How to Plan a Trip to Belize: Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Belize is from December to May. The rainy season ends in November and it’s warm from December to May. The pleasant temperatures and clearer skies are best for Belize beach vacations, sightseeing, and other experiences.

You can set off in the jungle with your family to visit Mayan ruins on a clear day, follow jaguar prints without worrying about the rain, or explore the remote cayes with your partner when sunsets are at their best. Belize during the dry season offers excellent weather for all adventures.

The rainy season, from June to November, brings wet weather to tropical areas. Though most prefer the dry season, rainy-season activities like scuba diving and museum tours are possible for travelers visiting during this quieter time of the year.

Learn more: Best Time to Visit Belize

Plan to spend between seven and 10 days exploring Belize. This timeframe is more than enough to see highlights like the tropical beaches of Placencia or Mayan ruins in the Cayo District. You can also spend a day or two at leisure, appreciating the coastal beauty around your luxurious floating bungalow.

Travelers with more time can spend up to two weeks in Belize, with plenty to see and do, or multiple days free to experience Belize on a whim. You can relish the romance of the Ambergris Caye when cruising around the island or search the forests and archeological sites around San Ignacio as a family, while still finding time to experience the highlights and relax between tours.

Learn more: 7 Day Belize Itineraries

Belize boasts coral islands, tropical rainforests, cultural cities, and coastal resort towns. Below, we share our top recommendations when choosing where to visit:

• Ambergris Caye
• Belize Barrier Reef
• Caracol
• San Ignacio
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Placencia

Above all else, these places reveal the unparalleled tropical beauty of the country. The cayes present the clearest waters you can find in the world, the marine reserves protect fascinating sea life which you can view, and the wildlife sanctuaries provide endless adventure in prolific rainforests. You can learn more about these places and what to expect with our best places to visit in Belize.

Belize’s Caribbean coastlines and Central American jungles offer exciting opportunities for adventure travel and beach getaways, and the following are our recommendations of the top things to do:

• Explore the sea life on scuba diving or snorkeling excursions of the barrier reef, coral gardens, marine reserves, and islands
• Hike or trek through the rainforests, conservation areas, and wildlife sanctuaries in search of endemic animals and tropical birds
• Tour historical archeological sites and mysterious Mayan ruins
• Experience the natural beauty on cave tours and while kayaking through the massive caverns
• Spend days relishing the sunshine at lavish overwater bungalows overlooking private beaches

As you consider your Belize vacation, our insight into the top things to do in Belize can help you learn more about activities for your trip. Whether submerging the crystal-clear waters to see what lies beneath or searching forests for ocelots, we share the best experiences and how to enjoy them.

Belize is a brilliant destination around the corner from the United States, famous for its jungle, cultural monuments, and as home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world. With shorelines that rival the best in Southeast Asia, rainforests that look like they belong in the greater Amazon, and vibrant neighborhoods nearby ancient Mayan complexes, you can experience a tropical or cultural vacation without traveling far.

Learn more: Top Reasons to Visit Belize on Vacation

The Caribbean seas surrounding Belize boast stunning islands, or cayes, with sparkling turquoise waters. The most popular to visit include:

• Ambergris Caye
• Caye Caulker
• Tobacco Caye
• Glover's Reef Atoll
• St. George's Caye
• Half Moon Caye

With resort towns overlooking the Caribbean Sea and islands just beyond the shore, Belize has breathtaking beaches that offer tropical variety for travelers on beach vacations. You could enjoy sunsets from seaside balconies, cruise from island to island in style, or relax on a private beach with no one else in sight using this list to discover which shores to visit:

• Placencia Beach, Placencia
• Pelican Beach, South Water Caye
• Tranquility Bay Beach, Ambergris Caye
• Half Moon Caye Beach, Half Moon Caye
• Glover's Reef Atoll Beach, Glover's Reef Atoll
• Koko King Beach, Caye Caulker

One may not think of Belize as the best destination for hiking, but between its jungles, forests, and coastal terrain there are exceptional hiking experiences to be had. You can traverse Mayan mountains to mysterious ruins, explore flourishing forests left untouched by the outside world, or search for caves along the cliffs on the following best hiking routes:

• Maya Mountains Hikes
• Victoria Peak Climb
• Crystal Cave Hike
• Cockscomb Basin Nature Walks
• Tiger Fern Trail

There is some excellent wildlife viewing in Belize and many travelers hope to spot black jaguars. From wildlife sanctuaries to marine reserves, the following list highlights places to see the endemic animals, reptiles, sea creatures, and birds, as well as what to look out for:

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve • Nurse sharks and Southern stingrays
• Cockscomb Basin • Jaguars
• Laughing Bird Caye • Herons and dolphins
• Swallow Caye • Manatees

Airplanes, buses, private shuttles, car rentals, taxis, water taxis, yachts, and other sea vessels are several transportation options.

Belize is a fantastic destination for luxury experiences, so private transfers are popular options for most trips by land. Yachts and catamarans are excellent for traveling by sea, allowing you to access neighboring islands and remote beaches across Belize’s Caribbean coastline and the Belize Barrier Reef.

Though more affordable, public transportation is far less efficient, so we advise using private transport.

Belize is a tropical paradise for families with young and older children, inviting all ages to appreciate the laidback beach lifestyle and wonderful outdoor experiences.

On Belize family vacations, you can snorkel around the cayes to discover the fish swimming beneath the glassy waves or cruise to the Belize Barrier Reef for an eye-opening underwater experience.

You could also hike to waterfalls in the jungles with your teenage children or enjoy the cultural towns with adult children who would appreciate exploring the Mayan ruins.

Belize is one of the best tropical countries to visit for senior citizens as high-end budgets allow for exceptional beach getaways and the country is around the corner from the US.

You do not have to worry about long flights or action-packed itineraries, and can instead enjoy the simple pleasures of spending your vacation lounging on sun-kissed shorelines. With floating bungalows on private beaches and exceptional accommodation options for your trip, you can lap up the laidback life in style without a worry in the world.

Our Belize tours for seniors offer ideas for your vacation, providing options for relaxing near the Caribbean seas or adventure experiences for active seniors eager to explore the lush rainforests.

Belize is a destination for honeymoons, weddings, and couples, rivaling the best beach spots in the world. Instead of splurging on flights across the globe, you can pour your heart and soul into living lavishly on Caribbean shores just beyond the borders of North America.

The seaside accommodations share unparalleled access to private Belize beaches where romance abounds, and active trips allow adventurous couples to appreciate the endless greenery and unique animals that live in the rainforests.

Belize honeymoon packages can show you the charms of the jewel overlooking the Caribbean Sea, with spas, gourmet dinners, sunset cruises, and intimate hikes adding to the luxury of tours throughout Belize.

Belizean cuisine blends Caribbean influence with Central American flavor to create an array of tempting dishes. Below, we highlight some of the most popular foods and drinks to keep an eye out for when visiting gourmet seaside hotspots and family-run restaurants:

• Caribbean rice and beans
• Chimole, Mayan stew
• Salbutes, stuffed tortillas
• Tamales, stuffed corn dough steamed in banana leaf
• Ceviche, fresh seafood par-cooked in citrus juices
• Cochinita Pibil, Mayan slow-roasted pork

Belize is a safe place to visit on vacation.

While crime worries exist across Central America and major tourist destinations worldwide, most petty crime in Belize is avoidable when traveling with your guides and staying at your safe accommodations. The luxurious nature of Belizean getaways means you can enjoy the comfort of your lavish home away from home without worrying too much about petty crime.

That said, exercise caution if traveling alone or when exploring the country at your leisure, as your guides will not be there to keep watch over you while you enjoy the tropical paradise.

The official language of Belize is English.

While many locals speak creole patois, English is the most widely spoken language and you should have little trouble communicating during your trip. When planning with a travel specialist, you can rest assured that you will be under the supervision of English-speaking tour guides and staying at English-speaking accommodations.

There are several airports in Belize, though Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) is the best for international arrivals and departures. Below, we list a few more options should you consider domestic travel in and around Belize.

• Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), Belize City
• Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (TZA), Belize City
• Caye Caulker Airport (CUK), Caye Caulker
• San Pedro Airport (SPR), Ambergris Caye

The official currency of Belize is the Belize dollar ($).

We recommend carrying the Belize dollar with you when you travel as it is the most widely accepted currency in the country. That said, you can also bring the US dollar as it is commonly used in Belize. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are also accepted in certain establishments.

You can start exploring options for your vacation in our Belize vacations and tours and, when ready, plan with the help of a Zicasso travel specialist. Whether you want to swim in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters of your private overwater bungalow with your partner or explore the Belizean rainforests as a family, you can find ideas from these sample itineraries.

A Zicasso travel specialist can help you plan every step of your adventure in Belize, from accommodations to experiences. To start working with a destination expert today, complete a trip request and our Traveler Care team will be in touch with you.

Our Traveler Care team will match you with one of our Belize travel specialists who will help organize your getaway and be available for the duration of your trip, giving you peace of mind when traveling to Belize.

Learn more: How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip in 4 Easy Steps • How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip Budget in 3 Easy Steps

You can find customizable sample itineraries in our Belize vacations and tours and explore the options right for your travels. From romantic beach retreats to Mayan adventures through the forests, there are ideas for all travelers planning a trip to Belize.

For more inspiration on what to do in Belize and how to experience the best of the breathtaking country, visit our Belize travel guide.