BELIZE

BEST PLACE TO VISIT IN BELIZE.

Highlight:

• Great Blue Hole (Lighthouse Reef Atoll)
• Ambergris Caye & San Pedro Town
• ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal)
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley
• Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
• Caye Caulker
• Caracol Archaeological Site

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Detail:

Top Tourist Attractions in Belize (With Ticket Prices & Activities)

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1. Great Blue Hole (Lighthouse Reef Atoll)

• Description:
  • One of the most iconic dive sites in the world, the Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It’s over 300 meters across and about 125 meters deep.
  • The hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Ticket Price:
  • Diving tours: $250 – $300 USD (includes boat ride, gear, and guide)
  • Snorkeling tours: $180 – $220 USD
• Activities:
  • Deep sea scuba diving
  • Snorkeling around the rim
  • Aerial tours by helicopter or small plane (approx. $200 – $300 USD)
  • Underwater photography
  • Marine life observation (sharks, groupers, stalactites)

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2. Ambergris Caye & San Pedro Town

• Description:
  • The largest island in Belize, known for its vibrant nightlife, sandy beaches, and as a hub for water-based adventures. San Pedro is the main town and a gateway to the Belize Barrier Reef.
• Ticket Price:
  • Free to enter the island (via water taxi or domestic flight)
  • Ferry: $20 – $35 USD one-way
  • Local flights from Belize City: $80 – $100 USD round trip
• Activities:
  • Snorkeling and diving at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
  • Beach lounging and swimming
  • Rent a golf cart to explore the town
  • Visit the Belize Chocolate Company
  • Enjoy seafood dining and beach bars

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3. ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal)

• Description:
  • A sacred Mayan cave filled with archaeological treasures, ceramics, and skeletal remains, including the famous “Crystal Maiden” skeleton.
  • Only accessible through guided tours due to its sacred and protected nature.
• Ticket Price:
  • Guided tour with transportation: $95 – $135 USD
• Activities:
  • Cave trekking and swimming through underground rivers
  • View ancient Mayan artifacts and sacrificial remains
  • Learn about Mayan rituals and mythology
  • Photography (no flash allowed inside the cave)

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4. Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley

• Description:
  • A protected marine area near Ambergris Caye known for its rich biodiversity, clear waters, and coral formations.
  • Shark Ray Alley is famous for nurse sharks and stingrays that swim near snorkelers.
• Ticket Price:
  • Marine reserve fee: $10 USD
  • Snorkeling tour: $50 – $70 USD
• Activities:
  • Snorkeling with sharks and rays
  • Coral reef exploration
  • Underwater photography
  • Marine biology tours

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5. Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

• Description:
  • An impressive ancient Maya archaeological site located near the town of San Ignacio.
  • Known for its main pyramid, “El Castillo,” which rises 130 feet and offers panoramic views.
• Ticket Price:
  • Entry fee: $5 USD
  • Guided tour: $25 – $50 USD
• Activities:
  • Climb El Castillo
  • Learn about Maya history and architecture
  • Visit the on-site museum
  • Spot howler monkeys in nearby forests

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6. Caye Caulker

• Description:
  • A laid-back island popular with backpackers and eco-travelers. Known for its motto “Go Slow.”
  • The island has sandy streets, colorful buildings, and a relaxed vibe.
• Ticket Price:
  • Ferry: $20 – $35 USD one-way
  • Accommodation ranges from $20 USD hostels to $150+ USD resorts
• Activities:
  • Snorkeling in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
  • Relax at The Split (a swimming and sunbathing spot)
  • Kayaking and paddleboarding
  • Bird watching and manatee tours
  • Enjoy local seafood and reggae beach bars

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7. Caracol Archaeological Site

• Description:
  • The largest Maya site in Belize, located deep in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve.
  • It features Caana (“Sky Palace”), the tallest man-made structure in Belize.
• Ticket Price:
  • Entry fee: $10 USD
  • Guided tour with transport: $90 – $130 USD
• Activities:
  • Explore ancient temples and plazas
  • Wildlife spotting en route through the forest
  • Photography of panoramic jungle views
  • Learn about Maya cosmology and warfare

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8. Belize Barrier Reef

• Description:
  • The second-largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 190 miles.
  • A haven for divers, snorkelers, and marine life enthusiasts.
• Ticket Price:
  • Reef diving/snorkeling tours: $60 – $150 USD depending on location
• Activities:
  • Scuba diving and free diving
  • Snorkeling with vibrant coral life
  • Kayaking over reef flats
  • Educational tours with marine biologists

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9. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

• Description:
  • The world’s first jaguar preserve, located in the Maya Mountains.
  • Offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and chances to see rare wildlife.
• Ticket Price:
  • Entry fee: $10 USD
  • Guided tours: $50 – $80 USD
• Activities:
  • Jungle hiking and bird watching
  • River tubing and waterfall swimming
  • Night wildlife tours
  • Camping in designated areas

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10. Placencia Peninsula

• Description:
  • A beach town on the southeastern coast, ideal for those looking to relax and enjoy marine excursions.
  • Offers a mix of beach, culture, and adventure.
• Ticket Price:
  • Free to explore; excursions vary by activity
• Activities:
  • Relax on white sand beaches
  • Snorkeling and scuba diving
  • Visit Laughing Bird Caye (tour: $60 – $100 USD)
  • Whale shark diving (seasonal, approx. $150 – $250 USD)
  • Explore the Placencia Lagoon

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11. Community Baboon Sanctuary

• Description:
  • A grassroots conservation project protecting howler monkeys (locally called “baboons”) in the Belize River Valley.
  • A collaboration between local villages and wildlife experts.
• Ticket Price:
  • Entry fee: $10 USD
  • Guided tour: $25 USD
• Activities:
  • See and hear black howler monkeys up close
  • Learn about traditional medicine and farming practices
  • Hike through the forest with a naturalist

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12. Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

• Description:
  • A highland area known for pine forests, waterfalls, caves, and rivers.
  • Cooler climate and scenic vistas.
• Ticket Price:
  • No general entry fee, but some attractions may charge
• Activities:
  • Visit Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools (free)
  • Explore Big Rock Falls and Five Sisters Falls
  • Birdwatching and nature hikes
  • Horseback riding and camping

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13. Belize Zoo

• Description:
  • A small but well-respected zoo that houses only native species in naturalistic enclosures.
  • Great educational stop for families and animal lovers.
• Ticket Price:
  • Adults: $15 USD
  • Children: $5 USD
• Activities:
  • See native species like jaguars, tapirs, toucans, and harpy eagles
  • Participate in guided wildlife tours
  • Learn about animal conservation in Belize

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14. Lamanai Archaeological Reserve

• Description:
  • A Maya site that is reached via a scenic boat ride along the New River.
  • Known for its towering pyramids and location beside a jungle lagoon.
• Ticket Price:
  • Entry fee: $5 USD
  • Boat + guided tour: $80 – $120 USD
• Activities:
  • Explore ancient Maya structures (High Temple, Mask Temple)
  • Jungle river cruise to the site
  • Wildlife spotting on the way (birds, crocs, monkeys)

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15. St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park

• Description:
  • Home to a jungle trail, caves, and a sapphire-colored sinkhole (different from the marine Blue Hole).
  • Located along the Hummingbird Highway.
• Ticket Price:
  • Entry fee: $4 USD
  • Guided cave tour: $30 – $50 USD
• Activities:
  • Swimming in the inland Blue Hole
  • Explore St. Herman’s Cave
  • Hike through tropical trails
  • Bird watching

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Summary Tips for Travelers

• Best Time to Visit: November to April (dry season)
• Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD), but USD is widely accepted (2 BZD = 1 USD)
• Transportation: Domestic flights, water taxis, buses, and golf carts on islands
• Safety: Generally safe for tourists; exercise usual precautions
• Language: English (official), Spanish and Creole also widely spoken