Why you simply must visit Belize

Combine Belize with Guatemala

​If you’re planning to visit Belize, we recommend combining it with a trip to Guatemala. The two countries complement each other perfectly. In Guatemala, Mayan culture is still very much alive, the jungle connects the two countries, and in Belize you can round off your trip in style on one of the dream beaches. What’s more, this combination also makes sense from a practical point of view. It’s not possible to fly from the Netherlands to Belize City in a single day; a stopover with an overnight stay in Panama or the US is always required. You can, however, travel to Guatemala in a day, leaving you with more days to enjoy your trip.

In this blog, we’ll give you five reasons why you simply must visit Belize!

1. Canoeing or rafting in the Mayan caves

If you cross the border from Guatemala into Belize, you’ll find yourself in the Cayo District, in the heart of Belize. The Cayo District is a vast area of rainforests, cattle ranches, pine trees and some of the country’s most rugged, remote spots. It’s a region you visit for nature and adventure. The area is home to several caves that were once used by the Maya people for rituals and ceremonies. The best known are the ATM Cave, for true adventurers, and the Barton Creek Cave. During my visit to Belize in May 2018, I visited the Barton Creek Cave:

"After breakfast, we drive to Barton Creek. The cave is tucked away in lush green surroundings at the foot of an idyllic pool. It’s not possible to visit the cave on foot, as it’s a 1.5-kilometre-long meandering river. At the entrance to the cave, we board our canoes, switch on our headlamps and begin to paddle slowly towards the cave. As we paddle deeper into the cave, our guide tells us about the impressive geology, archaeology and Mayan history of these caves. For a brief moment, we switch off all our torches and are enveloped in pitch darkness, knowing that this cave was used by the Maya thousands of years ago. Truly special!"

2. Impressive Mayan ruins

To be honest, I let out a slight sigh at first when I heard we were going to visit yet another Mayan ruin. In Guatemala, we’d visited Tikal and Uaxactún, and I thought the rest of the Mayan sites would pale in comparison to these two extraordinary places. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Close to the border with Guatemala lies the Mayan ruin of Xunantunich. This archaeological site was a huge surprise to me and, without a doubt, one of my favourite Mayan sites that I’ve seen during my travels through Latin America. It was very peaceful, and the six large plazas with 25 temples are extremely well maintained. We decided to climb the largest temple, after which we were rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the site and the surrounding Cayo District. As well as Xunantunich, the ancient Mayan cities of Caracol and Cahal Pech are also well worth a visit.

3. Discover the gold of the Maya in the south

​In the south of Belize lies the lesser-known fishing village of Punta Gorda in the Toledo District. Are you looking for ‘off-the-beaten-track’ experiences? Then this region is the place for you. Although you’ll find other ethnic groups here too, the area also has a strong Mayan presence. The locals are happy to show you how the Mayan people lived 50 years ago. An important part of this is cocoa, the ‘Gold of the Maya’. During my stay, we were taken to a cocoa farm for a chocolate-making workshop. First, we were shown how the plants grow and where the beans come from. We were then shown how the beans are turned into chocolate. The locals are very proud of their chocolate-making methods and convey this with great enthusiasm and plenty of interaction. We were also allowed to taste the chocolate and were treated to a lunch of chicken in chocolate sauce afterwards.

4. Birdwatching and wildlife spotting in the jungle

​To spot birds and other wildlife in the jungle, head to the north-west of Belize. The Orange Walk region is home to rushing rivers, unspoilt wilderness and exotic wildlife. With over 400 recorded bird species, this area is a paradise for birdwatchers, but it’s also the place to be for spotting other wildlife. One of our customers who visited the area last year had this to say:

​“A piece of my heart has stayed behind in the jungle of Lamanai. I’d been lying in my hammock on the terrace for less than five minutes when the first toucan landed on a branch above me, whilst a family of monkeys was peacefully eating in the tree next to me. The almost constant presence of these monkeys, and their impressive roars, added a touch of magic to those days. And I haven’t even mentioned the snakes, tarantulas, crocodiles and the evening trips across the lagoon under the indescribably beautiful starry sky.” Read their full story here

5. Discover the underwater world of the world’s second-largest reef

With the second-largest barrier reef in the world, it’s no surprise that Belize is regarded as a diver’s paradise. Not far off the coast lie the stunning coral reefs, where you can see plenty of marine life with just your snorkelling gear. Are you a real diving enthusiast? Then you can visit the famous Blue Hole from here. The Blue Hole lies about 70 kilometres off the coast and is a circular hole over 300 metres wide and 124 metres deep. This cave was formed during various ice ages when sea levels were much lower. When the waters rose again, the cave became submerged. Alongside walls covered in coral, exotic fish and turtles, the sharks make this ultimate destination truly worthwhile. Bigeye nurse sharks, hammerhead sharks and other reef sharks, such as the blacktip shark and the Caribbean reef shark, come to this secluded depth to cool off.