Belize City Travelers Recommend

The bustling port town of Belize City offers a dose of Caribbean culture, coral reef views, and animal encounters. Given the city’s small size and nearness to the airport, it’s also easy to see in a day. Here’s how to maximize one day in this laid-back Central American hub.

Morning: Go Wild at the Belize Zoo

Even if you don't have time to venture into the Belizean rain forest, you can still get up close to creatures of the jungle at the Belize Zoo, located less than an hour’s drive from Belize City. The small zoo began as a wildlife rescue center and today is home to more than 45 native species. Book a guided tour to get there without a car and learn about zoo residents such as jaguars, howler monkeys, toucans, and crocodiles. Best of all, your visit supports conservation efforts to protect these animals and their natural habitats. If you prefer the city, learn about ancient and colonial history on a bus tour that covers top urban sights in a short amount of time.

Afternoon: See the Barrier Reef, No Boat Needed

Resting just offshore from Belize City's bustling port is the world’s second-largest coral reef. There's no better way to appreciate the scope of this barrier reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, than from the air on a helicopter tour. Treat yourself to an aerial perspective while soaring above protected marine reserves, coral gardens, and islands such as Ambergris Caye and Turneffe Atoll. For the ultimate fly-over, book a tour that goes all the way to the Great Blue Hole, a massive ocean sinkhole ringed by reef.

Night: Get a Taste of Caribbean Culture

Though it's no longer the Belizean capital (that honor moved to Belmopan after destructive hurricane Hattie), Belize City still showcases the small country’s diverse culture and cuisine. Dig into Creole, Afro-Caribbean, and Maya dishes at relaxed restaurants and street vendors. Or, hit the town on a party bus extravaganza.

Thanks to Belize’s small size, it’s possible to see the country’s diverse ecosystems in just a few days. With Belize City as your base, a 3-day stay allows time to venture into the jungles of the south, the coastal barrier reef, and ancient Maya ruins for a glimpse into the pre-Columbian past. Here’s how to cover the most ground. 

Day 1: Uncover Ancient Mayan Mysteries

Begin your stay in Belize City by getting out of town and into the region’s ancient history at a Mayan ruin. Hilltop Xunantunich boasts a massive temple with views stretching into Guatemala, while Lamanai rises out of the jungle at the mouth of a tropical lagoon. Located less than an hour’s drive from Belize City, Altun Ha is also a popular pick for day trips. Guided tours make it easy to access the ruins without a car and add context to the remnants of temples, royal palaces, ball courts, and burial chambers. For the ultimate Mayan experience, strap on a headlamp and trek deep inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal (known locally as ATM) cave, where ceremonial pottery and crystallized skeletons provide clues to a lost civilization. Alternatively, stay in the city for a guided tour of its highlights, with a stop at Traveler's Liquor Heritage Center for a rum tour and tasting.

Day 2: Islands

Take advantage of Belize City’s coastal location and cruise into the warm aquamarine Caribbean. The second largest in the world, Belize’s barrier reef beckons snorkelers and scuba divers with colorful coral gardens and clear, shallow water. Swim alongside tropical fish, sea turtles, sting rays, and harmless nurse sharks at popular snorkel sites such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a quick boat ride from the urban port of Belize City. Some tours include stops at nearby islands of Caye Caulker or Goff’s Caye—idyllic spots to kick back with a rum cocktail and squeeze in some beach time. If getting wet isn’t your style, appreciate the barrier reef from the air on a helicopter tour with unbeatable views of the reef, coral atolls, and islands such as Ambergris Caye, nicknamed La Isla Bonita.

Day 3: Jungle Adventure

Today, venture south into Belize’s forested interior to play among pristine jungle landscapes dotted with waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and caves. For a true Belizean-style adventure, float through elaborate cave systems on a cave tubing tour. Often bookended by a jungle hike, this low-impact activity let you relax while floating through caverns filled with glittering rock formations. Alternatively, soar through the rain forest on a zipline tour for a bigger adrenaline kick, or look for howler monkeys, toucans, and other wildlife on a horseback ride. Some tours include stops in modern Maya villages or chocolate farms for a dose of Belizean culture alongside the thrills. 

With two days in Belize’s main port city, there’s time to sample both marine treasures and ancient Maya ruins nestled in the pristine Belizean rain forest. Here’s how to maximize a short stay for the best of Belize by land and sea.

Day 1: Cruise to La Isla Bonita

**Morning:**Start the day with a flyover of Belize’s marine geography on a helicopter tour that soars above the barrier reef and surrounding islands. Or, catch a water taxi from the port to nearby Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye, two of the most popular nearby islands for visitors thanks to their laid-back Caribbean vibes.

**Afternoon:**Get an underwater perspective on the barrier reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a snorkeling trip. Tours depart from both the cayes and Belize City, cruising to protected spots such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Turtle Garden, and Shark Ray Alley for snorkeling. Some tours include beach time. 

**Night:**If you made your way to an island via water taxi, stay for dinner—try an upscale seafood or casual Caribbean jerk shack. Do check the ferry schedules so you don’t miss the boat to Belize City. If you took a snorkeling tour with included transport, spend the evening relaxing at a waterside Belize City restaurant.

Day 2: Explore the Maya Underworld

**Morning:**Venture into Belize’s lush interior to try the country’s signature outdoor activity—cave tubing through underground rivers once used by the ancient Maya people for sacred ceremonies. For a double dose of adventure, combo tours pair a float through glittering caverns with an aerial zipline course.

**Afternoon:**Learn about the mighty Maya civilization from above ground with a visit to ancient sites such as Xunantunich, Altun Ha, or Lamanai. Tours get you there from Belize City with included transport and guides who share the history of royal palaces, temples, and stone carvings. Alternatively, take a tour of Traveller’s Liquors, the distillery that makes local favorite One Barrel Rum, for a behind-the-scenes look at barrel aging and distilling techniques for this Caribbean staple. 

**Night:**After a full day of exploring Belize’s wild jungles and ancient past—or perhaps some time spent doing a rum tasting—devise your own bar tour by stopping at various bars and restaurants in Belize City’s waterfront downtown.