Find places in Belize

Must-Haves

• Museum of Belize (Downtown)
  The old colonial jail now tells Belize's story from the ancient Maya to independence.
• St John's Cathedral (Southside)
  The oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America, built with bricks that came as ships' ballast.
• Altun Ha (Old Northern Highway)
  A compact Maya site whose Temple of the Masonry Altars appears on the Belikin beer label.

Off the Beaten Path

• Image Factory Art Foundation (Downtown)
  A small gallery showing contemporary Belizean artists in a historic building.
• Government House, House of Culture (Southside)
  The former governor's residence, now a museum with colonial history and quiet seaside gardens.

Fun for Everyone

• The Belize Zoo (Western Highway)
  A small, much-loved home for rescued native animals, including jaguars, tapirs and harpy eagles.

Off the Beaten Path

• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (Crooked Tree)
  Lagoons and a historic Creole village famous for birdlife in the dry season.

Must-Haves

• Belize City Swing Bridge (Downtown)
  A hand-operated swing bridge over Haulover Creek at the heart of the old town.
• Baron Bliss Memorial and Fort George Lighthouse (Fort George)
  A breezy seafront spot honouring the benefactor whose gift built much of modern Belize.
• Lamanai Archaeological Reserve (New River, Orange Walk)
  A boat ride up the New River leads to temples deep in the jungle, with crocodiles along the way.

Off the Beaten Path

• Community Baboon Sanctuary (Bermudian Landing)
  A community-run reserve where villagers protect black howler monkeys on their own land.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Nerie's Restaurant (Downtown)
  A long-standing local favourite for stew chicken, rice and beans and cow foot soup.

Must-Haves

• Celebrity Restaurant and Lounge (Fort George)
  A city classic for seafood and Belizean dishes in a relaxed setting.

Great for Date Night

• Riverside Tavern (Downtown)
  A riverside spot with big burgers and a lively, friendly atmosphere.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Belize City Market (Downtown)
  The central market by the Swing Bridge for fruit, snacks and a slice of everyday life.

Fun for Everyone

• Princess Hotel and Casino (Kings Park)
  A long-running seafront venue with a casino, cinema and sea views.

Must-Haves

• The Great House (Fort George)
  A colonial mansion turned hotel in the calmest part of the city.

Great for Date Night

• Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina (Fort George)
  A seafront hotel by the harbour, convenient for water taxis and tours.

Must-Haves

• September Celebrations (Citywide)
  Carnival, parades and parties for St George's Caye Day and Independence Day fill September.

Must-Haves

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve (South of San Pedro)
  Belize's most famous snorkel site, full of turtles, eagle rays and schools of fish.

Fun for Everyone

• Shark Ray Alley (Hol Chan Marine Reserve)
  Snorkel beside gentle nurse sharks and southern stingrays in clear, shallow water.
• Ambergris Caye golf cart tour (Island wide)
  Rent a golf cart and explore the island at your own easy pace.

Off the Beaten Path

• Great Blue Hole day trip (Lighthouse Reef Atoll)
  A long but unforgettable trip to the famous sinkhole, Half Moon Caye and the outer atoll.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve (North Ambergris Caye)
  A remote, UNESCO-listed reserve with lagoons, mangroves and Maya sites at the island's tip.

Fun for Everyone

• Secret Beach (West side, north Ambergris)
  Shallow, calm, turquoise water and beach bars on the lagoon side of the island.

Must-Haves

• Elvi's Kitchen (San Pedro town)
  A San Pedro institution for seafood and Belizean dishes since the 1970s.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Robin's Kitchen (South of town)
  Smoky, spicy Jamaican jerk chicken and fish cooked by a friendly family.
• Waruguma (San Pedro town)
  Famous for stuffed pupusas and generous Belizean comfort food.

Great for Date Night

• Blue Water Grill (San Pedro town)
  A beachfront favourite for seafood and sushi nights on the sand.

Fun for Everyone

• Estel's Dine by the Sea (Front Street)
  A sandy-floored beach café loved for big breakfasts and fry jacks.

Must-Haves

• Ruby's Cafe (Front Street)
  A tiny bakery for coffee, cinnamon rolls and local pastries.

Must-Haves

• Palapa Bar and Grill (North of town)
  A dock bar where you can float in tubes with a drink over the water.

Fun for Everyone

• Wahoo's Lounge (San Pedro town)
  Lively beach bar famed for its Thursday chicken drop game.

Must-Haves

• San Pedro Lobsterfest (San Pedro town)
  Food stalls, music and lobster everything to open the season each summer.

Great for Date Night

• Victoria House Resort and Spa (South of town)
  A beachfront colonial-style resort with gardens, pools and a calm feel.

Must-Haves

• Ramon's Village Resort (South of town)
  A long-established palm-thatched resort near town and the dive shops.

Off the Beaten Path

• Matachica Resort and Spa (North Ambergris)
  Colourful casitas on a quiet northern beach for a true escape.

Must-Haves

• The Split (North end of village)
  The island's famous swimming channel and sunset gathering spot.

Fun for Everyone

• Snorkelling day trip with manatee stop (Front docks)
  A classic day on the reef with turtles, rays and a chance to see manatees.

Off the Beaten Path

• Kitesurfing on Caye Caulker (South end)
  Steady trade winds and shallow water make the island a great place to learn.
• Multi-day sailing trip to Placencia (Front docks)
  Sail, snorkel and camp on remote cayes on the way south.

Must-Haves

• Caye Caulker Marine Reserve (Offshore)
  A protected section of reef close to the island with great snorkelling.

Must-Haves

• Lazy Lizard (The Split)
  The bar at the Split, perfect for a swim, a drink and the sunset.

Fun for Everyone

• I and I Reggae Bar (Village)
  Swing seats, reggae and a rooftop for evenings on the island.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Errolyn's House of Fry Jacks (Middle Street)
  A tiny window serving stuffed fry jacks, the island's best breakfast.
• Wish Willy's (Back of the village)
  A ramshackle backyard grill famous for whatever came off the boat that day.

Great for Date Night

• Habaneros (Front Street)
  A colourful corner house for dinner with Caribbean and Latin flavours.

Must-Haves

• Rose's Grill and Bar (Front Street)
  Choose your fresh seafood from the display and watch it grilled.

Must-Haves

• Ice and Beans (Front Street)
  A seafront café for coffee and warm mini doughnuts in the morning.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Amor y Cafe (Front Street)
  A busy breakfast spot for coffee, fruit and fresh bread.

Fun for Everyone

• Caye Caulker Lobsterfest (Village)
  The island celebrates the opening of lobster season with food and music.

Must-Haves

• Iguana Reef Inn (Village, west side)
  A calm, comfortable inn by the water with sunset views.

Must-Haves

• Xunantunich (San Jose Succotz)
  Cross by hand-cranked ferry and climb El Castillo for views into Guatemala.
• Caracol (Chiquibul Forest)
  One of the greatest Maya cities, with the towering Caana pyramid deep in the forest.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Cahal Pech (San Ignacio town)
  A hilltop Maya site within walking distance of town.

Must-Haves

• Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (Teakettle)
  A guided wade and swim into a sacred Maya cave holding ancient pottery and skeletons.

Fun for Everyone

• Barton Creek Cave (Upper Barton Creek)
  Canoe into a river cave lit by headlamps, past Maya remains.

Fun for Everyone

• Green Iguana Conservation Project (San Ignacio Resort Hotel)
  Meet and learn about iguanas being raised and released back into the wild.
• Rio On Pools (Mountain Pine Ridge)
  Natural pools and small falls among granite boulders, perfect for a swim.

Off the Beaten Path

• Big Rock Falls (Mountain Pine Ridge)
  A dramatic waterfall and deep swimming hole in the pine forest.
• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve (South of San Ignacio)
  Cool pine uplands with viewpoints, waterfalls and quiet trails.
• Blue Hole National Park (Hummingbird Highway)
  A sapphire swimming hole and St Herman's Cave on the road east.

Must-Haves

• San Ignacio Saturday Market (Santa Elena side)
  A colourful market for fruit, Mennonite cheese, crafts and tamales.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Pop's Restaurant (West Street)
  A tiny diner famous for big Belizean breakfasts.
• Hode's Place (Branch Mouth Road)
  A big family-friendly garden restaurant with Belizean and Latin food.

Great for Date Night

• Guava Limb Café (Burns Avenue)
  Relaxed dinners on a garden terrace with fresh, local ingredients.

Great for Date Night

• The Lodge at Chaa Creek (Macal River)
  A classic jungle lodge with river views, trails and a medicinal plant walk.

Must-Haves

• Blancaneaux Lodge (Mountain Pine Ridge)
  A riverside lodge in the pine forest with waterfalls and calm.

Off the Beaten Path

• Black Rock Lodge (Macal River)
  Remote cabins above the river with birdsong and quiet.

Must-Haves

• Laughing Bird Caye National Park (Offshore)
  A UNESCO-listed caye with clear water and excellent snorkelling.
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (Maya Centre)
  The world's first jaguar reserve, with trails, waterfalls and river tubing.

Fun for Everyone

• Silk Cayes (Gladden Spit Marine Reserve)
  Three tiny islands with turtles, rays and soft white sand.

Off the Beaten Path

• Monkey River trip (Monkey River Town)
  A boat ride for howler monkeys, crocodiles, birds and a village lunch.

Off the Beaten Path

• Whale shark trip to Gladden Spit (Offshore)
  Seasonal trips to swim with whale sharks around the spring full moons.

Must-Haves

• Placencia Sidewalk (Placencia Village)
  A narrow footpath through the village lined with guesthouses and cafés.

Great for Date Night

• Rumfish y Vino (Placencia Village)
  A relaxed upstairs spot for seafood, small plates and wine.

Fun for Everyone

• Tutti Frutti Gelato (Placencia Village)
  Italian gelato made with local fruits, perfect on a hot day.

Fun for Everyone

• Barefoot Bar (Placencia Village)
  A beach bar with live music, fire dancers and a sandy floor.

Must-Haves

• Placencia Lobsterfest (Placencia Village)
  A summer celebration of lobster season with food and music.

Great for Date Night

• Turtle Inn (Placencia Village)
  Thatched beach villas with a Balinese feel near the village.

Must-Haves

• Chabil Mar (Placencia peninsula)
  Calm beachfront villas with pools and a peaceful setting.

Off the Beaten Path

• Nim Li Punit (Toledo District)
  A small Maya site known for its carved stelae, on the way south.
• Lubaantun (San Pedro Columbia, Toledo)
  Unique rounded stone temples built without mortar in the hills.

Must-Haves

• Lebeha Drumming Center (Hopkins Village)
  Learn Garifuna drumming and dance from local teachers.

Must-Haves

• Garifuna Settlement Day (Hopkins Village)
  Re-enactments, drumming and dancing on 19 November celebrate the Garifuna arrival.

Great for Date Night

• Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort (Sittee Point)
  A beachfront resort with treehouse rooms and dive trips.

Great for Date Night

• Driftwood Beach Bar and Pizza Shack (Hopkins Village)
  Beachside pizza, cold drinks and drumming nights.

Fun for Everyone

• Mayflower Bocawina National Park (Stann Creek)
  Waterfalls, trails and one of the longest zip lines in the region.