10 Reasons To Visit Belize During Your Vacation
Visit Belize, a beautiful country with a unique history and amazingly diverse culture, hidden in a small corner of Latin America.
Keep reading to discover why you should visit Belize, the best places to visit, and the things to do that you simply can’t miss.
Reasons To Visit Belize
Belize is an amazingly beautiful country located to the south of Mexico and the east of Guatemala. It’s the only non-Latin country in Central America and one with an impressively diverse culture and rich history.
But, why should you visit Belize? Well, for many reasons! Among the main ones I can mention: it’s a spectacular diving and snorkeling paradise, it boasts a series of gorgeous little islands and cays with stunning beaches, it’s home to numerous Mayan archaeological sites, and offers the most unique gastronomic experiences in the Americas.
Have I caught your attention yet?
Best Places To Visit Belize
When visiting Belize there are a few places that you can’t miss.
Here are the top 5 places to visit in Belize:
1. Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is the largest of Belize’s hundreds of islands and the most popular one too. This is the perfect spot for a relaxing tropical vacation.
The white-sand beaches are amazing and the whole atmosphere is quite laid back. Move around the island in golf carts and try not to miss the famous Costa Maya Festival taking place here during the summer.
2. Belize Barrier Reef System
Even if you aren’t a diving enthusiast you have to visit the Belize Barrier Reef System. This reef is a 190 miles (300 km) section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the second-largest in the world just after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
It’s just one of those natural wonders that you have to see with your own eyes. The biodiversity of those waters is so impressive that the Reef System includes 7 marine reserves, 450 cays, and 3 atolls.
3. Placencia
When you visit Belize, you can’t miss Placencia, a quaint little village located in a gorgeous peninsula in southern Belize, and it’s home to the best beaches in the country.
Placencia is a secluded piece of paradise on Earth, away from the big resorts of other destinations, but ideal to disconnect from real life for a couple of weeks.
4. Half Moon Caye
This small caye is a historical national park and protected area, which means that its waters are filled with abundant marine life and its beaches are among the best in the country.
If you enjoy diving or snorkeling, this is a place you have to visit.
5. Belize City
Contrary to what you may think, Belize City is not the actual capital of this Central American country, although it was in the past.
These days, Belmopan is home to all of the government buildings and infrastructure. However, Belize City is the place to go if you want to get to know more about Belize’s rich history and fascinating culture.
Walk around its picturesque streets and the famous Swing Bridge that links the north and south sides of the city, and visit the Museum of Belize.
Things To Do in Belize
If you’re planning to visit Belize soon, these are my favorite 5 things to do in Belize:
1. Dive in the Blue Hole
This spectacular spot located near the center of Lighthouse Reef is the largest underwater sinkhole in the world.
With a length of over 984 ft (300 m) across and a depth of 410 ft (125 m), the Great Blue Hole is the most famous diving spot in Belize and one of the most sought-after scuba diving destinations in the world.
2. Hol Chan Marine Reserve
This marine reserve is quite close to Ambergris Caye and covers around 13,362 acres of marine waters distributed into four zones:
- 640 acres of coral reefs: Zone A
- 5,376 acres of seagrass beds: Zone B
- 6,336 acres of mangroves: Zone C
- 1,280 acres of shark ray alley: Zone D
You can swim, practice snorkel and scuba diving here, and marvel yourself with the more than 160 species of fish in the area, 3 species of sea turtle, as well as 2 types of dolphins and the West Indian manatee.
3. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve
If you want to move away from the sea and explore the jungle side of Belize, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve is the perfect place for you.
This is the only jaguar preserve in the world and besides that magnificent cat, you’ll see plenty of parrots, howler monkeys, toucans, and many more species of animals.
4. Visit Mayan Archaeological Sites
There are many of them throughout the country, but El Caracol is the most famous one. The ancient city dates from the Classic Period (200-900 A.D.) and is the largest archaeological zone in Belize.
5. Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center is located around 29 miles (47 km) west of Belize City and is home to over 200 Belize-native animals of 45 different species.
The zoo is fully accessible for visitors with physical disabilities and offers different packages and activities.
What Is the Best Time To Visit Belize?
Definitely the winter season, as during the summer it can get a little bit too hot and humid. However, from November to February, the weather is still warm but with a refreshing cooling breeze in the afternoon, and the beaches are at their best.
Visit Belize in December and you’ll get to enjoy some interesting Belizean Christmas traditions.
Is It Safe To Visit Belize?
Belize is a very safe place for tourists. It’s quite rare to hear about a tourist suffering a robbery or any other kind of crime. However, as in most places, it’s important to keep yourself to the tourist areas and avoid being alone by night in non-touristy neighborhoods.
Visit Belize and Practice Your Spanish
Without the big names of other travel destinations, Belize is a hidden gem in the middle of the Caribbean. Its pristine beaches and other spectacular natural wonders are among the best-kept secrets in Latin America.
Although Spanish isn’t Belize’s official language, you’ll find out soon that many people in the country speak Spanish. Visit Belize and practice your Spanish with the locals to make the most of your trip.
Sign up for a free class to prepare for your trip to Belize. Our professional team of certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala, offer flexible scheduling and tailored Spanish packages.
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