Great Places to go in Belize

Picture a place with exotic wildlife, cave formations, coral reefs, tropical beaches and a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. Along its coastline lies the world’s second largest barrier reef while ancient temple ruins are scattered in its jungles. If you think that such a place does not exist, you are wrong. This is the country of Belize, one of Central America’s top destinations.

1.    Caye Caulker

A small coral island in the Caribbean Sea, the Caye Caulker is accessible by a small plane or water taxi. Recently, this island has become a popular attraction for backpackers and other tourists because of its abundance of bars and restaurants, cheap prices and relaxed vibe. The main mode of transportation in this island is walking which should not be a problem as the paths are well-defined and crossing the island only some 20 minutes. You can also rent golf carts and bicycles.

2.    Caracol

Sitting 500 meters above sea level on the Vaca Plateau, the Caracol is the biggest Mayan site in the whole of Belize. It was once one of the biggest ancient Mayan cities which cover about 168 square kilometers. In 650 AD, when it was at its peak, it had a population of about 150,000, more than twice than the current population of Belize City today. Its biggest pyramid is Canaa, rising high at 43 meters. It is the tallest manmade structure in the country.

3.    Placencia

This is a popular peninsula, located south of the country, which is home to the best mainland beaches. Placencia also has some of the most stunning offshore coral caves. In its eastern side is a long stretch of white sand beach while its western area is bounded by a narrow and long bay. Its gorgeous beaches, along with their numerous and cheap accommodation, makes it a great place to relax and unwind.

4.    Lamanai

Located north of Belize, Lamanai was once a Mayan city. Its ancient ruins are not yet completely uncovered and archeological work is concentrated on the restoration and investigation of the bigger structures, including the High Temple which stands at 33 meters. Because it was still occupied during the time when the Spanish arrived, Lamanai (which means submerged crocodile) is one of the very little Mayan sites that retained its traditional name.

5.    Ambergris Caye

One of the biggest of the several hundred islands in northern Belize, Ambergris Caye is the top tourist destination in Belize. Its lack of big city traffic and high-rise hotels gives this island a relaxed and laidback feel. Many people get around the island by just walking, although many travelers rent golf carts and bicycles. There are a number of good hotels in the area with a great deal of resorts that are less than a mile from San Pedro, the island’s urbanized town.

If you go a little more and explore, you should find more places that are worth checking out in this Caribbean country. There is no doubt indeed that Belize is one of today’s top tourist destinations.