The Ultimate Belize Travel Guide: Top Tips and Must-See Spots
Is Belize on your bucket list? If not, it darn well should be. This ultimate travel guide will answer the questions that I’m sure you’re searching the internet for. Belize is full of adventure, beaches, and delicious food. The people of Belize are kind and welcoming and will make you never want to leave. From the blue waters of Ambergris Caye & Caye Caulker, to the vibrant town of Placenia, and into the adventurous jungle area of San Ignacio there is something for everyone. There are plenty of things to do including, snorkeling, scuba diving, ziplining, cave tubing, wildlife viewing and so much more.
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Best Time to Visit
If you are looking for the best weather, traveling during the dry season (November to April) is when you want to book your ticket. Although, this time of year the prices are higher.
However, to save money or for fewer crowds, consider booking your ultimate Belize vacation from May to October. There is more rain, as it’s the rainy season, and there is the possibility of hurricanes. If you choose to travel this time of year, I encourage you to consider purchasing travel insurance and be sure you understand all the cancellation policies.
Because culinary travel is our thing at Road and Table, I couldn’t forget Lobster season is from July 1st to February 28th, in an ultimate Belize travel guide! So, if you’re a fellow foodie a trip within that date range might be best for you.
Transportation
The Belize international airport is the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. Due to the small size of the airport, it can get busy quickly. The busiest day tends to be Saturday, so consider arriving Tuesday or Wednesday when it’s not as busy.
Beware of the luggage porters. They don’t work with the airlines and will get very upset if you use their service and don’t tip them $2 per bag.
If you plan on driving to your final destination once you are in Belize, rental cars are available but understand that the roads can be rough. If you have a long drive consider opting for a local flight or water taxi. Domestic flights are fairly inexpensive and allow you to get to your destination much quicker. We used Tropic Air and were very happy with our domestic flight. In areas like Placencia, Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker golf carts are a fun and popular way to explore.
Best Places to Visit
When deciding where you want to stay in Belize, you will have to decide what you are looking for. Is it a beach destination to splash around snorkeling and diving or just soaking up the sun on the beautiful white sand beaches. If so, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Placencia are great destinations. Or, is it the jungle you want to experience? Are you interested in Mayan ruins, cave tubing, and ziplining? If so, consider San Ignacio.
Regardless of you where you stay you will be able to find plenty of tour companies to help you explore as much of Belize as possible. Also, Viator offers some great tours as well and can be booked right through the app on your phone before or while traveling. We used Captain Jak’s for two tours when we stayed in Placencia. We did the Monkey River & Manatee Watch and Snorkeling at Silk and Moho Caye. Our guides with Captain Jak’s made our experiences even better! Doyle and Nicole (aka Niki) were fabulous!
Here are a few hotel/resort suggestions:
- San Pedro/Ambergris Caye: Victoria House Resort & Spa
- Placencia: Sirenian Bay Resort
- San Ignacio: The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Food & Drinks
Here on Road and Table, I’m always sharing the culinary side of every vacation, and Belize did not disappoint. So, I had to include foods to try in this ultimate Belize travel guide. Add this to your must try list, stewed chicken with rice & beans, fresh seafood with a cold Belikin beer, fry jacks, conch fritters, and ceviche. Depending on where in Belize you are staying be sure to check out Viator for some food tours! They have some one of a kind culinary experiences that you don’t want to miss!
Here are some restaurant suggestions:
Restaurants in Ambergris Caye:
- Mesa Bistro:Ambergris Caye
- Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace: Ambergris Caye
- Someplace South CafeBar: Ambergris Caye
- Robin’s Kitchen: Ambergris Cay
Restaurants in Placencia:
- Rumfish: Placencia
- Omars: Placencia
- The Galley: Placencia
- Momolious Kitchen: Placencia
Restaurants in San Ignacio:
- Erva’s Restaurant: San Ignacio
- Crave House of Flavors Restaurant: San Ignacio
- Cucina 1904: San Ignacio
- The Guava Limb Restaurant & Cafe: San Ignacio
Safety & Travel Tips
Last but not least, in this ultimate Belize travel guide, I wanted to talk about safety. Belize is generally safe. We stayed in Placencia and traveled at night by golf cart and felt very safe. Avoid Belize City and beware of petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing. Drinking tap water might not always be safe, so it’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water. When it comes to money, the U.S. dollar is widely accepted.
Start planning your adventure today an unforgettable experience awaits. Planning a trip can be overwhelming—but that’s where I come in! I take the stress out of travel by crafting a custom itinerary tailored just for you. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems, luxury escapes, or adventure-packed days, I design every detail to fit your style, budget, and interests. If all you want to do is pack your bags and enjoy the journey, then contact me to day!
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