Caribbean vibes, rum and barbecue
Belize, one of the most overlooked country for people backpacking through Central America, has an amazing vibe that leaves you wanting more. Caribbean vibes along the coast and its islands, beautiful nature on the mainland, as well as Mayan history. Certainly not the cheapest country to visit, put the blue waters and white sand is perfect to relax or enjoy some world class diving!
This backpacking Belize travel guide gives you tips on where to go and how to budget, as well as the top activities to help you plan a trip to this incredible country!
Routes in Belize
The routes are fairly simply to plan for this small country. Depending on where you’re coming from and if and where you are going afterwards. Here are my two recommendations.
If you’re coming from Mexico, I recommend heading straight to Caye Caulker. Either with a speedboat from Chetumal, or busing down to Belize City to take the ferry. If you take the bus down from Mexico, consider making a stop in Orange Walk to explore some more Mayan Ruins!
After relaxing in the tropical paradise of Caye Caulker, make your way back to the mainland, and to the little town of San Ignacio. Here you can explore some more famous Mayan Ruins, and head into the famous ATM cave to learn more of its unique history. Also, try some local food while you stroll through this small charming town!
If you’re coming from Guatemala, then just do this route in reverse.
The other option is for those who fly directly into Belize City and then fly out from there as well. I’d recommend heading to the Cayes to relax first, before exploring the coast on the mainland. Lastly make your way to San Ignacio for a few days of cave exploring as well!
How much time do I need?
For Belize I’d recommend at least a week, or about 10 days. That way you can really enjoy and relax on the islands learning how to “go slow” with the locals. With 7-10 days you can easily travel to San Ignacio for a few days and even explore the coast down to Placencia for more diving and relaxing on the beach.
Top Activities to do in Belize
For a small country Belize is quite packed with cool activities to do. Especially for those who like to dive or snorkel, but if you prefer hanging out on the beach with a cold beer it’s a pretty good spot too!
Here are some of my top activities in Belize.
Caving
Probably one of my favourite activities on my trip throughout Central America, was exploring the famous cave called Actun Tunichil Muknal. This cave, more commonly known as ATM, is located close to San Ignacio and was a place used by the Mayans.
Inside you will find plenty of Mayan artefacts in the rooms where the Mayans performed rituals many years ago. Inside you will also see several skeletons, with the most famous one being the “Crystal Maiden”. A boy who might have been sacrificed and now lies intact inside the cave. Because of the bones being calcified over the years, the skeleton is now sparkling! Unfortunately, as a result of tourism and for preservation, no cameras are allowed insight.
It is quite the experience exploring this cave, with parts where you need to swim as well as climb. It is completely safe and you are only allowed to go with a professional guide. If you struggle with claustrophobia though, you might want to sit this one out!
Ruins
Like its neighbours, Belize also has plenty of ruins from the old Mayan times for you to explore. Xunantunich is probably the most famous and a stunning for sure! Others are Caracol, Lamanai and Altun Ha. These are all located close to the Guatemalan border and is definitely worth a visit if you’re into history!
Diving
If you’re a diver you will love Belize! When in Caye Caulker there’s a famous spot you don’t wanna miss, the great blue hole! A sinkhole in the ocean and a divers paradise for you to explore!
There’s also an option to see it from the air giving you a breathtaking view from above, but it might hurt your wallet! Also there are plenty of places around the island to snorkel with stingrays and other fish common in the region, just ask your hostel or the local travel agencies for information.
Budget for Belize
When it comes to budget, Belize is definitely on the higher end. Compared to the rest of Central America it might be the most expensive one. I’d say you will need about $50-60 per day staying in hostels and eating mostly local food. If you want to stay in private rooms or hotels, while eating at fancier restaurants, you’ll need to double your budget.
Food
Food in Belize is a treat! While mainland Belize is more similar to its neighbouring countries with a lot of rice, beans and tortillas, the islands are a bit different. Here you will find a ton of delicious seafood and barbecue! You will definitely feel the Caribbean influence here, especially Jamaican. On Caye Caulker you have to try the Jerk Chicken from one of the street vendors. Tasty, delicious and with a cold drink next to the palm trees, blue ocean and white sand, it feels like paradise!
Accommodation
Accommodation will most likely set you back a little more than elsewhere in Central America. Expect around $15-25 per night for a bed in a hostel. On the islands this will be closer to $25, while mainland can be cheaper. For example, San Ignacio will be overall cheaper than Caye Caulker, and other less touristic places even cheaper.
For those planning to go to Caye Caulker, I’d look up hostel a little ahead of time. It’s a very small island with limited options that can fill up quickly. I usually don’t book my hostels more than a day in advance, but for Caye Caulker I had to pull the trigger much sooner because there were only a few options left for my dates. That’s why you might even see backpackers sleeping in hammocks at the hostels!
Transportation
Transportation is pretty basic in Belize with local buses. They take you between cities for about $5 for each hour of travel. Between the Cayes and mainland Belize there are ferries transporting you with ease. For those coming or going to Mexico, there’s even an option to take speed boat to Chetumal, a small Mexican town next to the border to Belize. It’s a quick and easy way to border cross between the two countries, but a little more expensive at $80 one way.
For transportation between cities I recommend asking at your hostel or local travel agency. They offer services that includes ferries and shuttle buses for a little more comfort and ease of travel. They are a little bit more expensive but overall worth it. This option is also recommended for travel onward to Guatemala from San Ignacio, and works like a charm in my experience.
When to go to Belize
The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season between January and May. During this period you will experience hot and humid weather with little rainfall. Between July and October the country is in its hurricane season. It is not as common for Belize to be hit by hurricanes, but you might be better off not travelling during those months. If you do, make sure you keep an eye on weather reports and make sure you have insurance in case of cancellations.
Safety in Belize
Overall Belize is a safe country for backpackers to visit. The local people are extremely laidback and friendly to foreigners, and in the most popular places you will feel safe. Normal precaution as in every country is advised. If you stay overnight in Belize City, I’d recommend staying only in the touristic area and never wonder far from your hotel, especially at night. Outside of the capital though you will be fine.
Always make sure you travel with travel insurance, and follow a few general tips.
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Belize, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Belize? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
