Highlights of Belize
- Discover the ruins at Caracol
- Caracol is the largest of the Mayan ruins in Belize. Set in the heart of the jungle, 3 hours from San Ignacio, it is a grand and impressive site and far less visited than its rival Tikal in Guatemala, adding to the overall experience.
- Discover the ruins at Caracol
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- Dive the Blue Hole
- This is a truly unique dive experience that, when combined with the excellent reef and wall dives around Lighthouse Reef, makes for a great day's diving.
- Dive the Blue Hole
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- Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave
- A real highlight for the more adventurous person and not for the faint hearted this is a fantastic and challenging excursion. Your journey will take you up into the foothills of the Maya Mountains where you will venture deep into this ancient and atmospheric Mayan cave.
- Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave
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- Hike the Mountain Pine Ridge
- Due to its elevation this region is pleasantly cooler than other parts of the Cayo District. It abounds with natural wonders - tumbling waterfalls, winding rivers, intriguing caves and sweet-smelling pine forests.
- Hike the Mountain Pine Ridge
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- See the ruins at Xunantunich
- The most impressive Mayan site in Belize, only accessible by crossing the Mopan River on a hand winched ferry. The ruins offer you the most breathtaking views from the temple tops.
- See the ruins at Xunantunich
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- Spot manatees and whale sharks at Placencia
- A tiny fishing village along the Belizean southern coast popular with visitors looking to relax by the sea. This is also a hot spot for whale-shark snorkelling during the full moon periods and for manatee spotting in the lagoon.
- Spot manatees and whale sharks at Placencia
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- Stay at Chan Chich Lodge
- Built around the central courtyard of a Mayan site, this lodge is a fantastic destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The area has a huge abundance of birdlife as well as being a great place, if you are lucky, to spot cats.
- Stay at Chan Chich Lodge
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- Stay at Lamanai Outpost Lodge
- One of the hidden gems of Belize, located on the New River Lagoon in the Orange Walk District, this simple friendly lodge offers a great range of excursions and activities in a remote and peaceful location.
- Stay at Lamanai Outpost Lodge
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- Take time out on Ambergris Caye
- The laid back lifestyle of Ambergris Caye is infectious and it makes it a great place to spend some time relaxing with a Cuba Libre at the end of a busy and active itinerary on the mainland.
- Take time out on Ambergris Caye
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- Visit Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hemmed in on all sides by ridges and Maya mountains, Cockscomb is a sanctuary for all kinds of wildlife. Trekking here at night is an eerie experience but a real must for the adventurous.
- Visit Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
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- Belize
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Our country specialists have travelled the length and breadth of Belize - here are a few of their favourite things to do
Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a tiny country nestled on the coast between Mexico and Guatemala. Often overlooked, it is a beautiful place with much to offer the traveller.
Landscapes, ruins and nature reserves
The west and north of the country are teeming with pristine subtropical forests and fertile hills, where ancient Mayan ruins await discovery and rivers, waterfalls and caves provide the centre for more adventurous activities.
It's a haven for birds and wildlife and the perfect environment for cultivating sugar, rice and fruit.
Snorkelling and diving
To the east lies the coast and the crystal clear water of the Caribbean sea where, at 294 kilometres long, the world's second longest barrier reef waits to be explored. The relatively untouched lushness of the south is a real delight giving you a rare opportunity to experience Caribbean Mayan culture by visiting tiny villages and local homes, organic farms, remote ruins and to see where the 'Green and Blacks' chocolate beans come from.
People and culture
The Belizean culture is very much influenced by its Afro-Caribbean background, creating a fabulous laid-back atmosphere and with a population of only 290,000, it is one of the least populated countries in the world.
English is the main language spoken followed by Creole and Spanish, which can make travelling here far easier than in other Latin American countries, although the accent can take a while to get used to. On the whole Belizeans are a relaxed, peaceful and friendly nation making the visitor truly welcome in this gorgeous country. Chatting to friendly locals is one of the real highlights of travelling to the country.
Visiting Belize with Audley
Audley have selected a good range of characterful accommodation in Belize with even the simpler options offering excellent personalised service - though often in a very relaxed manner! The food throughout Belize is generally delicious - if you are a seafood fan you will be in your element - but the menus in the lodges and hotels can be limited, as you might expect in such a small country where transport can be difficult.
Popular Places to visit in Belize
The Cayo District incorporates the beautiful forests of western Belize, centred around the town of San Ignacio, near to the border with Guatemala. Caracol is the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize, and in AD 650 it covered an area much larger than present day Belize City.
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The Orange Walk district encompasses the northern part of Belize, notable for its agricultural production and areas of dense jungle.
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Most of Belize's atolls and outer cayes are only accessible by boat, and this remoteness, along with the stunning beaches and world-class diving, makes them all the more attractive to visit and spend a few days relaxing by the ocean.
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The Cayes (small islands surrounded by extensive coral reefs) off the coast are Belize at its best. Tranquil and beautiful with a laid-back Caribbean feel, this is the place to come to enjoy fishing, snorkelling, diving or simply relaxing.
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The Toledo district, often described as Belize's last frontier, is home to numerous Mayan sites, dusty open savannah, orange groves, large river networks and caves galore.
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Practical Info
Flight time from UK
Approx. 13 hours (via the USA)
When To Go
Jan
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