Top Belize Tours & Vacations 2024/2025 [reviews & photos]

Belize Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

103 Belize trips. Compare tour itineraries from 59 tour companies. 403 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

Small Group Belize Tours

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Top Belize Attractions & Experiences

Top Belize Experiences

  • Splashing and exploring the cave Actun Tunichel Muchtal (ATM), one of the coolest caves you'll ever visit
  • Scuba diving the epic Blue Hole - an underwater stalactite filled deep chamber in the center of an atoll, and appearing from above as a giant sinkhole of velvety deep blue sea
  • Seeing jaguars at the Belize zoo
  • Relaxing on Ambergris Caye
  • Paddling dusky jade rivers and floating through caves
  • Participating in adventure activities like leaping from beautiful waterfalls and zip lining through the canopy of lush tropical rainforests
  • Snorkeling or diving the world's 2nd largest barrier reef
  • Swimming close enough to touch giant sea turtles at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
  • Staying at a jungle eco-lodge and awakening to the sounds of monkeys and birds of paradise
  • Exploring the Mayan ruins of Caracol, an impressive site rising from the snarled jungle with five plazas and an enormous pyramid
  • Hopping over the border for a quick trip to Guatemala to see the famous Mayan ruin of Tikal
  • Devouring Belizean fry jacks - a decadent yet dainty fried bread, with papaya jam for breakfast

Belize Tours & Travel Guide

Belize Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Coronavirus Update

Belize is currently one of only countries open to all travelers, including those from the United States. Airports are set to reopen in Belize on August 15th and travelers must register on a Belize health app before entering the country. 

See all countries currently open to American travelers


Nestled in Central America just south of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, with an idyllic Caribbean coastline, Belize boasts the world's second largest barrier reef -- making it a prime spot for scuba divers and snorkelers -- as well as thick interior jungles and Mayan ruins to explore.

While it's a quick flight from the United States, Belize offers plenty in the way of exotic tropical attractions, outdoor adventure, and Mayan culture both old and new. A Belize tour will get you far beyond the beaches so you can discover the heart and soul of this beautiful and increasingly popular destination.

Belize: A Jungle Paradise

Belize boasts an idyllic locale in Central America, perched between Yucatan Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Despite it's small size, the country packs a punch when it comes to adventure and cultural offerings.

The long stretch of Caribbean coastline provides countless sandy cayes and beaches, many uninhabited for an island-hopping dream come true. The world's second longest barrier reef just offshore (home to the stunning Blue Hole) draws scuba divers and snorkelers worldwide.

The interior of Belize is a tangle of jungle, with all of the adventure activities and wildlife viewing opportunities such a rich tropical forest entails. In fact, 60% of the country is covered in forest and more than 36% of the country is under some form of protected status. Eco-travel is possible and encouraged, from the UNESCO World Heritage reef on the coast to surprisingly luxurious eco-lodges in the rainforest.

Aside from the varied microclimates and topography, Belize is also a melting pot of people and languages. Soak up Latin American culture and history alongside laid-back Caribbean hospitality, with a touch of post-colonial influence from the UK (Belize was a British territory until 1981).

The blend is intoxicating. English is the official language, but Belizean Creole, Garifuna, and Maya dialects are also widely spoken. The cuisine is a similar jumble of influence, brought to life with fresh seafood, salsas, rum, cacao, and tropical fruits.

Top Nature Parks in Belize

Chiquibul National Park at 264,000 acres, is Belize’s largest National Park. This park surrounds the Mayan city of Caracol, the archeological site that is still being worked on. This is also home to Belize’s highest mountain, Doyle’s Delight.

On top of great archeological history and mountain hiking, there are waterfalls and riverpools. Species found in the park include Yucatan spider monkeys, jaguars, kinkajous, ocellated turkeys, and keel-billed motmots, to name a few.

Cockscomb Basin National Park is a reserve that protects the forest and the jaguar population. This is the world’s first Jaguar reserve. Don’t miss out on the waterfalls, mountain views, wildlife tracks, great nature trails, and diverse bird species found in the park.

Bacalar Chico National Park is 41 square miles of protected land and sea, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is only accessible via boat. This is an awesome place to snorkel because it is so protected, and because of the distance, very view visitors make the trip.

Expect to see extra colorful coral, plenty of fish, and potential opportunities to see manatees, turtles, crocodiles, pumas, and jaguars. While it’s a bit of a stretch to get there (a one-hour boat ride from San Pedro), it’s worth the visit.

Ancient History

The backbone of any trip to Belize is the extraordinary Mayan history of the area, once the epicenter of the ancient Maya civilization. Mayan influence courses throughout the country and is essential to its core. The captivating, crumbling ruin complexes spread throughout the interior are well worth a day trip - some of these mysterious cities and temples are said to be inspiration for the Indiana Jones films.

Belize is a multifaceted destination that offers something for everyone, from archeological splendors to cacao plantations. That aforementioned small size comes in handy -  this compact country is easy to navigate, meaning a staggering variety experiences can be had in a relatively short amount of time.

Belize Scuba Diving & Diving Packages

Belize is a balmy island on the Caribbean with miles of white sand beaches, friendly weather, and over 400 tropical islands. Its calm, clear waters, and possession of an 185-mile long barrier reef also make it a prime scuba diving location. Here is our list of the top 4 places to dive in Belize: 

4 Best Diving Spots in Belize
  1. The Blue Hole
    The most famous underwater of feature of Belize, the Blue Hole is 400 feet deep and has a diameter of 1000 feet. Inside, you can see strange geological formations from when the Hole wasn’t underwater, and have the chance to see a wide variety of sharks.
  2. The Belize Barrier Reef 
    Competing with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for size and variety, the Belize Barrier Reef hosts a huge range of pristine dive sites. Dive between the colorful coral for a close look at sea turtles, over 500 species of Caribbean fish, reef sharks, and octopi.
  3. Gladden Spit 
    The Gladden Spit is one of the world’s best locations if you’re hoping to dive with whale sharks. Either snorkel or dive with these gentle giants in their haunt near Palencia.
  4. Shark Ray Alley
    Originally an area of the sea where the fisherman cleaned and gutted their haul, these shallows continue to attract many nurse sharks and rays that aren’t shy around humans.

Best Beaches in Belize

  1. Placencia, located in southern Belize, is home to some of the most incredible beaches in Belize. The 16-mile coastline offers numerous pristine beaches, known for its white sand and gorgeous blue Caribbean waters. This is a great option for those wishing to visit the Belize Barrier Reef.
  2. For the best snorkeling in Belize, Ambergris Caye is the place to go. Here you’ll find top of the line snorkeling, and water sports. This is one of the more popular beaches, so some crowds can be expected, but it’s plenty easy to hire a boat and head north a bit to get away from the crowds. Make sure to visit the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the Great Mayan Reef).
  3. If an authentic, laid back beach experience is the goal, consider visiting the village of Hopkins, about 140 km away from Belize city. The area is pretty natural, including no high rise buildings, and no paved paths. Resorts are far away from the beaches more towards the city, which allows for a more natural, tranquil beach experience.
  4. Caye Caulker lives in a slow and island life experience. There are no cars, and the only way to reach the area is via water taxi. Transportation options is either walking or renting a bike. Everything on Caye Caulker is within close proximity so there really is no need for a car. Days are often filled with snorkeling, cave tubing in Belize ruins, and swinging in a hammock.
  5. Silk Cayes makes for a great day trip option, as there are no accommodations on the island. This is an awesome place to dive and snorkel. You can see sharks and stingrays swimming by while on the beach!

The Best Belize Group Tour Excursions

On your group tour of Central America, or just of Belize, you are sure to run into some self-directed time. Here are some suggestions of what to do during these free periods. 

  1. Tour the Mayan Ruins
    There are over 25 documented Mayan ruins in Belize, and you should definitely take the opportunity to go see at least one archaeological site while in Belize. Whether you visit the stone altars of Altun Ha, the tall stone pyramid of Xunantunich, or the grisly human sacrificial skulls at Actun Tunchil Muknal, you are sure to be in awed by the impressive remains of one our antiquity’s most impressive peoples.
  2. Caving 
    For those with a sense of adventure, try taking a trip into the darkness and go caving. Belize has a vast and impressive system of caves in the jungle which are commonly known as the Mayan Underworld; the caves were used by the Mayan as early as 300 A.D. Depending on which cave you visit, you can either climb down, or consider rafting through it on an underwater river.
  3. Baboon Sanctuary Tour  
    A short trip from Belize City, the Community Baboon Center is a great trip for families who may have some free time on their small group tour. It is home to over 3,500 howler monkeys, and hundreds of species of birds. The monkeys are used to humans and accustomed to being fed, which means you won’t have any problems getting a close look
  4. A Day in Belize City
    Many tour trips to Belize fly in and out of the country’s old capital, Belize City. Therefore, it’s likely that you will have some free time in this area before, after your tour, and in between other stops. Although this is one of the very few urban areas in the city, it is not usually a top attraction. If you’re looking for an excursion in the city, we recommend trying some authentic Belizean food in one of the top restaurants, and getting some historical perspective with a visit to the Museum of Belize.

Food in Belize

Naturally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are planted and harvested locally make up the Belizean food staples. A lot of family homes have fruit trees in their back yard to supply the family with fresh products to build their meals.

Here are some top dishes to try on your Belize tour:

  1. The Belizean Tamale is a staple for in Belizean cuisine. They are made up of corn dough, and some sort of meat, such as chicken, pork, or beef. There is a mixture called the cull, which is made up of corn flour, recado, garlic, peppercorn, and then add the spices. Belizean Tamales are boiled in plantain leaves.
  2. Hudut is another popular food in Belize. It consists of half ripened mashed plantains and bananas (mashed by hand), combined with coconut milk.
  3. Salbutes is a snack food. Tiny corn tortillas are fried and topped with chicken, cabbage and avocado, and served with hot sauce. Another similar food is ganache, a tortilla topped with ingredients such as cheese and beans.
  4. Conchita Pibil is a classic Mayan dish. Slow roasted pork and vegetables are layered onto a soft tortilla. Usually eaten in the morning through lunchtime, fry jacks are a savory staple food. Puffy soft tortillas are filled with cheese, beans, and sometimes meat.

Belize Cultural Activities

Caracol is an archaeological site that is a work in progress, with digging still happening. It was one of the largest cities in the Mayan world, with a population of around 150,000. Make sure to visit the temples, reservoirs, and the ballcourts featured at the site.

Actun Tunichil Muknal makes for a great cultural activity with a fun outdoor experience. Start off trekking through the jungle to reach the beginning of the cave, and swim through onto the rock shelves The rock shelves have ollas and skulls scattered throughout. Climb the ladder to find the “crystal maiden” skeleton.

Lamanai temple is a great place to learn about the history of the Maya civilization. It dates back to the first settlement at least 1500 years BC, and the construction continued until the first half of the 16 century AD, when the spanish arrived.

Churches were built on top of the Mayan monuments. The history itself is awesome, but this makes for another fun adventure as you get to see some amazing (and huge!) temples, and you take a boat through the rainforest.

Wildlife Tours in Belize

Belize is a great travel destination for wildlife lovers. Here are just some of the species you can expect to spot (some easier than others!),

1. Jaguars are a common animal found in Belize, though previously, there was a concern for the population dwindling. Later, more jaguars were found than expected, meaning there is hope that the population will continue to grow. There is a jaguar reserve at the Cockscomb Basin National Park.

2. Scarlet Macaw is a large colorful bird, covered in brilliant red, blue and yellow feathers. The bird measure around 2.5-3 feet in length. If you go to the rainforest, you’re likely to find these beautiful birds flying through the air.

3. Belize’s national animal, the Baird’s Tapir is related to the rhinoceros and the horse. The Tapir has a large nose and loves to spend it’s time looking for food to snack on. They can reach up to three feet tall, and six feet long, weighing up to 600 pounds.

4. The ocelot is sometimes called the “dwarf leopard,” and has black spots on its fur, which help camouflage it while looking for prey. These small “big cats” can be up to three feet long, about a foot and a half tall, weighing in around 30 pounds. While the ocelot has great eyesight, they have white rings around their eyes which help their night vision by reflecting light into their eyes.

5. Howler monkeys, also known as baboons to the locals, are often found hanging around the tree tops. They love to make sure everyone is awake at sunrise, with their loud morning howl. They like to howl during sunset, and sometimes before a rainstorm comes in. They live in troops of four or more.

6. Kinkajous look like a combination of a cat and monkey, weighing between 4-10 pounds and ranging between 16-22 inches in height. They live in the tree tops and the swing from tree to tree using their tails. They are the raccoons of the rainforest, since they do similar roles that raccoons do in temperate forests.

Cities in Belize

Belize City is the most populous city in Belize, sitting right off the Caribbean Sea. This is the “principal port” of the country, as well as the financial and industrial capital of Belize. The city is a culture hub for the country and all the hustle work is done in Belize City. International Flights often fly into Belize City.

San Ignacio is the second biggest city in Belize, and is another culture hub for the country. This is a major tourist hotspot, as some major sites are located here. Popular attractions/activities include visiting Caracol and the Mayan ruins, the Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech, and cave tubing.

Many beach goers make their way to the city of San Pedro, located on Ambergris Caye. Travelers are met with Sandy beaches, incredible water, beach bars and awesome restaurants. This is a popular destination for tourists who are looking for a relaxing but fun vacation.

Other Countries to Consider if you Enjoy Belize

Already been to Belize or it doesn't sound as exciting for your next trip? Though the Central American region countries all share spectacular beaches, sunshine, jungle, and enough varied wildlife to please nature lovers everywhere, they all have distinct cultures, cuisines, and languages. Here are two other Central America destinations to consider that are similar to Belize:

Guatemala 

Despite being about the size of Kentucky, there is tons to do in Guatemala. Known for the extensive Mayan ruins of Tikal (famously used as a filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV), Guatemala is a great place to travel for history buffs. 

Guatemala has a bit of a reputation for uneasy political conditions and safety concerns have caused many tourists to turn to more traditionally safe Central American countries. Guided tours of Guatemala are a great way to experience the culture and history without needing to worry about traveling alone and figuring out where to go. 

Costa Rica

On the opposite coast and south to Belize, Costa Rica is known as one of the adventure travel capitals of the world. But there is so much more to this exciting country than just ziplines through the canopy. The best vacation packages to Costa Rica incorporate adventure as well as ample wildlife viewing to see hundreds of rare and beautiful birds and other nature wonders who live in the many distinct rainforests of Costa Rica.

Belize Reviews & Ratings

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Ethan S.

Feb 2023

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CharlieTheTraveler knows how to give First World service in a poor country like Belize.

Cleanliness is something I worry about when I go to poor countries. I was surprised by just how clean the hotel rooms, vans and boats were on this tour to Belize. Ch...

A

Anna B.

Feb 2023

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Our tour guide was a safe driver as well as an intelligent and humble man.

I felt comfortable with the vans and boats used on this tour. Our tour guide was a safe driver as well as an intelligent and humble man. He was very helpful througho...

M

Mark Bell

Feb 2023

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The tour guide made us his number 1 priority, treating us like VIPs and ensuring we had fun.

The tour guide made us his number 1 priority, treating us like VIPs and ensuring we had fun. He was very punctual and made sure we covered all the important places t...

J

Joanna Gillis

Feb 2023

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The trip was great!

The trip was great! The guides were especially excellent!! Th...

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Karin Bonham

Feb 2023

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Our tour with Charlie The Traveler was epic!

Our tour with Charlie The Traveler was epic! Every little detail was covered and our guides were amazing. My daughter and I had the best trip ever experiencing so ma...

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