21 Unforgettable & Unique Things to do in Belize
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Belize, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve spent over 1.5 months exploring the lesser known part of Belize and I’m sharing all my favorites in this article.
These unique Belize adventures include once-in-a-lifetime jungle adventures like cave tubing, chasing waterfalls in the uncrowded lesser known parts of Belizean mountains, a jungle river cruise to hidden Mayan ruins, and more.
Plus, I share unique things to do in Belize islands, like going on a tiki sunset cruise, snorkeling with sharks and manta rays, and night snorkeling.
And finally I have some fun Belize things to do for foodies (and beer lovers) like a tasting at the famous Marie Sharp’s hot sauce factory, making your own chocolate, and visiting the Belikin brewery!
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
🌺 My Belize Favorites 🏝
🤿 Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Diving: Belize has the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced! You can book guided snorkel and dive trips from Hopkins, San Pedro, or Caye Caulker. Browse Belize snorkel and dive trips.
🌲 Escape to Mountain Pine Ridge: Climb up in elevation to a cooler (and less visited) area with gorgeous waterfalls, fun swimming holes, Mayan ruins, and so much more! You will need a vehicle with 4WD here, but this day trip from San Ignacio is also an option.
🥾 Cave Adventures: Cave tubing is an adventure unique to Belize, and many people come all the way here to experience the ATM Cave, where you can witness human remains and Mayan artifacts.
🚙 Explore the Hummingbird Highway: This breathtaking lush scenic drive connects the Cayo District and the Caribbean coast. Stop along the way at waterfalls, a cenote, a chocolate workshop, caves, and more! My guide to the Hummingbird Highway.
🌴 Where to Stay: A sustainable jungle treehouse beside the beach in Hopkins at Hamanasi, a quiet breezy room at Weezie’s on the vibrant small island of Caye Caulker, or a luxury bungalow overlooking waterfalls at Gaia Riverlodge. My guide on Where to Stay in Belize.
21 Best Things to do in Belize
I genuinely recommend each and every one of these fun things to do in Belize, so be sure to read them all (or scan through the article) to figure out which activities are best for your vacation!
1. Drive along the scenic Hummingbird Highway
Belize’s Hummingbird Highway is the most scenic drive in the country. This lush jungle highway gently winds through the Maya Mountains, connecting Belize’s capital city, Belmopan, with the gorgeous Caribbean ocean.
With such beautiful landscapes and a handful of attractions situated right along the edge of the road, a drive down the Hummingbird Highway is worth taking even if you don’t need to. It makes an easy and rewarding day trip from Hopkins and San Ignacio, and is a lovely (slightly longer) drive between San Ignacio and Belize City.
I dive into the best stops on the Hummingbird Highway in another Belize travel guide, but here is a quick overview of stops along the scenic drive:
🌿 Billy Barquedier Waterfall: Situated right off the highway, the hike to the waterfall takes about 10-15 minutes and since few people stop here, you just might get the place to yourself! Read my full guide to the Billy Barquedier Waterfall.
🥥 Sleeping Giant Scenic Overlook & Restaurant: Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is a lovely resort that feels like a botanical garden! They have several restaurants if you’re hungry, plus a scenic overlook where you can gaze out at the lush Maya Mountains.
👙 The Inland Blue Hole: This cenote (natural sinkhole) is only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot right along the Hummingbird Highway and its another lovely place for a refreshing swim! Read my full guide to the Inland Blue Hole.
🥾 St. Herman’s Cave: You can explore the first 200 meters of St. Herman’s Cave without a tour as long as you have a headlamp (they can be rented onsite). Read my full guide to St. Herman’s Cave.
🍫 Lamanai Chocolate Co: Buy local chocolate, take a chocolate making class, or just grab a filling smoothie at this stop right off the highway.
🦜 Guanacaste National Park: At the very end of the Hummingbird Highway right as you’re about to turn onto George Price Highway in Belmopan, you’ll find Guanacaste National Park, a gorgeous little park beside the Belize River. It’s a great place to cool down in the river, or enjoy a picnic.
2. Chase waterfalls, go caving, and swimming in Mountain Pine Ridge
Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is one of my favorite places in the country, with gorgeous waterfalls, swimming holes, and enchanting caves. Since its situated at a higher elevation, Mountain Pine Ridge is always a little cooler than the rest of the country, so you can escape from the heat for the day!
Plus, Mountain Pine Ridge is mostly untouched by development and unknown to most tourists. I only found out about it through because of my family who lives in Belize! The one downside of Mountain Pine Ridge is that many of the roads are unpaved and very difficult to drive (you need a high clearance 4WD vehicle to get most places), but thankfully Belize is currently paving the main roads in Mountain Pine Ridge!
You can still experience the magic of Mountain Pine Ridge without driving, though, this highly-rated Mountain Pine Ridge day trip includes roundtrip transportation from San Ignacio!
If you don’t book a tour, be sure to check out my full guide to the best things to do in Mountain Pine Ridge, but here is a summary:
💦 Sunbathe and Swim at Rio On Pools: These stunning natural pools along the river are very close to Rio Frio Cave. There is also a great viewpoint nearby overlooking the falls with picnic tables if you want to stop for lunch! Read my full guide to Rio On Pools.
🔦 See the Giant Rio Frio Cave: This massive cave is just a short drive away from Rio On Pools, and its 110% worth visiting if you are in the area. However, do not go here if there has been rain and be careful driving as the road is in very rough shape! Read my full guide to Rio Frio Cave. Read my full guide to Rio Frio Cave.
👙 Swim Beneath Big Rock Falls: This beautiful waterfall is the most popular attraction in Mountain Pine Ridge and is definitely worth a stop if you have time! Read my full guide to Big Rock Falls.
🍹 Enjoy a Drink at Gaia Riverlodge: Slow down and take in the tranquility of Mountain Pine Ridge at Gaia Riverlodge’s boho luxury restaurant overlooking the Five Sister’s Waterfall.
🦋 Visit Green Hills Butterfly Ranch: Learn about the butterfly lifecycle and spot 7 species of hummingbirds here! It costs $20 USD per person ($10 USD for kids) but we thought it was well worth the money!
3. Explore the North Island of Caye Caulker
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker (one of my favorite places to stay in Belize) during your Belize vacation, you have to take some time to explore Caye Caulker’s North Island!
The North Island of Caye Caulker is perhaps one of the best Belize hidden gems, because it is only a ~2 minute ferry from the main part of Caye Caulker but feels worlds away with very few people, secluded beaches, and only a few businesses.
I highly recommend renting a bicycle (from your hotel or a local bike rental shop) on Caye Caulker and then spending a few hours exploring this lesser known part of Belize!
I share detailed instructions on how to get to the North Side of Caye Caulker, plus the best things to do in this part of Belize in my North Island travel guide. But in short, here are some spots to stop during a visit to Caye Caulker’s North Island:
🍍 The Palapa Pineapple House: This fun building right off the main road looks a bit like Spongebob’s house! It is not marked on Google Maps but the exact location is pinned on my free Belize map.
🐚 Wild Beach & Refugee Beach: These two small, undeveloped beaches are located right next to each other and make up my favorite part of the North Island. Since there aren’t really many beaches on the main island of Caye Caulker, this is the perfect place to go for a swim and sunbathing sesh!
💙 Blu Zen: BluZen is the main development on Caye Caulker North Island. There are a few onsite restaurants, including La Fogata, a wood fire pizza restaurant.
🐊 Crocodile Lagoon: Try to spot a crocodile at this lagoon, near the Pineapple Palapa. I didn’t see any crocodiles when I was there but I’m glad I rode over to check it out!
🦞 Happy Lobster Restaurant: This lowkey eatery in the middle of the North Island is one of the island’s few businesses. While I didn’t dine there, it seems like others enjoy it!
🏖 Bliss Beach Club: Journey a few miles north to the most gorgeous secluded beach club on Caye Caulker! Expect tranquillity and delicious tropical cocktails. Keep in mind that the bike ride here takes about 20 minutes, so plan ahead and bring a headlamp if you plan to return after dark. You can also get a private ferry here and back!
All of these spots (and more) are pinned on my free Belize map!
4. Snorkel at Shark and Ray Alley
Snorkeling at Shark and Ray Alley, also called, Shark Ray Alley, is one of the most adventurous things to do in Belize.
With dozens of nurse sharks and sting rays, Shark Ray Alley is where you can face your fears and swim with some of the ocean’s most misunderstood animals!
You have to take a boat tour to get to Shark Ray Alley, but you have lots of options to choose from. I prefer to only support local tour operations that don’t feed the marine life (its damaging and often dangerous). Here the best Shark Ray Alley tour options from both Caye Caulker and San Pedro Belize:
Best Shark and Ray Alley Snorkeling Tours from Caye Caulker
🥥 1.5 Hour Shark and Ray Alley Tiki Cruise
🤿 7 Stops Full Day Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour
🦈 Private Tiki Snorkeling Tour
Best Shark and Ray Alley Snorkeling Tours from Ambergris Caye
⛵️ Half Day Shark Ray Alley & Hol Chan Snorkeling Sailboat Tour
🏝️ Full Day Shark Ray Alley, Snorkeling, and Caye Caulker Day Trip
🛥️ Full Day Private Catamaran Snorkeling with Shark Ray Alley
5. See skeletons and Mayan artifacts in the ATM Cave
Going on a tour of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM Cave) is undoubtedly one of the most unique things to do in Belize, and in all of Central America! The combination of history and adventure of this particular experience is something you won’t find anywhere else.
The main reason why the ATM Cave is so unique (and worth visiting for many people) is that its the most accessible place to see Mayan artifacts and human remains, right where they were left in the cave. With a certified guide, you can see some of these human remains, and lots of artifacts, in the ATM Cave.
But that is not the only reason an ATM Cave tour is such a unforgettable experience—to reach the cathedral room that holds all the artifacts and remains you have to go on an Indiana Jones type adventure up a river that runs through the cave.
Photo by Mayawalk Belize
Only 125 people are allowed in the ATM Cave each day, and you can only visit with a tour guide. I went on this tour with MayaWalk and had an incredible experience. Our guide Hugh, was one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had. He went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of, equipped, and safe, and he also dove deep into the cultural circumstances that led the Mayans to resort to human sacrifice in caves this like one.
If you’re unsure if the ATM Cave tour is for you, I have a full article about my ATM Cave experience that goes through what you will experience inside the cave so you can make sure its a good fit for you and your group!
6. Immerse in Garifuna culture in Hopkins
The Garifuna are one of Belize’s many distinct ethic groups. They are of Carib and African decent, with a vibrant culture that you can easily witness in Hopkins, a charming Belize beach town on the Caribbean Sea.
Whether you’re interested in Garifuna culture or not, Hopkins is so worth visiting! It is one of my favorite places in Belize, and Belize First Magazine ranked the town as the Friendliest Village in Belize.
You can easily reach Hopkins on a day trip from Placencia, San Ignacio, or Belize City, or you can stay a few days here (which is what I recommend in my 10 day Belize itinerary).
Be sure to book this Garifuna Cultural and Culinary Experience in advance. You’ll visit Kalipuna Cultural Heritage Island for a day of learning about the history and culture of the Garifuna from elders, gather ingredients and cook traditional Garifuna food, then participate in a drumming session.
You can also enjoy Garifuna drumming on most Saturday nights at the Driftwood Beach Bar in Hopkins!
7. Take a boat ride up the river to the Lamanai Maya Ruins
Secluded in lush jungle along the New River, Lamanai is my favorite archeological site in Belize, partly due to the 1-hour scenic boat journey you take to get here. The foliage along the New River and New River Lagoon is stunning, you can spot lots of birds and other wildlife, and likely will see traditional Mennonites from Shipyard fishing and boating on the river.
Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize and one of Latin America’s longest continually inhabited cities. It has a rich history and was occupied for over 2,500 years, from the Classic period until the 1700s.
Visiting Lamanai is a really special experience. Since you arrive by boat, it almost feels like you’re on an island (but you’re not). And the panoramic view from the top of the temples makes it what I consider the most beautiful archeological site in Belize. Lamanai is also one of the best places to see (and hear) howler monkeys in Belize.
Lamanai is located in the northern part of Belize, in the Orange Walk district, and is best visited on a day trip from Belize City, Caye Caulker, or San Pedro (Ambergris Caye).
Book this excellent Lamanai tour with roundtrip transportation from the Belize City cruise port and water taxi/ferry terminal, or drive yourself to Orange Walk and go with a local tour company (it is a good idea to reserve your tour in advance as its rare for people to drive to Orange Walk and tourism isn’t very set up there).
8. Dare to taste all 16 flavors of Marie Sharp’s hot sauce
If you’re a fan of Marie Sharp’s, the factory and tasting room is a must-add to your Belize itinerary! And if you have no idea what I’m talking about, don’t worry, I’ll explain!
Marie Sharp’s is the creator of the flavor-packed habanero hot sauce you’ll find on every single table in Belize. Since my husband has family in Belize, he’s been consuming this delicious fiery hot sauce since he was a toddler, and it never gets old! It is so good that Marie Sharp’s has started exporting it to dozens of countries, and thankfully, we can find it in local grocery stores in the US.
Despite its popularity in Belize and abroad, very few people know you can actually visit Marie Sharp’s factory for a tour and tasting. It’s located near Hopkins on the Hummingbird Highway, about an hour and a half from Belize City, 2 hours from San Ignacio, and an hour and fifteen minutes from Placencia.
The tasting and tour costs $15 per person, and includes an interesting tour of the small factory that produces all of Belize’s best hot sauce. The best part is the tasting, when you get to try 16+ hot sauce flavors, plus a handful of other Marie Sharp’s products, like their jams and wines. Of course, you can buy all the sauces and jams, as well as some Marie Sharp’s merch!
9. Snorkel along the second largest barrier reef in the world
Did you know that the Belize Barrier Reef system is the second largest in the world, only after the Great Barrier Reef of course! I’ve been snorkeling dozens of times in Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and Belize has the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced! However, unlike a lot of other places, you can’t snorkel directly on the beach in (most parts of) Belize. You have to book a snorkeling tour, but trust me it is so worth it!
I went on 4 different snorkeling tours in Belize and loved them all. The most popular area to snorkel in Belize is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is located between Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, but I actually thought the snorkeling near Hopkins was even better! No matter where you stay in Belize, be sure to book a snorkel tour, you won’t regret it! Here are my recommendations for the best snorkeling tours in Belize:
🤿 Hopkins: Excellent Hopkins Snorkeling Tour
🤿 Caye Caulker: 7 Stop Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour (read my full guide to the best Caye Caulker snorkeling tours)
🤿 Ambergris Caye & San Pedro: Full Day Ambergris Caye Snorkeling Tour
🤿 Placencia: Silk Cayes Snorkeling Tour from Placencia
🤿 Belize City: Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour from Belize City
10. See the water glow on a bioluminescent lagoon tour
One of the most magical experiences you can have in Belize is seeing the water glow blue in the night. Bioluminescence is a natural phenomena you can experience in the lagoons near Hopkins, only after dark!
The glowing water isn’t the only highlight of a bioluminescent lagoon cruise, though, you’ll also get an incredible view of the starry skies, spot wildlife, including schools of fish and jellyfish who feed on the phosphorescent algae. This 2-hour experience is a must-do if you’re staying in Hopkins.
11. Take the crank ferry to Xunantunich and climb to the top of a Mayan temple
Xunantunich Archaeological Site is situated 20 minutes away from San Ignacio right next to the Guatemala border. It’s a great place to visit while staying in San Ignacio, especially if you’re interested in climbing to the top of a Mayan temple. The main temple here has stunning designs along the side and you can see Guatemala and the Belizean countryside from the top!
But getting to Xunantunich is part of the fun, right off the highway you’ll have to load your car onto a small floating platform ferry that gets hand cranked across the river! It only take a minute or two and is such a unique experience. The ferry is technically free, but you should tip the worker. From there it’s a short drive to the entrance to the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins.
It’s easy to visit these Mayan ruins with your own rental car, but if you prefer, you can also take this day trip from San Ignacio, which includes roundtrip transport and a guided tour of the archaeological site. If you’re coming from another part of Belize, here are some other Xunantunich tours with roundtrip transportation:
🥾 Belize City: Xunantunich Mayan Site Tour from Belize City
🥾 Hopkins: Xunantunich Ruins from Hopkins
🥾 Placencia: Xunantunich & Cave Tubing Day Trip
12. Watch the sunset from a tiki pontoon boat
Going on a sunset cruise on Caye Caulker’s quirky tiki pontoon boat was one of the highlights of my month-long adventure in Belize! The sunset cruise departs each evening from the Split in Caye Caulker, and its run by a new locally owned business with a guide and captain who grew up on Caye Caulker.
Unlimited rum punch is included, and the tiki theme is a fun touch, but for me the best part was learning about the island from locals and seeing dolphins swim right beside the boat!
Although this is a group boat tour, there are only a maximum of 6 passengers on the tiki cruise each day, so its quite intimate! I think its great for couples, small groups of friends, and solo travelers who want to meet others.
You gently cruise along the coast of Caye Caulker’s lush North Island while the sun sets over the gorgeous blue Caribbean Ocean, and your local guide tells stories about growing up on Caye Caulker, and lesser known facts about the island. It is the perfect way to get to know locals and other travelers while taking in the beauty of this magical part of Belize.
13. Go night snorkeling (or scuba diving)
Going night snorkeling is undoubtedly one of the coolest things to do in Belize! If you like snorkeling in the day, and are curious about what marine creatures come out at night, night snorkeling is for you!
I went night snorkeling at the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, where there are only 1-3 tour operators who bring out snorkelers each night. I chose to go with Anda da Wata and had a lovely experience. They took our group out to the reef at sunset and briefed us as the sky darkened. When the time was right, we all jumped in the water, flashlights in hand, and followed our guide through the dark water!
We saw all sorts of species that are more difficult to see during the day: several octopus, lobster, crabs, and a diversity of fish. Keep in mind that conditions need to be right for night snorkeling, and it is a completely different experience than snorkeling during the day.
If you’re staying on Caye Caulker, I recommend going night snorkeling with Anda da Wata. If you’re staying on Ambergris Caye, you can go night snorkeling or on a night dive in Hol Chan Marine Park with Ambergris Divers.
14. Try out cave tubing
Imagine floating on an inner tube down a river — through a dark cave lit only by your headlamp with stalactites hanging like chandeliers above you. Yep, you can do this in Belize!
Cave tubing is another one of the best things to do in Belize, and you won’t find an experience like this in most other parts of the world! It’s the perfect combo of adventure and relaxation, and is a great family friendly jungle adventure in Belize.
Most folks book a cave tubing tour while they’re staying in San Ignacio or somewhere else in the Cayo district (like Mountain Pine Ridge), but you can also go cave tubing (with roundtrip transport) from Hopkins, Placencia, Belize City or even the islands.
Cave Tubing Tours with Roundtrip Transportation
Most cave tubing day trips include stops at other Belize attractions like the Xunantunich or Altun Ha. These are my favorite cave tubing day trips from each city, all led by high-rated reputable local tourism companies.
🌺 San Ignacio Cave Tubing Tour: Cave Tubing & Jungle Zip Line Day Trip from San Ignacio
🌺 Belize City Cave Tubing Tour: Cave Tubing & Zip Line Adventure Day Trip (pickup from Belize City water taxi terminal included for folks coming from the islands!)
🌺 Hopkins Cave Tubing Tour: Xunantunich Maya Ruins & Cave Tubing Combo Tour
🌺 Placencia Cave Tubing Tour: Cave Tubing & Xunantunich Archaeological Site Combo Tour
Hummingbird Highway Cave Tubing Tour Without Transportation
As I mention earlier in this article the Hummingbird Highway is Belize’s most scenic drive, and you can go cave tubing right off the road at St. Herman’s Cave. However, you will want to book your cave tubing in advance since you have to go with a guide. This 2-hour St. Herman’s Cave tubing experience is run by the local tubing guides at the park, and all you have to do is book in advance and then show up at the parking lot!
15. Make your own chocolate from scratch
Did you know that we have the Mayans to thank for chocolate? You can learn all about cacao’s history in the Mayan world at a chocolate workshop in Belize. And best of all, you can make your own chocolate from scratch!
You get to taste raw cacao and roasted cacao, and then grind the cacao beans into smooth chocolate on a 100 year old traditional grinding stone! And of course you get to indulge just the way Mayan royalty did — sipping your freshly made chocolate in water with optional mix-ins like chilies, honey, and spices.
There are several places where you can sign up for one of these chocolate experiences. I did it at AJAW Chocolate in San Ignacio, where the hour-long chocolate making workshop happens every hour between 9am and 6pm and costs $20 USD per person.
You can also learn to make chocolate at Lamanai Chocolate Co on the Hummingbird Highway, at Che’il Mayan Chocolate near Hopkins, or at IXCACAO Maya Belizean Chocolate near Toledo and Punta Gorda.
16. Stay at the Belize Zoo (and do a zoo night tour)
The Belize Zoo’s Tropical Education Center is a unique place to stay, especially if you’re looking for somewhere to stay close to the Belize Philip Goldson International Airport, if you’re a nature lover, or if you have kids!
The small property has several affordable but basic accommodations, including a secluded cabin we stayed at overlooking a gorgeous pond with a screened in porch and hammock. Breakfast and dinner is included daily (and they made us amazing vegan food!!) which is a huge perk. It’s a quiet, education-focused property with lots of wildlife and friendly staff!
But one of the biggest perks of being so close to the Belize Zoo is that you can join the Belize Zoo Night Tour which happens every evening at 7pm. However, it is worth noting that the Tropical Education Center is a bit of a walk (or short drive) from the zoo itself. There are lots of hiking trails that lead over to the zoo but you will want to drive over for the night tour.
I spent the first night of my recent monthlong Belize trip at the Belize Zoo’s Tropical Education Center because I needed somewhere to stay close to the airport after my evening arrival. I had no idea what the Tropical Education Center was going to be like, but I knew there wasn’t AC and the accommodations wouldn’t be very luxurious. Truth be told I wasn’t expecting to enjoy our stay as much as I did!
17. Rappel down a jungle waterfall
Just 30 minutes outside of Hopkins you’ll find Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Bocawina is one of the best places for jungle adventure in Belize, and one of the best things to do here is rappel down breathtaking waterfalls.
The park has professional guides who guide visitors through the park’s extensive jungle zip line routes and waterfall rappelling every day. There are two waterfall rappelling experiences to choose from:
🥾 Bociwana Falls Waterfall Rappelling & Zip Lines: The experience starts with a 2.5 mile zip line course through the lush jungle, and then you take a break to enjoy lunch. Next, you rappel 100 feet down the face of the falls and swim in the emerald pool at the base of the falls. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance on Viator.
🥾 Antelope Falls Waterfall Rappelling (Challenging): Hike to a gorgeous viewpoint 1000 feet up overlooking the jungle and ocean. Then rappel 250 feet down Antelope Falls and get to swim in a pristine turquoise pool below. The whole experience takes about 4 hours, and you’ll want to reserve your spot in advance.
18. Sip a Belikin at the Belikin factory
Belikin is Belize’s most popular beer but very few visitors know that the Belikin factory has a nice brewery and restaurant right outside the Belize airport!
I’ve never see a brewery like this in Central America, it reminds me a lot of the breweries in my hometown in the Pacific Northwest USA with an elevated industrial style.
The brewery is located in Ladyville, literally right next to the airport, so its the perfect place to grab a meal after landing in Belize, or to stop on your way to the airport.
19. Go island hopping in the Caribbean
There are hundreds of cayes (islands) and atolls in Belize, so naturally one of the best things to do in Belize is go island hopping! I had an incredible time exploring the small South Water Caye on a boat tour from Hopkins, and I hope to visit more tiny cayes in Belize on future trips!
Here are a few fun island hopping tours in Belize:
🏝️ From Placencia: Silk Caye and Moho Caye Snorkeling Tour
🏝️ From Placencia: Laughing Bird Caye National Park Snorkeling Tour
🏝️ From Belize City: Goff’s Caye Snorkeling Tour
🏝️ From Hopkins: South Water Caye / Bread and Butter Caye Snorkeling Tour
🏝️ From San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: Caye Caulker and Snorkeling Sailboat Tour
🏝️ From San Pedro, Ambergris Caye: Full Day Private Charter
20. Stay at a secluded eco-resort
One of the top things to do in Belize is to immerse in eco luxury at one of the country’s many incredible eco-resorts! I’ve had the privilege of staying at a few Belize eco-resorts throughout my travels and I’ve also visited several others to dine at their restaurants. While it can be tempting to book a basic Airbnb, I highly recommend looking into some of these eco-resorts even if you only stay for one night (or a few!)
Staying at an ecoresort allows you to experience luxury in a secluded natural environment. For me there is nothing more peaceful than this! Being walking distance from an excellent restaurant with friendly helpful staff, and sleeping in a comfy luxurious room while feeling like you’re in the middle of the jungle.
You can also feel good about every dollar you spend at a locally owned eco-resort because most of them give back generously to the local community and employ dozens if not hundreds of Belizeans. Do yourself (and the locals) a favor and stay at one of these tranquil escapes!
My favorite eco-resorts in Belize:
🦜 Gaia Riverlodge (Mountain Pine Ridge): Gaia Riverlodge is the most stunning ecolodge I’ve ever visited! The boho luxury villas and restaurant overlook the Five Sisters Waterfall where you can lounge and swim on the river. They also offer yoga in a cave! The lodge is located in Mountain Pine Ridge, which is one of my favorite places in Belize. Check nightly rates.
🦜 The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant (Hummingbird Highway): This place feels like a botanical garden and is situated right along the river but also has a beautiful pool and viewpoints overlooking the Maya Mountains. It’s also quite easy to get to as its just off the Hummingbird Highway between San Ignacio and Hopkins. Check nightly rates.
🦜 Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort (Hopkins): Hamanasi has the best service I’ve ever experienced… anywhere! This gorgeous resort’s goal is to positively impact the local community and ecosystems and they do a lot to achieve that. I share more about it in my review of Hamanasi Resort.
🦜 Chan Chich Resort: Chan Chich feels secluded becuase it really is… if you look on the map you’ll see that it’s literally in the middle of nowhere in northwest Belize. A little secret: this is the most beautiful part of Belize I’ve experienced and almost no one goes here! It is a long drive but it is so worth it for the quiet and jungle luxury. Check nightly rates.
21. Take a day trip to Tikal, Guatemala
My last recommendation for unique things to do in Belize involves leaving Belize, just for a day!
That’s because one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world is just over 2 hours away from San Ignacio, and its actually much easier to visit from Belize than it is from the touristy areas of Guatemala like Lake Atitlan and Antigua, which are both over 10-12+ hours away.
Guatemala’s Tikal National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most impressive ancient ruins I’ve seen anywhere in the world. The archaeological park is massive (over 220 square miles) and the temples are much taller than others in Belize and Mexico. For instance, Tikal’s Temple IV is 230 feet tall, which is over double the height of the famous Chichen Itza El Castillo temple near Valladolid, Mexico.
You can either travel to Tikal in your own rental car (with the proper paperwork) or on a guided day trip. My group of four went in our rental car successfully but the border crossing was a pain (and very odd at times) and the roads were horrible. I share more about our experience in my 10 day guide to Belize.
Driving to Tikal from Belize is doable if you’re a confident traveler with some level of Spanish skill and unafraid of pothole-filled roads. However, booking this tour with an English guide and roundtrip transport from San Ignacio is the best option for most people. Plus, you get to tour Tikal with an expert!
This Tikal day trip from San Ignacio is my recommendation for a group tour, or you can book this private tour. The group tour includes:
🚙 Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in San Ignacio area (in a comfortable coach!)
🥾 Walking tour through Tikal with an expert tour guide
🌮 Lunch
I love that reviewers say ‘the border crossing was easy’ with the tour because that certainly wasn’t the case for us when we drove ourself! The tour may be more expensive than doing it yourself, but you save in stress and confusion, and you get to experience Tikal through the stories and insights of a tour guide.
Thanks for reading!
- Browse my favorite Belize tours and experiences.
- See the best hotels in Belize.
- Check out my other Belize travel guides.
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