last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Belize
Location Map of Belize
Belize
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Belize has only one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Belize Barrier Reef (1996)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the largest coral reefs in the world, running along the Belize Cayes. Naturally, it’s a favorite spot for divers.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the largest coral reefs in the world, running along the Belize Cayes. Naturally, it’s a favorite spot for divers.
Mainland Belize
Belize City
Facing the sea, this was the country's capital until it was moved inland to Belmopan. The city has only a few remnants of the British colonial era.
Facing the sea, this was the country's capital until it was moved inland to Belmopan. The city has only a few remnants of the British colonial era.
Blue Creek
South of Belize. This village is popular for its caves, waterfalls, and the surrounding jungle where you can hike.
South of Belize. This village is popular for its caves, waterfalls, and the surrounding jungle where you can hike.
Corozal
A small town near the Mexican border on the bay of the same name. The Maya site of Cerros is very close.
A small town near the Mexican border on the bay of the same name. The Maya site of Cerros is very close.
Dangriga
A Garifuna town on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, often regarded as the "cultural capital of Belize" for its Garifuna music and culture.
A Garifuna town on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, often regarded as the "cultural capital of Belize" for its Garifuna music and culture.
Hopkins
This seaside village, south of Dangriga, is considered the cultural heart of Belize’s Garifuna population. You can dive, enjoy various water activities, or relax on its beaches.
This seaside village, south of Dangriga, is considered the cultural heart of Belize’s Garifuna population. You can dive, enjoy various water activities, or relax on its beaches.
Orange Walk Town
In northern Belize, this is the country's second-largest city, with significant Chinese and Mennonite communities. It's the starting point for boat excursions to the Lamanai site.
In northern Belize, this is the country's second-largest city, with significant Chinese and Mennonite communities. It's the starting point for boat excursions to the Lamanai site.
Placencia
A small fishing village on a peninsula in southern Belize. You can dive offshore, observe marine wildlife, or simply enjoy the nearby beaches.
A small fishing village on a peninsula in southern Belize. You can dive offshore, observe marine wildlife, or simply enjoy the nearby beaches.
Punta Gorda
This is the southernmost town in the country, located on the coast. Boats depart from here to Livingston in Guatemala. Various water activities are available in the Punta Gorda area.
This is the southernmost town in the country, located on the coast. Boats depart from here to Livingston in Guatemala. Various water activities are available in the Punta Gorda area.
San Ignacio
On the road from Tikal to Belize City, San Ignacio is primarily a base for exploring the many nearby archaeological sites (Caracol, Xunantunich).
On the road from Tikal to Belize City, San Ignacio is primarily a base for exploring the many nearby archaeological sites (Caracol, Xunantunich).
Pre-Columbian Sites
Altun Ha
This is a fairly large Maya site, still partly buried to the north of Belize City. It is known for the jade sculptures that have been discovered there.
This is a fairly large Maya site, still partly buried to the north of Belize City. It is known for the jade sculptures that have been discovered there.
Caracol
These are the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. They are located about forty kilometres from San Ignacio.
These are the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. They are located about forty kilometres from San Ignacio.
Lamanai
This Maya archaeological site is accessible from Orange Walk after a scenic boat trip along the New River.
This Maya archaeological site is accessible from Orange Walk after a scenic boat trip along the New River.
Natural Heritage
San Antonio Falls
These small waterfalls near the village of the same name also offer hiking opportunities in the surrounding jungle.
These small waterfalls near the village of the same name also offer hiking opportunities in the surrounding jungle.
Community Baboon Sanctuary
A private reserve near Belize City that is home to many monkeys and, more broadly, protects the local wildlife and flora.
A private reserve near Belize City that is home to many monkeys and, more broadly, protects the local wildlife and flora.
Cockscomb Basin
In the south, between Dangriga and Punta Gorda. You can hike through this jungle area, home to a population of jaguars.
In the south, between Dangriga and Punta Gorda. You can hike through this jungle area, home to a population of jaguars.
Crooked Tree
This nature reserve northwest of Belize City is home to a large number of birds, as well as monkeys, crocodiles, and turtles.
This nature reserve northwest of Belize City is home to a large number of birds, as well as monkeys, crocodiles, and turtles.
Guanacaste National Park
In the centre of the country, this tiny park is home to many birds and monkeys.
In the centre of the country, this tiny park is home to many birds and monkeys.
Belize Cayes
Ambergris Caye
The largest island in Belize and one of the best-known (and most upscale). It’s popular for its beaches and diving.
The largest island in Belize and one of the best-known (and most upscale). It’s popular for its beaches and diving.
Caye Caulker
A small island below Ambergis where independent travelers come to enjoy the beaches, diving, and great prices.
A small island below Ambergis where independent travelers come to enjoy the beaches, diving, and great prices.
San Pedro
"Capital" of Ambergris, it's the only town in the Cayes with typical Caribbean architecture.
"Capital" of Ambergris, it's the only town in the Cayes with typical Caribbean architecture.
Tobacco Caye
Small island off Dangriga popular with independent travellers for its tranquillity, beaches, and diving opportunities.
Small island off Dangriga popular with independent travellers for its tranquillity, beaches, and diving opportunities.
Natural Heritage
Belize Barrier Reef
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the largest coral reefs in the world, running along the Belize Cayes. Naturally, it’s a favorite spot for divers.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the largest coral reefs in the world, running along the Belize Cayes. Naturally, it’s a favorite spot for divers.
Great Blue Hole
It is a large circular underwater sinkhole over 300 m in diameter, located more than 70 km off the coast of Belize City. It is world-renowned for diving.
It is a large circular underwater sinkhole over 300 m in diameter, located more than 70 km off the coast of Belize City. It is world-renowned for diving.
Hol Chan
It’s a marine reserve near Ambergris Caye where wildlife may be more abundant than elsewhere in the region.
It’s a marine reserve near Ambergris Caye where wildlife may be more abundant than elsewhere in the region.
Must-see & highly recommended
Belize Barrier Reef
★★★★ A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the largest coral reefs in the world, running along the Belize Cayes. Naturally, it’s a…
Caye Caulker
★★★★ A small island below Ambergis where independent travelers come to enjoy the beaches, diving, and great prices.
Recommended
Caracol
★★★ These are the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. They are located about forty kilometres from San Ignacio.
Hol Chan
★★★ It’s a marine reserve near Ambergris Caye where wildlife may be more abundant than elsewhere in the region.
Worth a look / Other
Altun Ha
★★ This is a fairly large Maya site, still partly buried to the north of Belize City. It is known for the jade sculptures that have been…
Ambergris Caye
★★ The largest island in Belize and one of the best-known (and most upscale). It’s popular for its beaches and diving.
Blue Creek
★★ South of Belize. This village is popular for its caves, waterfalls, and the surrounding jungle where you can hike.
Cahal Pech
★★ Small archaeological site overlooking the town of San Ignacio.
Cockscomb Basin
★★ In the south, between Dangriga and Punta Gorda. You can hike through this jungle area, home to a population of jaguars.
Crooked Tree
★★ This nature reserve northwest of Belize City is home to a large number of birds, as well as monkeys, crocodiles, and turtles.
El Pilar
★★ This is the largest archaeological site in the San Ignacio region.
Great Blue Hole
★★ It is a large circular underwater sinkhole over 300 m in diameter, located more than 70 km off the coast of Belize City. It is…
Hopkins
★★ This seaside village, south of Dangriga, is considered the cultural heart of Belize’s Garifuna population. You can dive, enjoy…
Lamanai
★★ This Maya archaeological site is accessible from Orange Walk after a scenic boat trip along the New River.
Guanacaste National Park (Belize)
★★ In the centre of the country, this tiny park is home to many birds and monkeys.
Placencia
★★ A small fishing village on a peninsula in southern Belize. You can dive offshore, observe marine wildlife, or simply enjoy the nearby…
San Pedro
★★ "Capital" of Ambergris, it's the only town in the Cayes with typical Caribbean architecture.
Tobacco Caye
★★ Small island off Dangriga popular with independent travellers for its tranquillity, beaches, and diving opportunities.
Xunantunich
★★ One of the many small Mayan sites around San Ignacio.
Actun Tunichil Muknal
★ Archaeological cave near San Ignacio containing various Maya-era artifacts.
Belize City
★ Facing the sea, this was the country's capital until it was moved inland to Belmopan. The city has only a few remnants of the British…
Belmopan
★ This new city, barely touristy, has been the capital of Belize since 1970.
Caye Chapel
★ It’s a rather upscale island with a golf course and large hotels.
Cerros
★ A Maya site located by the sea, near the town of Corozal.
San Antonio Falls
★ These small waterfalls near the village of the same name also offer hiking opportunities in the surrounding jungle.
Community Baboon Sanctuary
★ A private reserve near Belize City that is home to many monkeys and, more broadly, protects the local wildlife and flora.
Corozal
★ A small town near the Mexican border on the bay of the same name. The Maya site of Cerros is very close.
Dangriga
★ A Garifuna town on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, often regarded as the "cultural capital of Belize" for its Garifuna music and culture.
Lubaantun
★ A pre-Columbian site not far from Punta Gorda.
Orange Walk Town
★ In northern Belize, this is the country's second-largest city, with significant Chinese and Mennonite communities. It's the starting point…
Punta Gorda
★ This is the southernmost town in the country, located on the coast. Boats depart from here to Livingston in Guatemala. Various water…
San Ignacio
★ On the road from Tikal to Belize City, San Ignacio is primarily a base for exploring the many nearby archaeological sites (Caracol…