Whether visiting Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Belize City, or Cave Tubing and Seeing Mayan sights there are a lot of great culture shocks for travelers when they visit Belize. Here are some fun travel tips and Belizian cultural tips for tourists heading to Belize.
10 Best Places to Visit in Belize
1. Ambergris Caye and Hol Chan Marine Reserve
This place is second in rank among the largest reefs in the world. The Belize barrier reef is second only to the great barrier reef and is where you can find Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
There is also another haven here called the Ambergris Caye known to be the largest caye in Belize.
These two havens have been favorite tourist spots of travelers all over the world.
Among the other options to check out are the cat’s eye an impressive crescent-shaped sinkhole and shark ray alley. A perfect paradise for divers who want a close-up interaction with nurse sharks and southern stingrays.
2. Toledo
Hidden from famous spots and secluded from trendy destinations access to this place will require extra effort.
Locals from the southernmost district came up with a popular and iconic nickname for this site’s forgotten land.
Toledo may be one of the less-noticed havens in Belize but it has uninhabited rainforests, mountains, rivers, and offshore islands that are worth venturing to.
Among the famous sites in this place is Punta Gorda. Its seclusion is the sole reason why it has been one of the most mythical, enigmatic, and incredibly dazzling districts of the country.
3. Silk Cayes
This treasure of Belize is often regarded as Queen Cayes, because of its splendid and phenomenal marine reserve that consists of two deserted islands situated in the central area of the country.
Silk Cayes is a spectacular island covered with magnificent white sand and surrounded by pristine turquoise waters. Snorkelers can go for an underwater exploration where they can discover the dazzling wonderland of marine animals that inhabit the island.
Among the sea creatures that explorers can see underwater are loggerhead turtles and whale sharks.
4. Actun Tunichil Muknal
Situated near San Ignacio, the Actun Tunichil Muknal is a Maya sacrificial burial site that is composed of a sprawling cave system. So explorers have to properly navigate its location before they can reach the precious treasures inside.
Venturing this exceptional site one must undergo the lengthy passageway that crosses the jungle and take a swim towards the main entrance of this cavern.
It may require an effort but once you successfully reach the endpoint you will be able to find epic gems that are incredibly beautiful.
This includes pottery, ceramics, stoneware, and authentic human remains which served as sacrifices. These remains are not ordinary, they are recognized as iconic and legendary.
The crystal maiden is a famous female teen skeleton that is filled with limestone crystals. This one is among the popular remains that can be seen at this site.
There was also the group guided tour at the Belize national institute of culture and history.
5. Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Check out the mountain pine ridge forest reserve where you can do various outdoor activities like swimming and hiking in the pine forests.
They are known to be the top exciting free things to do when going to visit Belize. You can also check out the Rio Frio cave and nature trail. It is a legendary site that was once used as burial grounds by the Maya.
You can spot a river smoothly flowing all the way to the center of the cave. See the five sister falls where you can discover a wonderful pool to soak in at the Rio inn, where you can spot small waterfalls connected with a series of pools creatively carved from granite boulders.
6. Hopkins
Hopkins was originally a small fishing village but it has developed and grown beautifully even so it still has the original charm and is able to maintain the iconic rural atmosphere.
This paradise is also recognized by the majority of Belizeans as the cultural center of the Garifuna population.
The best time to visit this place in Belize is the month of November. This town is alive during that period because the entire village happily celebrates Garifuna’s settlement day.
7. Caye Caulker
The Caye Caulker is a perfect paradise for budget travelers, backpackers, and those who are fond of having a quick escape without spending too much.
This epic site features golf carts and bicycles which are known to be the main transportation mode of the place that passes through the sandy streets.
You can also check out the split, a result of the historical hit of hurricane Hattie in 1961 that divided the island into two parts.
The area of the split is less developed and the whole vicinity of the place is quieter. So some travelers head over to chill out and rest for a while.
8. Glover’s reef
Discovered by the two pirate brothers john and roger glover in the year 1750, this legendary paradise is among the wondrous prime hubs for explorers of the Caribbean.
Glover’s reef is an alluring atoll located 36 miles off the coast of the city of Dangriga. It is believed that the two brothers were unofficially hired by the British monarch to raid the Spanish ships during their legendary expedition.
This marvelous treasure of Belize is composed of an astonishing 5 Cayes: the long caye, northeast caye, middle caye, southwest caye, and manta island.
Due to its spectacular biodiversity, it was named by the UNESCO world heritage convention as a world heritage site.
It is popular among travelers who love diving and snorkeling.
9. Orange Walk
Locals popularly regard this haven as Suga city, as it is known to be the sweetest district in the whole country because the entire town is filled with the unforgettable aroma of sugarcane.
The orange walk has the Lamanai which is among the most significant places of the Mayans in the nation’s history. It means submerged crocodile in Mayan terms and comes in second to caracal relating to its size.
Lamanai is set on the banks of the new river and its location has a secret to tell. The riverside spot of this haven actually acts as a route for smooth transportation and delivery of goods and the primary source of income of locals in the district comes from mahogany.
10. Belize Barrier Reef
Resting about a half-mile off the coast of Belize is the Belize Barrier Reef. The second-largest reef on earth and the longest across the western hemisphere.
Being able to accommodate a large number of visitors every year it has been renowned to be the most unforgettable and memorable barrier reef in the west indies.
Belize’s reserve system has been protecting this haven. It has a great diversity of plants and animals, one of the most impressive ecosystems across the planet.
It has the capability to have 100 soft and hard corals, 500 different fishes, and hundreds of invertebrates. It also has only 10% of its species discovered.
Brimming with endless natural wonders Belize has things that tourists look forward to.
From remains from ancient periods to unbelievable attractions Belize is one of the enigmatic places in the world to visit. Which of these fantastic spots in Belize would you visit first? Comment below we are excited to hear what you choose. Thanks for reading travelers.
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