- Belize at Your Fingertips!

Belize is a stunning Central American country that is home to interesting animal species, epic Maya ruins, and beautiful seaside. It is not often seen as a prime tourist destination, but it is well worth visiting if you love beaches, historical monuments, and beautiful sunrises. Before you set out on a trip to Belize, it’s good to check out what you can expect there and what you can do as a tourist. In Belize, you can go on tours to visit Maya ruins or sacred places like Actun Tunichil Muknal. Apart from that, you can visit wonderful nature reserves and the Belize Zoo or focus on the wonderful beaches and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets. Let’s check out some fascinating places you can visit in Belize. We’ll take a look at each Belize district individually, so you can learn more about what you can expect and choose the most suitable destination for you. Belize District The Belize District is a commercial and tourist hub of the country. It is primarily known for Caye Caulker, a popular tourist destination where you can relax and see magnificent sunsets, but there are also some amazing Maya ruins and natural sites that you’d want to check out. However, it's not recommended to visit or stat around Belize City for very long as it has the highest crime rate in Belize. While Belize is a safe country to visit, precautions should still be taken. Let’s take a look at what you can do in Belize District. Caye Caulker Caye Caulker is the prime destination for chilling out. The best place for that is the Split, which is a very easygoing place, even for the standards of Belize. Besides that, Caye Caulker is an excellent place to watch amazing sunsets. You can also go snorkeling with manatees and rays, a spectacular attraction for any wildlife lover. Belize Zoo Unlike many other zoos around the world, the Belize Zoo operates in a very ethical way. You can only find local animals there and the zoo only has animals that cannot survive in the wild on their own anymore or require rehabilitation before being released into the wild. If you want to familiarize yourself with the local wildlife without going into the forests, check out the Belize Zoo. Great Blue Hole The Great Blue Hole is a marvelous attraction for any sea lover. It is an underwater sinkhole famous for its unusually deep blue color. The Great Blue Hole is an important destination for divers, who visit the hole to admire the depth and the stalactites and stalagmites underneath the water. It is also a great place to visit by helicopter if you’re not very keen on diving; some even recommend this as a unique experience. Altun Ha Altun Ha isan old Maya city with an amazing temple overlooking the whole site. It is located 31 miles from Belize City, so it is not hard to reach if you’re in the city’s vicinity. Besides the masterful stone craft of the Maya, you can also see spectacular wildlife. Altun Ha is definitely a must-visit site for every tourist, especially a history enthusiast. Learn More About Belize District Cayo District Cayo is the largest district of Belize, and it is well-known for its great cultural and ethnic diversity, great food, and important Maya sites, particularly the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, which is an ancient holy place of the Maya people. Let’s examine your options if you visit Cayo. Actun Tunichil Muknal This sacred cave is a spectacular place to visit and probably the most important attraction in Belize. It features stunning caves with amazing features, with altars and faces carved into them. You can also find ceramics, stoneware, and calcified skeletons. The most popular of these is the Crystal Maiden, the body of a 17-year-old boy, possibly a sacrificial victim. You’ll have to book a tour in advance, though, as the number of visitors is limited to preserve the site. Only 125 tourists can visit the site each day in groups of 8, and it is not cheap, but the eight-hour tour is more than worth the money. Great Food Cayo is probably the best place to visit if you’re looking for food. Especially if you visit the lively San Ignacio town. You can find traditional Belizean dishes everywhere, and you can even visit more upscale restaurants if that is more to your liking. If you’re looking for fresh produce, the Farmer’s Market and the Mennonite Spanish Lookout are the best places to visit. One thing is certain: you won’t go hungry no matter where you go. Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve This forest reserve is known as Pine Ridge to the locals, and it was founded in 1944 to protect the pine forests, which are much different from the rest of the forests in Belize. Even though it suffered a pine beetle infestation two decades ago, it is still an amazing place for hiking and enjoying nature. Learn More about Cayo, Belize Corozal District Tourists have often overlooked the Corozal District, but that fact is slowly changing. It’s quite a quaint place, so you might want to visit it if you enjoy peace and quiet, especially if you enjoy fishing. Apart from that, there is some charming nature and ancient Maya sites to visit and explore. Santa Rita Santa Rita is an archeological site dating back to 2,000 BC, when the Maya city of Chactemal stood there. The site is on the outskirts of Corozal Town, the capital of the Corozal District, and it’s the primary reason for visiting the town. For a small fee, you’ll see some breathtaking temples from which you can have an amazing view of the surrounding area. Shipstern Nature and Wildlife Reserve This wildlife reserve is a large area of land, around 21,500 acres, and is home to many different tree and bird species, which are the prime attraction of the reserve. Apart from that, the place is home to many different animal species, such as pumas, tapirs, and jaguars, so it is a great place even if you’re not particularly into bird watching. Sarteneja Sarteneja is an ancient Maya fishing village dating back thousands of years. It is mostly inhabited by fishermen, who still fish in small fishing boats. It’s a serene place, great for relaxation, but it is also great if you want to go fishing, swimming, or bird watching. Learn More About the Corozal District Orange Walk District The Orange Walk District was primarily known for its sugar and rum production, but nowadays, its industry has diversified, and the district has become an attractive tourist destination. People mostly go to the Orange Walk district to visit the Maya ruins, which are some of the most fascinating in the country. There are also many bird species that attract bird watchers and professional ornithologists alike. Let’s dive into the attractions of the Orange Walk District. Lamanai Inhabited from 1500 BC to 1650 AD, Lamanai is one of the most impressive Maya destinations, particularly due to being the location of one of the biggest Maya buildings that have survived until today. It takes a bit of effort to climb to the top of the ruin, but the view you can get from there is unparalleled. The wildlife you can see from here is also unique and fascinating. For example, you can see the strangler fig, which swallows cohune palms as it grows. This kills the palms, but the result provides a good place for birds to nest. Bird watching The Orange Walk district is home to 400 distinct bird species, more than any other place in the country. This makes it a popular attraction for ornithologists, casual bird watchers, and nature lovers. The most interesting bird species there is the jabiru stork. This bird has a nine-foot wingspan and is the largest bird in the country. Other important bird species you can come across are: Anhingas Roseate spoonbills Sun grebes Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area Rio Bravo is another marvelous natural area that is conserved for its unique flora and fauna. Apart from the many bird species you can find in the district, Rio Bravo is home to big cats such as jaguars and ocelots, as well as monkeys such as howler and spider monkeys. There are more than 70 species of mammals and 200 species of trees, so this is a must-see place for any nature lover. Learn More about Orange Walk Stann Creek District The Stann Creek district is known for the Placencia peninsula, a popular tourist destination due to its lovely beaches and the many opportunities it offers for swimming and snorkeling. The district is also known for its cultural diversity and the opportunities to get to know different cultures. Placencia Placencia might be the most attractive destination in the whole country. It is a beautiful peninsula with lovely sandy beaches, hotels, tourist resorts, cafes, and restaurants. There are 16 miles of beaches on the peninsula, and you can get to the sea only a few steps from your hotel, which is very quick and convenient. Apart from that, you can go diving and snorkeling, or go on an excursion to one of the nearby cayes. And once you get tired of those activities, you can easily replenish your energy in one of the local restaurants, where you can get an abundant meal for only $10. Seine Bight Seine Bight is a small Garifuna village in the Stann Creek district, known for its wonderful food, music, and beaches. The village is relatively underdeveloped compared to its surroundings, but it provides a memorable cultural experience, and the beaches there are fantastic. You can seclude yourself and find a nice spot on a beach with a good place to hang your hammock and chill, or you can take part in the vibrant cultural life in the village. Even though the inhabitants are now Catholics, they still perform their traditional dances and play their traditional music. You can easily arrange for a dance group to perform for you, or you can go and see a traditional music concert. There is also a wide choice of food in the village. You can easily find traditional food with ingredients such as fish, rice, beans, coconut, bananas, yams, and cassava. It is best to immerse yourself in the local food, but if you get homesick, you can even find an Italian, Mediterranean, and American restaurant in the village, so all palates will be satisfied. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve Cockscomb is the first and only jaguar preserve in the world. The jaguar is endangered in most of its range, but it is alive and kicking in Cockscombe. Apart from the jaguar, many other cats and various animals enjoy the safety of the location. You can visit Cockscomb, but sadly, you’re not very likely to spot a jaguar. These animals are masters of not being seen, as their lives depend on it, so it’s very difficult to spot one. They will be able to spot you, though, so tread carefully. Learn More about Stann Creek, Belize Toledo District The Toledo district is a unique melting pot, even for the standards of Belize. You can find people of vastly different heritage in this district; from native Maya people to descendants of Confederate settlers. In fact, the Maya people are around half of the district’s population, more than anywhere else in the country, but wherever you go, you’ll hear different languages and see different cultures. The district is known for its Maya ruins, chocolate, sport fishing, and wonderful natural sites. Let’s take a quick look at some important sites. Maya Ruins in the District There are five big Maya ruins in the district: Xnaheb Uxbenka Pusilha Lubaantun Nim Ni Punit The ruins have not been fully explored and new excavations are under way, so you even have a great reason to return in the future if you choose to visit them. Blue Creek Cave The Blue Creek Cave, or the Hokeb Ha Cave in Maya, is an amazing natural site to visit and is one of many amazing Caves in Belize. The hike there is relatively easy and allows you to enjoy the jungle, and when you get to the cave, you have to swim across a small natural pool to explore further. It’s a great experience, and you’ll get to savor a site that Maya priests allegedly used for sacred rituals. Learn more about Toledo District What are the Must-Do Activities in Each District of Belize?In the Cayo District, explore ancient Mayan ruins and go cave tubing for an exciting experience. In the Stann Creek District, enjoy snorkeling and diving in the colorful marine life. In the Toledo District, embark on jungle hikes and birdwatching tours for the best exotic adventure activities in Belize.What Are the Top Things to Do in Belize City, Belize by District?In Belize City, Belize, the history of Belize City is on full display in the downtown district. Explore historic sites like the Government House and St. John's Cathedral. In the Fort George district, visit the Baron Bliss Lighthouse and Belize Historical Museum for a deeper understanding of the city's rich past.Conclusion Belize is an amazing place to visit if you’re passionate about exploring history and nature. It also offers a unique cultural experience and a chance to unwind on lovely beaches.