Choose from 7 Fun Things to Do in Belize City
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Lamanai
Meaning "submerged crocodile" in Yucatan Mayan, Lamanai is perhaps the most mysterious Maya site in Belize, because it is not yet completely uncovered. See history in the making as you visit the excavation site, where some temples still remain buried underground. Exposed structures that rise from the jungle floor offer plenty to explore.
The Basics
Lamanai consists of ceremonial pyramids, open-air plazas, a ball court, and other remnants of an ancient Maya civilization. Most tours of the archaeological complex start at the on-site museum to learn about the history of the Maya civilization before heading to the Jaguar Temple, part of which is carved into the shape of the jungle cat. Squint hard enough and you might be able to spot it.
Next is the High Temple, which rises above the treetops and offers panoramic views from its summit. Finally, visit the Mask Temple, which is adorned with a 13-foot (4-meter) limestone mask of an ancient Maya king. Much of Lamanai still remains concealed under dense jungle growth, with the restoration and evacuation of the site focused on these three large structures.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Nature lovers will enjoy spotting exotic birds and howler monkeys at the archaeological site.
- The High Temple features a wooden staircase that winds around the back of the pyramid, making it easier to climb to the top.
- Many tours combine a trip to the ruins with a riverboat ride along New River, providing more opportunities to spot local wildlife.
How to Get There
From Belize City, you can hop a bus from the local station to Orange Walk. From there, you’ll need to grab a taxi because Lamanai is located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the town of Orange Walk. An easier option: Tours from Belize City offer transportation directly to the site or to the New River in Orange Walk, where you’ll take an hourlong boat ride up to Lamanai.
When to Get There
Lamanai is open from 8am to 5pm daily. When cruise ships dock in Belize City, Lamanai can get crowded, so check the schedule and plan accordingly if your dates are flexible. Keep in mind that the rainy season (typically from June to November) may interfere with the riverboat ride. Late November to mid-April is dry season in Belize, and that’s when you’ll experience the most pleasant weather.
Altun Ha
Another Maya archaeological site in Belize, Altun Ha is located a little more than two hours away from Lamanai and is divided into Plaza A and Plaza B. In Plaza B, the Temple of Masonry Altar is believed to have been the main religious center of the civilization. It’s also home to a giant piece of jade carved into the shape of the head of the Maya sun god Kinich Ahau.
Address: Belize
From $ 100
Caves Branch Outpost
About an hour outside of Belize City, Caves Branch Outpost has become the adventure capital of Belize. Perched on the Caves Branch River, the outpost offers a range of outdoor adventure activities, including cave tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, zip lining, rock climbing and rappelling.
One of the most popular and unique activities, cave tubing, sends visitors floating on inner tubes through ancient caves filled with stalagmites, stalagtites and other crystalline cave formations. This subterranean exploration is best combined with a bird’s-eye view; Caves Branch Outpost’s Zipride experience comprises a zip line course that zigzags above the tropical canopy
The Caves Branch Outpost also houses a cafe, gift shop and security lockers where guests can store their belongings while out on adventures.
Practical Info
Make the most of your time at Caves Branch Outpost by booking a combination tour, which includes two adventure activities and lunch.
Address: Mile 41 1/2 Hummingbird Hwy, Belmopan, Belize
From $ 54
Belize Zoo
In 1983 Richard Foster came to Belize to film a wildlife documentary. Over a dozen animals used in filming became partly tame by the time shooting wrapped, so Sharon Matola, the American biologist in charge of their care, decided to found the Belize Zoo to give them somewhere to call home.
Today, the Belize Zoo covers 29 acres (11.7 hectares) and is home to more than 150 animals representing 45 species native to the country. Many of the zoo’s residents are rescue animals who have been injured, orphaned or donated from other zoos, and the spacious enclosures make it feel more like a wildlife refuge than a typical zoo.
Among the Belize Zoo’s star tenants are the five species of wild cats native to Belize: jaguar, puma, margay, ocelot and jaguarundi. Other animals in residence include spider monkeys, manatees, scarlet macaws, toucans, tree frogs and boa constrictors. If a half-day visit to the zoo isn’t enough, wildlife-loving visitors can stay the night in the neighboring Belize Zoo Lodge, which has its own nature trails and birdwatching deck.
Practical Info
The entire Belize Zoo is accessible by wheelchair.
Address: Mile 29 Western Highway, Belize City, Belize
Hours: Daily 8:30am-5pm
From $ 125
Turneffe Atoll
The largest of three atolls in Belize and the Caribbean as a whole, Turneffe is known for offering some of the best diving in the country, thanks to deep walls filled with marine life. The most famous dive site is The Elbow, a steep drop off inhabited by beautiful eagle rays, snappers and other creatures. The atoll is also a top Caribbean fly-fishing destination, where anglers try to achieve the “Grand Slam”--catching bonefish, tarpon and permit in one day.
While most visitors day-trip to Turneffe, there are options to stay overnight at the couple of resorts on the atoll, including Blackbird Caye Resort and Turneffe Island Lodge or at a research facility on Calabash Caye, known to have a beautiful stretch of beach.
While most visitors day-trip to Turneffe, there are options to stay overnight at the couple of resorts on the atoll, including Blackbird Caye Resort and Turneffe Island Lodge or at a research facility on Calabash Caye, known to have a beautiful stretch of beach.
Address: Caye Caulker, Belizze, Belize
From $ 1,650
Altun Ha
Altun Ha, site of the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, covers about 3 square miles (8 square kilometers) of Belizean countryside. The central area has more than 500 historic structures, mostly built during the Maya Classic era (AD 200 to 900). Join a private or group tour to learn how the city’s 10,000 inhabitants lived.
The Basics
Located about 31 miles (50 kilometers) north of Belize City, Altun Ha is divided into two main clusters, Plaza A and Plaza B, each with its own special attractions. Plaza A features the mysterious Temple of the Green Tomb, where jade, jewelry, flints, and other artifacts were found.
Plaza B is home to the biggest structure on the site, the Temple of Masonry Altar, which rises more than 60 feet (18 meters) above the plaza. Thought to be the main religious center of the civilization, the temple houses the famous head of Kinich Ahau: a 10-pound (5-kilogram) jade stone carved into the head of the Mayan sun god; this national treasure is depicted on the local currency. Guided tours are available from Belize City, and many combine a trip to the ruins with other nearby attractions and activities.
Things to Know Before You Go
- No one is allowed to climb the steps of the actual ruins, but there is a walkway to reach the top.
- Remember to bring insect repellent and water.
- Restrooms, souvenirs, and food and drink are available on-site.
How to Get There
Located near Rockstone Pond Village, Altun Ha is very difficult to reach without a car, as the area is not served by public transportation. The easiest way to get there is by joining a tour in Belize City, Crooked Tree, or another nearby city. Visitors can also walk 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the village of Lucky Strike.
When to Get There
Altun Ha does not usually attract large crowds, but it can get very hot, especially in the summer months. To beat the heat, plan to arrive early in the day, or schedule your trip for some time between late November and mid-April; this is Belize’s dry season and its peak season, which means better weather and more tourists. Altun Ha is open from 8am to 5pm daily.
Cave Tubing
After visiting Altun Ha, many guided tours make a stop to go cave tubing in Caves Branch River in Blue Hole National Park. Designed for almost any age and fitness level, the tubing adventure takes you along the river, floating through an underground world filled with enormous chambers and cathedral-sized rooms decorated with crystal formations and stalactites.
Address: Altun Ha, Belize
From $ 94
Lighthouse Reef
Lighthouse Reef is an incredible atoll, a coral island encircling a lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, and was made famous by legendary sea explorer Jacques Cousteau, who rightfully declared it one of the top ten diving locations in the world.
Follow in Cousteau's footsteps by diving in the Great Blue Hole, the underwater sinkhole in the center of the lagoon. Interact with the fauna of the coral reef, including amazing Caribbean reef sharks, Blacktip sharks, barracudas, stingrays, turtles, and hundreds of different fish on a guided or independent dive.
Follow in Cousteau's footsteps by diving in the Great Blue Hole, the underwater sinkhole in the center of the lagoon. Interact with the fauna of the coral reef, including amazing Caribbean reef sharks, Blacktip sharks, barracudas, stingrays, turtles, and hundreds of different fish on a guided or independent dive.
Visit Long Caye, where you can snorkel in the protected lagoons and see the bountiful wildlife, including rare birds, iguanas, and other tropical species. The experience will only be matched by visiting Half Moon Caye, the idyllic island that includes a national park and a bird sanctuary.
You can reach Lighthouse Reef by dive boat or water taxi from Belize City, as well as Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Many snorkeling or diving tours have daily excursions to Lighthouse Reef, highlighting the Great Blue Hole.
If you will be snorkeling or diving, be sure to invest in some high quality water shoes, as walking on the coral reefs can be tricky and potentially painful.
For extended visits, look into resorts on Big Northern Caye and other surrounding areas.
Address: Lighthouse Reef, Belize
From $ 420
St. John's Cathedral
St. John’s Cathedral dates back to the early 1800s and is the oldest Anglican church in Central America. The cathedral, located in Belize City, is not only a place where the congregation still celebrates their faith, but it also has a big historical influence due to its colonial past. When the colonial empires fought over control of what was back then known as British Honduras, the cathedral was built by slave labor over eight years. Painstakingly, with bricks brought on ships all the way from Europe. The façade looks humble, but it just so happens that this little Anglican church is the only place outside of England, where real kings were crowned.
Four kings of the Indian Miskito tribe, which inhabited the Mosquito coast, were coronated with full British ceremonial pomp that rivaled the kingly ceremonies back in London. Of course, the Mosquito Kings were an effort by the British to keep the tribe on their good side and protect power, land and wealth from the rivaling Spanish invaders. The attempt was short-lived, but today you can still delve into some unique royal history and admire the beautiful stained glass windows, the mahogany pews and the antique organ.
Practical Info
St. John’s Cathedral can be found at the intersection of Regent Street and Albert Street, right across the street from the House of Culture. The church can be visited daily from 6am to 6pm.
Address: Intersection of Regent Street and Albert Street, Belize City, Belize
From $ 94