Barrier reef, Maya temples and jungle rivers in one small country.
Belize packs a lot into a small space. Offshore runs the Belize Barrier Reef, with the Great Blue Hole, easygoing Caye Caulker and busier Ambergris Caye. Inland, the Cayo District offers jungle lodges, river caves and the ATM cave with its ancient Maya remains, while temple sites such as Caracol, Xunantunich, Altun Ha and Lamanai rise from the forest.
It is the only Central American country with English as its official language, which makes it easy to navigate. Meals are rice and beans with stew chicken, fry jacks at breakfast and Garifuna dishes in Hopkins and Dangriga. Water taxis, buses and small planes link it all. February to May is the dry season; September and October are wettest, with hurricane risk.
Best time to visit Belize
February, March, April.
Places to visit in Belize
Ambergris Caye: Belize's largest island, with the town of San Pedro, easy access to the barrier reef and a relaxed, golf-cart pace.
Great Blue Hole: A near-perfect circle of deep blue water in the middle of Lighthouse Reef atoll, one of the world's most famous dive sites.
Caye Caulker: A small, car-free island with a slogan of 'go slow', sand streets, simple guesthouses and snorkelling on the reef.
San Ignacio: The hub of Belize's Cayo District, a base for Maya ruins, rainforest lodges and the extraordinary ATM cave.
Essentials
Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD)
Language: English; Spanish and Kriol widely spoken
Plugs: Type A / B / G, 110 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC−6
Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants if not included
Getting around: Water taxis to the cayes; buses and small planes on the mainland
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking