Many visitors to Belize visit the Belize Zoo to see its indigenous creatures in their natural environments and support wildlife rescue initiatives.
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is another highly recommended trip in Belize, featuring towering pine forests, waterfalls, exotic birds and plenty of nature trails for exploration!
Mayan Ruins: Belize’s Ancient Treasures
Belize is home to breathtaking Mayan ruins from ancient Maya civilization, once one of the most advanced in history. Their cities, temples, and pyramids can be found scattered across the country for visitors to enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Belize wouldn’t be complete without seeing the incredible Xunantich Ruins. This sprawling site includes the Jaguar Temple and Mask Temple as well as one of its pyramids: High Temple.
Caracol in Chiquibul Forest Reserve is another breathtaking ruin worth seeing, once serving as capital of the Maya people and dating back 1200 BC; today it stands as one of the largest Mayan relics in Belize. However, due to its remote location, it may require booking a tour with a guide in order to access it safely.
Barton Creek Cave provides another adventure within its cave system. Used by the Maya for ritualistic offerings and sacrifices, as well as housing artifacts belonging to 28 humans who once resided here, it’s a popular spot among cavers.
Jungle Trekking: Wildlife Wonders in Belize
Belize’s jungle hikes will appeal to thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike, offering hiking adventures through national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that allow you to connect with nature on an intimate level.
Hikers looking for an exciting adventure should attempt the climb of Victoria Peak, Belize’s second highest mountain. Climbers will be rewarded with stunning views of both its surrounding jungle and Caribbean Sea below.
Rain forests provide shelter to an impressive array of fauna, such as parrots, macaws and black howler monkeys. Furthermore, this expansive expanse houses thousands of caves where Mayan artifacts can be discovered; tours to explore the famous ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal) cave are offered daily by experienced guides.
Bird watchers in Belize can identify over 605 species of migratory and endemic birds, both endemic and non-endemic. There are trails throughout many parks and reserves where you can spot these beautiful feathered friends while taking in Belize’s breathtaking landscape.
Cave Exploration: Adventure in Belize
Belize’s inland landscape is dominated by karst geology, or steeply eroded limestone mountains with honeycombed caves, making the country popular among cave explorers and travelers. One such popular cave is Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM), boasting the second-largest underground chamber that extends nearly a quarter mile beneath earth surface.
Maya people who inhabited this region saw these caves as gateways to the underworld and used them for religious rituals; hence their frequent appearance with remains from sacrificial offerings, pottery and jewelry left from religious ceremonies in these natural marvels.
Falls are a stunning feature in Belize, but few rival the 600ft tall Big Rock Falls outside San Ignacio for sheer majesty and beauty. Big Rock Falls should be on any tour through Belize waterfalls; its cascade is the ideal way to end an active day of hiking and caving!
Beach Bliss: Sun & Sand and Sea in Belize
Belize’s beachside paradises provide the ideal setting for an enjoyable beachside escape. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing or boating along the Caribbean Sea; Hol Chan Marine Preserve provides an especially spectacular display of reef life just off Ambergris Caye; here, the water is so clear you can see hawksbill and stingrays directly from above!
Belize’s beaches will captivate you with their beauty and tranquility, whether on Caye Caulker Island or the beautiful resorts of Placencia. Enjoy spending time on its sandy shores or taking a sunset cruise!
Belize’s beaches make a wonderful backdrop for unforgettable island adventures. Explore nearby Mayan ruins by boat ride, or travel further inland to sites like Xunantich, Caracol or Lamanai – during rainy season we recommend exploring them by foot instead.
Water Sports: Thrills in Belize’s Waters
Belize’s warm Caribbean waters make an excellent setting for an abundance of exciting water sports activities, from swimming and fishing to snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and boating – especially around Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Turneffe Islands.
thrill-seekers can test their nerve on the reef or at Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave – an archaeological site and home of ancient Mayan artifacts.
Experience the Caribbean waters at high speed on a jet ski or kite surf – its barrier reef protects the waters from rough waves making this sport safe to practice.
Canoeing or kayaking are excellent ways to discover Belize’s rainforest and jungle-covered ruins. Multiple rivers run throughout the country, including Mopan River and Caves Brand; some stretches provide calm enough conditions to appreciate nature while others may offer white-water rapids of various degrees. For an easier journey, ride canoe into Barton Creek Cave for an enjoyable journey!
Horseback Riding: Scenic Belize Escapades
Not all Belizean visitors prefer spending all their time snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef or diving into caves; there’s plenty of beautiful jungle inland too – and one of the best ways to see it is on horseback. Morningside Ranch offers guided rides through their scenic jungle inland with expert Mayan-descended guides sharing fascinating tidbits as you ride through rainforest and across rivers towards ancient Xunantunich ruins.
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, nestled in the cooler highlands, provides an unforgettable forest adventure experience. Home to towering pine forests instead of palm trees, cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, Maya temples, exotic birds and an endless number of nature trails, this park’s most popular activities include hiking down and back up Antelope Falls’ treacherous stairs, kayaking, rappelling or simply swimming in one of its natural pools surrounded by cascading waterfalls.
Belize’s natural wonders are diverse and vast – it would take weeks of exploring them all to truly appreciate all that exists there! For the full experience, plan a stay of at least 14 days (two is even better!) in which you divide your time between hiking jungle trails, exploring Mayan ruins, sipping cocktails on tranquil beaches and relaxing on exotic pristine shorelines. November to April are considered ideal times of year due to dry and sunny conditions.
Birdwatching: Top Spots in Belize
Belize’s diverse ecosystems of tropical jungle, savannah and wetlands draw hundreds of avian species. Look up into the canopies of rainforest for sightings of keel-billed motmot or violaceous trogon; in wetlands look for heron and kingfisher species as well as giant jabiru stork.
Northern Belize’s New River Lagoon is an ideal bird-watching spot, thanks to its network of canals, streams and marshy lagoons. This natural sanctuary draws migratory birds from across the region – you may even spot herons or kingfishers here! Additionally, keep your eye out for pink-hued waters filled with flamingos as well as many kinds of ducks and other waterfowl.
Big Rock Falls waterfall near San Ignacio is an absolute must-see for nature enthusiasts and photographers. While you can visit independently, tours often stop here on their journey to Caracol Ruins. The waters here are refreshing and crystal clear – ideal for relaxing or swimming – and may even give visitors a glimpse of monkeys or other wildlife inhabiting its jungle surroundings.
Cultural Encounters: Belizean Traditions
Belize is best-known for its natural wonders, yet this nation also boasts an enthralling culture and history. Explore Mayan ruins, rainforest adventures, beautiful beaches and small islands and an abundant array of wildlife–Southern Belize offers something to offer everyone!
Nature enthusiasts will delight in Rio Blanco National Park’s incredible reserve with waterfalls, natural pools, lush jungle vegetation and exotic birds. Meanwhile, for those who appreciate luxury there are exquisite resorts like Ka’ana Resort and Spa offering gorgeous jungle views with 5-star service – making a spectacular combination.
Foodies will love experiencing Belize’s diverse cuisine, which draws from Mayan, Spanish and Creole cultures. Popular dishes include rice and beans, stewed chicken and corn tortillas.
Garifuna people, descendants of slaves brought over from Africa’s coasts and brought into Belize as slaves, commemorate their unique death ceremony called Hudut. This elaborate meal includes fish, ripe plantain mashed with traditional pestle and mortar pestle and mortar, okra, onions, herbs and seasoning to be shared as a touching farewell gesture for loved ones who have passed on.
