What to do and where to stay in one of Central America’s smallest countries
In Belize, the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye have the best access to the barrier reef and the top dive and snorkel sites.
Less than half the size of Costa Rica and with a population of only 300,000, Belize is undoubtedly small in stature, but not in substance. Unparalleled diving and snorkeling along its Caribbean coast, wild and pristine rainforests in the west, and a thriving native culture (a mix of Maya, Mestizo, Creole, and Garifuna) are just a taste of what this petite nation has to offer.
What to Do
– Belize’s massive barrier reef (the second longest in the world), with its year-round temperatures of 80 degrees or higher, has some of the best diving and snorkeling anywhere on Earth.
– Belize has attractions above the surface too: fishing, parasailing, catamaran cruises, windsurfing, and kayaking are all popular.
– On land, you can visit Maya ruins; track howler monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, and more than 500 species of birds on a jungle tour; or get your heart racing on a zipline or cave-tubing adventure. Worth a visit is the conservation-minded Belize Zoo, which has 45 species of animals—all indigenous to Belize.
What to Do
– Belize’s massive barrier reef (the second longest in the world), with its year-round temperatures of 80 degrees or higher, has some of the best diving and snorkeling anywhere on Earth.
– Belize has attractions above the surface too: fishing, parasailing, catamaran cruises, windsurfing, and kayaking are all popular.
– On land, you can visit Maya ruins; track howler monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, and more than 500 species of birds on a jungle tour; or get your heart racing on a zipline or cave-tubing adventure. Worth a visit is the conservation-minded Belize Zoo, which has 45 species of animals—all indigenous to Belize.
Where to Stay
– A collection of luxe, ocean-view villas on the southern Caribbean coast, Chabil Mar has numerous customizable vacation packages, including, for anglers, a chef to cook up your catch of the day.
– A throwback to the opulent British colonial plantation home, Victoria House, on the island of Ambergris Caye, is a 42-room boutique resort with rooms, villas, and thatch-roof casitas facing the Caribbean.
– Rooms surround a lovely pool at Seaside Cabana, on the island of Caye Caulker. The mid-range hotel is known for its fun vibe and excellent bartenders.
