Belize Travel Guide: What We Learned On the Ground

The musts of the Belize islands
Belize is better known for its island paradises than for the mainland.

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are the two main resorts to discover.
The former is the larger of the two islands.

The second is best explored on foot or by bike, as the island has no cars or paved roads. The tiny Tobacco Caye, inhabited by just 20 people, is also equipped for tourists.


Take the ferry to experience the different atmosphere of the other Caye
No matter which you choose to live on, I suggest you take the ferry to see the second one. I like the relaxed atmosphere of places without cars and the kind of feeling of being at home by always running into the same people.


So I stayed on Caye Caulker, where the motto is « Go slow ». Residents will be sure to advise you to slow down if they see you running.

The famous "Blue Hole"
A must in Belize, which makes it famous. It is possible to scuba dive or snorkel. However, it is not the place where there is the most fish. People go there more for the experience of being in that special place. Be aware that the Blue Hole is quite far from the coast and will take a long time to reach by boat. The dive is expensive because of its exceptional nature.

Personally, I preferred to take a scenic flight to see it from above rather than from sea level, where I found I had a better perspective of the hole.

I loved the experience! The view of the coast was magnificent, as well as the wreckage seen on the way to the spectacular Blue Hole.


Discovering the seabed
Belize is definitely a popular destination for divers. It has the second largest coral reef in the world. Its aquatic life is rich and the abundance of rays, turtles and reef sharks (harmless, be fearless) will delight divers.


Several agencies offer diving excursions with bottle diving or snorkelling. Snorkeling day trips usually take us to 3 to 5 locations, including superb marine reserves and a place to swim with nurse sharks. Belize also offers manatee watching.

Paddling in the mangroves
After resting on the beaches, why not get a little active and rent a kayak or paddleboard.

It’s easy to find rental points and go out and discover for yourself or with a guide.
During my exploration, I was able to admire the mangroves and pass through some magnificent little canals. I personally rented my board near the famous « split » at Caye Caulker and headed north to discover the other, less touristy part of the island.


Enjoy the restaurants and bars on the beach
Nothing makes me feel more on vacation than sipping a pina colada while sitting on a bar swing, looking out over the turquoise water. The islands of Belize are full of great places to eat and drink, with your feet in the sand or even in the water.


Why not take the opportunity to take it easy.

General advice
- No visa required for Canadians in Belize
- The official language is English
- You can pay for everything in Belize in US dollars
Transportation:
- From Belize City airport, it is possible to reach the port in 30 to 45 minutes by taxi.
- Various companies offer ferry or water cab services to Caye Caulker, San Pedro ( Ambergris Caye), Tobacco Caye, between islands, and even to Chetumal in Mexico.
- On Ambergris Caye, it is possible to rent a golf cart to visit the island.
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