Top 6 things to do in Belize travelers absolutely can't miss! [2024]

There are few places in this world where you can go scuba diving, explore ancient Mayan sites, and take a sunset cruise all in one day— all that and more when you travel to Belize. 

Located south of the Yucatan Peninsula, surrounded by mountains, swamps, beaches, and jungles, the country is a paradise full of adventures for you to explore.

A country with only around 400,000 people, Belize has always been a favorite tourist hotspot for its fantastic diving destination, historical sites, and friendly locals. Belize's nightlife is no different, with countless amazing pubs, bars, and clubs to party it up for an unforgettable night.

Regardless of what type of traveler you are, you'll definitely have a blast with the amazing things there is to do in Belize. Check out this guide about the top things to do in Belize.  

Top Fun Activities and Amazing Attractions in Belize 

In a country that's tourist-friendly all year round, there are all kinds of activities and attractions for everybody. No matter what month you come here, there are always fun and unique things to do. So, if you're a tourist ready for a fantastic stay in this country, here are the best things to do in Belize: 

1. Go Cruising 

Cruising is among the top activities for tourists visiting Belize. In fact, if you talk about Belize with other travelers, they'll most likely suggest you try Belize cruises. And why not. Belize is such a gorgeous seaside country with a gazillion spots to explore in its beautiful turquoise sea. 

Simply head over to Belize's many island beaches, such as Ambergris Caye or Placencia, if you wish to cruise. However, if you're looking for a bigger challenge, we recommend seeing the barrier reef cruises. Here you'll get to cruises where you'll see sharks and various marine life up close! 

Did we mention that Ambergris Caye is also the best place for Belize nightlife? After cruising, head down to their local bars for the best all-night parties. 

2. Snorkel and Dive

Belize is known for its out-of-this-world diving destinations, making it a diver's favorite spot for snorkeling. We highly recommend going to Hol Chan and South Water Caye Marine reserves if you're in Belize during the summer. Here you'll find the most beautiful coral gardens, exotic fishes, and marine wildlife. 

Looking for an experience of a lifetime? How about diving into the world's largest sinkhole called the Great Blue Hole? This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the world's most popular scuba sites and is undoubtedly one of the most unique things to do in Belize.

3. Visit Mayan Temples

Did you know that Belize was once the home of the Mayan civilization? In fact, Belize has the most number of Mayan temples in all of Central America. It has even more temples than Guatemala, a neighboring country known for its Mayan culture. 

In Belize, you'll find incredible Mayan temple ruins that once were royal palaces for elite Mayans. Visiting the ruins almost feels like you're transported back in time and are walking with the Mayans, the world's first civilization. There are around 600 Mayan sites in Belize, but if you wish to visit the best, here are our top recommendations:

• Caracol - Inside the Chiquibul forest
• Lamanai - Near Lamanai Archeological Reserve 
• Altun Ha - North of Belize city
• Xunantunich - Over the Mopan river 
• Cahal Pech - Hilltop near San Ignacio and Belize River
• Lubaantun - Near San Pedro Columbia Village
• Cerros - Ppeninsula across Corozal Bay 
• Tikal - Western Belize 
• Chichen Itza - Northern Belize 

4. Explore Caves

Experience the mysterious side of the country and go on an "Indiana Jones" type of adventure in Belize's famous caves. Caves in Belize are renowned for their size and because they are once Mayan sacrifice sites. In fact, many Mayan remains and artifacts were found in Belize caves. 

If you're up for a thrilling adventure underground, we highly recommend Belize's most famous cave: Actun Tunichil Muknal. This cave lies deep within the forests of Belize, and it's the best place to experience ancient and natural Belize. 

Most cave tours of Actun Tunichil Muknal start by trekking through the jungle and rivers before arriving at the cave entrance. Once inside, you'll go through narrow crevices, see unique stone formations, and find ancient Mayan relics inside. 

Cave Canoeing at Barton Creek Cave

If you want to go cave exploring but are not quite a fan of long treks and hikes, why not try cave canoeing at Barton Creek Cave? The giant cave has tons of passages that run with the river. It's one of the most popular tourist activities in the region. 

Other good caves to explore in Belize include the Rio Frio Cave, Che Chem Ha Cave, and St. Herman's Cave. 

5. See Wildlife 

Wildlife is definitely a gem in Central America. Known for being a biodiversity hotspot, Central America is known to be filled with diverse flora and fauna. Don't miss out on seeing Jaguars and toucans in Belize!

For a complete wildlife experience, visit the happy jungle animals at the Belize Zoo. This zoo, founded by Sharon Matola in 1983, is home to over 170 native animals. It's a wildlife sanctuary and the best place to visit if you visit Belize with kids. Here you'll see Belize's mighty jaguars, colorful macaws, parrots, and funny howler monkeys! 

Other great zoos in Belize include the Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, and Gladden Spit. 

6. Fly Through the Jungle on a Zipline

Ziplining is another popular tourist activity in Belize. Because of the many tropical jungles in the area, many hiking and trekking tours offer ziplines for tourists. 

If you'd like to go ziplining and cave tubing, grab a buddy try out Viator's Zipline & cave tubing tour for two! Zipline through Belize's rainforests instead with Viator's rainforest zipline adventure tour if you want to see the Bocawina rainforest while gliding through the sky! 

Regardless of which ziplining adventure you choose, these active adventures will get your adrenaline pumping for the rest of the day.

Plan Your Trip to Belize with Pilot 

Ready to visit Belize and explore all of the adventures awaiting you? Make sure you're making the most out of your trip with Pilot.