Exotic sounding Belize had been on my travel wish list for a very long time. With no direct flights from Canada, it had proven pricey until I figured out it was only a $40 bus ride from Cancun! I immediately booked my $320 return ticket for the next week and was off. Belize didn’t disappoint with gorgeous marine life, warm water and picturesque palms. I spent most of my time on the islands and coast as usual so inland Belize and its jungles and ruins are not included. for me, this country is an absolute must for ocean lovers. That is where it shines above the others in the region. Snorkelers and divers rejoice!
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Belize ishines more in its marine life, corals and culture than it does for beaches. That said, there are a few beautiful areas to enjoy for those that need their toes in the sand!
Belize is all about the island culture and underwater life for me. You can see an amazing array of creatures from the beaches and it just gets better as you venture to the cayes and of course; the famous Blue Hole!
The aquatic life around Belize is amazing! Hol Chan literally means “little channel” in Mayan and is a natural break in the large reef system that can lead into the Blue Hole. It’s only around 75 feet wide and quite shallow making it an epic place to go snorkeling. I swan with nurse sharks and stingrays that congregated on the bottom along with so many gorgeous and colourful fish. The water is super clear and if you’re lucky turtles will be visiting the channel as well. Be wary on the currents that can be strong.
If you’re a diver, this famous giant sinkhole in Belize has been on your hitlist forever. Located in Lighthouse reef, its a perfectly circular deep hole with amazing visibility that helps it be ranked one of the top world dive sites. Divers can easily explore the underwater cave formations and shark silhouettes and are sure sight as you descend.
This large and beautiful cave system & archaeological site sits within the Maya Mountains close to San Ignacio. Canoe is the best way to explore the inner caverns and your guide can tell you all about the Mayan rituals that used to take place to honour the Gods of the underworld while you’re taking in the giant stalagmites and eerie sounds of the caves. After you’re done with the cave, spend time enjoying the surrounding jungle filled with wildlife. There are also some zip lines to enjoy if you want to up the adrenaline.
The waters that surround most of the islands and cayes in Belize were made for paddle boarding! The sea stays shallow around the islands and the waters are calm being protected by the surrounding reefs. SUP gives you the perfect vantage point to be able to look down at the sea as you slowing glide over. I rented a board at least 3 times to paddle the surrounding mangroves and enjoy up close and personal time with the creatures that call the area home. When you’re done paddling, it’s calm enough to put all the boards together to form a raft and have one of your friends pull you around. Yup, it was awesome.
Take a visit to the gorgeous Mayan ruins of in Lamanai tucked next to a large river in the jungles of Belize. The site is accessed by an hour long boat ride and short walk to the wonderfully preserved structures. There is something profound about wandering about these ancient pyramids nestled into the jungle. A certain energy fills the air. Slow down and take it all the details and imagine what life living here would have been like! Tons of wildlife will keep you company including a troupe of howler monkeys.
I adored Belize for it’s numerous cayes, amazing marine life and laid back vibes of the islands. This is the place to bring your own snorkeling gear! There are a ton of great activities on the mainland and especially the sea surrounding it’s shores.
I regularly get up just before dawn, grab my shoes and head out to catch the sunrise from the best vantage point I can find. While on the island of Caye Caulker, I went to the “Splitt”. A narrow channel that separates the two halves. Settling in to catch the first hint of light, something grabbed my attention in the water almost right away. There right in front of me, were manta rays jumping up and out of the water!! I couldn’t believe it as I didn’t even know they are known to do it! Completely amazing.
For me, Belize was all about Dock life. The water is generally quite shallow and full of sea grass which has made the locals build many long docks with fabulous palapas on the end. I watched countless sunsets and sunrises from one or another. Sit on the edge and you can see jellyfish, pufferfish and so much more. It was peaceful and wonderful.
Almost everyone is familiar with the world biggest sinkhole that resides very close to Belize. This 313 metre perfect hole is a magnet for divers and underwater lovers. There are only 3 entrances into the circle and tour companies usually go to the biggest. There currents are strong but the chances of seeing some amazing underwater creatures big and small is high. Keep with your group and descend into the gap to experience the Great Blue Hole!
Walking down the little dirt road by the hostel, I saw a sign with an arrow pointing up. Outdoor Yoga on the rooftop!! I wasn’t really prepared but I had to check it out. The studio was set on a rooftop overlooking the Caribbean Sea in Belize. Yes Please! The time was now and the settling was too good to pass up. I regularly practice on my own during my early beach wanders each morning but getting together with a group of amazing ladies under a sunset sky is simply another experience. It was a slow paced restorative class that suited the environment perfectly. Most of us stayed behind to chat and hang out with candlelight as the light faded. So glad I decided to go check it out. Random adventures really are the best.
One of my favorite things is getting massages especially after weeks or days of barefoot adventuring through the world lol Belize had lots of options right on the beach on both of the islands I visited! Under a palapa, out on the beach or in a real building, the choice was yours. I chose a lovely thatch palapa right next to the ocean. $42 CAD for one hour. It was wonderful. I highly recommend trying it yourself.
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Belize has a network of public buses, shuttle companies, ferries and boat taxis to help you move around. I didn’t feel the need to get a car when I was there but if you are staying on the mainland it’s a good option for maximum flexibility. Once you are on the islands, best mode of travel is by foot or golf cart 🙂
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PUBLIC TRANSIT OPTIONS:
BUS OPTIONS:
Using US school buses with the vinyl seats these often brightly coloured buses will get you where you need to go on a budget. They are run by several companies and are fairly reliable. Each bus has its own beats coming from the on board sound system that sometimes match the looks of the bus. Get ready for anything from 80’s tracks to Reggae. Fares are usually around $1 and you get to ride with the locals. Some routes can get really busy so be prepared to stand.
SHARED RIDE OPTIONS:
Uber and other ride sharing apps are not allowed to operate in Belize. City taxis are easy to get from most main centers and the larger islands. As always, negotiate the fare before you get in or make sure they are using a meter. Shuttles are an easy and convenient way to get between popular points in Belize. Your hotel can easily help you book onward travel.
WATER TAXI & FERRY OPTIONS:
No need to pre book tickets for any of the ferries in Belize. It’s easy and scenic to get between the islands on large boats that can carry up to 120 people. Boats leave the mainland starting at 6 a.m. and I always prefer to take an earlier boat to avoid the crowds. The boats take about 1.5 hours from Ambergris Caye to Belize City, stopping at Caye Caulker. Appx $34 CAD ($28USD)
FLIGHTS OPTIONS:
There are a couple of companies that offer small hopper planes between popular spots in Belize. If you’re travelling light and time is important, they are a good option to get to where you are going quickly. Tropic Air and Maya Air are the 2 bigger companies. You can call in directly to the airlines to reserve a spot on their pre arranged flights or you can even charter their services for flights to other parts of the country..as budget allows.
Main flights points are
What to bring and some tips to make life easier while you’re there!
Less is always more! No matter how long are you are travelling for, you will be packing for 7-9 days of mix and match outfits. Clothes for all body types can be found in Belize so you can always buy something if you need it. Belize is a bit cooler in the evenings so bring some layers that can also be worn on buses and flights.
Clothes
Other Key Gear
Belize can be a budget friendly destination! Direct international flights are still quite expensive but you can always fly to Mexico and bus over for huge savings.
So many stories, so little time. Stay tuned as articles are added.
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