A Brief History Of Tourism In Belize

September 16, 2025
by Larry Waight +

The small Central American country of Belize is becoming more and more internationally known for its tourism. Although the tourism industry in the country is relatively young, it has grown in leaps and bounds over the last several decades. Having come a long way in just a short amount of time, the history of tourism in Belize is a fascinating topic.

Beginnings

Because Belize was not an independent country prior to 1981, it was not considered an international tourism destination although the industry has its fledgling origins in the 1960s. The biggest early issue was the lack of infrastructure to accommodate tourism on a significant scale.

Belize’s government and civil population have looked at the success of other countries in the region, namely Costa Rica and Mexico, and wanted to do the same. Knowing Belize has similar resources to these other countries along with some unique advantages of its own, they set out to establish and promote a thriving tourism industry in the country. The goal has always been to do this in a sustainable manner so Belize’s natural resources and local identities will be preserved.

Tourism really began taking off in 1985 and has grown exponentially ever since. The global recession in 2008 hit Belize harder than the rest of the Caribbean, but recovery has been stronger. Natural disasters and, more recently, climate change, remain significant threats to the sustainability of Belize’s tourism industry.

Tourism In Belize Now

Tourism is now the second largest industry in the country and the government considers it the biggest economic priority after agriculture. The Belize government also hopes to use tourism to alleviate poverty in all regions of the country. The tourism industry is overseen by the Ministry of Tourism and the Belize Tourism Board.

Current plans are to double tourist arrivals by 2030. The biggest target markets are Americans and Canadians, followed by Europeans. Competitive advantages have been identified as political stability, being investor-friendly, an abundance of natural resources, the climate, and easy accessibility for both English and Spanish speakers.

Belize’s Tourism Draws

Belize’s key attractions for tourists are the beautiful tropical beaches, its rich ecology, and the country’s cultural history.

Offshore, the country has the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Belize also has hundreds of islands, locally known as cayes, which are attractive to visitors wanting a tropical beachside vacation. Fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving are just some of the popular activities visitors come to do.

On the mainland, Belize’s dense and rugged jungle landscape offers numerous opportunities for birdwatching, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, ziplining, waterfall viewing, river boating, and more. Once part of the Maya civilization, major ruins and ceremonial sites are found throughout the country.

Popular Tourist Destinations

The most popular destination for tourists is Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island and located right next to the Belize Barrier Reef. Caye Caulker, Placencia and places in the Cayo District such as San Ignacio are also popular. Cruise ships often dock in Belize City as well.

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Medical Tourism

Like other countries in Latin America, medical tourism is a growing industry in Belize. The country is an especially attractive option because of its close proximity to the United States and the fact that English is the official language. For these reasons, the growth of medical tourism is part of Belize’s overall plan to grow its tourism sector.

Investment Tourism

Investment tourism is also growing in popularity in Belize because of the government’s friendly stance toward foreign investors. There are no restrictions on foreign nationals purchasing property in Belize. Most investors like to visit the country for themselves and see what a particular area or property has to offer before they decide to purchase.

Although relatively young, the tourism industry in Belize continues to grow with each passing year. Bountiful natural resources and a focus on sustainability will help the country reach its 2030 tourism goals.