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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

A stone pyramid surrounded by lush greenery under a blue sky.

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

A sea turtle swims gracefully underwater among aquatic vegetation.

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.

A tranquil waterfall cascades into a green pool, surrounded by lush foliage and rocky terrain.

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.

View from underwater looking out of a cave into a lush, green landscape.

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.

Signage for The Belize Zoo at the entrance pathway surrounded by trees.

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.

A group of people float in a turquoise pool inside a cave while another person stands nearby.

7. Go Cave Tubing

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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

A woman in an orange helmet adjusts equipment on a zip line.

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

Aerial view of a tropical resort with a pool surrounded by lush greenery and a serene lake.

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.