Belize

Discover the wonders of Belize with our easy-to-follow travel guide. Learn about the tropical weather patterns and the ideal months for your visit. Find practical tips on transportation options to navigate this beautiful country. Explore top destinations like Ambergris Caye and Cayo, along with must-try dishes such as rice and beans with stewed chicken. Uncover hidden gems off the tourist path that will make your Belize adventure truly unforgettable.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Visit Cayes & Barrier Reef from December through April for optimal diving and snorkeling conditions with clear waters and visibility up to 100 feet. March to May offers the warmest water temperatures.

Northern Belize is best experienced January through March when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is minimal. Perfect for exploring Maya ruins and wildlife sanctuaries.

Visit Central Rainforests February through April for ideal hiking and waterfall exploration with lower humidity and reduced chances of trail washouts.

Southern Belize, from December through April, provides the most comfortable conditions for exploring Toledo's caves and Maya sites. Early morning wildlife viewing is exceptional during these months.

Weather Note: Hurricane season runs from June through November, with September and October posing the highest risk. Some resorts close during these months, and insurance is recommended if traveling during this period.

How to Get to Belize

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) serves as Belize's main international gateway, located outside Belize City. This airport handles daily international flights connecting Belize to destinations worldwide.

Belize also has a network of smaller regional airports that provide convenient transportation between different parts of the country. The Municipal Airport in Belize City serves as a hub for local flights, offering regular service to islands and remote locations. These flights connect travelers to John Greif II Airport in San Pedro and airstrips near San Ignacio, Placencia, and Caye Caulker.

Two main carriers operate domestic routes:

• Maya Island Air
• Tropic Air

They use small aircraft, typically seating around 12 passengers, which provide excellent views of Belize's landscape, including the Caribbean Sea, small islands, and jungle areas.

These regional airports are designed for efficiency rather than amenities. They offer streamlined check-in procedures and minimal security delays. The short flights (often just 15 minutes) can save significant travel time compared to driving, allowing visitors to maximize their time at their destinations.

How to Get Around

Belize unfolds its roads, waterways and paths to travelers in ways that match its varied landscapes. Buses connect towns throughout the country. They're not fancy, but they're how locals travel, with drivers who know every stop and turn. 

When the mainland ends, ferries take over, carrying people across blue waters to islands like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, where the mainland becomes a distant outline.

Some travelers choose van-ferry combinations, stepping from land transport directly onto boats without missing a beat. Minivans, with their cushioned seats and fewer passengers, make longer journeys more comfortable than standard buses. Along the coast, water taxis zip between islands, their engines humming as they slice through waves.

Many visitors prefer private shuttles that pick them up wherever they're staying and drop them at their next destination. These air-conditioned vehicles eliminate the need to find bus stations and lug bags through town. They run between popular spots like Belize City, San Ignacio, and Placencia on your schedule, not a fixed timetable.

For dependable rides without hassle, companies like Marlin Espadas and Caribbean Sprinter have earned their reputation among travelers for showing up when they say they will. 

Food Scene

In Belize, families pass down recipes that tell stories of the country's history. 

In San Pedro, the rice and beans with stewed chicken come from recipes that grandmothers have perfected over decades. 

Over in San Ignacio, locals gather for bowls of cowfoot soup, trading stories while the rich broth warms their spirits.

Belize City fills with people seeking Garifuna dishes that represent generations of cultural preservation. 

In Hopkins, local ingredients transform into meals that honor both Belizean traditions and new cooking approaches.​

Morning at Hopkins Village Market means fishermen bringing in catches from dawn trips. The fish, shrimp and conch found here will be on plates by afternoon. In San Ignacio Market, women prepare corn-based dishes using techniques that Maya communities have used for centuries.

Walking through Dangriga, the aroma of garnaches cooking pulls people to street carts where cooks press tortillas by hand before frying them and adding simple, flavorful toppings.

Travel south along the coast, and families serve hudut—fish cooked in coconut broth with mashed plantains. Head west to the Cayo District, and households prepare chimole, a hearty black soup that neighbors come together to share.

Hidden Gems

1. Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, Belize City
Just 5 miles from Belize City lies a haven where manatees go about their day undisturbed. These gentle creatures glide through the water and munch on seagrass, their rounded backs occasionally breaking the surface as they come up for air. 

Between February and May, the water clears up, offering better chances to spot these shy mammals among the twisted roots of mangrove trees. The sanctuary remains untouched by direct road access. You'll need to hop on a boat to get there. Local boat captains at the Tourism Village or Caye Caulker water taxi terminal know these waters well and can take you there.

2. Monkey River, Punta Gorda
Along Belize's southern coast sits a small village where nature puts on a daily show. The deep, throaty calls of howler monkeys echo through the trees, while toucans flash their colorful beaks overhead. 

Sharp-eyed visitors might catch iguanas sunning on branches or the bumpy back of a crocodile breaking the water's surface.

From June to November, rain feeds the forest, bringing out more animals and turning the greenery thick and lush. Water taxis from Placencia will get you there, or you can drive to Punta Gorda and catch a local boat for the final stretch.

3. Blue Creek Cave, Punta Gorda
Cool, clear water flows through this underground passage, inviting visitors to swim past limestone formations shaped over thousands of years. 

From December through May, water levels drop enough to make exploring safer and more accessible. You'll find this natural wonder in the Toledo District. The people of Blue Creek Village know these caves best; hire one as your guide, or arrange transportation from Punta Gorda, about 90 minutes away by car.

Scenic Routes

In Belize, the journey becomes part of the story. As travelers move between destinations, they witness the country change from coast to jungle and back again. Here are five routes worth taking:

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• Belize City to Caye Caulker: The boat cuts through clear water, revealing fish darting below and the outline of the barrier reef in the distance. From December to April, the water stays calm, and the skies remain clear. Passengers often spot rays and dolphins along the way.

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• San Ignacio to Tikal: The bus winds through jungle roads that cross from Belize into Guatemala. The vegetation thickens as you approach Tikal's ancient stones. Between February and May, morning fog lifts to reveal temple tops poking above the forest canopy.

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• Belize City to Ambergris Caye: Water taxis depart from mangrove-lined shores and arrive at an island where golf carts replace cars. From January to April, the journey offers cool breezes and chances to see frigatebirds circling overhead.

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• Dangriga to Placencia: The coastal road passes through Garifuna communities where drums sometimes play and the smell of cassava bread fills the air. Between November and May, bus windows frame views of empty beaches and swaying palms.

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• Punta Gorda to Livingston: Small boats navigate a maze of mangroves and enter the wide delta of Rio Dulce on the way to Guatemala. From March to June, the water level rises, revealing hidden waterways where herons stand perfectly still, waiting for fish.

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Events, Festivals and Local Markets

Crack open fresh lobster claws while steel drums play in the background at the Placencia Lobsterfest in Placencia. Every June, locals gather to compete in cooking contests, dance on sandy beaches, and sell handmade crafts under the warm sun.

Settle into a theater seat among filmmakers and movie lovers at the Belize International Film Festival in Belize City. The stories of Caribbean and Central American life unfold on screen while directors share their creative processes during casual conversation circles.

Walk alongside families celebrating generations of tradition at the San Joaquin Festival in Corozal. Each August, the streets fill with the scent of slow-cooked dishes as musicians play melodies passed down through the years.

Watch chocolate transform from bean to bar at the Chocolate Festival of Belize in Punta Gorda. In May, cacao farmers demonstrate their craft while you sample dark, rich chocolate squares that taste of the Belizean soil and sun from which they grew.

Best Places to Visit

1. Belize City stands as the country's largest urban center and main gateway. Walking through its streets reveals old colonial buildings next to colorful Caribbean-style homes. The sea breeze carries salt and spice scents from local food stands. December to April brings sunshine and dry days, perfect weather for exploring the city's corners.

Weekend markets spread along the waterfront where families sell wood carvings, jams, and fresh mangoes picked that morning. When cruise ships arrive, the Tourism Village fills with steel drum music and dancers showing traditional moves passed down through generations.

How to get to Belize City

• -Fly into Philip Goldson International Airport
• -Arrive by cruise ship at the Fort Street Tourism Village
• -Take water taxis from nearby cayes and coastal areas
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2. On Caye Caulker, time slows down. This small limestone island lives by its "Go Slow" motto. People move unhurriedly on bicycles or barefoot along sandy paths between blue-painted wooden houses. No cars disturb the peace, just the sounds of waves and distant reggae music. The February to May sunshine warms without the summer humidity or winter crowds.

At the Split—where a hurricane once divided the island—sunset beach parties happen weekly. Local musicians play while people dance in the water. Each month, fishermen participate in the Lionfish Derby, catching this invasive species before chefs demonstrate how to turn the problem into delicious meals.

How to get to Caye Caulker

• -Take a water taxi from Belize City (45 minutes)
• -Fly via small aircraft from Belize Municipal Airport
• -Book a private boat charter from coastal areas

3. San Ignacio sits where rivers meet rainforest in Belize's Cayo District. Morning mist rises from the green canopy surrounding this town of farmers, guides, and craftspeople. Between November and April, cool mornings turn into comfortable, warm days, perfect for jungle walks and river swims.

Every Saturday, the market transforms the town center. Farmers arrange pyramids of oranges beside women selling tamales wrapped in banana leaves. As darkness falls, guides lead curious visitors into the jungle with flashlights, pointing out tree frogs, owls, and sometimes even jaguars that only emerge after sunset.

How to get to San Ignacio

• -Drive from Belize City (approximately 2 hours)
• -Take public buses from the main terminal in Belize City
• -Book a shuttle service from major hotels and resorts
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Tips for Traveling to Belize

VISA & ENTRY:

• US/EU/UK/Canada citizens: No visa needed for stays under 30 days
• Valid passport (6+ months validity required)
• Return ticket proof is needed at entry
• $20 departure tax (sometimes included in airfare)

CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

• Dress casually but modestly, especially in villages
• Always ask permission before taking photos of local people
• Standard tipping is 10-15% in restaurants and for services

MONEY MATTERS:

• The Belize dollar (BZD) is fixed at 2 BZD to 1 USD
• US dollars are accepted almost everywhere
• ATMs are available in major towns and tourist areas
• Larger hotels, restaurants, and shops accept credit cards

HEALTH & SAFETY:

• For emergencies, dial 911
• Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A/B and typhoid before traveling
• Purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage
• Stick to bottled water to avoid stomach issues

TRANSPORTATION:

• Use water taxis to travel between coastal destinations and islands
• Public buses are cheap but can be slow and crowded
• Rent a car if you want flexibility (driving is on the right side)
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