Whether you are planning a trip to Belize or have been to Belize before, there are a number of places to visit in Belize that you will love. Belize is located on the eastern coast of Central America. It has dense jungle areas that contain Mayan ruins, and the Belize Barrier Reef is dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands known as cayes. These cayes host a wide variety of marine life.
San Ignacio
Located in western Belize, San Ignacio is a cultural and economic hub for the entire Cayo District. Its central location on the Macal River has made it one of the most popular destinations in the country.
The town has a variety of attractions that will keep visitors busy throughout their stay. The city also offers a great nightlife. It is also a good place to shop for Belize souvenirs. The downtown area features small boutique hotels and guest houses. There are also a number of restaurants that serve authentic Belizean food.
The town is also home to several cultural groups, including the Mestizos, the Chinese, and the Garifuna. The town is considered one of the most diverse in the country. It is also home to many wandering expats.
The town is also located close to several Maya ruins. The Cahal Pech ruins are a great destination for tourists. It is a historical Maya site that features a temple, ball court, and 34 structures. It was once home to an elite Maya family during the Classic period.
Cahal Pech can be visited on a self-guided tour. You can also visit the small museum on site, which offers a great interactive exhibit with iguanas.
Another great attraction is the ATM Cave. This cave is considered one of the most sacred caves in the world. The cave contains skeletons that date back to 700 A.D. It is also filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors must climb up a rock to enter the cave and swim through the cave.
Hopkins Bay Belize a Muy'Ono Resort
Located on the southern coast of Belize, Hopkins Bay Belize a Muy'Ono Resort is a tropical hideaway. It's a 3.5-star resort, offering a range of accommodation choices. It features a private beach, two swimming pools, an on-site bar, and concierge services.
Hopkins Bay Belize a Muy'Ono offers a range of activities, including kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing. It's also an excellent location for hiking, waterfall rappelling, and exploring Mayan ruins. The resort has a tour desk to help plan your activities.
There are a range of accommodations at Hopkins Bay Belize a Muy'Ono, including beachfront rooms, one, two, and three-bedroom family suites. The resort also offers a variety of amenities, including a concierge desk, golf cart rentals, and a supervised children's program. Guests are welcome to swim in the resort's pools and enjoy non-motorized water sports for free.
The resort is also close to a marina, which offers deep-water boating. There are also shops and restaurants in the village, which are about a fifteen-minute walk from the resort.
Guests can also explore Mayan ruins at the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, which is only a thirty-minute drive from the resort. Hopkins is a convenient base for exploring the mainland jungles and the Belize Barrier Reef. The village has a large number of Garifuna settlers, who maintain their cultural traditions.
Hopkins Bay Belize, a Muy'Ono Resort is the perfect choice for families and couples looking for a tropical escape. It features an in-house bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and two swimming pools. The resort also offers a private beach and a sun deck.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the country of Belize, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest and most beautiful nature preserves in the country. It is located 20 miles south of Dangriga, and is a perfect destination for visitors looking to get in touch with the jungle.
This beautiful sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, black howler monkeys, and many other species of animals. There are also a number of trails that can be explored. Aside from the wildlife, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary is also home to a variety of plants, and is a great destination for birdwatching.
The best time to visit the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary is during the cooler months of February to May. The Cockscomb Basin is a tropical moist forest, which receives a lot of rain. This area is also home to many insects and frogs, so you are likely to see some during your visit.
There are also many trails that lead to fantastic destinations. If you are looking to see wildlife, you can take a hike on the Tiger Fern Waterfall Trail, which is 2.5 miles (four kilometers) long. The Rubber Tree Trail is another great trail to explore.
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many endangered species. Some of these species include the jaguar, ocelot, marga, and puma.
Aside from the wildlife, the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to some Maya cultural artifacts dating back to the 10,000 BCE period. It is also home to hundreds of birds, and is home to several insects, crocodiles, and spiders.
Cayo Zoo
Located on the Western Highway 29 miles west of Belize City, the Belize Zoo is one of the best places to see wildlife in Belize. This zoo features over 45 native species and is an excellent way to learn about the country's habitats.
The zoo's interactive exhibits offer a glimpse into the lives of Belize's rescued animals. The zoo also offers a nocturnal tour. The animals aren't native to Belize, but they were injured in the wild and brought to the zoo for rehabilitation.
The Belize Zoo is located on 29 acres of natural savannas and tropical rainforests. The zoo's enclosures are large natural pen structures. It's open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm seven days a week.
The Belize Zoo is also home to a Jaguar Preserve. The Jaguar Preserve features over 250,000 acres of contiguous land, which includes rivers and creeks. The Jaguar Preserve is the only preserve in the world dedicated to the largest predator in Central America.
The Belize Zoo is located next to the Tropical Education Center. This center provides educational programs for school children, teacher workshops, and high school career training. The center also offers lodging.
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center hosts several popular events. These include National Tapir Day and World Croc Day. In addition to the usual zoo and nature tours, you can also enjoy a stay at the lodge.
Mexico Rocks
Located off the northern tip of Ambergris Caye, Mexico Rocks is one of the most popular snorkeling locations in Belize. This coral reef is part of the Belize Barrier Reef system. It is a shallow patch of reef that has great visibility and a wide variety of coral.
The reef at Mexico Rocks is made up of Star and Boulder Coral, which rises about ten to twelve feet above the surface. These corals provide refuge to a variety of marine life, including butterfly fish and eels.
Mexico Rocks is also a popular scuba diving destination. Its shallow waters support an assortment of colorful juveniles, including starfish, angelfish, butterfly fish, and conch.
Mexico Rocks is part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The reef is known for its world class diving, stunning wildlife, and abundance of healthy corals. This site has become so popular, that tours leave daily from San Pedro Town.
There are a number of tour companies that offer Mexico Rocks tours. Most depart by sailboat or speedboat. Tours are picked up from public docks and are usually around three hours long. The average tour costs around US$45. Tour companies also offer day tours.
Mexico Rocks is a popular snorkeling site because it is located half way between the reef and the shore. The reef provides protection from ocean currents and giant waves. It is also a great spot to observe eels, moray eels, and nurse sharks.
Laughing Bird Caye National Park
Laughing Bird Caye National Park is a beautiful sliver of land that lies on the Belize Barrier Reef. It is an ideal destination for both snorkelers and scuba divers. The area has a shallow coral reef that is home to a variety of fish.
The island is home to a variety of birds, including brown pelicans, green herons, and frigate birds. The caye also has an abundance of Spiny Lobster and conch. Laughing Bird Caye is located in the Stann Creek District of Belize.
It is a small island that is only 1.4 acres in size. It is located on the southernmost island of the central lagoon of the Belize Barrier Reef.
Laughing Bird Caye National Park has been a protected area since 1991. It is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The Belize Barrier Reef System is the second largest reef zone in the world. In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef was declared a World Heritage Site. The Belize Barrier Reef System is also home to seven marine protected areas.
Laughing Bird Caye is home to the endangered brown pelican. It is also known for its coral nurseries. It is a great destination for snorkeling and sea bird watching. The island has morning glory flowers and red and black mangrove trees.
Visitors can relax on the island and hang out as long as they want. It is best to visit the park on a snorkeling tour. The park rangers are friendly and knowledgeable about the reefs.