belize mainland tour

Belize Tropical Dream Villas

The Local’s Guide to Things to Do in Belize

Adventure Awaits!

Belize Mainland Tours

The Mecca of Mayan Culture

Want to spend some time on the mainland soaking up the culture of the ancient Mayan civilization? The tours on the mainland are some of the most amazing that you will have the pleasure to experience! Below are some of the activities that you can enjoy while on your Belize vacation:

River Cave Expedition

Waterfall Cave Expedition

The Black Hole Drop

Lost World Ceremonial

Wishing Well Expedition

Overnight Caving Expedition

River of Caves 7Miles Cave Tubing

Honeymoon Overnight Cave Expedition

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)

Full Day Jungle Trek

Overnight Jungle Expedition

Jungle Quest Expedition

Bird Watching

Jungle Safari After Dark

Belize Zoo & Baboon Sanctuary

Xunantunich & Cahal Pech

Tikal Full Day Trip

Belize Ziplining

We would love to help you plan your trip to get the most out of your Belize adventure! Please let us know which activities you would like to do while you are here and we will provide you pricing and schedules to ensure that you experience the time of your life in Belize!

Hurricane St, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye 11111, Belize P:   +(501)628-7554   E:   [email protected]

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Mainland tours

MAINLAND BELIZE ADVENTURES These adventures are available daily from San Pedro, we offer this adventure by Air (15 minutes) or water taxi (90 Scenic Minutes) to Belize City where you will be met by your licensed tour guide and then board your transport to these beautiful sites. Your guide will drive you through the city to point out some of the attractions and history that the old capital has to offer. You can choose a relaxing day and do a single adventure tour or a slightly more active day with your choice of two adventures and for those that want to take advantage of their day we also offer three fun-filled activities on the same day. There’s a minimal transfer fee which is dependent on the distance of your hotel from the main town core.

Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventures Cave tubing is an excellent choice for a soft adventure in Belize. Your guide will start off by showing you into parts of some dry cave system where you will learn of the different stalactites, stalagmites and crystal formations after which you’ll float on inner tubes through the cave systems and experience the Mayan underworld. Your guide will fill you in on the rich Mayan history, culture and their beliefs. These cave systems were sacred to them and were used for many rituals. Caves branch cave is one of several subterranean sites cave that were carved out of the limestone foothills of the Maya mountains by the very active caves branch river. The site provides us with an excellent example of the erosive power of water, and the natural wonders of Belize. Archaeological investigations note that the ancient Maya visited the site to conduct important rituals. Today’s modern visitor enjoys a unique opportunity to observe the awesome geological features of the site, and to ponder the nature of prehistoric human utilization. The Belize Zip Line is a first class high Adventure Trip for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers in the heart of the Belizean Wilderness. The Zip Line involves 7 platforms traversing from one platform to another, 80' above the Forest Floor dangling only from a steel cable. Upon arrival you will be given a safety briefing and then outfitted in the safety equipment of Body Harness, Helmet and Gloves. A short Jungle Hike to the first platform ensues before heading into the Jungle Canopy to start this wild adventure. Zip Lining is another tour that takes you to the heart of Belize's jungle. Take a bird's eye view of the jungle, zipping from tree canopy to tree canopy, shouting with excitement as your body weight speeds you through the jungle, listening to the chirps of birds and the swaying of the jungle trees. Zip Lining starts by strapping your equipment on and climbing the first platform from where you will be suspended on a cable, usually made of stainless steel, mounted on an incline. Double cables are used for safety. Your weight and gravity will propel you to the bottom of the incline to another platform giving you a bird's eye view of the Belize jungle

Belize Zoo Named as one of the

Baboon Sanctuary This tour is a nature-lover’s excursion, as a rainbow of butterflies, birds and reptiles can be seen while traversing through the high grass and thick undergrowth. The most esteemed sighting is undoubtedly that of a family of black howler monkeys casually lounging in an oasis of fruit trees (their natural habitat). In this protected area you will find the majority of all the black howler monkeys in Belize. Upon arrival in the City, guests are greeted by their guide and board the vehicle for a 45 minutes drive to the area known as Bermudian Landing which is located 25 Miles West of the city in the area of the Old Belize River. The first stop is in the small/quaint museum located on premises where you will be given an orientation and listed to their incredible success story of the community and other volunteers coming together for the sole purpose of protecting and preserving on of earth’s endangered species. Once done guests will be taken on a on a short 10 minute walk through the forest at which point you will find yourself in nature surrounded by pristine forests and Black Howler Monkeys. During your in-depth tour you will learn of many medicinal plants, howler monkey food and also the history of the community and the Sanctuary.

Mayan Temples If you are intrigued by the History surrounding the Mayans in this region, the vast history of Belize and would like to know more about their culture and more about some of our first settlers in this Jewel; this tour is definitely for you. We are surrounded by descendants of Mayans in the North, South and West which made Belize one of the most popular trading areas in the Mayan World. Belize is a museum in itself where you can view ancient Mayan cities where the ancient Maya lived and below are a few that we offer on either a half or full day excursion.

Altun Ha: The Mayan City of Altun Ha is located in the Belize District about 30 miles north of Belize City and about 6 miles west of the shore of the Caribbean Shore and covers an area of about 5 Square miles. The ruins of the ancient structures had their stones reused for residential construction of the agricultural village of Rockstone Pond in modern times, but the ancient site did not come to the attention of archeologists until 1963. The Old Northern Highway connects Altun Ha to Belize's N Northern Highway, and the site is accessible for tourism. The largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, the "Temple of the Masonry Altars", is 54 feet (16 m) high. A drawing of this structure is the logo of Belize's leading brand of beer, "Belikin". You’ll enjoy and savor the untouched countryside and native villages as your guide school you about the local plants and animal on your drive for approximately 45 minutes before arriving at the Beautiful Mayan Site of Altun Ha. Keep your eyes and ears open along the final 10 minutes of the journey as the area near Altun Ha is rich in wildlife including Armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, paca, foxes, tapir and even white tail deers. The area also boasts over 200 species of birds. Once you arrive at Altun Ha, you will be guided to an important Maya Trading Center. Learn about the ancient Mayan civilization at the ruins where one of the finest and believed to be the largest, Mayan jade craving was found. Bring your camera to the top of the best preserved temple for a fantastic view of the surrounding jungle. You may even venture on a short jungle walk to the old Mayan reservoir where you are sure to see many other birds and crocodiles. This Site was said to be a very wealthy ceremonial center which boasts two main plazas, thirteen structures including the Temple of Sun God also known as Masonry Altars.

Lamanai (from Wikipedia): Lamanai (from Lama'anayin, "submerged crocodile" in Yucatec Maya) is a Mesoamerican archaeological site, and was once a considerably sized city of the Maya civilization, located in the north of Belize, in Orange Walk District. The site's name is pre-Columbian, recorded by early Spanish missionaries, and documented over a millennium earlier in Maya inscriptions as Lam'an'ain. One of the most popular and memorable tours available from San Pedro! Your day starts at 8am with a comfortable 15 minute flight from the island to Belize City Municipal Airstrip. You guide will walk you over to your awaiting tour vehicle and head down the Belizean countryside and local villages as you travel along the Highway for approximately one hour before arriving at the docking facilities in Orange Walk then board your tour boat up the New River. Your guide will be sure to keep your brain going as he/she share vast knowledge of the river and Native flora and fauna that exist in abundance along this river. On arriving at the ancient Mayan Site of Lamanai, noted as one of the largest Mayan ceremonial centers in Belize your guide will offer another briefing followed by an extensive tour of the many temples and their uses in the days of the Mayas. After about 2 hours of touring the various sites you will take a break to enjoy a locally prepared lunch, visit the museum, take in additional views of this spectacular panorama, the Maya mountains and the New River Lagoon.

Xunantunich (fromWikipedi): Xunantunich (pronounced /ʃunantunit͡ʃ/) is an Ancient Mayan archaeological site in western Belize, about 80 miles (130 km) west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. Xunantunich is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, well within sight of the Guatemala border – which is a mere 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) to the west.[1] It served as a Maya civic ceremonial center in the Late and Terminal Classic periods to the Belize Valley region.[2] At this time, when the region was at its peak, nearly 200,000 people lived in Belize.[3] Xunantunich’s name means "Stone Woman" in the Maya language (Mopan and Yucatec combination name), and, like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown. The "Stone Woman" refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site, beginning in 1892. She is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of "El Castillo", ascends the stone stairs, and disappears into a stone wall. After the Belize City tour, we will drive around 1 hour and 45 minutes to San Ignacio where the ruin is located. There, you will take the tour of Xunantunich Maya Ruin. After visiting this site, you can either choose to visit the town of San Ignacio or take the scenic drive back to the city. This tour can be added to Cahal Pech Mayan Site, Cave Tubing, Zipline, Horse back riding or the Belize Zoo for an additional fee of USD 35.

At Ridge and Reef Adventures our main focus is to offer you safe, comfortable, reliable Tour service during your visit to Beautiful Belize.

Get In Touch

2.75 miles north of San Pedro Town, Belize C.A.

[email protected]

011(501)613-7999

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"Into the Wild: Belize Adventure Awaits"

Belize adventure tours.

Welcome to Belize Wildlife Expedition – your ultimate gateway to immersive and hands-on adventure tours in the heart of Belize’s stunning natural wonders. As the premier tour operator in Belize, we are driven by immense pride in offering a diverse range of exhilarating experiences that allow you to connect with the country’s rich wildlife and explore its hidden gems.

Explore the mainland of Belize with us, as we offer professional expertise and guide services that make your day tour experience wonderful and memorable. Discover the natural wonders and ancient Mayan Temples tucked away in the jungles of this beautiful country, making it an ideal choice for Belize family adventures.

Whether you’re staying on the big islands or exploring the mainland, our Maya ruin tours are accessible from Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. First-time visiting Belize? We’ve got you covered with our expertise as travel specialists, ensuring you have the best time exploring the country’s natural history and top destinations.

Amazing Thing To Do In Belize!!!

Mountain pine ridge.

An easy going tour, hiking, swimming and climbing, is you explore a land shape be water.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Expert guide take you into the Maya Underworld. ATM Cave is one of the World Creepiest attraction.

Cave Tubing

Cave tubing is one of our favorite way to spend the day. Take an educational tour as you float down stream and into a cave system.

Thrill seekers would be delighted to zip over the jungle on some of the longest zip lines in the country.

Xunantunich Ruins Tour

This mayan structure is one to see, with a 80% chance of seeing monkeys.

Altun Ha Tour

This mayan ruins is one of few with in Belize with ties to the sea. It has a fascinating history.

Lamanai Temple tour

A remote Archeological site that takes a boat ride to get there and Famous for temples.

Caracol Temple Tour

The largest man-made and remote structure of any civilization in Belize is one you most see.

Why Belize Wildlife Expedition?

When you choose Belize Wildlife Expedition, you are not just booking a tour – you are embarking on an extraordinary journey with passionate individuals who love this country deeply. Our naturalist guides and park rangers have served and worked at these sites, ensuring you receive an authentic and enriching experience.

At Belize Wildlife Expedition , our commitment to providing exceptional service is anchored in the passion and expertise of our naturalist guides and park rangers. Their extensive knowledge and love for this country ensure that each visitor’s expectations are not only met but exceeded, leaving them with indelible memories that will last a lifetime.

Mark , our dedicated expert, understands each visitor’s expectations, having listened and talked to countless guests during his tenure at our park reserves. Tour Guide nick named: Fryjack is outgoing personality ensures each guest has an unbelievable and unforgettable time during their visit to Belize.

Explore Mainland Belize Adventure Tours

Located in the breathtaking Belize District, our base in Lemonal strategically situates us for easy access to the most captivating destinations in the country, including Belize Zoo and Belize City. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, a history buff, or a wildlife lover, we have the perfect Belize tours to cater to your interests.

Encounter breathtaking waterfalls and explore the banks of the rivers, where butterflies, iguanas, and monkeys are common sights on many of our day trips. And that’s just the beginning – there’s so much more to uncover during our guided experiences with our guide to Belize’s natural history.

Contact us today to arrange your tours or transfers, with convenient pick-up options from many hotels, resorts, or even water taxi terminals. Your journey into the heart of Belize’s wilderness awaits – let Belize Wildlife Expedition be your guide to an adventure of a lifetime.

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Belize

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Belize. There are 15 trips to choose from, that range from one day in length, up to 14 days. The month with the most departures is November, making it the most popular time to visit Belize.

15 Fully Guided tour packages in Belize with 84 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

BELIZE – Rainforests Waterfalls Beaches & Blue Hole

Belize Tour: Exciting Adventures in Tropical Paradise

While my husband and I enjoyed the sights of mainland Belize and Caye Caulker, we would not do another tour through VIBE Adventures based in Mexico. The Belizean tour guide that was hired by VIBE was informative, but often did not check the daily itineraries and made several changes, which bothered others on the tour. He went home every night, but could be contacted on WhatsApp. He charged me USD$50 for a 4 mile drive from the airport to the hotel (and I gave him USD$10 tip), and I was told days later by others on the tour that it cost then USD$30 to take a taxi for the same trip. I forgot my phone at the airport upon arrival, so the guide went back to get it for me, I give him another USD$50 and USD$15 tip for his troubles. AT the end of the trip, he send me a message on WhatsApp about why I didn't give him another tip at the end of the tour! No others in our group received this request and he accommodated them substantially, so very unprofessional of him, and I cannot speak for the other group members why they chose not to tip him. I stayed with him during physical climbs because he could barely climb stairs, etc. On transfer to Caye Caulker, he did not know if someone else was going to meet us there for the tour, this shows poor communication between VIBE, the tour group and our guide. I don't want to focus on the negative aspects, and learning about Mayan culture and all activities were wonderful.

Family Belize Wildlife Adventure

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Escorted Belize Group Trip

Beach & Jungle Romance

• In-depth Cultural

Belize Reef & Ruins

Mayan Adventure

• Sightseeing

Land of Belize

Belize Maya Tour & Tikal

• Jungle Trekking

Discover Belize

Again, hotel transfer from airport in Houston very poor. Enjoyable holiday and would recommend

Best of Belize: Family Trip

Explore Belize National Geographic Journeys

Well organized and very interesting

Well-planned from beginning to end, a good combination of new things to learn, the nature to enjoy, wonderful weather and fantastic sceneries. We arrived a day early and stayed in Biltmore Best Western. All hotels are good, the excursions that our guide offered were excellent. We did two excursions through Viator and two with the tour operators that our guide has offered, and I would say that the ones we had locally through our guide are better value for money. Caye Caulker is a nice and relaxed place, having the Caribbean flavour, sadly, there are no sandy beaches there, but there are plenty of ways to spend a couple of days with all the range of excursions offered. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this tour.

Half Day Belize Barrier Reef Snorkel : Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley

Lamanai Maya Site and River Safari Tour from Belize City

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Mainland Tours

Mainland tours, other tours.

Are you looking for somewhere to stroll arm in arm, barefoot along sandy shores watching huge frigate birds dive for fish into the crystal clear tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea? Would you like to relax with a book in your hammock sipping an ice cold rum punch watching the waves crash over the distant reef? Fancy a spot of adventure?

TOUR DETAILS

Cave touring underground.

Take the water taxi to the City (own expense)where you are met by your guide and driven west into the Jungle. Upon arrival at Jaguar Paw you will be kitted out with a headlamp and rubber tube. Take a fascinating jungle walk for 30 minutes to reach the mouth of the cave. Now you are ready to float 7 miles along Belize's longest and most spectacular "River of Caves". As you float on inner tubes with only your headlamp to light your way, you will see stalagmites jutting from the river, stalactites looming from above, and floating past beautiful underground waterfalls.

After your cave adventure, there is a short walk back to the entrance where a delicious lunch is served. Your guide brings you back to the city to catch the last water taxi back to Caye Caulker. Optional: Add Belize Zoo – an amazing collection of rescued wildlife indigenous to Belize, including the Jaguar, Ocelot, Tapir, Howler Monkey, Toucan, Scarlet Macaw, Tree Frod, Iguana, Crocodile, and Boa Constrictor. ($30usd) Daily departures are year-round. Subject to high water levels during the rainy season. A minimum of 2 people are needed for this trip to go. Full day starting at 7:30 am returning 6:00pm.

If you wish to see or do something that isn’t listed below then please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to arrange it for you.

ALTUN HA RIVER TRIP

After a 45 minute speed boat ride to the river's entrance you will slowly cruise the windy mangrove lined river whilst your guide points out interesting local flora and fauna including orchids, mangrove species and if you’re lucky, an alligator. The boat drops you off at Bomba (known for it's wood carving) then onwards to Altun Ha. Your guide will explain the history behind this amazing Mayan site. After your visit to Altun Ha it is time for lunch at Maruba Spa and Resort (lunch not included in tour price).

You are free to use the facilities of the resort including swimming in their two pools, relaxing in the hot tub or walking around the beautifully kept gardens. Try one of their famous mud spa treatments (extra charge). Then the boat brings you back to Caye Caulker. . Full day starting at 8:00am – 5:00pm. Minimum 6 people required to make tour go. Mosquito repellent recommended, camera and swimwear.

LAMANAI & NEW RIVER TOUR

The Lamanai tour starts with a 45 minute speedboat ride from Caye Caulker to Bomba on the mainland where a light breakfast of famous Belizean johnny cake or delicious powder buns are served with fresh juice from local oranges. A comfortable minivan ride takes you to Orange Walk District where you transfer to a motor boat for a 2 hour guided tour of Belize’s New River. Your guides will point out an amazing abundance of flora and fauna including a variety of mangrove and orchid species, alligators, iguanas, bats and howler monkeys. .

Upon arrival at Lamanai, your guide will take you on an informative tour around this impressive Mayan site. If you are lucky, the Howler Monkeys will venture down from their homes to greet you. Lunch is provided at a lovely picnic area that is beside the lagoon. A full day tour returning to Caye Caulker by 5pm

Cave Tubing And Zip Line Jungle Canopy Tour At Jaguar Paw Resort

One of the most popular tours here in Belize and an experience not to be missed! After making your own way to Belize City via the water taxi you will be met and transferred to Jaguar Paw Jungle Resort. Upon arrival you will take a guided walk through the jungle. After about an hour you will get into the river with your inner tubes and begin the ride through 5 cave tunnels back to the originating point. Along the way you will be able to see the stalagmites and stalactites that the cave system has. Also, as you tube, you will be able to go further into the cave and view small rooms with beautiful formations that were once used by the Mayans.

Back at the Hotel, Lunch is provided (included in price). Then it is time for your Aerial Canopy Tour which offers the adventurous tourist a thrilling opportunity to soar through the jungle treetops high above the forest floor. The canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 80 feet above the forest floor. All lines are built to standards approved by the Association for Challenged Course Technologists. Your tour will take you over eight platforms. Along the way you will enjoy the bird’s eye view of our beautiful pristine ecosystem. When you arrive on the last platform you will then need to repel to the ground. Transfer back to Belize City.

MORE MAINLAND TOURS

Lamanai Half Day

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour

Tikal day tour.

• Rooms and Suites

13 best Things To Do On Belize’s Mainland

Belize has some things you can’t do anywhere else in the world. Not only does it have beautiful beaches but it also has some of the most incredible culture, adventures and of course neature.

Belize is one of those places that can click all boxes of reasons to travel and if you go please stay on the mainland.  A lot of people land in Belize and travel directly to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker but don’t visit the much of the mainland as they want the beaches, ocean and bars.

However, those people miss out on 50%+ of all the incredible things Belize has to offer so if you want a truly memorable time vs. just laying on a beach… get excited.

You can go to a beach and drink in many places in the world… but Belize offers so much more culture and adventure that not everyone knows about and you absolutely have to see! Belize is arguably one of the best places to see out of anywhere in the Caribbean or Central America.

To see a perfect 7-10 day Belize itinerary click here.

Seeing about 10+ countries and Islands I would say Costa Rica is #1 with Belize being right behind it at #2. Belize has the culture, beaches, tranquility, water, food, adventures, history and more! With that said, here are some great things you have to check out!

Visit Mayan Ruins

It’s not often you can hike to the top of ruins or get so close immersing yourself in rich incredible history.  With a multitude of ruins there are plenty of options for you scattered throughout the country all offering something unique.

Mayan ruins are some of my favorite things on earth, you walk into the area and often are just hit with this feeling of history and mystique that take you back in time like not many things can. If you have never seen Apocalypto then it is a MUST watch before you go to Belize or Mexico.

Anyways… for ruins to visit, Caracol and Xunantunich are probably the more prolific of the ruins but Lubaantun, Altun Ha and Cahal Pech all have their charm and mystique.

See as many as you can if you are staying in the area for a while. San Ignacio can be a great hub to stay in to see a few of the great ones!.

Cahal Pech Archaeological Preserve is within the town of San Ignacio and a great walk from downtown. Xunantunich is one of the more amazing Mayan Ruins on earth with your ability to walk to the top and see 360 views of the jungle.

Lubaantun is in the SouthWest, Altun Ha is North of Belize City and Caracol is on the West tip of the country.

If you really want to go crazy, and I would if you have time, go across the border into Guatemala to Tikal, which is one of the best Mayan Ruins on earth.

The distance from San Ignacio to Tikal is only 2 hours, so definitely try to get there if you have time and check another country visit off your list!

Placencia Peninsula

Placencia is arguably the beach lovers gem in maybe all of Belize. With large white sand beaches for miles and gorgeous water it is no wonder people skip the Caye’s and stay in Placencia.

The town itself is a quaint little village with plenty of charm, restaurants, bars and opportunities for excursions.

The beaches on some of the main tourist islands don’t have the width or length Placencia has so if you are worried that you might miss out on beaches by staying on the mainland, don’t worry, they are great there too!

Furthermore, per another tip coming, you can take excursions to some great beaches for a day of relaxation on white sand beaches. For top things to do in Placencia see here.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

One of the more unique things I have ever done and it is even ranked as the most sacred cave in the world with skeletons intact from around 700-900 AD. 

Wade through water-filled caves, go spelunking see century old skeletons and artifacts all while learning about the incredible history of the region.

The walk to the cave through the jungle is also beautiful, not to mention the cave itself is unreal beaming with crystalline stalactites and stalagmites.

While it is unique I have to say I did find it a little busy with tons of groups going through it non-stop. With a $120+ per person cost I was hoping it would be a touch more private vs. seeing over 100 people and it being a lot of hurry up and wait.

If I could go solo or with a friend and breeze through it then it is a 10/10 experience but add in the busy factor and I give it a 8/10. With that said, if you have never done anything like this than you absolutely have to go as it is once in a lifetime.

A ton of people have described the ATM Cave as one of the best experiences they have ever done so definitely don’t let me hold you back! I already feel like a taking things for granted asshole for even writing what I just wrote… so don’t listen to me, go check it out.

You purchase tours through any of the licensed guides who take you and your group throughout the 8 hour adventure. Cameras are not allowed as a tourist broke an artifact dropping a camera on it thus phones and cameras are now banned.

Ocean Excursions – Sail, Deep Sea Fish or Snorkel With Sharks, Manatees, Stingrays & Turtles

I have snorkeled in 15+ countries and never been surrounded by all of these majestic animals! Shark & Ray alley was one of my favorite water locations on earth!   If you love to fish then be sure to get out there with some pretty affordable fishing trips.

I went snorkeling and it was definitely the most amazing snorkeling excursion I have ever done. I saw multiple different enormous stingrays, including one giant like I have never seen before and a spotted eagle ray!

On top of that there were nurse sharks, huge sea turtles, tons of beautiful fish and giant starfish. If snorkeling isn’t your thing then just take a nice relaxing sailing trip out to the beautiful islands, some of which I still see to this date on my TV screen saver.

The excursions themselves are normally under $100, however be sure to check what type of boat you will be on as 1 hour on a tin speedboat isn’t the most comfortable.

Go Tubing Through Caves

Not many countries offer a tubing trip through caves so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity!   There are many options near San Ignacio or on the way to the city from Belize City or Placencia.  Nohoch Che’en is just outside of Belmopan.

Barton Creek Cave and Rio Frio Cave are close to San Ignacio. It is a great time and you can sneakily bring some drinks for your trip along the way. What could be better, beautiful views, water, the jungle and in a tube with a drink in your hand in the middle of Belize!

Day Trip To Caye’s (Islands)

There are plenty of stunning options to be whisked away to a picture perfect island in the middle of nowhere. Whether you want to snorkel, play beach volleyball, kayak or just relax you should definitely take a day to enjoy the islands.

As mentioned above Shark & Ray Alley was one of the coolest places I have seen with so much marine life. However, you don’t have to snorkel if you don’t want to as there are multiple excursions that will take you to a deserted island somewhere in paradise!

Tip: Make sure you check what kind of boat you are taking as a sailboat is a lot more relaxing than a speed boat.

Stay In One Of the Best Hotels I Have Ever Come Across

Naia Resort and Spa was one of the best values of any hotels I have ever seen.  For the price compared to competitors it was hands down the best hotel experience I have had. It wasn’t cheap but it was worth spending for your own bungalow hut with private pool and outdoor shower.

The grounds were amazing and the staff was perfect, they even got you coconuts or set up hammocks whenever you’d like.  If you are spending $150-200 USD on a hotel it is hands down worth spending a touch more to stay here to make your vacation one of the most memorable you’ll have.

If I was the hotel I would increase rates 50-100% compared to other hotels in the area and their cost to benefit. I always mention that spending a little extra for an experience is always worth it.

Yes, you may spend $200-400 more than you wanted on a hotel… however you will make $200-400 surely tens of thousands of times in your life… you may never be back in Belize or have an opportunity for a hotel like this again to make your vacation once in a lifetime.

Hike, Visit A National Park Or Jaguar Preserve

Belize offers a ton of nature opportunities for adventure lovers and hikers. There is amazing wildlife to see, nature to experience and waterfalls to checkout as you find your way in this incredible country. 

Cocksbomb Basin is a great place to visit and is the world’s only jaguar preserve.

It also has the best jungle hiking trails in the country. Cockscomb is a nature lover’s haven set into the jungle with a plethora of wildlife housing pumas, vultures ocelots, tapirs, armadillos, otters along with countless birds.

Explore San Ignacio

San Ignacio is one of my favorite cities in Central America.  It is an adventurers paradise with over a weeks worth of things to do and see. The town itself is a cultural hot spot making you feel like you definitely have found yourself somewhere unique and mysterious.

If you have ever been to Asia it reminds me of Chiang Mai. While maybe not as amazing as Chiang Mai I meant it has the same idea of being a hub for so much culture and adventure.

San Ignacio is not just the gateway to the infamous ATM caves as it offers a ton of things to do for all vacationers.

There is cave tubing, waterfall seeking, jungle treks, village visits, cooking classes, kayaking, zip-lining, paintball, horseback riding and you can even go to Guatemala! 

The San Ignacio market is a fun bustling market to get all sorts of goodies and purchase some cheap amazing local fruit. One of my favorite things about Latin America or Asia is that you can buy exotic fruit for 1/10th the price that it is in the USA.

It has a nice little downtown with all the shops, restaurants and bars on the street to enjoy your time. There are some amazing restaurants to try as like Guava Limb Cafe, Ko-Ox Han-nah or Cahal Pech Village Resort for the sweeping views alone. 

By chance we decided to walk to Cahal Pech to see the ruins that are just about a 30 minute walk from the city center. On the way there was an amazing little park with people playing all sorts of sports and games.

There also was this amazing wall stretching for 100 yards with inspirational art.

There are tons of good hotel options for all price ranges. Cahal Pech Village Resort is absolutely stunning on the hillside with amazing views and pools.

Other good options are Midas Belize, San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge, Ka’ana Resort and Tia Maria Guesthouse.  Surely you will have an amazing time in San Ignacio with the plethora of options to do, it truly is one of the best cities to visit.

Chase Waterfalls

There are a plethora of amazing waterfalls throughout the country. If you want to hike then this country is a great place to get a little exercise chasing waterfalls and seeing nature in all of its glory.  

A couple that you must see if you have time are Thousand Foot Falls and Mayan King Falls. There are also a ton of little hikes or walks off the roads such as the aforementioned Maya King waterfall. For Maya King we rented a car and had this pretty place all to ourselves!

Visit the Belize Zoo / Conservatory   

The closest I have ever been to some incredible predators. If this place was in the USA there would be an accident a day by an ignorant person getting too close to a cage. 

It only takes 30-60 minutes to go through it if you want to quickly. I wouldn’t go out of your way to see it but it is on the way to San Ignacio and Placencia so if you can pull over then definitely do it. 

I would give the zoo a 3/5 and it is borderline worth $20 a person.  It’s worth to check out the Jaguar and some other neat animals like pumas and ocelots.

I would give the zoo a smaller ranking but it is the only zoo you can get incredibly close to the animals and they are very easy to see, not hidden in a cave or far away. 

All animals were saved so it is truly a conservation center with all animals being native to Belize and unable to survive in the wild. If you have some time… I think you should stop by it.

Plus they have beer and a homemade restaurant where I had some of the best Caribbean Brown Stew Chicken I have ever had! I loved it so much I started making it back at home, per this recipe here!

Eat & Drink

Belize is a foodie and drinkie paradise with tons of things to try that are unique to the area.  Summer is lobster season, and the Belizean have their versions of brown stew chicken as well as curry that is to die for. With a large Carribean and Jamaican influence the food you will get here is incredible.

I loved Belizean Food So Much I Brought Back Their Jamaican Inspired Brown Stewed Chicken Recipe

Furthermore, when in Rome… you need to drink rum always as well as their local beer Belikan. I am not a huge rum drinker but the price is right along with the taste and different methods they can prepare the drink to please the masses.

Belikan kinda grinds my gears as the bottle is 50% glass vs. beer but I digress.

Fly Over the Blue Hole

I never did this on my trip and have heard mixed reviews. While it is gorgeous it also is a pretty penny to just fly over something you don’t get to experience up close.

Apparently diving in the hole isn’t great either as it is quite dark. It looks breathtaking but for the cost it truly is up to what you are into. If you are in Belize City with some time then do it as it looks stunning.

Hola! I’m Fraser & this site is a guide to help you reach your goals, travel the world and create amazing food in between. Get inspiration for travel, recipes & to follow your dreams.

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@inspiretraveleat, 8 thoughts on “13 best things to do on belize’s mainland”.

Thanks for sharing! We’re planning a trip to Belize in December—definitely saving your recommendations!

Amazing, you will have the best time! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

We will be in Belize in 42 days excited!!!!

Our Stew Chicken is colored because we use a spice called Ricado. Ricado is from the Mayans.

Would you be willing to share the recipe for the stew chicken? Please!!! Just came from there from our 2nd visit and love the food!

Here ya go! And can just search it on the site as well 🙂 https://inspiretraveleat.com/simple-authentic-jamaican-brown-stew-chicken-recipe/

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Mainland tours

• Day tours from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
• Go by boat (water-taxi) or plane to the mainland
• Air-conditioned van transportation with refreshments on-board
• Combo tours with up to 3 activities in a day
• Get 10% of the value as a discount on a catamaran tour or charter
• Rates and combinations

TOUR Belize Zoo & Cave-tubing Belize Zoo & Mayan ruins Mayan ruins & Cave-tubing Zipline & Cave-tubing Mayan ruins & Zipline Cave-tubing, Zipline and Mayan Ruins or Belize Zoo Cave-tubing, Zipline & Mayan Ruins or Belize Zoo ATM Caves Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Jungle River Tour Lamanai Mayan Ruins & Jungle River Tour

BY BOAT/BY AIR 180 USD/240 USD 190 USD/250 USD 190 USD/250 USD 195 USD/255 USD 195 USD/255 USD 230 USD/290 USD 230 USD/290 USD 260 USD/290 USD 180 USD/240 USD

Booking any of the tours, you get 10% of the value by boat as a discount on a catamaran tour during your visit (upon availability) The minimum required to perform a tour at these prices are 4 guests, groups are put together of max. 8 guests per guide. If we don't have more guests, 2 or 3 guests can still do the tour with an extra fee. Private charters are available for all options, please inquire for rates. All tours depart from the Belize Express water-taxi dock or the Airport, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The rates "by boat", mean that you start and end the tour with a 1,5 hour water-taxi ride between San Pedro and Belize City. The rates "by air" mean that you fly between San Pedro and Belize City. The flight only takes 20 minutes each way so it can be well worth it for saved time and added comfort. All rates include 12.5% GST tax. The tours by boat generally starts at 5.30 am and return time depends on the tour. The tours by air generally starts at 6.30 am and return time depends on the tour. All traveling between the sites is in an air-conditioned van with refreshments on-board. Refreshments included are: water, soft drinks, beer and rum punch. All tours includes breakfast, served before boarding your water-taxi or flight. A Belizean lunch is included on all tours, either buffet style at the site, or at a restaurant, depending on the tour. Top of page

CAVE-TUBING

Experience an underworld Mayan site! The caves were an important part of the Mayan religion and culture and were used as ceremonial sites. When the tour starts you will be given a life vest and an inner tube. You will then take a short walk, where you will cross a river and begin your hike on a designated trail through the jungle, to the entrance of the cave system. Here you will wade into a river, sit on your inner tube and float leisurely through the cave system, experiencing the sacred underworld of the Mayan people. As you float down the river, you will experience the wonder of crystalline animal and bird-shaped stalactite formations and thousand year old artifacts. At the end of your cave-tubing journey through this astounding cave system, you will float out into the open, under the canopy of the majestically tall trees lining the riverbanks, until you end up right back where you started walking. Do not miss this adventure - Belize is the only place in the world where cave-tubing can be done!

Get a "birds view" of the jungle while zipping from treetop to treetop, this adventure is both thrilling and beautiful! There are zip Line platforms as high as 85 feet and as far apart as 250 feet. A short 5 minute walk in the rain forest will bring you to the start of this excursion, where you will be instructed on the zip-line technique and method. The guides will help you with your gear, your harness, helmet and hand gear in preparation for your aerial adventure. Double cables are used for ultimate safety. All landing platforms are equipped with safety gear, handrails and guides to meet you at your next landing as well as to ensure your personal safety throughout the tour. This adventure is a favorite for all ages!

XUNANTUNICH

The Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are by far the ruins with the most archeological importance in the country of Belize. Here you will find the most detailled sculptures and one of the tallest Mayan structures. They are situated in the tropical rainforest, close to the Guatemalan border in the beautiful Cayo District, often referred to as "A Tropical Switzerland", with rolling green lawns, palm trees, plantations and mountains. Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center during the Classic Period. The site is composed of six major plazas, surrounded by more than twenty- five temples and palaces. The name is Maya for "stone lady" and is derived from a local legend.

Altun Ha was first recognized in 1957 and named after the modern day village that was developed there (Rockstone Pond). It was an important Maya trading and agricultural town especially during the Classic Period. It appears that trading occurred as far south as Panama and as far north as what is now Mexico City. The area around the Altun Ha is rich in wildlife and it is not very far from the Caribbean Sea, which made it part of a network of other sites near the coast. It was also a wealthy ceremonial center, boasting two main plazas, surrounded by temples. The discovery of tombs at the site indicates that Altun Ha was inhabited by the elite ruling class. Among the discoveries at the site is a large (almost 10 pounds, or 5 kilograms) piece of jade elaborately carved into an image of the head of the Maya sun god, Kinich Ahau. The Jade Head is considered one of the national treasures and can be seen on almost every banknote of Belize. The largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, the "Temple of the Masonry Altars", is 16 metres (52 ft) high. A drawing of this structure is the logo of Belize's leading brand of beer, "Belikin". Another interesting feature of this site is the reservoir which was made by the ancient people. The bottom of the reservoir contains yellow clay, which hardened to form a base that retains water.

The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center is settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 125 animals all native to Belize. The Zoo was started in 1983, as an effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals which had been used in the making of several documentary films about tropical rain forests. The Zoo keeps animals that were orphaned, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to the Belize Zoo as gifts from other zoological institutions.

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Caves are 1 hour and 20 minutes from Belize city and 45 minutes natural hike through the jungle. The hike includes the crossing of several shallow streams and passes through 6,700 acres Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. Because of this passage through, this cave is known to only a few guides, who have permission from the Belize Department of Archaeology to take visitors to this special cave. The Maya used the cave to conduct rituals and sacrifices to their gods. To this day the cave has not been looted and nearly all the cultural artifacts have remained in place as they were originally found in 1989. Your guide takes you about a mile into the cave. After squeezing through a few tight spaces and wading through knee-deep water at times, you reach “The Cathedral,” - a large open room filled with scattered remains of 1,200-year-old Mayan civilization: pottery, evidence of fire and bloodletting — and indeed bones of sacrificed humans. The remains of over a dozens human skeletons have been found in the cave. The most magnificent of these is the so-called “Crystal Maiden,” a totally intact and fully calcified skeleton of a sacrificed girl believed to be about 16. A minimum height of 40” and adequate physical fitness is required for this hike adventure. To enter the mouth of the cave, visitors must swim across 25 feet of water that is approximately 8 feet deep (guides are available to help weaker swimmers). Please be aware that photography no longer is allowed in the cave since an incident in 2012 when a tourist dropped his camera on a skull and damaged it.

The day starts with transport in an air-conditioned van from Belize Cityto the Orange Walk district. At the Lamanai Landings, you will be joining your Lamanai guide that will take care of you during the day. First you will enjoy a relaxing boat ride up the New River. This is a true jungle river ride where the flora and fauna abound with hundreds of different species of birds, freshwater turtles, green iguanas, insect bats, wild orchids, monkeys and crocodiles (Lamanai is Mayan for "Submerged Crocodile")! At the entrance to the New River Lagoon, the ruins of Lamanai rise into view. The ruins have a unique setting at the New River Lagoon within the tropical rainforest of central Belize. With only jungle for miles around - the view if you climb up to the top of the 112 feet high temple is breath-taking! Lamanai is one of the only sites in the world that allows their visitors to actually climb up the ruins! The tour of Lamanai is a cultural and historical lesson on the Mayans and their fascinating history. There is also a small museum and a souvenir shop. Top of page

The perfect mix of Caribbean living and Latin hospitality, Belize offers the Barrier reef reserve system, rain forest and cave excursions, and a taste of island life.

Tours in Belize

Our tours in Belize are for everyone.

If you’re looking for rest and relaxation on a paradisiacal Caribbean beach, our Belize tours offer you the perfect spots, such as Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye, with their characteristic laid-back atmospheres. If what you’re looking for is adrenaline and adventure, our jungle tours will be your right option with cave tubing through the fantastic natural wonders of Belize mainland.

Tailor-made tours

Mayan Gateway is here to provide information about various destinations, make you a personalized itinerary, and take care of all the details.

Friendly guidance

We are known for our outstanding tour preparations and tour guidance. We will always be there, during every step of your itinerary.

Family holidays

The entire family can enjoy, as we have excursions for all ages. Our tours include jungles, volcanoes, Mayan ruins lakes and beaches.

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A top rated tour company. We have certified reviews in Google, TripAdvisor and Facebook. We have had hundreds of happy customers

Trips to explore Mayan ruins, caves, and jungles. The seawater adventures are in order too, including swimming with sharks and stingrays or snorkeling along ‘Hot Chan’ Marine Reserve, the most well preserved reef.

Vacation 7 days

Adventure tour 15 days

Explore & relax 8 days

Unique experience 3 days

Belize 14 days

Kayaking 7 days

Expedition 11 days

Mayan ruins 8 days

Central america

This Caribbean country is made up of beach after endless beach, as far as you can see. There are a couple of hundreds of small islands, and miles of shoreline. Consequently, many travelers generally think of Belize as a quaint vacation destination with turquoise water, white sand beaches, and exotic drinks. To their amazement, there are age-old Mayan ruins to explore, rainforest to hike, caves to discover, sinkholes to snorkel or dive into, and the second largest coral barrier reef of the world to see. 

Belize Tours FAQs

In Belize, we have chosen a collection of delightful accommodations going from jungle cabanas to cozy hotels with all of the present-day accessibilities. Primarily, we work with small, family-run hotels that are locally owned and representative of each area instead of big chain resorts.

We offer flexibility, balance and convenience regarding meal choices. Because of this, the trips include meals on our excursions when you are traveling off the beaten track where restaurant options are narrow.

In the bigger towns, where there are an ample array of restaurants, we broadly do not include meals, to grant our guests the opportunity of selecting their own food desires. Your local guide or hotel staff are able to suggest some wonderful restaurant choices. Breakfast is included in most trips. 

All of our guides are amazing! They are from the local regions where they guide and are among the very best guides in each area. Our guides treat our visitors like friends, showing them both the most important highlights and the local culture.

We use mainly private transportation including cars, vans, motor boats, flights, canoes, kayaks, etc. All the vehicles are in excellent condition with Air Conditioning. 

Primarily, small commuter planes are used on domestic flights. The 14-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan propeller plane is especially frequent.

Definitely! Belize is blessed with rainforest, lush jungle, wildlife, and the delightful barrier reef. Plus, Belize has a diversification of cultures, the second largest barrier reef in the world, mystical antique Mayan ruins, and an English speaking population.

Although it has a large range of beauty, Belize is approximately the same size as the state of Massachusetts in the US. That turns out into less time spent on the road, and more time for your family to discover and enjoy the country.

The tours we organize vary from adventurous expeditions to relaxing, and can almost always be customized to suit the preferences of your family. Some activities have longer travel times or more mountainous lodges than others, so these may be more suitable for older kids.

The prices do not include international flights. We believe that it is mostly less expensive for guests to reserve these separately and this also gives you flexibility to select the timing and routing that works best for you.

You may buy international flights directly through, or we will of course help you organize these flights with an airline company that works with Central America flights.

A representative will be awaiting for you outside of arrivals in Belize City. You should find him or her standing straight outside of the customs check after the baggage claim and holding a sign with your name on it. He or she should be easy to find, the international airport has only one exit. Although he or she can’t enter the doors of the airport to look for you, you should see him or her directly upon exiting the airport.

We don’t have our guests staying in Belize City most of the time; they spend their very first night of their trip in a jungle lodge, or in a paradisiac island. Our guests stay in Belize City on their first night only when their flight arrives late at night, however most flights arrive early enough.

You can reserve your Belize vacation anytime. For most trips, 2-3 months in advance works well, though the Holiday Season and Holy Week may fill up 5-6 months sooner. We mainly suggest that you wait to purchase your international flights until after your tour is confirmed.

The sooner that we organize your trip, the sooner that you are able to take advantage of flight deals as they become available with airlines. We are commonly able to accommodate last minute guests, some even departing in less than one week!.

Contact us and we will do our best to match a trip that works excellent for you. For last minute guests, it would help to be a bit flexible and organized. Your first choice vacation could not be possible for your available dates, but we can suggest some other similar choices that would be equally captivating.

Yes! Our itinerary pages have extensions where you can get ideas from, or you can email us for more advice. Additional days can also be organized in most journeys if you want to. Let us know how you would like to custom your itinerary and we will certainly work to accommodate you.

Ready for the adventure?

Our team is ready to help build you a custom trip.

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Belize Adventure Tours

There is so much more to a beach resort than lounging in the sun, sipping your favorite umbrella cocktail. Here on Ambergris Caye you are at the epicenter of Belize’s marine activities and have the privilege of capitalizing on the diversity created by Belize’s Barrier Reef. You can plunge in and get wet, or stay on the surface and enjoy the Caribbean Sea from above. From snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving to fishing, sailing and kayaking there is plenty for you enjoy!

From beginner to advanced there are a number of ways for you to enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean. You can snorkel at the popular and famous Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, or dive one of 30+ dive sites located just outside the reef. And of course the diver in you should demand to experience the Great Blue Hole and Turneffe Atoll day trips.

Enjoying the water and staying dry sounds absurd, but it really isn’t! The barrier reef creates a bed of calm, sheltered waters that are ideal for sailing and fishing. Sailing trips can include snorkeling, or just time under sun and sail. Due to the diversity of the reef eco-system, fly fishing, deep sea fishing and reef fishing can all be enjoyed.

Mainland activities can easily be enjoyed on a day trip from the island. With mountains, jungles and rivers there are plenty of things to see and do. Take a trip back in time to explore the ruins of the great Mayan civilization. With over 20 sites in Belize the most excavated and popular are Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol, Lamanai and Xunantunich. Often times they can be combined with other mainland adventures such as zip lining, cave tubing, or visiting the amazing Belize Zoo.

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• Lamanai Mayan Ruins Tour
• Cave Tubing and Belize Zoo Adventure
• Cave Tubing & Jungle Zip Line Adventure
• Cave Tubing and Xunantunich Ruins
• Bacalar Chico Reserve and Beach BBQ
• The Manatee Watch and Coral Gardens
• Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling
• SEA’s D Day Sunshine Beach
• Secret Beach Adventure on Ambergris Caye
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MAINLAND ADVENTURES

Embark on an amazing day of marine adventures, pristine beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine. Join us as we explore the vibrant underwater world of Mexico Rocks and Basil Jones, followed by a leisurely escape to the serene shores of Robles Beach. Here, you’ll savor a delicious BBQ prepared by our expert guide, all while basking in the beauty of this tropical paradise.

LAMANAI MAYAN RUINS ADVENTURE

Embark on a captivating journey to Lamanai, one of Belize’s most impressive Mayan ruins

BELIZE ZOO & CAVE TUBING ADVENTURE

Join us on a visit to the Belize Zoo and then a tubing adventure through the jungle a magical cave system.

CAVE TUBING & JUNGLE ZIPLINE ADVENTURE

An adventure where you will soar through the jungle canopy and then meander through an exciting river cave system.

CAVE TUBING & XUNANTUNICH MAYAN RUINS

Archaeology and adventure!   Join us for a day visit to Xunantunich, one of Belize’s Mayan ruins, and then for a cave tubing adventure!   A day you will never forget!

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20 Best Things to Do in Belize, From Barrier Reef Excursions to Cave Tours

Get to know Belize with these suggestions from locals.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Comprised of more than 400 islands and nearly 9,000 square miles of mainland, Belize is home to rainforests, jungles, mountains, rivers, an extensive cave system, and many well-preserved ancient Maya ruins. Adventures on both land and sea make Belize a popular destination, and its beaches and resorts are terrific for visitors who simply want to relax and enjoy the tropical climate . To better understand the variety of ways travelers might get to know Belize, we gathered suggestions from local experts, including Patricia Johnson, head of trip design at Absolute Belize (and a Travel + Leisure A-List Travel Advisor ); David Benzaquen, general manager at Cayo Espanto ; and multiple team members with Alaia Belize . Anoushka Brandl, commercial director at Matachica Resort & Spa and Gaïa Riverlodge , and Janet Woollam, managing director at Victoria House Resort & Spa , shared their thoughts as well. This list of things to do in Belize features ideas for everyone, from adventurers and history buffs to foodies and travelers looking to chill out on a lounge chair in the sun.

Tour the ancient city of Caracol.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

One of the largest Maya sites in Belize, this ancient city covers about 25,000 acres in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. “You’ll marvel at the massive pyramids, detailed carvings, and remarkably well-preserved ancient artifacts,” says Johnson. “And you’ll learn fascinating details about ancient Maya culture, from daily life and religion to the ingenuity of their buildings.”

Snorkel or dive in the Great Blue Hole.

Located about three hours by boat off Ambergris Caye, the Great Blue Hole is a ring of coral encircling a huge underwater sinkhole. It’s home to colorful fish, shrimp, groupers, black tip and reef sharks, and other Caribbean marine life. Almost 1,000 feet across and 400 feet deep, the Blue Hole is accessible by dive boat tours.

Fly over the Great Blue Hole on a helicopter tour.

For a birds-eye view, stunning photos, and a thrilling experience, take flight over the Great Blue Hole. Several of our experts suggested this tour, and Benzaquen pointed out that Cayo Espanto “is home to a helipad and partners with a local service provider” for convenient pick-up and drop-off.

Enjoy traditional Belizean dishes.

“I suggest checking out local eateries like El Fogon in San Pedro’s downtown for traditional Belizean food,” says Eric Porter of Alaia Belize. At Matachica Resort, Brandl tells T+L, “The Captain’s Table, a social gathering for eight guests, is a five-course dinner hosted by a different resort team member each time, a true local food experience.”

Explore the underground caves of Belize.

The ancient Maya believed that caves were entrances to the underworld, and in Belize, travelers can explore a number of them by hiking, canoeing, tubing, or swimming. The experience is “an adventure you will never forget,” according to Johnson. “One such sacred cave is Actun Tunichil Muknal , which contains a remarkable collection of artifacts and skeletal remains that have been preserved over the centuries.”

Join a tubing tour through the caves.

Cavan Images/Getty Images

Offered by many local tour companies, cave tubing is a visitor favorite in Belize. After a drive to the rainforest, there’s a short hike before you hop on an inner tube to float along an underground river through the natural caves. A guide navigates the tubes, so no paddling is required. Lunch and transportation from a central meeting point are usually included.

Feast on your own fresh catch.

Heather_Cameron/Getty Images

According to Woollam, “Reef fishing with a beach BBQ is fun and widely popular. The fishing is quick and easy, followed by lunch cooked over an open fire. Fresh seafood with Belizean spices, marinades, and condiments has been called the best lunch ever.” Describing a Cayo Espanto excursion, Benzaquen tells T+L, “After snorkeling, you catch your own fish, conch, or lobster, then you head to an uninhabited island beach where your guide will cook your 'catch of the day.’”

Hang with locals at Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye.

Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

The secret is out, and it’s the place for all-day music, food, and drinks. “Alaia’s guests often rent a golf cart to visit Secret Beach, where a day of relaxation, paddle boarding, and jet skiing awaits,” says Jesus Oba, concierge with Alaia Belize. Nearby, The Truck Stop features a beer garden, pool with swim-up bar, movie screen, games, and live music.

Learn all about chocolate.

The ancient Maya are said to have invented chocolate, and the annual Chocolate Festival of Belize celebrates that history, local culture, and more. If you can't attend the May event, there are other options. Brandl suggests that visitors “Experience traditional Maya chocolate making at Ajaw in San Ignacio, then try the delectable chocolate brownie at Gaïa Riverlodge's Five Sisters Restaurant as a midday sweet treat.” In San Pedro, visit Belize Chocolate Company or Mahogany Chocolate .

Dive or snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

cinoby/Getty Images

“Our most popular and sought-after tour is snorkeling or diving among the vibrant marine wildlife in Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley," says Oba of Alaia Belize. "Our guests get a thrill out of swimming with nurse sharks, giant jackfish, blue tangs, and sea turtles. Some guests overcome their fear of getting in the water and come out wanting to go back in."

Experience the Belize Barrier Reef.

Joel Sharpe/Getty Images

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and second in size after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, the Belize Barrier Reef extends more than 180 miles along the coast of Belize. Dive, snorkel, or do as Patricia Johnson suggests: “Hop on a sailing adventure and explore the vibrant marine life, colorful corals, and picture-perfect islands along the Belize Barrier Reef.” Woollam recommends “an easygoing sunset cruise along the reef," noting that most catamarans sail for about two hours.

Browse the shops in San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye.

“As a local, one of my favorite things to do is explore the small shops, restaurants, and bars in San Pedro town," says Eric Porter of Alaia Belize. "If you are an art buff or just looking to take home a souvenir, stroll downtown where small galleries, gift shops, and nifty nooks are in abundance."

Learn about the Garifuna people.

Karen Brodie/Getty Images

“Experience the culture of the Garifuna people by taking part in traditional drumming and dancing celebrations, sampling local dishes, and even staying in a Garifuna village," suggests Johnson of Absolute Belize. "You’ll come away from this experience with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the richness and friendliness of the Belizean people.” ToursByLocals offers a full-day Garifuna culture tour with convenient pick-up and drop-off.

Get dive certified.

“The proximity of the reef to the resorts makes getting dive certified an easy, safe, and fun experience," says Woollam. "If you have the desire to learn how to scuba dive, dive organizations like PADI have made classroom time a thing of the past. The theory portion of the certification is easily accessible online and can be done at home prior to arriving in Belize.”

Explore Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

Located about two hours from San Ignacio in the Cayo District of south central Belize, this reserve is home to natural pools , caves, Maya ruins, and waterfalls, including the highest waterfall in Central America, Thousand Foot Falls. Stay within the reserve and above Five Sisters Falls at Gaïa Riverlodge .

Meet new feathered friends.

Tom Cawthon/Getty Images

Grab your binoculars and try to spot some of the nearly 600 species of birds that live in Belize. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a great place for birdwatching , and Paradise Expeditions offers a variety of expert guided tours on the mainland and cayes.

Go on a fishing excursion.

On a half-day or full-day deep sea fishing adventure, you’ll be fishing for tuna, mackerel, marlins, and more. For a more casual day of fishing different spots along the reef, you can choose reef fishing in calmer seas. Ideal for families, the latter trip includes rum punch, snacks, sodas, and lunch. Turneffe Atoll is also a favorite fishing destination.

Get active in the Caribbean Sea.

Once you’ve relaxed on the beach and you’re ready to get wet, it’s time for your favorite activity on the water. “While Ambergris Caye is known for its proximity to the reef for snorkeling and diving, our guests also enjoy other adventurous water activities, including parasailing, windsurfing, or jet skiing, which our concierge is able to organize for them,” says Oba of Alaia Belize .

Visit Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center.

JC Cuellar/Getty Images

More than 150 native animals make the 29-acre Belize Zoo their home. Most of the zoo’s residents are rehabilitated or rescued, and they include tapirs, jaguars, spider monkeys, toucans, macaws, coatimundi, and more. The fully accessible zoo offers VIP guided tours.

Browse and shop at San Ignacio Market.

Cyrielle Beaubois/Getty Images

Located in the Cayo District in western Belize, this market is set on the banks of the Macal River in San Ignacio. Open every day until 6 p.m., the market gives visitors a true glimpse into Belizean life, with handmade clothing, handicrafts, fruits, vegetables, and herbs for sale by farmers and local craftsmen. Nearby San Ignacio town offers restaurants, bars, and shops.

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What travelers are saying.

• Kathy K 0 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend The guys who ran the snorkel tour were awesome....I think their names were birdman and Jeremy. Top notch service and great snorkeling ....saw lots of sea life and the sharks were a once in a lifetime experience. Read more Review of: Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye Written May 13, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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