Belize — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The Great Blue Hole, a World Heritage reef, Maya ruins, and jaguar rainforests”
Belize is a paradise for divers and adventurers in Central America — home to the legendary Great Blue Hole, the Belize Barrier Reef (the world's second largest and a World Heritage site), the chilled-out islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker, the ancient Maya cities of Caracol, Xunantunich, and Altun Ha, cave tubing, and rainforests where jaguars still roam.
Belize at a glance
Choose a city in Belize
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Belize right for you?
Why people love Belize, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
The Great Blue Hole
A 300-meter-wide, 125-meter-deep diving sinkhole — a world-class, legendary dive site.
World Heritage reef
The Belize Barrier Reef stretches 300 km, the world's second largest, with coral, fish, turtles, and whale sharks.
Maya ruins
Caracol, Xunantunich, and Altun Ha — ancient Maya cities deep in the jungle, with pyramid summits offering sweeping views.
Crystal-blue islands
San Pedro and Caye Caulker, laid-back little islands for snorkeling and diving, with bike rides around the island.
Cave tubing
Float along rivers through ancient Maya caves — an experience like nowhere else.
Rainforest and jaguars
Belize has the highest proportion of protected forest in Central America, with Cockscomb Basin, the world's only jaguar reserve.
Belize vs its neighbors
| Belize | Guatemala | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $51–114 | $34–80 | $51–129 |
| Visa for Thais | Check latest | Visa-free 30 days | Visa-free 30 days |
| Known for | Diving · Maya · rainforest | Tikal · lakes · Maya | Cancun · Yucatan · Chichen Itza |
| Main language | English | Spanish | Spanish |
| Getting around | Boat-bus-domestic flights | Bus-lake boat | Bus-ADO-plane |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Divers
San Pedro or Caye Caulker for 4–5 days — the Great Blue Hole by boat and reef diving every day.
See this plan → 🏛️Maya & adventure
San Ignacio as your base — Caracol, Xunantunich, cave tubing, and rainforest for 3–4 days.
See this plan → 🌿Nature & chill
Caye Caulker's easygoing vibe, coral, jaguars, and quiet relaxation away from the crowds.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviews
No reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍲
Rice and Beans
Rice cooked with red beans in coconut milk, served with grilled chicken, coleslaw, and plantain — eaten at any meal.
📍 National dish - 2🥘
Stewed Chicken
Chicken braised in a spicy sauce fragrant with Maya spices and annatto, giving it a deep red color.
📍 Home cooking - 3🐟
Seafood Snapper
Fresh grilled snapper and big Caribbean prawns, served with lime and rice — fresh and cheap on the islands.
📍 Seafood - 4🫓
Johnnycake
Fried bread, crisp outside and soft inside, eaten plain or filled with egg or meat — a breakfast favorite.
📍 Breakfast - 5🥤
Horchata
Cold rice milk dusted with cinnamon, sweet and refreshing, Central American style.
📍 Drink - 6🍮
Fry Jacks
Puffy crispy fried dough eaten with jam, refried beans, or a fried egg — breakfast alongside Belize coffee.
📍 Breakfast
- 1🔵
Great Blue Hole
A giant diving sinkhole in the middle of the Caribbean Sea with stalactites, sharks, and crystal-clear visibility — the icon of Belize.
📍 Diving - 2🪸
Belize Barrier Reef
A 300-km reef, the world's second largest, with colorful coral, sea turtles, and whale sharks.
📍 World Heritage - 3🏛️
Caracol Maya Ruins
The largest Maya city in Belize, with the 43-meter Caana pyramid deep in remote jungle.
📍 San Ignacio - 4🗿
Xunantunich
Maya ruins by the Mopan River, reached by a hand-cranked ferry, with the 40-meter El Castillo pyramid and stunning views.
📍 San Ignacio - 5🛶
Cave Tubing Belize
Float on a tube through ancient Maya cave systems, with flashlights, stalactites, and thrilling darkness.
📍 Belmopan - 6🦁
Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve
The world's first and only jaguar reserve, with waterfall hiking trails and chances to spot wildlife.
📍 Rainforest
🚆 Getting around Belize
Water taxi
Fast boats run Belize City–San Pedro–Caye Caulker, cheap and frequent — the main way to get around.
Domestic flights
Maya Island Air / Tropic Air fly short hops to the islands and attractions, saving lots of time.
Novelo / ADO buses
Air-conditioned buses connect the main towns on the Belize City–San Ignacio–Mexico border route.
Car rental
Great for touring the rainforest and western Maya ruins; most roads are decent enough.
Bikes & golf carts
Caye Caulker is for biking, San Pedro favors golf carts — there are no cars on the smaller islands.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Belize
A multicultural nation
Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, and Mennonite peoples live together, with a rich mix of languages and foods.
Garifuna culture
The Garifuna people are a UNESCO heritage; punta music and Settlement Day on Nov 19 are major celebrations.
Respect for nature
Belize is proud of having the region's highest share of protected forest; visitors should respect park rules.
English is official
Belize was once British Honduras, and English is spoken everywhere — no language worries.
BZD 2 = 1 USD
A fixed exchange rate of BZD 2 to 1 USD; always check whether a price is in BZD or USD before paying.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $20–43
Eat at local spots, take water taxis instead of flights, and snorkel from the beach yourself.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3-star hotel / island resort $57–114
Great Blue Hole dive tours, domestic flights, and Maya ruin trips.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury resort / eco-lodge $143+
Private beachfront resorts, private trips, and upscale rainforest lodges.
🗓️ When to visit Belize
Dry season
Nov – AprClear skies, calm seas, the best diving with excellent visibility — the best time overall.
Early rainy season
May – JunStill little rain, lower lodging prices, fewer tourists, and the sea is still good.
Peak rainy season
Jul – OctHeavy rain and hurricanes, reduced diving visibility, and the cheapest prices.
Year-end
DecGood weather and Christmas festivities, but tourist numbers and prices climb high.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Belize — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip
★ 8.9💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Belize?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Belize
How many days should I spend in Belize?+
7–10 days — 3–4 days on the islands (diving and reef) + 2–3 days in San Ignacio (Maya ruins and caves) + Belmopan or Placencia if you have extra time.
Do Thai travelers need a visa?+
Check the latest visa conditions with the embassy or Belize e-visa before you travel, as policies can change.
Is the Great Blue Hole a difficult dive?+
You need an Open Water certification or higher and descend to 40 m to see the stalactites and sharks. Many operators run daily tours from San Pedro.
Can I use US dollars directly in Belize?+
Yes, everywhere, at a fixed BZD 2 = 1 USD rate, though change is usually given in BZD — so carrying US dollars is convenient.
Tips before you go to Belize
- Book Great Blue Hole tours in advance — spots are limited and fill fast in high season.
- BZD 2 = 1 USD is a fixed rate; check whether a price is in BZD or USD before paying.
- Caye Caulker has no cars — you bike or walk only, which is the most chilled-out way.
- Use only reef-safe sunscreen — it's required by law at dive sites.
- Buy bottled water or boil it — don't drink tap water directly.
- There are lots of insects in the rainforest — bring repellent and long sleeves for jungle trips.