Belize City

Day Trips

Start with a guided walking tour of the historic downtown, marveling at colonial architecture and local street art. Stop at St. John’s Cathedral to admire its gothic design and learn about the city’s religious heritage. Chat with vendors at the swing bridge and sample fresh tropical fruit from roadside stalls.

Grab a traditional Belizean lunch at a family-run restaurant, tasting hudut and rice and beans. Spend the afternoon browsing the Museum of Belize for exhibits on Garifuna culture and ancient Maya history. Wander through the artisan stalls at Caribbean Shores for handmade crafts and souvenirs.

Enjoy a sunset stroll along the waterfront, watching fishing boats return to port. Join locals at the Swing Bridge area for an authentic Belizean belikin beer and live drumming. Dine at a seaside restaurant, feasting on freshly caught lobster or ceviche under the stars.

Visit the Maritime Museum to uncover Belize’s seafaring past, from shipwrecks to coastal trade. Explore interactive exhibits on piracy and colonial naval skirmishes. Climb to the top of the museum’s lighthouse replica for panoramic harbor views.

Walk to nearby street art alleys to admire vibrant murals celebrating Garifuna and Maya culture. Join a drumming workshop led by local masters to learn traditional rhythms. Taste cassava bread and freshly smoked fish at a riverside kiosk.

Attend a Garifuna showcase featuring punta music and dance at a local cultural center. Sip on a cocojito or fresh coconut juice before the performance. Mingle with performers afterward to learn the stories behind each song.

Embark early on a jungle river safari upriver toward the Lamanai Maya site, guided by a local naturalist. Spot wildlife along the banks: howler monkeys, iguanas, and exotic bird species. Snack on tropical fruits while listening to the chorus of the jungle.

Arrive at Lamanai’s ancient temples and take a guided tour through the mask pyramid and main plaza. Learn about the site’s 3,000-year history and ongoing archaeological digs. Enjoy a riverside picnic lunch with traditional Belizean dishes.

Return by boat to Belize City at dusk, watching pink and grey river herons return to roost. Relax back at your hotel before heading out for dinner. Sample grilled conch or coconut curried shrimp at a local beachfront restaurant.

Set off on a full-day excursion to Altun Ha, Belize’s famous Maya ruin, located north of the city. Visit the Temple of the Masonry Altars and marvel at the ancient carvings. Learn about jade trade routes that once connected this site to other Maya kingdoms.

Savor a picnic lunch under the shade of towering ceiba trees. Explore the site’s central plaza and climb the High Temple for sweeping jungle views. Photograph the iconic Sun God jadeite head replica displayed on-site.

Return to Belize City and refresh at your hotel. Head to a local pub for a cold beer and plaza games like dominoes. Indulge in a grilled pork chop with black beans and plantains at a family-owned eatery.

Drive to the Belize Zoo to meet native animals like jaguars, tapirs, and toucans in natural enclosures. Attend an educational talk about wildlife conservation efforts in Belize. Snap photos of rescued animals thriving in open habitats.

Enjoy a catered lunch surrounded by lush foliage near the botanical demonstration gardens. Wander among orchids, bromeliads, and tropical fruits while learning from horticultural experts. Try a sample of fresh cacao fruit straight from the pod.

Return to the city as the sun sets, stopping en route for roadside pancakes drenched in honey. Back in Belize City, stroll through the illuminated Heritage Park. Dine on coconut rice and stewed chicken at an open-air restaurant.

Catch the early water taxi to Caye Caulker, enjoying ocean breezes and dolphin sightings en route. Arrive in time for breakfast at a beachfront shack, savoring fry jacks and scrambled eggs. Rent a bicycle to explore the laid-back island lanes.

Join a snorkeling excursion over the Belize Barrier Reef at Coral Garden or Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Swim alongside stingrays at the famous Ray Alley and spot nurse sharks in shallow waters. Refuel with a ceviche bowl and cold coconut water under a palapa.

Relax on the Split’s sandy edge as the sun dips below the horizon. Sample local seafood tacos as street musicians play marimba. Return to Belize City by evening boat, watching stars emerge over the dark sea.

Head to Belize City’s marina for a guided kayaking tour through mangrove channels. Paddle silently among winding roots, spotting juvenile fish and sleepy crocodiles. Learn about mangrove ecology and its role in coastal protection.

Switch to a light tackle fishing charter, casting lines for snapper and tarpon in the open sea. Fillet your catch on board and grill it for lunch with lime and pepper. Enjoy ocean views and skilled crew banter under the midday sun.

Return to shore and rinse off at your hotel. Visit a local seafood grill to taste Belizean barbecue shrimp and rice pudding. End the night with a stroll along the sleepy waterfront promenade.

Set out early for Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary just outside Belize City by boat. Glide silently through lagoon channels, searching for rare jabiru storks and migratory waterbirds. Delight in the natural orchestra of coots and herons at dawn.

Have lunch at a community-run lodge, sampling fresh snapper stew and cassava dumplings. Explore the reserve on foot with a naturalist, learning about marshland conservation. Paddle a dugout canoe through hidden waterways to spot river turtles.

Head back to Belize City as the sky turns pink. Enjoy a peaceful evening at a boutique guesthouse courtyard. Savor coconut curry conch and grilled plantains at a nearby laid-back eatery.

Take a field-to-table cooking class with a local chef in a family home. Harvest ingredients from a nearby garden and learn to prepare staples like cassava bread and seafood stew. Savor the fruits of your labor in a communal breakfast setting.

Stroll through the Saturday or Sunday market, sampling tamales, salbutes, and fresh sugar cane juice. Chat with farmers about citrus, cacao, and pepper cultivation techniques. Pick up spices and handcrafted sauces to take home.

Embark on a culinary crawl through Belize City’s best eateries. Taste fry jacks at a beachside café, dine on coconut curry chicken at a local restaurant, then finish with rum cake for dessert. Stop at a live music bar to enjoy socca and reggae tunes.

Spend your final morning relaxing at your hotel with a hearty Belizean breakfast. Reflect on your journey over mackerel rundown and tropical fruit baskets. Pack your bags and arrange an airport shuttle.

Visit Giftland Mall or Belize City House of Culture for last-minute souvenirs: mahogany carvings, handmade jewelry, and Belizean chocolate. Compare prices and learn crafting stories from local vendors. Sip an iced limeade as you shop.

Head to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport with plenty of time to spare. Enjoy one final Belizean bite of cheese bun or coconut tart before boarding. Fondly wave goodbye to the lush landscapes and friendly faces behind you.