Belize Please
Why Belize?
Do you love snorkeling and seafood? Do you want something that feels luxurious, fairly remote, has a rich historical culture, and is more affordable than a full Europe tour?
Belize may be your next spot.
Belize located in Central America has a wealth of inhabitants under the sea as well as a gorgeous ocean. It’s an unusually untapped scene commercially which makes its beaches that much more of an out-of-this-world-time.
(Cover Image by Erika Jones)
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San Pedro, Image by Meritt Thomas
Highlights
Belize Barrier Coral Reef
Belize hosts the second largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier in Australia. The reef is a large section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and is known as the Belize Barrier Reef. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprised of 190 miles…! The snorkeling is incredible, local guides that service equipment may bring up treasures like jiggly wriggly sea cucumbers, and starfish. The reef is healthy and vital with a plethora of wildlife from rays to sharks, sea turtles, and creatures you never knew existed.
Caye Caulker north of Placencia, Image by Florian Dele
Belize sea life, Image by Colter Olmstead
The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole aerial perspective, Image by Larry
A related highlight that incorporates the reef of Belize is the Great Blue Hole. This is a bizarrely beautiful geographic wonder. The sinkhole is 300 meters in diameter and 125 meters in depth, it’s one of the most massive sinkholes in the world. Somehow the mineral balance and space make the color of the blue hole a royal sapphire for divers, snorkelers, and those who appreciate the sea.
Allegedly the Blue Hole was created in the last ice age when the sea levels rising began to surge in and carve out this space. You can find a plethora of species of fish, coral, and marine life that seem frankly more fascinating in this geologic wonder. Diving down into the Blue Hole is like an amusement park ride that almost tricks the senses with its unusualness.
There are stalagmites and stalactites and the whole immersion makes the already otherworldly reef of Belize that much more spectacular.
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins & Blue Hole National Park
Image by Stephanie Klepacki
The Mayan ruins are a site to behold. On a visit, you can learn the history of the standing structures and the practices that the culture once performed when these ruins stood in activity. Further, from the ruins you can also visit the National Park nearby which has its own blue hole, albeit smaller than the above original.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Symbiosis, Image by Joe Brnobic
Sealife of the reserve, Image by Maynor Larrieu
The reserve meaning “Little Channel” in Mayan is a partitioned area of ocean on the southern coast. Importantly, it’s a specifically protected area within the Belize Barrier Reef. The area was established in 1987 and actively conserves coral reef life, mangroves, and seagrass all of which promote an abundant ecosystem. Spanning over 18 square miles, the reserve is a prime spot to snorkel and interact with the sea’s wildlife. There are local tours that boat you to the area, and a particularly popular spot is Shark Ray Alley, a zone to interact with nurse sharks and large stingrays.
Chocolate Festival
Travel + Leisure Asia has highlighted this festival of the island which is an annual happenstance. The Chocolate Festival focuses on the product of its land and playfully pairs it with wine tasting. Artisans of the craft of cacao flood the event and the celebration of this tropical bean is in full. Inclusive to regional competitions, live music, performances, and of course chocolate tastings. The event typically occurs in late springtime.
Lobster Festival
Image by Merrit Thomas
Belize’s Lobster Festival takes place in the summertime and is an appreciation of the wealth of its sea. The pinnacle star of seafood is presented by restaurants, vendors, bars, and hotels. Over the course of a week, the festival marks the beginning of the lobster season on the island and culminates in live music, art shows, dance performances, a beach party, and of course an amazing array of eats.
Where to Stay? Turtle Inn
A special part of the Coppola Hideaways, they sanctioned this place into a boutique escape in Placencia decades ago. Island decor of Balinese emphasis, the feel is playfully tranquil, distinguished, and welcoming. In addition to an elevated, petit, yet adorned atmosphere, Turtle Inn offers sensational eats. With an island that’s host to a cotillion of sea life, you can bet your bottoms that the food at this boutique is right up to par with seafood at some of the greats.
One of the smaller pools and some of the 25 huts, Image by Sibleyphotos
Beachside hut, Image by Djdjb
When to Go?
The dry season spans from December to May. This is its most popular peak season when Belize is a reprieve from wintertime and makes a delightful getaway from December to March. At the same time, local activities on the island occur from May through July and are worth the venture, the weather is still amenable at these times. Summertime also offers the best rates for accommodations and travel. If you’re a diver, the best water conditions are in summertime as well, and this is also when there will be fewer crowds out on the reefs and visiting the ruins. The rainy season occurs from June to November.
Image by Mark Olsen
* Safety tip
Belize calls for real bug repellent, there are some locations and times of day when the sand flies sting.
Bottom line
The vibe of Belize Island is simultaneously pretty and wild, ancient and subdued. The local culture of Belize is unapologetic in its boasting of sea life and ocean, Mayan ruins, and lifestyle. Belize is a vacation for the books, a sigh of relief in relaxation, an exhale with enormous beauty, as well as plenty of supreme activities for the adventurous.
Image by Blake
