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Top things to do in Belize
Track jaguar in the wild, experience diverse landscapes and climb to the top of Caana
Here are the top things to do on a Belize holiday, as chosen by our Central America specialists.
Track jaguar in the wild
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve has the highest population of jaguar in the world. As the first established jaguar sanctuary, the reserve is one of the best in the world for jaguar tracking. While the big cats are elusive and difficult to spot, you will often find remnants of their presence, from their daily kill to paw prints. If you are really lucky, you may see a jaguar in the flesh.
Explore the Belize Barrier Reef
The second largest barrier reef in the world, the Caribbean reef extends along the east coast of Belize. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are two idyllic islands which provide easy access to the reef, which is rich in coral and marine life. Swim and snorkel amongst nurse sharks, turtles, manatees and angel fish.
Experience diverse landscapes
For such a small country, Belize has a variety of differing landscapes. Jungle and rainforest are lush and full of wildlife, while the Caribbean coast is the perfect environment to relax and explore the Belize barrier reef. The country is also home to wetlands full of birdlife, but the Mountain Pine Ridge forest may come as unexpected – dotted with pine trees, caves and waterfalls, the area has cooler temperatures than its surrounds.
Look for exotic birds
The birdlife in Belize is highly concentrated for a country so small. There are around 570 species of bird, including parrots, warblers, birds of prey and hummingbirds, and there are plenty of places to see them. One of the best areas is the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a wetland sanctuary home to over 400 species. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve also protect a large number of birdlife.
Climb to the top of Caana
To this day, the tallest manmade structure in Belize remains as Caana “Sky Palace” temple, which is part of the Caracol Maya archaeological site. The ancient city was founded in 900BC, and the temple itself sits at 136 foot tall. While the climb can be a slog, the view over other temples and the surrounding jungle is worth the effort.
