Belize holidays

From Mayan ruins to incredible dive sites among Caribbean islets and coral reefs, Belize is one of the most beautiful and inspiring countries in the world, and that’s before you even consider the wildlife. Wander among ancient temples. Snorkel in lagoons beside soft sand cayes. Stroll around the narrow streets, Victorian buildings, museums, and restaurants of Belize City. Eat fresh seafood in beachside restaurants on the Placencia Peninsula. Kayak, swim, and dive. Rappel into the Black Hole Drop.

Hike the trails at Laughing Bird Caye. Sail beside crocodiles on the mangroves of the Monkey River. Learn to make chocolate as the Mayans did, visit a banana farm, browse galleries, and graze cafés. And the wildlife? See jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and anteaters at Cockscomb Basin. Witness turtles, conches, and sharks at Turneffe Caye. Or find tapirs, toucans, and all five Belizean wild cats at Belize Zoo.

The Caribbean coast of Belize houses the world’s second-largest barrier reef and a chain of atolls with over 200 sandy cayes. Step onto Ambergris Caye, the largest islet and home to the fishing village of San Pedro, where sandy streets are filled with quant cafés and visitors enjoy watersports beside the beach. Swim among sharks and stingrays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Dive into - or fly over - the Great Blue Hole. Explore the seascapes of Turneffe Atoll, where a ring of hundreds of coral islands and their central lagoon provide a home for marine life from snapper and trunkfish to dolphins, turtles, eagle rays, and nurse sharks. Bask on the beautiful beaches of the six cayes around Lighthouse Reef Atoll, walk the nature trails of Half Moon Caye to spot red-footed boobies, and climb the observation tower for amazing views.

Some of Central America’s most important archaeological sites sit within the borders of Belize. Cruise along the New River to Lamanai to find the ruins of a Mayan site that remained populated as late as the 16th century. Explore over 900 Mayan structures built by Spanish colonists. Visit Xunantunich, El Pilar, and Cahal Pech in the Cayo District, where ruins are surrounded by jungle trails and a complex of caverns.

Canoe through Barton Creek Cave on an underground river. See the 43-metre Caana Pyramid at Altun Ha, the tallest manufactured structure in Belize, and uncover the crypt of a Mayan priest-king in the Temple of the Green Tomb. Discover how nature is retaking the land at Caracol on the Vaca Plateau, an abandoned settlement once larger than Belize City and now home to big cats, howler monkeys, toucans and more.

December to May offers the best weather for any visit to Belize. Dry days and temperatures averaging around 25°C are ideal for exploring the jungle and ruins or spending time on the cayes and beaches. Christmas to January and Easter are peak times for visitors, making February a great month to visit for those seeking slightly quieter times. May, June, and July are officially part of the rainy season, but these months are more likely to see short afternoon showers rather than prolonged downpours.

August to October is the dampest and most humid season, with some lodges and attractions closing until better weather returns during November. Major events include Carnival Week in the build-up to Lent, the Toledo District’s Punta Gorda chocolate festival in May, the La Costa Maya music festival in August, and the Belize Carnival each September.