What to See in Belize
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Location

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Belize has only one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Mainland Belize

Pre-Columbian Sites

Natural Heritage

Belize Cayes

Natural Heritage

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…