First Time Travel Guide to Belize

Belize is a beautiful country full of diversity in landscapes and culture. Belize has something for everyone and given the opportunity and open mind ease in travel ​

​and transportation. Belize is a blend of ​​Caribbean cultures with Mayan roots and a drastic developing tourism niche. Whether you are traveling independently, as a family, or as a couple there is something for everyone along this slice of the Caribbean.

Planning

Budgeting: Remembering that Belize’s main export is important when initially planning your trip to this tropical paradise. The resorts are up and coming and the small town feel is deceiving when it comes to budgeting. Belize dollars are 2 to 1 for the USD, for every one USD you have you get two BZE. However, prices here are typically more expensive than compared to areas such as Mexico, Guatemala, and neighboring Honduras. The USD is widely accepted but change is almost always given in BZE or a mixture depending on how much you need in change. Housing can range from dorm style hostels at 12.5 USD to all-inclusive resorts around 400 USD per night. Its best to do your research on which accommodations you are looking to use while budgeting your trip. Your average beer at the local store is four BZE, in a restaurant ranged from seven to ten BZE. Cocktails are comparable to US pricing costing anywhere from 15 BZE to 25 for higher end cocktails at nicer bars. Along my travels in San Pedro a lobster dinner at a sit down restaurant was anywhere from 50 BZE to 65 BZE.

Tipping: Tipping is not the same as in the States. Tips for servers are typically between 7-10% of your pre taxed bill, if it not already included in your receipt. A service charge of between 4-12% is added but automatically but it is not a gratuity unless it specifically states so. Taxi drivers you can round up your dollar amount if you would like, and tour guides are typically 1-2USD per person for each tour, depending on their specialty. Ultimately its up to you but tipping customs are different.

​​Highlights: Coming to Belize holds a different value to everyone. While planning your trip look into what you would like to do an see because there are adventures for everyone. The coast holds stunning views of the Caribbean ocean and boasts some of the best snorkeling with one of the biggest natural barrier reefs on the planet. The obvious adventure for thrill seekers (with a large price tag ranging 300-350 USD) is the ​​Blue Hole just a two hour boat ride from the northern cayes. If you're interested in diving at the hole remember you must be open water certified and you must have a at least 10 dives post certification under your belt. I would argue there is better and more affordable diving outside the barrier reef in Ambergris Caye but if the Hole is on your bucket list talk to anyone the local dive shops for pricing and recommendations.

Mainland highlights include exploring some of the many Mayan ruins located all over the mainland. San Ignacio is easy access to Xunantunich (Soo-nan-too-nich), ones of the most well trekked ruins in Cayo and is well worth the trip if you are taking time on the mainland. The Blue Hole national park offers so of the best hiking and trekking and companies such as Caves Branch (https://www.cavesbranch.com) offer guided tours that for waterfall expeditions, the Black hole drop repelling experience and hiking through the inland areas of central Belize. The ATM caves is one of the most famous caving experiences in central Belize and is described as a wet dry experience with river crossing and the opportunities to see remains from Mayan sacrifices and life. If you're looking for authentic jungle trekking the Cockscomb basin is the largest jaguar reserve in the country and daily treks are offered from every tour agency.

Cities

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

I stayed at the Royal Caribbean in southern San Pedro. These beachfront cabanas were perfect. The facility was the most friendly and flexible staff I have ever had the opportunity to work with. The facility offered bicycles rentals, golf cart rentals, and had information on tours from the island and mainland. They also had a very convenient list of all of the restaurants and their menus in the office which made navigating local cuisine effortless. While I was there I used the tour company Caribbean Adventures to book an all day sail and snorkel trip that was one of biggest highlights of Belize. I worked with Norma and Minor at their office just north of town and after all day searching for the best deal stumbled upon them by accident and I am so pleased I did. The trip included homemade lunch, spear fishing lessons (optional but not additional cost), four prime snorkel spots, witnessing of all the local wildlife including sharks, rays, multiple species of turtles, and all the fish of the reef, plus a private sail boat trip, unlimited rum bar and soft drinks, and sunset cruise for 150 USD per person (all park fees and rental included). If you're looking for a restaurant for a nice night out I suggest Pier 366. This is one of the higher end restaurants on the beach but the restaurant its self has a beautiful indoor/ outdoor venue complete with swing bar and overwater dining. Their menu is extensive and plated very well and the prices are fair for a nice evening out. The staff is also very professional and accommodating.

San Ignacio

I must say I am biased but I absolutely loved this city. San Ignacio is nestled just eight miles from the Guatemala border and is small. Walking main street takes on about 10 minutes. Its stocked full of tour companies by day that turn bar and club by night. This was a backpacker city with hostels ranging from 12-30 USD. ​

​Many people were here passing through to Guatemala or here to see the ruins that were just three stops away on the local bus. The city is vibrant, the street food is delicious and there is access to anything from here with a good vibe to return to. If you’re making your way through and looking for a great hostel I suggest The Old House Hostel. This was one of the best groups of travelers I have met by far. But bring your earplugs the main street can be loud with all the windows open from a hot day. Look for Aldo and Athena they are great hosts who showed us around and treated us like family with a hostel family trip to the local waterfall for beers and swimming.

Belmopan

Belize’s biggest city and capital. When I stayed in Belmopan I chose the capital city for the easy access to the bus line and the accessibility to western areas for trekking and waterfall expeditions. My accommodations were the Belmopan Tiny Houses, which I swooped on AirBnb for 25 USD a night. These little houses were perfect but remote fairly deep in the Belmopan suburbs. Luckily the host suggested a local shuttle that picked up half hour from the main street about a 5 min walk from the houses that went straight down town for only one BZE per ride. Unfortunately aside from the ease of transportation there was nothing in Belmopan for me explore. The people were friendly and welcoming but there was nothing beside the city, worth passing through but my personal recommendation would be to keep it at that for the time being.

Placencia

When I arrived to Placencia on the bus I realized just how spread out the city is. Refered to as the Cape Cod of Belize this strip of peninsula stretches 20 miles. This southern coastal town has a good feel and fair accommodations for the resort seeking ​​population. The average traveler here while I was in town was middle aged white Americans on their couples vacation or the middle aged family. Make sure if you stay here your hotel has free transportation to and from the main city. All of the resorts are located roughly 14 miles north of the downtown area and with the winding roads it easily takes 30-40 minutes from one end to the other and coast 80 BZE each way with a cab. When you arrive in tow be sure to check out the Above Ground Coffee House and The Tipsy Tuna for good food and delicious cocktails. My personal favorite: Coffee Coloda. For activities find a tour that runs to the Silk Caye for snorkeling you’ll done ​​your own private island for the day and hit some of the clearest waters you’ve ever seen, private beach BBQ and rental snorkels all included. If you're spending time in the mainland you can skip the monkey river tour but if you're spending time exclusively on the coast give it a go and check out the Howler monkey, huge bamboo forests, and crocodiles up the fresh water river, eat a local restaurant with some of the best chicken, rice and beans. I suggest using Eagle Ray tours for all of your booking needs in Placencia, speak with Teresa.

Transportation

Ferries: There are ferries all over the country. To get to the island and the cayes chances are you either need to fly or take a ferry. The adventure is up to you. From Belize city you can take an express boat called the San Pedro Express for 35 USD round trip to and from Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. The boat takes around 2.5 hours and makes one stop in Caye Caulker and one in San Pedro. The seats are uncomfortable and they will pack you in to the brim. If you sit on the above deck you will get wet, very wet. But this is the better choice for budget travel. The schedule varies but there are typically four or five boats a day the last leaving Belize city at 4:30pm.​​

From western or Central Belize you can take a ferry from Independence to Placencia for five USD. The ferry runs about 12 times per day and is about 30 minutes long. It is a small boat with little room for luggage but the easiest option for making it to the Placencia peninsula from the western half of Belize.

From Placencia there is a boat that run to Puerto Cortez in Honduras if you are looking for an easy way to get to Honduras from southern Belize. The boat runs one a week on Friday morning and departs at 9:30am. Tickets are 65 USD and you go through customs on the boat and meet immigration in Honduras at port. The total travel time is around five hours and there is a two-hour layover at the Hokey Pokey Water Taxi in Independence.

For more information about the ferries in Belize and timetables visit: http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-water-taxi-timetable-guide.shtml ​​

Plane: From Belize city a domestic flight on one of the two local airlines such as Maya Air or Tropic Air a flight to Placencia will cost around 120 USD and a flight to the northern cayes will range from 100-120 USD. The flights are frequent and short but only run with small six passenger planes and enter and on small private dirt airfields five to six times a day. To Placencia the flight is about one hour to the northern cayes about 35-45 minutes (all weather dependent).

Busses:

The public busses in Belize are really easy to navigate there are only 5 lines and they operate on a very strict schedule. I took every bus line in the country, and no, that is not an exaggeration. The busses are old Blue Bird School busses with no AirCon and little to no maintenance. But they are efficient and cheap. If you have the time take the bus. Even if just for the experience. The average rides cost between two and eight BZE, depending on how far you are traveling. And the schedules run express routes with little to no stops between the major hubs in the country. I made it from San Ignacio at the western Guatemalan border to Belize city in just 3 hours. Word of caution, don’t let anyone take your bag for you. Put it below the bus yourself or take it with you to put below your seat or in the overhead. Also luggage gets stacked at the back of the bus when there is no under carriage storage.

For time tables and route schedules check out:

http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-bus-timetable-route-guide.shtml

http://www.belmopanonline.com/belize-bus-schedules

Taxis

Taxis are expensive. I avoided them at all costs. A taxi ride from the airport is really the option. There are very limited shuttles and you would need to book in advance. No matter where you are going to or from the airport in Belize City a taxi will start at 25 USD, there is no negotiating, trust me I tried everything. There is also no access to public transportation from the airport and its remote location does not allow for other opportunities. Taxis outside of Belize city are expensive as well but not often needed.

Shuttles

All through out the country there are shuttles. Typically these are a better way to get from one end of the country to the other on a more budget and time friendly manner. Basically they are like taxi buses. The more people you can get to go to your destination the more you save. Tour agencies will set up shuttles just about anywhere, my biggest piece of advice is shop around and contact fellow travelers to see if you can get people to join you and make sure you are getting a fair price.

Conclusion

One could easily see most of the highlights they required in 10 days. ​​Depending on your budget and the amount of things you want to see and do you can plan accordingly. Belize is a beautiful country full of people who are as diverse and beautiful as their landscapes. You’ll feel welcome from the moment you arrive. Travel on!

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