Top 5 Reasons to Visit Belize on Vacation

Belize promises wonder for any kind of traveler and, located beneath Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, it is very close for travelers from the United States, which offers direct flights from major cities.

Getting around Belize is also relatively easy, with plane, boat, or private transfers between the Caribbean Sea and jungle-clad mountains, pine forests, and idyllic islands often less than a two hour trip. Because of its size and accessibility, you can enjoy the best of Belize tours in as little as seven days or stay for longer, with half your time in the jungle and the rest on the beach.

On extended trips of between nine and 12 days, you can experience the most popular places to visit in Belize more deeply as less time traveling around means greater opportunities for immersion.

Belize’s stunning natural scenery will inspire you as you plunge into crystal-clear waters or follow jungle trails that open to grand views of sensational vistas and offer glimpses of the endemic wildlife.

The world’s second-largest barrier reef lines the entire eastern shoreline. Inside the reef, shallow lagoons feature hundreds of small cayes perfect for viewing the active marine life and enjoying the variety of water activities, some of the best experiences to have in Belize.

From cave-tubing to visiting the main chamber of a Mayan burial site, searching for returning scarlet macaws or vibrant wetland birds, the layers of active wildlife, activities, and culture accentuate the beauty of nature, whether on Belize tours for seniors, Belize honeymoon packages, or traveling solo, with friends, or family.

Traveling as a family can be challenging as you search for activities that are exciting, fun, and educational for everyone, but Belize brims with wonderful options that can keep children and adults of any age entertained.

The diversity of possibilities can take your family to butterfly farms or animal rehabilitation programs. You can follow a guide through the wilderness to learn about the flora and fauna throughout the day or at night, as you discover a host of wildlife, including tarantulas. The zoo only features natural-habitat enclosures to give visitors the best opportunities for viewing animals like jaguars and tapirs.

Active adventure can uncover waterfalls, take you ziplining across the canopy, or rappelling alongside a rushing cascade. Learn about contemporary Maya culture with a cooking experience or follow the history of chocolate, from bean to bar. Explore iconic coral spanning the reef system or become amateur archeologists during a tour of preserved Maya ruins. Our Belize family vacations offer exciting outdoor and educational experiences for all ages.

The tropical ambiance of Belize provides great weather, with warm sunshine and clear skies abundant throughout the year. Even during the rainy season when downpours are more frequent, you can enjoy the distinct beauty of Belize from one day to the next.

The official dry season takes place from November to May, but no matter the time of year, Belize is a fantastic place to visit. The weather is often most dry from the end of March to May, while the rainy season from June to July explodes with color. Visitors not used to high humidity can enjoy how coastal resorts capture the sea breeze and inland lodges offer a nightly escape when the jungle exhales the warm weather.

By fall, the nights are cooler and the skies gorgeous, with bright-blue colors and puffy clouds. The temperature can drop sharply in December and January if a northern weather system drifts southward, but the climate across the country is mainly consistent throughout the year, with each new month offering a different view of the landscapes and adventures you can experience during the best times to visit Belize.

With the right planning, you can enjoy a variety of excursions and the promise of relaxation without worrying about the crowds or your safety in Belize. When booking with a travel specialist, you can visit Belize at a quieter time of the year and enjoy the benefits of staying in luxury accommodations that place traveler safety at the heart of your stay.

Almost all activities in Belize are outdoors, with very little hindrance on the types of excursions you can take, from boating up the Monkey River in search of manatees to exploring the central Mayan temple at Caracol. Boutique accommodations provide plenty of open space and traditional restaurants are most often open-air, without the added pressures of mass tourism.

Whether eager to glide along a river system winding through a cave or interested in a couple’s massage in the quiet jungle ambiance, knowing you can travel safely and avoid the tourist crowds can create a more inviting environment. You can learn more with answers to common travel questions about visiting the destination in our guide on how to plan a trip to Belize.

Discover Belize as you explore cultural history, embrace gorgeous islands, travel untamed mountains, spot vivacious wildlife, and participate in specific heritage. No matter the kind of travel experience you prefer, you can find the right trip for you to create an experience of a lifetime with our sample Belize tours and vacations.

Trek the jungle to reach surprising vistas, follow the sounds of howler monkeys to find the roaring troop, or snorkel along the second-largest coral reef system in the world in search of sea turtles or nurse sharks. Learn everything you need to know and more in our Belize travel guide.