole, check out Scuba Diving magazine.

Visiting Information

I joined a group aboard a 28-foot skiff heading to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located about four miles from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, to snorkel among the vibrant marine life. On our way, an excited family returning from their adventure claimed it would 'ruin' all other snorkel experiences. While the aquatic life was impressive, the number of snorkelers was overwhelming; at one point, I spotted 15 people gathered around a single turtle. Later that week, I enjoyed a more tranquil boat tour to a reef in the protected Bacalar Chico Reserve, where I swam in equally stunning waters all by myself.

Swim with Sharks

The Hol Chan boat tours venture on to Shark Ray Alley, where the bold—or perhaps a bit reckless (that’s me)—can leap backwards off the boat into waters bustling with nurse sharks, drawn in by the bait tossed overboard by the guides. It’s both a tranquil and slightly nerve-wracking experience, swirling in the water among these gentle giants, who are mostly harmless to humans.

Visiting Details

Boats leave from Ramon’s Village Resort in San Pedro for a 2.5-hour adventure at either 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. Guests have the opportunity to snorkel, dive, or even get PADI certified. The departure dock is equipped with changing rooms, lockers, and a shop offering sunscreen and other essentials.

Indulge in Fry Jack . . .

In Belize, the perfect day begins with fry jack—crispy little triangles of deep-fried dough that pair perfectly with breakfast. During my stay in San Pedro, I enjoyed them frequently: with Mayan pirishpak (a mix of scrambled eggs, tomato, onion, and habanero) at the aptly named Fry Jack House; with sausage, beans, and egg at a waterside table at Estel’s Dine by the Sea; and alongside huevos rancheros and the best coffee of my trip—a velvety latte—at D’Family Café. The latter is a hidden gem, not even marked on the tourist maps provided by hotels.

. . . but be sure to savor Garifuna cuisine

The Garifuna people trace their heritage to Africa and the Caribbean, with contemporary communities found in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Belize. Their unique language, dance, and music are celebrated on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list. The ideal spot to experience their vibrant dance and drumming, while feasting on remarkable cuisine, is at Black and White Garifuna Restaurant.

While enjoying a bowl of hudut—a rich fish stew made with snapper, coconut milk, plantain, cassava, and a zesty orange pepper—paired with a couple of Belikin beers, I experienced an energetic performance featuring dynamic rhythms and barefoot dancers in bright skirts. A sobering video shared the history of the Garifuna people, recounting their displacements and exiles, yet also offering a message of resilience, as one drummer later reminded me.

Visiting Information

The experience costs $40 for adults, in addition to food and drink expenses. Performances kick off in the early evening. For reservation details and updated timings, check their Facebook page.

And, truly, indulge in a Belize food tour

Delicious food is abundant and uncomplicated in Belize, with options like rice and beans, conchinita pibil, ceviche, tamales, and conch soup. The evening stroll with Belize Food Tours in San Pedro visits about six eateries over three relaxed hours, offering more than enough food for dinner along with various drinks, including a rum tasting.

Our guide Felipe treated us to a range of delights from small, local eateries: beef tacos and chimichurri at Big Taste, and pork and cheese pupusas among others. A standout for me was Briana’s Food Place, a tiny family-run spot where the salbutes—puffed corn tortillas topped with shredded chicken, cabbage, onion, tomato, and jalapeño—were worth the price of admission alone.

Visiting Information

Belize Food Tours’ Savor Belize Dinner Tour is available for $72. The company is locally owned by a brother and sister who grew up on the island.

Discover Mayan Ruins

Scattered throughout Belize are ancient sites, from the well-known temples of Altun Ha, just a short drive from Belize City and featured on the country’s beloved beer, Belikin, to the lesser-known Lubaantun located in the southern part of the country.

During my visit to Xunantunich, close to the Guatemalan border and near San Ignacio, I found myself among just a handful of visitors exploring the plazas and temples. While many travelers head to Tikal across the border, this site offers unique discoveries and an opportunity to contemplate the ancient civilization. The journey there is also an adventure, involving a hand-cranked ferry that transports pedestrians and a few vehicles across a river.

Visiting Information

The Belize Tourist Board provides a map of their attractions. You can explore sites like Xunantunich independently for a small entrance fee of a few U.S. dollars, but you’ll gain much more insight by joining a well-reviewed tour.

Venture into the Jungle for Excitement

Adventure seekers have plenty of options in Belize. Many visit the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave near San Ignacio, where a jungle hike leads to a network of underground tunnels and caverns filled with Mayan artifacts (and some human remains), accessible only by swimming through a flooded entrance. Others enjoy tubing in national parks or exploring various Mayan sites, while many thrill-seekers take advantage of the country's extensive ziplines. Given the affordable prices and the compact size of the country, you could easily experience it all.

More Activities to Enjoy in Belize

Belize has a wealth of other activities and attractions to explore, including:

• The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to protected jaguars
• The laid-back island of Caye Caulker and the beach haven of Placencia in the south
• Bioluminescence tours
• Exciting bird-watching opportunities
• Chocolate tastings at Ajaw in San Ignacio
• The Green Iguana Conservation Project at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, dedicated to nurturing and releasing these threatened reptiles

Belize is also an excellent winter getaway destination, offering mild temperatures and various events such as the End of the World Marathon, La Ruta Maya Canoe River Race, and San Pedro Carnival.

Where to Stay in Belize

I stayed at Black Rock Lodge, one of Belize’s first ecolodges, nestled deep in the jungle along a rugged private road. Here, hearty breakfasts fuel your adventurous days, while a hillside hot tub and a swing into the nearby river provide a refreshing escape at sunset. After dark, the howler monkeys in the trees serenade you with their unique sounds.

In San Pedro, I enjoyed my stay at Xanadu Island Resort, a beachfront hotel boasting impressive environmental credentials (it’s Green Globe Certified), complete with a pool and hot tub, plus exceptionally helpful staff. Guests can rent motorized golf carts, which is the primary way to get around San Pedro.

Belize is also home to several other top-notch resorts, including Turtle Inn and Blancaneaux Lodge, both part of Francis Ford Coppola’s Family Hideaways.

Getting There

Major airlines like Delta, American, and United fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City. Tropic Air operates local flights to the islands; just look for a representative with a clipboard in the small terminal. Many hotels provide shuttles from the airport, and car rentals are also available.