Is Belize Worth Visiting?
TL;DR
Yes, Belize is worth visiting – and our guide breaks down everything you need to know before booking your trip.
Is Belize worth visiting? The short answer is yes – but if you’re planning your trip, you probably have some questions: How much time do you need? Is it safe? Will it break the bank? And most importantly, what can you actually do there?
We’ve explored Belize from Caye Caulker’s turquoise waters to the jungles of San Ignacio and the cultural heart of Dangriga, testing tours, hotels, and transport so you don’t have to. This guide is for backpackers, couples, families, and adventure seekers who want an honest, practical look at the country before committing their time and budget.
By the end, you’ll know not only why Belize deserves a spot on your bucket list, but also what to see, do, and avoid, and how to plan your trip efficiently. Whether you’re chasing snorkelling adventures, Mayan ruins, or off-the-beaten-path experiences, we’ve got you covered.
- Is Belize Worth Visiting?
- Things to Know Before Going to Belize
- 12 Reasons to Visit Belize
- 4 Reasons For Not Visiting Belize
- How Many Days Is Enough for Belize?
- The 5 Best Places to Visit in Belize
- The 5 Best Things to Do in Belize
- 3 Things to Avoid in Belize
- Is Belize Safe for Tourists
- Is Belize Cheap to Visit?
- Mexico vs Belize
- Cool Places to Stay in Belize
- Is Belize Good for Tourists?
Is Belize Worth Visiting?
Is Belize a good place to visit? The short answer is yes. Read on for the long answer.
Things to Know Before Going to Belize
Things to know before visiting Belize:
- Where is Belize? Belize is located in Central America southeast of Mexico and northeast of Guatemala.
- Why is Belize famous? Belize is most famous for the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system in the world, with the famous Blue Hole.
- Is Belize a party place? While you can party, it’s not as notorious as places like Cancun, Mexico.
- English is the official language and US $ are widely accepted.
- The use of cannabis in Belize is common and largely tolerated (no legal advice, do your own research!).
12 Reasons to Visit Belize
12 Reasons You Should Go to Belize:
- Great weather.
- Mayan ruins.
- Belize Barrier Reef.
- World-class Scuba diving.
- Caves!
- Incredible flora and fauna.
- Belizean food is absolutely delicious.
- Cultures like the Garifuna culture or Mennonites.
- Not too touristy.
- English is the official language.
- The currency is tied to the US dollar ($2 BZ is $1 US)
- Decent public transport.
4 Reasons For Not Visiting Belize
4 reasons you should not go to Belize:
- Belize is not for you if you are a city lover.
- There are next no international chains – be it MC Donalds or Walmart.
- Tourism is not super established. You will rarely find things like all-inclusive resorts.
- Belize is not super cheap.
How Many Days Is Enough for Belize?
How many days you need in Belize depends heavily on your preferences.
One week should be enough to relax.
You need at least two weeks to thoroughly explore.
The 5 Best Places to Visit in Belize
The 5 best places in Belize are:
1. Caye Caulker
For snorkelling and going slow.
Here’s our complete Caye Caulker travel guide:
2. Hopkins
For the friendliest village in Belize and our favourite beach.
Here’s our complete Hopkins travel guide:
3. San Ignacio Belize
For caves and Mayan ruins.
Here’s our complete San Ignacio travel guide:
4. Orange Walk Town
For Mayan ruins and Mennonites.
Here’s our complete Orange Walk Town travel guide:
5. Dangriga
For Garifuna culture and Tobacco Caye.
Here’s our complete Dangriga travel guide:
The 5 Best Things to Do in Belize
5 Reasons why Belize should be on your bucket list:
1. Snorkelling on Caye Caulker
Explore the vibrant reefs of the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, swim with tropical fish, and spot stingrays in crystal-clear waters.
Here’s our honest Caye Caulker Marine Reserve snorkelling tour review:
- Chill on a Remote Island
Escape the crowds for a day and relax with sun, sand, and serenity on a secluded Belizean island like Tobacco Caye.
Here’s our full Tobacco Caye travel guide:
3. Go Caving in the ATM Cave
Discover hidden Mayan artifacts and crystal-clear pools while navigating the legendary Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave.
Here’s our full ATM Cave tour review:
4. Visit Mayan Ruins
Step back in time at Caracol or other ancient sites, surrounded by lush jungle and fascinating history.
Here’s our full Caracol, Rio On Pools & Rio Frio Cave tour review:
- Explore the World’s Only Jaguar Reserve
Get up close to Belize’s Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, home to jaguars and other exotic wildlife in their natural habitat.
3 Things to Avoid in Belize
3 things not to do in Belize:
- Avoid mistreating animals (animals in captivity, feeding fish, standing on coral,…).
- Only seeing the beach and missing out on Mayan ruins, caves, and waterfalls.
- Drinking tap water.
Is Belize Safe for Tourists
Is Belize safe to visit? Yes, Belize is one of the safest countries in Central America.
Still, you need to exercise caution: Use common sense, don’t flash your valuables, don’t walk around at night, don’t walk around intoxicated.
The US embassy advises to avoid travelling to Belize City.
How dangerous is Belize in our personal experience? We never had any safety issues or concerns in Belize, neither with robbery, petty theft, or even scams – and we took the public bus everywhere.
Is Belize Cheap to Visit?
Or is Belize expensive to visit? Belize is not a cheap country.
We visited every Central American country and here’s our personal conclusion: We personally spent 55$ per person and day on average in Belize. This is more than in Mexico (40$) but less than in Panama (70$).
We spent the major part of our budget on accommodation but we also did amazing tours like visiting the ATM Cave and Mayan ruins as well as Snorkelling on Caye Caulker.
Mexico vs Belize
Should you visit Mexico or Belize is a different question. While we love Belize and 100% think it’s worth a visit, we love Mexico even more.
Mexico is around 86 times bigger than Belize and has a lot more to offer. Mexico City is an amazing metropolis, there are mountains, volcanoes, deserts, and two coasts (Pacific and Atlantic).
While we thoroughly enjoyed Belizean food, Mexican Food Is a Cultural Heritage of the World…
If you’re looking for world-class all-inclusive resorts, Mexico is your better bet as well.
We think a trip to Mexico and Belize complement each other so the best is visiting both!
Cool Places to Stay in Belize
Find the perfect place to stay in Belize:
Is Belize Good for Tourists?
Yes, Belize is great for all kinds of travellers:
- Backpackers.
- Solo travellers.
- Couples.
- Families.
- Beach bums.
- Scuba divers!
- Adventure travellers.
- History nerds,
- Resort dwellers (just don’t expect crazy all-inclusive).
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