Things to Do in Belize - Slickrock's Recommendations

Sightseeing and Belize Attractions

Major Belize Activity Options and our Recommendations for Each

Altun Ha Ruins

This Mayan ruin is close to Belize City and many companies offer half-day tours. If you are on Belize Adventure Week this is one of the only things you could do for the day and get back in time for our 4:30 p.m. meeting. The Biltmore hotel tour desk can book you on a tour, or write info@belize-trips.com to reserve a tour in advance. (Altun Ha photo by Tom Kaniewski.) For more information on all Belize Mayan ruins, visit this page on our website.

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Belize Tourism Village

Located on the Belize River, and just around the corner from the Radisson Hotel, the Belize Tourism Village is the best location in Belize City for souvenirs, crafts, etc. Recently constructed to receive cruise ship visitors, this facility is the landing point for the up to 5000 tourists/day who descend from the cruise ships. From there most people get on a bus and go on an all-day land tour such as caving, seeing Mayan ruins, tubing, etc., or, many people take another boat to various locations on nearby islands and go snorkeling. The tourism village is one of the most modern building complexes in Belize City, and has been enormously successful. Note: you will need your passport or other ID to get in.

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Belize Zoo

The internationally famous Belize Zoo was started as a home for wild animals that had been used in making documentary films. The zoo’s creators soon realized that Belizeans were unfamiliar with their native animals and they decided to develop a wildlife education center. The zoo exhibits over 125 native animals, all were orphaned, born at the zoo, or rehabilitated pets. The enclosures are large, natural pens.

 

Many of the animals that are native to Belize are nocturnal, so a visit to the zoo may be the only way to see them. The zoo is located about 30 miles west of Belize City. Busses pass by regularly, and if you are comfortable standing by the side of the road waiting for the next bus on the return (as the locals do), this is the cheapest way to go. You may also take a cab and ask the driver to wait for you (would probably cost $60 or so). or make a day of it and rent a car, visiting both Xunantunich ruins (west of San Ignacio) and the zoo (get an early start). Don’t miss lunch at Cheers, across the highway and down the road a little from the zoo. The zoo has a website as well: www.belizezoo.org.

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Cahal Pech

If you are staying in the Cayo district it is walking distance from all but the most remote lodges to Cahal Pech, so it's a great way to spend the better part of the day without having to take a tour. It's a 20-minute walk from town, uphill, along the Benque road. The home of elite rulers from the Classic period in Maya history, Cahal Pech also has an excellent museum which houses a full model of the site. For more information on all Belize Mayan ruins, visit this page on our website. We visit Cahal Pech on our Mayan Odyssey itinerary. (Cahal Pech photo by Rabi Whitaker.)

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Caracol Ruins

Belize's largest Mayan ruin, Caracol has recently received attention as the site of discoveries that have contributed to new understanding of the Maya. Located deep in the Chiquibul Forest and only seven miles from the Guatemalan border, the archaeologist William Coe proclaimed Caracol "the supreme Maya centre." Caracol is much larger than nearby Tikal but is not as extensively restored. Tours to Caracol are common from all lodges in the San Ignacio area, and usually include a stop at Rio On Pools and Rio Frio cave. See our Belize Mayan ruins page for more information.

 

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Caye Caulker

You have probably heard of Caye Caulker, and although the snorkeling and diving are not as spectacular as at Glover's Reef where we base, the nightlife of Caye Caulker is some of the best in Belize. We don't recommend anything at San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (the other common ocean destination for tourists) as it is quite crowded (Ambergris Caye has 100+ hotels, Caye Caulker 40+). Caye Caulker is less expensive and more relaxed. If you want luxury, Caye Caulker may not be for you. But if a relaxed, but somewhat touristy atmosphere appeals to you, we recommend staying here before our trip to unwind and get used to the heat. It is easy to get here from Belize City by boat, the fare is less than $10 each way. There are three docks in downtown Belize City that service Caye Caulker. Remember, it's best to arrive 15 minutes early and reservations are not needed. It is possible to get back to BC in time for a 10:00 a.m. flight. You can also fly to Caye Caulker, contact the airlines mentioned on our Belize page. Our favorite place to stay at Caye Caulker is Seaside Cabanas: phone: 011-501-226-0498, email: info@seasidecabanas.com, website: www.seasidecabanas.com. Rates: $110 - 130. They are close to the dock so you don't have to schlep your gear around the whole island. For all things Caye Caulker visit www.cayecaulker.org.

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The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Chaa Creek Cottages/ Macal River Jungle Camp/ Rainforest Medicine Trail/ Natural History Museum/ Butterfly Farm/ Spa There are lots of great places to stay in the area of Belize called "Cayo" (near the city of San Ignacio); one of our favorites is Chaa Creek. This 345 acre private nature reserve is located next to the Rainforest Medicine Trail where medicines are made from jungle plants.

 

There are two lodging options here: Chaa Creek Cottages and the Macal River Jungle Camp (at left). Chaa Creek Cottages are very upscale and surrounded by extensive tropical gardens (starting at $115/day for two, lodging only, meals and activities extra.) The Jungle Camp is the nicest safari-style camp we have come across in Belize, and is much less expensive than the cottages ($55/day/person, including two meals). The riverside camp is located in a lush forested environment and has a dining hall, hot showers, and flush toilets. All room prices include entry to the Rainforest Reserve, the Natural History Centre, Butterfly Farm, and Ruta Maya Trail System. Chaa Creek also provides canoe and bike rentals. Phone: 011-501-824-2037, fax: 011-501-824-2501, email: reservations@chaacreek.com, website: www.chaacreek.com.

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Chan Chich

This luxurious group of cabanas sits in the middle of a Mayan ruin. Located near the village of Gallon Jug, Chan Chich's ancient un-excavated monuments border the resort's grounds, giving the impression that the cabanas are original Mayan homes. Their plush interiors give a different impression. The quality of the cabanas combined with their full bar and gourmet dining make Chan Chich one of Belize's finest lodges. Activities here include birding, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and archaeology tours. Prices start from $250/night for two, lodging only. They also have packages that include meals and activities. Book well in advance; this is a small lodge and it fills up quickly. Toll free phone: 800-343-8009, email: info@chanchich.com, website: www.chanchich.com.

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Clarissa Falls Cottages

A low-cost alternative to the more expensive places in the Cayo area, Clarissa Falls Cottages is a great discovery for any traveler. Situated along the banks of the Mopan River, and just 5-1/2 miles west of San Ignacio, Clarissa Falls is very convenient and tours can be arranged for you with local operators. From here you can also go swimming, tubing or canoeing on the river, take nature walks into the forest or just relax in a hammock with a cool limonada while bird watching. One of our favorite do-it-yourself hikes in Belize goes from Clarissa Falls to Bullet Tree Falls, about 6 miles one-way along the Mopan River Valley. You can take a cab back for an excellent one-day activity.

 

Hostess, Chena Galvez' home cooking is fantastic! Rooms are about $75 for a double with a private bath. Their meals range from $5-15. Phone and fax: 011-501-824-3916, email: clarifalls@btl.net, website: www.clarissafalls.com

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Cohune Palms River Cabanas

This medium-priced lodge is located in Bullet Tree Falls, which is an easy three-mile walk or taxi drive ($10 US) from downtown San Ignacio. The more expensive Cayo area lodges are more remote, which can be inconvenient if you plan to arrange tours or activities on your own. If you do plan to purchase tours offered from the property where you stay, it may be better to be in a more remote spot, which will be deeper in the jungle. But Bullet Tree Falls is a wonderful little village, and if you stay here you will meet the locals. The lodge owners can set up tours for you with tour companies based in town.

 

Rooms start at $80 for a double. Phone: 011-501-609-2738, email: mikeandbevin@cohunepalms.com, website: www.cohunepalms.com.

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Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and Birds Eye View Lodge

Crooked Tree is a wonderful Belizean village. Located on a shallow, fresh-water lagoon, the village is surrounded by the wildlife sanctuary and has four small lodges and a few restaurants. With a population of only 1000 people, 120 square miles of land are considered to be part of Crooked Tree. This is arguably the best place for birders in the country, and more than 300 species have been recorded here.

 

For the majority of the year the lagoon is full and birding tours take off straight from your lodge by boat, first going out into the lagoon and then up the Spanish Creek to make a loop, returning by vehicle. Tours last about 3 hours, starting at 6 a.m. By April, but sometimes as early as February and until the rains come in June, the lagoon gets very dry and tours begin by vehicle, driving to Spanish Creek to meet the boat. In either case you can expect to see well over 20 species with little effort. Spanish Creek during the dry season when the trees are flowering is particularly beautiful.

 

In March of 2005 we went up to the village to collect information for this posting on our website. The lagoon was very dry, we went during the hot mid-day (due to impulsive planning on our part), and we took an abbreviated tour for only one hour. Even with all of this working against us, we saw 29 species. Our Bird’s Eye View Lodge guide, Felipe Moh, was fantastic. You could hear the excitement in his voice when he spotted the rare agami heron (I was so excited too I forgot to take a picture!) We watched this magnificent bird stalking fish along the shoreline for at least 10 minutes. In addition to this sighting we saw: ring kingfisher, grey-necked wood rail, boat-billed heron (also rare), great blue heron, neo-tropic cormorant, woodstork, limpkin, prothonotary warbler, osprey, black vulture, black-crowned night heron, great egret, green heron, tropical kingbird, orchid oriole, black-cowled oriole, juvenile black-collared hawk (at left), belted kingfisher, snail kite, little blue heron, tri-color heron, blue-wing teal, American white pelican, jacana, white egret, and snowy egret. We also saw two bare-throated tiger herons (below) in the middle of a territorial dispute. It was incredible! Our guide also reported frequent recent sightings of the enormous jabiru stork (wingspan: 10-12 feet), the pinnated bitter, a rare northern lapwing from South America blown off-course, rosette spoonbill, glassy ibis, white ibis, white-crowned parrot, and the American coot, as well as manatee, howler monkeys, crocodiles and iguanas.

 

In addition to birding tours, all lodges at Crooked Tree offer tours to Lamanai Mayan ruins, Altun Ha Mayan ruins, Tikal, the zoo, and other Belize standards. The village also has a network of birding trails that are well marked, and a boardwalk about ½ mile long has been constructed for birders. An evening walk around the village admiring the cashew trees is a wonderful way to get to know Belize. Everyone knows each other in Crooked Tree, and it is as safe to walk around at night as during the day.

 

Of the four lodges at Crooked Tree, we feel that the best choice is the Birds Eye View Lodge. Situated right on the lagoon, it is simple but clean and comfortable, with an excellent kitchen serving buffet-style meals to their guests. They have a small bar for their guests and their in-house tour company is excellent. Rates are $ 70-90 for a double, and meals are very reasonable. A buffet-style dinner is only $12 and they accommodate vegetarians. The birding/boating tour for 1-4 persons is $100 total. Katie Valk of Belize Trips can book this for you, or you can contact Kira Samuels directly: 011-501-203-2040, birdseye@btl.net, or visit their website: www.birdseyeviewbelize.com.

 

 

Crooked Tree is only 40 minutes from the Belize International Airport; a perfect choice if you are flying in a day early for one of our adventure trips. They will pick you up at the airport for $75 US (one way) for 1-4 persons. You can stay the night, take an early morning birding tour, relax the rest of the day or tour the village, and have them drop you off at the Biltmore in time for our meeting on Day 1 of your tour with us.

 

If you want to take the bus to save money or to get the real Belizean experience, you catch the Jex bus from Regent St. West near Salvador Habet hardware store. (This is near the Swing Bridge in downtown Belize City, ask directions or take a cab.) They leave promptly, get there at 10:55 a.m. for the 1 hour 15 minute bus ride which only goes once a day. The cost is $1.75 US. On the return it leaves Crooked Tree at 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. to Belize City, but it does not take you to International Airport, although they can drop you off at the Biltmore. You can also travel here on your own just for the day in a rental car, but we recommend booking a birding tour in advance.

 

If you are thinking of visiting Crooked Tree, don't expect great shopping, nightlife, or the Radisson Hotel. Accommodations are clean and simple, the village is quiet. What you can expect is to meet very nice local people and to be guided to see some of the most beautiful birds in the world.

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Dangriga-Hopkins Village

If you want to see the "real" Belize, you should not miss seeing Dangriga and the village of Hopkins. Although small by American standards, Dangriga is a regional center and has a decidedly urban atmosphere. Don’t expect manicured beaches, good coffee, or shopping; this is where you go to immerse yourself in the culture. Hopkins retains a more relaxed, small town atmosphere but has recently become the focus of much tourism development. Huge new hotels, condo developments, a golf course, and a new marina are currently being built on the outskirts of town.

 

 

Both Dangriga and Hopkins are Garifuna settlements; these people are a distinct ethnic group of West African and Caribbean Indian ancestry who arrived in great numbers early in the 1800’s. Originating in the Lesser Antilles, shipwrecked slaves inter-married with the locals and developed their own customs and rituals. When the British eventually took over their islands they fled to Honduras and then on to Belize. Dangriga is the largest Garifuna settlement in the world.

 

If you have the time, we recommend visiting Hopkins and spending time getting to know the local culture. If you are lucky, you may get invited to a party, which will include drumming and dancing. You can fly or take a bus to Dangriga and then take a bus to Hopkins.In Dangriga we recommend the Chaleanor Hotel. The Chaleanor is a Belizean style hotel in downtown Dangriga. It's not fancy, but quite reasonable and clean. Phone: 011-501-522-2587, email: chaleanor@btl.net. Rates are between $30-40.

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Ek'Tun

Ek'Tun is an exclusive jungle lodge with a spectacular location on the banks of the Macal River, approximately 12 miles up river from San Ignacio. Two very private cottages and lush tropical gardens are nestled some distance from the host's villa, within a 200-acre jungle retreat bordering national reserve lands. Only registered guests have access to secluded river beaches, an exotic mineral pool, numerous sacred caves, and miles of hiking trails through pristine jungle once inhabited by the Maya. Phyllis Lane provides hospitality and exceptional regional gourmet meals. Ek'Tun is a physically-challenging retreat for non-smoking, active travelers who enjoy hiking, caving, kayaking, birding, tubing, swimming, and exploring. Tours to all local attractions are available. For safety reasons, they do not accommodate singles or children. Double accommodations with breakfast and dinner, $218; each additional person $55, maximum of 5 per cottage, with a 3-night minimum. Advance reservations required. Email: info@ektunbelize.com, website: www.ektunbelize.com. (Phone service not reliable.)

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Jaguar Preserve (Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary)

The Jaguar Preserve has some of the best jungle hiking trails in Belize. Plants are identified along the trails and animals are often seen (jaguars are rarely seen, although they live here). The problem is it’s hard to get to, a bus will drop you off at the Maya Centre along the Southern Highway, but you have to hitch the last 7 miles. You can visit for the day by hiring a taxi from Dangriga or Placencia, or purchase a tour from either Pelican Beach Lodge or Manatee Lodge, see contact information elsewhere in this sheet. You can also rent a car and spend the night in campsites, dorm-style rooms or one of their cabins. The entrance fee is $10, camping is $5/person/night and the dorm is $20/person/night; the cabins range from $40-55/night. You must bring your own food and water, although they will rent you cooking equipment or tents. The best online information we can find: http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/parkcockscomb.html

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Lamanai Mayan Ruins

This tour is a no-brainer if you are flying in one day early, it is our favorite one-day tour out of Belize City. However, this isn’t an option for Belize Adventure Week participants, because it returns too late for you to make your 4:30 p.m. meeting time with us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tour is offered every day of the year, and they pick up and drop off at all hotels in Belize City. A one-and-a-half hour bus ride takes you to the New River. The banter of the guide is a little cheesy here, but this is not an omen for the rest of the day, don't worry. At the New River bridge you are transferred into jungle river cruisers that boat upstream about an hour to the ruins, stopping often to view the exotic wildlife along the river banks. On one trip our fantastic guide pointed out about 15 different tropical birds including: green-backed herons, olivaceous cormorants, jabiru stork, northern jacana, and purple gallinules. Crocodiles and blooming water lilies are also profuse. Arriving at the ruins, lunch is served and the tour that follows includes excellent interpretation.

 

The tour is about $121/person and can be booked at the Biltmore desk upon arrival. A less expensive alternative is to call Discovery Expeditions directly. They will charge you $105 pp, their number is: 011.501.223.0748. What to bring: binoculars (a must!), money for the gift shop, rain and warm gear (the boat ride is cold, and if it rains you'll get wet too), bug spray, your iPod for the boat ride (the engine is noisy). This is a fantastic tour, don't miss it (photo by Tim Janneck). For more information on all Belize Mayan ruins, visit this page on our website.

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Maya Mountain Lodge 

During the inland part of our Belize Adventure Week trip, we base out of Maya Mountain Lodge. This jungle lodge is nestled beneath a huge canopy, but also easily accessible to other destinations in the Cayo area. Bart and Suzi Mickler have run this friendly, family-run jungle lodge and tour operation for over 20 years. Maya Mountain’s facilities are located on a large parcel of private land only 2 miles outside of San Ignacio. They feature private, thatched cabanas with bathrooms and hot showers, a beautiful dining pavilion, a pool, internet access for their guests, and beautifully tended gardens (including a vegetable garden where much of the food they serve is grown.) The peaceful setting will immerse you in the daily rhythms of the surrounding jungle, and the birding is excellent right on the grounds.

 

Their tour company employs the best of guides, as Bart has been training native Belizean guides for years. They offer several ingenious packages starting on Saturday, Monday, or Wednesday, so one can tailor any schedule to their wild array of tours: canoeing on the Macal River, exploring Chech-hem-ha Cave, tours to Tikal and Caracol Mayan ruins, and other tours to the Belize Zoo, Mountain Pine Ridge, and other activities not to be missed. Maya Mountain offers guests a perfect blend of accessibility, adventure, and comfort in the wild setting of the jungle.

 

Prices are $59-119 for a double, and 3 meals/day for an additional $32/person. Phone in Belize: 011-501-824-2164, e-mail: jungle@mayamountain.com, website: www.mayamountain.com.

 

You can also book a 2 or 3-night Maya Mountain package through us which we designed to dovetail with our Adventure Island at Glover’s Reef itineraries. This Mayan Odyssey begins and ends in Belize City, visiting Tikal, Chech-Hem-Ha Pottery Cave, and Cahal Pech Mayan ruins. Contact us for details.

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Museum of Belize

Located at Gabourel and Hutson streets, the Museum of Belize is a beautiful, old brick building that was built as a colonial prison in the 1800’s, and operated as a prison until 1993; one cell has been restored. Originally built to hold one man, at the time of the prison’s closing each cell held 6-8 prisoners. Many other aspects of Belize prison life are covered in the permanent exhibits. This museum also focuses on the Maya and colonial history of Belize. Highlights include priceless Maya artifacts dating back some 2500 years. You can contact the Museum via e-mail: mob@btl.net.

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Parrot Nest

Located on the Mopan River in Bullet Tree Falls and an easy three-mile walk or taxi drive ($10 US) from downtown San Ignacio; this inexpensive lodge is a hidden jewel. Some of their cabins are tree houses. Spending the night under a 100’ guanacaste tree in a thatched tree house is like nothing else! The lodge is surrounded on three sides by the Mopan River, and parrots are in great number here, along with hundreds of other types of birds, making this an ideal location for bird watching. Coati, agouti, otter, and the giant iguana are among the many animals which are also regular visitors. The Parrot Nest has a low-key atmosphere and great home-cooked meals, but don't expect air conditioning or private bathrooms. If you need a guide or a trip booked any adventure is just a phone call away. Rates are $43-50 for a double and meals are $4-11. Phone: 011-501-820-4058, email: parrotnestlodge@yahoo.com, website: www.parrot-nest.com.

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Pook’s Hill

Located in the Cayo area of Belize and 5-1/2 miles from Tea Kettle village, Pook’s Hill is a fantastic jungle lodge. Their 300 acre property is about 98% dense, natural jungle, with the lodge property itself carved in the midst of a huge, jungle canopy. The lodge is built around a restored Mayan ruin, a rare residential site. The cabanas are first class, you won’t find anything that you could improve upon, and all have a private bath and electricity. A few of the cabins are built high on boardwalks and are perfect for birders. Pook’s Hill is only 2 miles from the Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal and they offer daily tours, leaving at 5:30 a.m., hiking to the ruins in the morning mist. Their property has a network of nature trails, and a small river runs right through the property. They have an excellent library on local subject matter in their lounge area.

 

In addition to tours of the famous Mayan cave they offer the other Belizean standards: horseback riding, Barton Creek Cave, Tikal, Caracol, Xunantunich and Mountain Pine Ridge to name a few. Their dining hall serves excellent meals for guests only and you mix your own drinks and keep track of them yourself. You will enjoy getting to know their excellent staff. High season rates are $185 for a double. Meals are $7-18, and tours range from $44 - $151. Contact them by email: pookshill@hughes.net, phone: 011.501.820.2017 or visit their website: www.pookshilllodge.com.

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Punta Gorda

Twenty miles from Guatemala, Punta Gorda is the last frontier of Belize. Here you are likely to meet travelers following the "Gringo Trail" from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala (there is a daily boat ride between the two communities). From "PG" you can visit the Mayan ruins of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit, numerous Mayan villages, and the nearby Port Honduras Cayes. Punta Gorda is laid-back with a rural feel and no stress of any kind. You can fly here (recommended) or take the bus (not recommended unless you get the Express Bus). You can see the bus schedules to Punta Gorda, Belize at this link.

 

When we visited we stayed at the Tate's Guest House and liked it very much. Rates are $35-75/person, phone: 011-501-722-2196. It is best to arrange activities once you are here, available tours and guides are posted along the roadsides and in bars and restaurants. Recently we have heard that it is necessary to first make arrangements with the Belize Tourist Board before being about to visit the Mayan villages. Apparently they don't want people to just show up. If anyone hears any more details about this, let us know so we can update this site.

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Xunantunich Ruins

Xunantunich (pronounced "CHEW-nahn-too-neech") is one of the easiest-to-reach and the most-restored ruin in Belize lies just eight miles from the Guatemala border. Perched high on a hill overlooking the Mopan River, this complex was a major ceremonial center during the classic period of the Maya. Beautiful stucco reliefs are on display and excavation projects continue. From the top of the nearly 150 foot "Castillo" one can see for miles into neighboring Guatemala. Simply drive or take a bus west of San Ignacio to the ferry at Benque Viejo. The ferry is free and runs about every 10 minutes. It is about a half-mile up a dirt road to the ruins. Once there we recommend hiring a guide. Note: Our Belize Adventure Week itinerary includes a visit to Xunantunich. If you are on the Glover’s Reef trip and have one additional day before the trip you can rent a car from Belize City, visit the Belize Zoo, continue on to Xunantunich, and get back in time to make it to our meeting at the Biltmore at 5:30 p.m. For more information on all Belize Mayan ruins, visit this page on our website. (Photo by Deb Liang)

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