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North America / Central America

Belize

Barrier reef, jungle ruins, and cave tubing. As part of Central America in North America, Belize suits travelers drawn to big cities and nature. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

Belize

Start exploring.

Best time to visit: Nov – Apr

Belize City

Belize City pairs well with nearby highlights on a Central America route through Belize.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a favorite stop for travelers exploring Belize, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

San Ignacio

San Ignacio pairs well with nearby highlights on a Central America route through Belize.

Great Blue Hole

Great Blue Hole is a favorite stop for travelers exploring Belize, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

What it is known for
facts
  • Great Blue Hole dive site off the Lighthouse Reef
  • Mayan ruins of Caracol and Xunantunich near San Ignacio
  • Second-largest barrier reef in the world for snorkeling
  • Jungle cave tubing through underground river systems
  • Rice and beans with stew chicken on every menu
key City
name
San Ignacio
label
Most popular city
why
Cayo District's jungle town is the gateway to Mayan ruins, cave adventures, and the Mountain Pine Ridge before travelers head to the cayes.
Places to visit
  • area
    Belize City
    attractions
    • name
      St. John's Cathedral
      duration
      45 minutes to 1.5 hours
      book Ahead
      Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.
    • name
      Museum of Belize
      duration
      1.5-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead for major museums; same-day often fine off-season.
    • name
      Swing Bridge
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Altun Ha
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Caye Caulker
    attractions
    • name
      The Split
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Hol Chan Marine Reserve
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Shark Ray Alley
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
  • area
    San Ignacio
    attractions
    • name
      Xunantunich
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Barton Creek Cave
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Mountain Pine Ridge
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Great Blue Hole
    attractions
    • name
      Great Blue Hole
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Lighthouse Reef
      duration
      Half day to full day
      book Ahead
      Book ferries or boat tours 3-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Half Moon Caye
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Turneffe Atoll
      duration
      Half day to full day
      book Ahead
      Book ferries or boat tours 3-7 days ahead in peak season.
Itineraries
  • title
    Belize Highlights Express
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Belize City
    • Caye Caulker
    • San Ignacio
    highlights
    • Full day discovering Belize City
    • Full day discovering Caye Caulker
    • Full day discovering San Ignacio
    best For
    Weekend warriors and short trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Belize City
      description
      Land in Belize City, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Belize trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Caye Caulker
      description
      Dedicate the day to Caye Caulker: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      San Ignacio and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in San Ignacio visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Classic Belize
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Belize City
    • Caye Caulker
    • San Ignacio
    • Great Blue Hole
    highlights
    • Cover Belize City and Caye Caulker
    • Explore San Ignacio
    • Explore Great Blue Hole
    best For
    Outdoor lovers and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Belize City
      description
      Land in Belize City, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Belize trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Caye Caulker
      description
      Dedicate the day to Caye Caulker: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Explore San Ignacio
      description
      Dedicate the day to San Ignacio: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      4
      title
      Great Blue Hole and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Great Blue Hole visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Belize Beaches & Coast
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Belize City
    • Caye Caulker
    • San Ignacio
    highlights
    • Coastal day in Belize City
    • Coastal day in Caye Caulker
    • Coastal day in San Ignacio
    best For
    Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Belize City
      description
      Check in near the shore and take a relaxed walk along the waterfront. Swim or sunbathe if conditions allow, then settle into a seaside dinner in Belize City.
    • day
      2
      title
      Caye Caulker coast
      description
      Spend the day on Caye Caulker's shoreline: The Split, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, with time for cafés, boat trips, or sunset views.
    • day
      3
      title
      San Ignacio and farewell
      description
      Enjoy a final beach morning in San Ignacio, visiting Xunantunich, Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Barton Creek Cave before you depart Belize.
  • title
    Belize Countryside
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Caye Caulker
    • San Ignacio
    • Great Blue Hole
    highlights
    • Rural stop: Caye Caulker
    • Rural stop: San Ignacio
    • Rural stop: Great Blue Hole
    best For
    Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Caye Caulker
      description
      Reach Caye Caulker, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.
    • day
      2
      title
      San Ignacio countryside
      description
      Explore San Ignacio at an easy pace: Xunantunich, Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Barton Creek Cave with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      3
      title
      Great Blue Hole and farewell
      description
      Wrap up with a slow morning in Great Blue Hole, stopping at Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye before heading home.
  • title
    Belize Monuments & Hot Spots
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Belize City
    • Caye Caulker
    • San Ignacio
    • Great Blue Hole
    highlights
    • Must-see: St. John's Cathedral
    • Must-see: Museum of Belize
    • Must-see: The Split
    • Must-see: Hol Chan Marine Reserve
    best For
    Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Icons of Belize City
      description
      Start in Belize City with St. John's Cathedral, Museum of Belize, Swing Bridge, buying timed tickets ahead when possible and finishing with a walk through the historic center.
    • day
      2
      title
      Caye Caulker monuments
      description
      Focus on Caye Caulker's tourist favorites: The Split, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      3
      title
      San Ignacio monuments
      description
      Focus on San Ignacio's tourist favorites: Xunantunich, Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Barton Creek Cave with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      4
      title
      Great Blue Hole landmarks and farewell
      description
      Catch any remaining must-sees in Great Blue Hole, including Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye, before your departure.
When to go & typical weather
summary
November through April is dry season in Belize, ideal for Blue Hole diving, Mayan ruins at Caracol, and cayes snorkeling without tropical downpours. Cooler Dec-Jan suits jungle lodges; whale shark season peaks Mar-Jun.
typical Weather
Belize City/Belmopan Nov-Apr: highs 28-30°C (82-86°F), lows 20-22°C (68-72°F), 40-80 mm rain. Cayes: sea 26-28°C (79-82°F). Inland jungles humid.
details
  • Dec-Jan peak; Ambergris Caye and Placencia fill up.
  • Jun-Nov wet season; cheaper rates but choppy seas.
  • Sep-Oct hurricane risk highest; monitor forecasts.
  • Lobster season opens Jun; conch season Oct.
most Affordable
period
Jun – Nov
summary
Green season brings Belize's lowest lodge and dive rates when rain increases but prices drop sharply at Ambergris Caye and Placencia. September and October offer the deepest discounts before dry-season return.
details
  • Ambergris Caye resorts discount 40-50% in Sep-Oct.
  • Blue Hole dive trips cheaper in green season months.
  • Jungle lodges near San Ignacio offer wet-season promotions.
  • Regional flights from Belize City to cayes less crowded.
most Expensive
period
Dec – Apr
summary
Dry-season peak fills Belize cayes and jungle lodges when North American winter escape travelers pay premium rates for diving and reef access. Christmas, New Year, and spring break weeks see highest pricing.
details
  • Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker sell out at peak Dec-Jan rates.
  • Blue Hole and Turneffe Atoll dive operators charge premium in dry season.
  • Placencia beach resorts require advance booking at peak rates.
  • Flights from US hubs cost most in winter dry season.
Airports & arrivals
summary
Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City is the main international gateway.
airports
  • name
    Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport
    code
    BZE
    location
    Ladyville, serving Belize City
    distance From Center
    16 km (10 mi) northwest of Belize City
    transfer Note
    Taxis, shuttles, and water taxis connect to islands and lodges
Getting around
overview
Belizeans travel by chicken buses, water taxis, and domestic flights; no rail network.
trains
    ferries
      subways
        public Transit
        • name
          Belize Bus
          kind
          public
          description
          Intercity coaches and local buses nationwide.
          ticketing
          Pay at terminals or to conductor.
        • name
          Water Taxi Belize
          kind
          public
          description
          Boats linking Belize City, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro.
          ticketing
          Buy at water taxi terminals.
        • name
          Belize City Bus
          kind
          public
          description
          Urban routes in Belize City.
          ticketing
          Pay cash when boarding.
        ride Share
          Currency
          code
          BZD
          name
          Belize dollar
          symbol
          $
          note
          Carry some belize dollar in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

          Convert your travel budget ↗

          Visas & official entry links
          Local customs
          summary
          Belize is English-speaking, Afro-Caribbean and Maya in heritage, and relaxed in coastal towns. Reef and jungle tourism dominate etiquette around guides, wildlife, and marine parks. Cash and patience matter on cayes and inland buses.
          customs
          • Island time applies on cayes; boats run on practical schedules.
          • Creole and Garifuna festivals welcome respectful visitors.
          • Guides expect tips for reef and cave tours.
          dos
          • Use reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on coral.
          • Tip guides 10 to 20 percent on snorkel and dive trips.
          • Drink bottled or filtered water in rural areas.
          • Use licensed tour operators for ATM cave and Blue Hole trips.
          • Greet bus drivers and shopkeepers with good morning.
          donts
          • Do not touch marine life or collect shells in protected zones.
          • Do not assume US dollars are always accepted at fair bank rates.
          • Do not wander border areas near Guatemala without local advice.
          • Do not photograph Maya ceremonial sites disrespectfully during rituals.
          • Do not leave food out that attracts raccoons and iguanas at lodges.
          Useful travel phrases
          language
          English
          phrases
          • english
            Please
            local
            Please
            pronunciation
            PLEEZ
          • english
            Thank you
            local
            Thank you
            pronunciation
            THANK yoo
          • english
            Yes
            local
            Yes
            pronunciation
            YES
          • english
            No
            local
            No
            pronunciation
            NOH
          • english
            How much?
            local
            How much?
            pronunciation
            how MUCH
          • english
            Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
            local
            Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
            pronunciation
            wair iz thuh NEER-est RES-tuh-raunt or BAR
          • english
            Where is the airport?
            local
            Where is the airport?
            pronunciation
            wair iz thee AIR-port
          • english
            I need help
            local
            I need help
            pronunciation
            eye need HELP
          • english
            I need a hospital
            local
            I need a hospital
            pronunciation
            eye need uh HOS-pih-tul
          • english
            Call the police
            local
            Call the police
            pronunciation
            kawl thuh puh-LEES
          Longer stays
          visa Summary
          U.S. citizens may enter Belize visa-free for up to 30 days, extendable at immigration offices for a fee. The Qualified Retired Persons program and work permits provide pathways for longer stays when financial and employment criteria are satisfied. Belize updates fee schedules and QRP requirements from time to time, so verify with the Belize Immigration Department before relocating.

          Practical tips.

          • Pay park and ATM fees in Belize dollars or U.S. dollars because both circulate and change is usually given in local currency.
          • Book reef and ATM cave tours with licensed operators because unregulated guides are not allowed in protected sites.
          • Use water taxis or domestic flights to the cayes if you are prone to seasickness on the fast San Pedro ferry.
          More travel tips ↗

          Locate Belize.

          Location map of Belize

          Before you go.

          Check current entry requirements and travel conditions with official sources before booking. Read the current U.S. State Department advisory for Belize ↗