Looking for the top things to do in Belize? This post shares 10 unmissable activities that you have to add to your Belize bucket list!
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Belize bucket list
For such a small country, Belize has some seriously epic things to do. From underwater and ocean activities in the Caribbean to jungle adventures and unique lodgings inland, your Belize itinerary is going to be jam-packed.
But it can be overwhelming when planning your trip to work out what are the must-do activities. The things that you’ll plan your whole trip around, and travel to a destination specifically to see!
In this post, we’ll share what we think are the 10 top things to do in Belize, that have to be on your Belize bucket list. Some of the experiences are specific attractions you can’t miss (like the Great Blue Hole), and others are experiences you can have in multiple destinations (like staying in a jungle lodge).
LOOKING FOR MORE BELIZE INSPIRATION? 🇧🇿
10 Top things to do in Belize
1. Fly over the Great Blue Hole
Without a doubt, one of the most iconic, top things to do in Belize is to fly over the Great Blue Hole. A marine sinkhole measuring over 120 m (400 ft) deep, and about 300 m (900 ft) wide, seeing this epic sight from the window of a tiny plane is something for the bucket list.
The almost perfectly circular hole appears out of nowhere in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by the Belize Barrier Reef. One of the largest of its kind in the world, the Great Blue Hole is UNESCO World Heritage Listed and has been recommended by many to be labelled as one of the natural wonders of the world!
Scenic flights depart from Caye Caulker, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) and Belize City with local airlines Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Flights are between 60 – 90 minutes, and you’ll enjoy aerial views of the reef, the Caribbean Sea and of course the Great Blue Hole, where the pilot will circle around 4 – 5 times for each side of the plane.
🔵 Read more about the Great Blue Hole here
2. Go snorkelling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Situated between Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected marine area spanning over 18 km². The reserve is home to a thriving reef with a rich and diverse range of marine life of all shapes and sizes. Snorkelling on the reef is an unmissable experience in Belize.
You have a very high chance of seeing large animals like spotted eagle rays, green sea turtles, nurse sharks, Caribbean stingrays, and if you’re very lucky, an Antillean manatee! The reserve is best visited on a day tour from Caye Caulker or San Pedro. There are a ton of operators offering snorkel tours, but we would suggest doing some research to make sure the company is ethical. We can personally recommend this tour from Caye Caulker.
It doesn’t matter if you are not a scuba diver, because at Hol Chan snorkelling is just as good as diving! We would consider this some of the best snorkelling in the world, and spending a full day discovering the underwater world is one of the top things to do in Belize.
BOOK A SNORKEL TOUR 🤿
🐢 Read our Caye Caulker snorkelling guide here
3. Sail the Caribbean
Belize has some of the most beautiful waters in all of the Caribbean, it would be rude not to channel your inner pirate and go sailing! Getting out on the water is always amazing in Belize, but doing it on a sailboat makes it extra special.
Caye Caulker and San Pedro have a number of different sailing tour options. Experiences range from short sunset cruises, full-day snorkelling tours or for the ultimate adventure – three days sailing along the Belize Barrier Reef and camping on remote cayes with Ragga Sailing Adventures!
GO SAILING ⛵️
FROM CAYE CAULKER –
FROM SAN PEDRO (AMBERGRIS CAYE) –
We can personally recommend the Ragga Sailing Adventures 3 day tour, and it will be remembered as one of the best adventures of our Central America trip. This epic adventure visits some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Belize’s reef and Caribbean coast, and it is such a unique way to experience Belize without the crowds.
⛵️ Read about our Ragga Sailing Adventures experience here
4. Stay on a remote caye
Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are two of the most popular destinations in Belize. And whilst both these islands are fantastic places to visit, there are hundreds of other smaller cayes ready to be explored! For something really unique to do in Belize, plan a stay on a tiny, remote caye.
Many of these cayes are uninhabited, but there are a handful of islands with basic accommodation options. You’ll have a true Castaway experience on a tiny tropical island, without the crowds! Whiling away your days swinging in a hammock under a palm tree, snorkelling on the Belize Barrier Reef or floating in the mind-bogglingly blue Caribbean waters.
Choosing which caye is right for you will depend on your desired level of comfort, budget and acceptable length of boat travel time. Whichever you choose, it’s definitely worth the extra effort, easily being one of the top things to do in Belize.
We spent a few days on Tobacco Caye and absolutely fell in love with this tiny football field sized island!
BELIZE’S BEST REMOTE CAYES 🏝️
CAYES WITH MULTIPLE LODGING OPTIONS –
- 🥥 Tobacco Caye (our recommended option!)
- 🥥 South Water Caye
- 🥥 Long Caye
CAYES DEVELOPED WITH ONE RESORT –
5. Go cave tubing
Floating on an inflatable inner tube down a river inside a cave sounds like a pretty strange activity, right? But cave tubing has become one of the top things to do in Belize. This unique adventure is synonymous with Belize, and it’s one of the only places in the world where you can have the experience!
There are a couple of different caves where you can tube, but the most popular spot is the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve. You need a guide for the experience, and San Ignacio is the most popular and logical spot to take a tour from.
Cave tubing involves a short hike through the jungle with your tube, before tying up to your guide, and entering the cave. You’ll float through the cave system, with varying rapids to navigate, unique stalactites and stalagmites to admire, and the opportunity to get off the tube, clamber over rock formations, swim through narrow tunnels and jump into the river in the dark!
Ready to book your cave tubing in Belize? Here are our top picks for tours 👇🏼
- 👉🏼 CAVE TUBING SAN IGNACIO – Full-Day Cave Tubing Including a Picnic
- 👉🏼 CAVE TUBING BELIZE CITY – Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch
- 👉🏼 CAVE TUBING CAYE CAULKER OR SAN PEDRO – Full-Day Mayan Temple, Cave Tubing and Zip Line
🍩 Read about our cave tubing experience here
6. Visit the ATM Cave
Considered to be one of the most sacred caves in the world, a tour inside the ATM Cave is one of the top things to do in Belize.
This cave system was used by the Mayans, and there are archaeological and human remains inside. Visitors are only allowed to enter the cave on a tour with a specially certified guide, and the most popular place to take these tours is from San Ignacio.
The tour isn’t easy, with kilometres of swimming, climbing and walking deep inside the cave. But it will be one of the most adventurous things you do in Belize, and most people say it’s the highlight of their entire trip!
7. Explore ancient Mayan ruins
Belize has a rich Mayan history and was at one time the heart of the Mayan empire, which spanned neighbouring Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. There are a number of ancient cities around the country, and the Mayan culture is still alive and strong today. Taking some time to explore and understand the Mayan culture is one of the top things to do in Belize.
There are Mayan sites scattered all over the country, but some of the largest and best-preserved ruins are found around San Ignacio and in Northern Belize. In San Ignacio, Caracol, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech each offer a unique experience. With Lamanai and Altun Ha being two of the most famous sites in Northern Belize.
All the Mayan ruins can be visited independently. However, organising a guided tour can provide a lot of valuable information and history about the site.
8. See the Inland Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole might get all the attention, but Belize’s Inland Blue Hole is just as special! This jungle swimming hole is located inside St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, on the northern end of the Hummingbird Highway.
The Inland Blue Hole is technically a cenote. Fed from an underground river system, this freshwater swimming hole is completely open-air, as all the limestone that once would have covered the pool has collapsed. What remains is a beautiful sapphire blue pool, up to 8 m / 25 ft deep in parts. Lush jungle and green vines hang over the pool, giving it a mystical tropical feel.
Don’t miss St. Herman’s Cave, also in the park. It’s recommended you visit the Inland Blue Hole with a rental car, as part of a road trip along the Hummingbird Highway. However it is possible to join a tour from San Ignacio that also includes tubing in St. Herman’s Cave.
🌿 Read our Hummingbird Highway travel guide here
9. Sleep in a jungle lodge
The mainland of Belize is covered in lush, tropical jungle and one of the top things to do in Belize is to stay at a jungle lodge.
These unique accommodation options are usually built in semi-remote areas, in the heart of the jungle. You can fully immerse yourself in nature, sleeping to the sounds of the forest and spotting lots of wildlife around the lodge.
There are stunning jungle lodges hidden in the rainforest all over Belize, with varying prices and amenities. Many of the best ones are situated in the Cayo District around San Ignacio and along the Hummingbird Highway.
BELIZE’S 10 BEST JUNGLE LODGES 🐒
10. Spot some native wildlife
Belize is home to a plethora of unique animals, birds, reptiles and insects! For us, seeing native wildlife is always the highlight of a trip, and this is no exception in Belize! From tapirs to toucans, monkeys and jaguars, there are so many exciting animals in this tiny country.
Of course, the best way to see them is in the wild. By getting out and about in one of the country’s many national parks, you’re putting yourself in the best position to spot some wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a Baird’s Tapir just chilling on the side of the road near the Rio Frio Cave in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is considered the best place in Belize to see a jaguar in the wild!
However, there is also a range of ethical animal sanctuaries where you can learn more about different species native to Belize, and support important conservation work. The Belize Zoo, the Green Iguana Conservation Centre in San Ignacio and the Community Baboon Sanctuary (which confusingly protects Howler Monkeys, not Baboons) are good options.
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Things to do in Belize: Final thoughts
There are so many top things to do in Belize, and we loved the diversity of activities and landscapes.
The country really does offer some bucket list adventures, many of which can only be had in Belize! If you’re planning a trip, go all out and try and do as many of these amazing things as possible.
If you’re planning a trip to Belize, check out our Belize travel guide for tons of valuable info on all the logistics you need to organise.
Which of these top things to do in Belize would be on your bucket list?
MORE BELIZE POSTS
- Planning a Trip to Belize: Ultimate Belize Travel Guide
- 2 Week Belize Itinerary: Best of the Reef and Rainforest
- 9 Wonderful Places to Visit in Belize
- Our Belize Trip Cost: Is Belize Expensive?
