What to Do in Belize in 2023: Best Activities & Tours

What to Do in Belize: 23 of the Best Activities

What to Do in Belize

There are countless amazing ways to spend your time in Belize, and you are certain to never run short of things to do. From the breathtaking Caribbean coastline to the cities and towns and the dense jungle, here are 23 of the best activities to do while in the country.

1. Take a Snorkel Trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Snorkel the Hol Chan Marine Reserve

 The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area of the Belize Barrier Reef where you can take a day trip to snorkel with rays, sharks, sea turtles, fish, and all kinds of other marine life.

2. Go Birdwatching

belize is a top birding destination

Belize is home to over 500 species of birds. Whether looking for seabirds on the atolls or taking a guided birdwatching hike through the jungle, Belize is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

3. Learn About Garifuna Culture

The Garifuna are descendants of enslaved Africans who intermarried with the indigenous Arawak people of St. Vincent and then came to Belize to escape persecution. Dance and drumming are integral to their culture, and you’ll be invited to join in.

4. Look for Jaguars at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Jaguars at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the only preserve in the world dedicated to jaguars. The elusive cats like to stay hidden, but if you’re lucky you might be able to spot one. Even if you don’t, there are plenty of other animals to see.

5. Scuba Dive the Great Blue Hole

Depths of Belize's Great Blue Hole

Often named as one of the best dive sites on the planet, Belize’s Great Blue Hole is an underwater sinkhole located in Lighthouse Atoll on the Belize Barrier Reef. Go on a dive tour to see its unique ecosystem and geology for yourself.

6. Visit Maya Ruins

Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

Hundreds of years ago, Belize was part of the Maya Empire, and these fascinating people left behind amazing structures and ceremonial sites throughout the country. Famous and popular sites to visit include Altun Ha, Lamanai, Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and Lubaantun.

7. Visit the Belize Zoo

Visit the Belize Zoo

At the Belize Zoo, you can see many of the amazing animals that call Belize home as well as learn about the conservation efforts to preserve them.

8. Support Artists at Local Marketplaces

walter castillo belize

Marketplaces where locals sell their art, jewelry, clothing, and other handicrafts dot the country. Visit a few to support local artists and bring a unique piece of Belize home with you.

9. Try Cave Tubing

cave tubing in belize

Cave tubing is a fun, popular activity to do in Belize that involves guided tours in inner tubes through Belize’s stunning cave systems. The Maya held sacred ceremonies in many of these caves and you can still see artifacts and remains today, as well as amazing crystalline rock formations.

10. Have a Party on Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker Belize

Caye Caulker is a smaller island off the coast of Belize known for its chill Caribbean vibe. Bars and restaurants adorn the small settlement on the island, offering drinks and live music for those who want to join in the fun and have a good time.

11. Raise a Blue Morpho Butterfly

blue morpho

The striking blue morpho butterfly is found in abundance across Belize, and at the Chaa Creek’s Butterfly Farm near San Ignacio, you can even take care of a cocooning butterfly and release it into the wild when it emerges.

12. Tour the Copalli Rum Distillery

Tour the Copalli Rum Distillery

If you want to sample some of the best rum in Belize and learn how it’s made, take a trip to the Copalli Rum distillery in Punta Gorda to the south.

13. Try Fly Fishing at Turneffe Atoll

turneffe reef in belize

Anglers from around the world come to Belize to fish, and Turneffe Atoll is one of the best spots. Guides will take you on tours to catch sports fish such as tarpon, permit, and bonefish.

14. Relax With Yoga on Ray Caye

yoga in belize

The private island of Ray Caye is known for its yoga and meditation events. This should be your number one destination if you are looking for a refreshing wellness vacation.

15. See the Jungle from a Pontoon Boat

Belize Pontoon Boat Tour

The decks of a pontoon boat are a great vantage point from which to see the jungles of Belize. You can search for and learn about a rich variety of wildlife, from monkeys and crocodiles to tapirs, before stopping to take a swim.

16. Take a Swim at Big Rock Falls

Swim at Big Rock Falls

At the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, you can dive, swim and relax at these breathtaking waterfalls – the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.

17. Eat a Fry Jack

Belize Fry Jacks

Fry jacks are a beloved cuisine in Belize and you should make it a point of sampling one during your visit. Commonly eaten at breakfast, they consist of fried tortilla dough filled with jam, honey, beans or cheese.

18. Learn About Ancient Rituals on the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a sacred cave the Mayas believed was connected to the underworld, Xibalba. You can tour the cave for yourself to learn about the remains and artifacts left behind, each with their own story to tell.

19. Stay At Resorts Created By a Filmmaking Genius

turtle inn in placencia belize

The acclaimed film director Francis Ford Coppola owns two luxury hotels in Belize: Blancaneaux Lodge in Mountain Pine Ridge and Turtle Inn in Placencia. Both resorts have roomy bungalows with creative decor and top-notch service.

20. Go For a Jungle Horseback Ride

Jungle Horseback Ride

It’s an exhilarating experience to explore the jungle on horseback, and it’s a favorite activity in the Cayo District. See an outfitter to get you set up.

21. Discover Secret Beach

Secret Beach

About four miles north of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is Secret Beach, one of the best-kept secrets on the island where you can swim, dine and enjoy. You can easily get there by renting a golf cart.

22. Get Spicy With Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce

Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce

Hot sauce is a staple of Belizean cuisine, and the Marie Sharp brand has become iconic. You can catch a free tour at the factory where it’s made and pick up a bottle or two to take home.

23. Try A Bioluminescence Boat Tour

In the tiny seaside village of Hopkins between January and May, you can hop on a pontoon boat in the evenings when the moon isn’t too bright to take a bioluminescence tour. Seeing the glowing marine life among the mangroves is almost like something out of a dream.


Get a copy of The Ultimate Belize Bucket List! Written by Larry Waight, a local with more than twenty years of experience in the travel industry, the book is packed with tips, information, and recommendations about all of the best things to see and do in Belize.
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