Experience the Best of Belize: An Insider’s Guide to 8 Must-Do Activities

Belize has positioned itself as a top choice for travelers who want an experience that’s truly out of the ordinary. With everything there is to do here, how do you make a must-do list? Here’s our selection of the top eight adventures that will create an unforgettable Belize vacation.

1. Visit an Ancient Maya City

Belize has over 900 Maya sites and the most popular ones are Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Caracol, Lamanai, and Altun Ha. The remnants of the vast, powerful Maya empire include palaces, temples, towers, homes, and plazas that have been standing for thousands of years. Visitors to Belize can also travel to Tikal in Guatemala, one of the most important Maya ruins in the world.

2. Snorkel or Scuba Dive the Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world. It is a place of stunning beauty and vital ecological importance. Hundreds of fish, coral and sea mammal species use the waters as feeding and nesting sites. The pristine waters and amazing sea life of the reef offer world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.

3. Go On a Nature Tour

Hiking and bird watching are among the most popular activities here thanks to Belize’s pristine nature and acres of untouched jungle. Birders in Belize have recorded hundreds of species in a single day. Visit the world’s first jaguar preserve, the scarlet macaws of Red Bank Village, Big Rock Waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge or the community-run monkey sanctuary.

4. Explore the ATM Cave

Exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave is a challenging, full-day adventure that involves a jungle hike and rappelling. The ATM is one of the most important caves in the world. It is filled with relics of the ancient Maya who used it as a ceremonial site.

5. Visit the Belize Zoo and Learning Center

Learn about Belize’s exotic animals at the Belize Zoo, which is a sanctuary for injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife. The animals live in large enclosures that mimic their natural environment. Belize is home to five species of big cat including jaguars and ocelots. Say hello to the mountain tapir, Belize’s national animal, and the keel-billed toucan, our national bird.

6. Explore Belize City

The former capital city of Belize, Belize City has a vibrant downtown where you can shop, dine and see interesting architecture. Learn our history at the Museum of Belize, which is housed in a former colonial prison. Visit St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest Anglican church in Latin America that still has a thriving congregation and a school.

7. Go Cave Tubing

This adventure originated in Belize and can only happen here. It involves taking a professional inner tube to travel down a river of clear blue water while watching birds and wildlife on the banks. The river tour passes through a network of mysterious underground caves that the ancient Maya used as ceremonial sites.

8. Go Zip Lining

You can zip-line anywhere, but you can only zip-line through a sky filled with tropical birds in Belize. Make your adventure even better by combining zip-lining with waterfall rappelling.

Stay at the Black Orchid Resort for an UnBelizeable Vacation

Located just a few minutes from Belize City, the Black Orchid Resort is an oasis of tranquility and comfort nestled in a lush garden setting. We can arrange all these great excursions for you in addition to transportation, guides, and a roundtrip airport shuttle. At Black Orchid, we pride ourselves on offering the best Belize vacation packages and the finest guest amenities in the country.