When you move to Quebec, you know the winters are going to be long. The first few years, we like it. Until you can’t see the end of it… So, one morning in February, we cringe at the arrival of another snowstorm. Need for warmth, need for sun! How far is Belize?
Belize in a few words
Located between Mexico and Guatemala, on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a small country, barely twice the size of the Ile de France. Formerly British Honduras, it is the only Central American country whose official language is English. Between Caribbean and British influences, Belize invites you to discover its unspoilt natural environment, made up of tropical forests (rainforest covers almost 80% of its territory), ancient Mayan sites and idyllic beaches.
Despite its small size, Belize boasts 17 national parks, 500 species of native birds and many rare wild animals, including the tapir, puma and jaguar. The country is also home to the continent’s only jaguar reserve, the Cockscomb sanctuary.
Belize also boasts over 386 kilometers of coastline and hundreds of heavenly little islands (cayes) dotted along the world’s second largest barrier reef. You’ll encounter an incredible array of marine life, including dolphins, rays, turtles, sharks and tropical fish.
How to get to Belize?
From Montreal, it takes 8-9 hours to reach Belize (6 hours flight time + stopover in Miami). There are no direct flights from Europe. Most airlines offer a stopover in North America (New York, Miami, Atlanta or Toronto), which makes the trip much longer.
Arriving at Philip Goldson International Airport, we board one of the many cabs offering the route to Belize City. It costs +/- €20 for a 30-minute journey.
When to go to Belize?
Belize enjoys a humid tropical climate. The rainy season, from May to November, is synonymous with heavy rains and the risk of hurricanes. Inland, the air is stifling. In the cayes, a tropical breeze makes the atmosphere more breathable. The dry season, from February to April, is definitely the best time to discover the country.
What to do in Belize
Landing in Belize City
The country’s largest city, Belize City was also its capital until 1961, when it was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Hattie and replaced by Belmopan, inland.
Since 1638, when it was founded by British lumberjacks, Belize Town has been a place of great importance. The British took advantage of Belize’s position by the sea to bring thousands of slaves to work in the logging industry. Traces of this colonial period are still visible today, such as the wooden houses built on stilts, evidence of a time when Belize was known only as British Honduras.
The port of Belize City, mainly used by cruise ships, is the country’s leading port. The starting point for many inland and island attractions, the city is also the industrial and financial center.
What to see in Belize City
- Connecting the north and south of the city, the Swing Bridge, originally known as the “Grand Belize Bridge”, is known as the world’s only hand-operated swing bridge. Built of wood in 1818, it was replaced by an identical structure in 1859, before being replaced by a metal bridge in 1923. Despite the ravages of time and Hurricane Hattie, the bridge is still used today for special ceremonies.
- Designed by architect Christopher Rahn, the Governor’s House is the perfect illustration of a successful combination of Caribbean architectural features and the aristocratic lines of English architecture. In addition to its appearance, the building is famous for having been the site of the signing of a decree abolishing slavery in 1834.
- Built between 1812 and 1820 with bricks shipped from England, St John’sCathedral is the oldest Anglican church in Central America, and the only place where kings have been crowned outside England. Next door, Yarborough Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in the country.
Where to stay in Belize City?
When it comes to accommodation, there’s something for every budget and style in Belize City.
Luxury establishments are mainly located in the West Landivar and King’s Park districts, while the port of Belize City is home to numerous guesthouses and small hotels. For more luxurious establishments, look no further than Buttonwood Bay and Bella Vista, the upscale neighborhoods close to the beach and bay.
Although Belize City does not enjoy a very safe reputation, the risks are relatively low if you stay in the commercial district (east of Southside Canal) and in the Fort George area. The Southside district, on the other hand, should be avoided.
➜ We set down our suitcases in the Buttonwood Bay area, at Villa Boscardi. Offering 8 spacious en-suite rooms, this charming B&B is quietly located in a safe residential area. Special mention should be made of the Jacuzzi, where you can cool off after a day of sightseeing, and the copious breakfasts!
Visit the Belize Zoo
Located 45 minutes from Belize City, in the heart of the rainforest, the Belize Zoo features over 150 animals in a 29-acre setting. Founded in 1983 to provide a home for wild animals used in documentary films about tropical forests, the zoo has subsequently welcomed other specimens rescued from the black market, abandoned by their owners or donated by other zoos. You’ll see tapirs, toucans, howler monkeys, boas constrictors and jaguars.
➜ The human scale of the facilities, the fact that animals can be observed in their natural habitats and the importance given to species rescue and rehabilitation make the Belize Zoo a place like no other. The abundant vegetation plunges us into the heart of the tropical savannah. A very pleasant visit 🙂
Good to Know
- The Belize Zoo is located 40 minutes from Belize City, on the highway to Belmopan.
- The zoo is open Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 5pm, and Sunday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
A visit to the zoo takes around 2 hours. - Admission: $15 per adult – $5 for children aged 3 to 12.
- The “Lindo Link” experience lets you get up close and personal with Lindo, a rescued jaguar who has become one of the zoo’s emblematic ambassadors.
- The Tropical Education Center/Zoo Lodge, located right next to the zoo, offers a variety of accommodation and meals on a 20-hectare estate.
Discover the Maya at Altun Ha
55 kilometers north of Belize City, the archaeological site of Altun Ha invites you to discover the Mayan culture. At its peak, eight to ten thousand people lived in this important city, which served as a commercial link between the Caribbean coast and Mayan centers inland.
Altun Ha is a rich ceremonial center with two main squares:
- In Plaza A, inside structure A-1, lies the “Green Tomb”, which contained a 6th-century male tomb and over 300 jade objects (hence the tomb’s name).
- Smaller than Plaza A, and appearing to have been added later, Plaza B comprises 13 temples and residential structures, including the “Temple of the Sun God” or “Temple of the Masonic Altars”. This dominant structure (B-4) is famous for having housed the famous jade head of “Kinich Ahau”, the Mayan solar god, a replica of which is on display at the Central Bank of Belize. Measuring 15cm high and weighing 4.5kg, this jade sculpture of a bird-like beak is the largest carved jade object ever found in a Mayan community. Today, the jade head is considered Belize’s crown jewel.
➜ Altun Ha is probably not the most impressive Mayan archaeological site, but it does offer the advantage of being in close proximity to Belize City. From the top of the great temple, the panoramic view of the entire site and the surrounding jungle is no less breathtaking. When visiting the site in the morning, it’s possible to stop off at Bacab Eco Park for a refreshing lunch break by the pool.
Good to Know
- The archaeological site of Altun Ha is located north of Belize City, about 1 hour’s drive away.
- You can visit the site with or without a guide. Several companies offer the excursion from Belize City.
- Bacab Eco Park is located 20 minutes from Belize City. The park is open from 10am to 5:30pm.
Try your hand at ziplining and cave tubing
Located north of the town of Belmopan, the Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch archaeological reserve is home to a vast system of limestone caves considered sacred by the ancient Mayans. The reserve is best known for its ziplining and cave tubing activities.
From Belize City, it takes about an hour to reach the site. On arrival, a guide points the way to the zip-line activity. With 12 platforms and 8 cable courses, Zip Riders of the Howling Hills is one of the biggest in Belize. The longest cable covers more than 400 metres through the rainforest, almost 60 metres above the Cave Branch river below. Thrills guaranteed!
➜ As a victim of vertigo, I began the zipline activity with some apprehension. Nevertheless, the two guides with us are so reassuring that I set off on the first trail without thinking too much about the rest… and it’s great! No sensation of vertigo, just lots of fun sliding along the cables. Even our youngest, aged 4, is having the time of her life 🙂
After the zipline course, we put on a swimsuit and equip ourselves with a lifejacket and headlamp before heading for the caves. We make our way along the Cave Branch River, through lush vegetation, for about twenty minutes. When water levels permit, we sit back in our big buoys and let ourselves glide across the water…
After a final 15-minute walk, we arrive at the entrance to the caves.
Everyone in a buoy (except for the youngest, who is with an adult), we turn on our headlamps. The guide leads the convoy, giving explanations as we progress through the caves. Jagged stalactites, sparkling crystal formations, blind fish, Mayan remains… It’s captivating and very impressive, especially for children. Back in the open air, we let ourselves slide a few more meters before concluding the activity.
Good to Know
- The Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch archaeological reserve is located 1 hour’s drive from Belize City, in the direction of Belmopan.
- The zipline takes about 1 hour and the cave tubing about 1h30.
- To take part in the activities, children must be 5 years old or at least 1 metre tall.
- Price of activities: $85 per person with lunch (without transport)
Several companies offer the excursion from Belize City.
Spend a day at Kukumba Beach
Located just outside Belize City, Old Belize is a little paradise with a marina, museum and water park. The park is named Kukumba Beach after the American market gardener who, in the 1950s, grew vegetables on local farms, including cucumbers (kukumba in Creole), and used the port to ship his vegetables to the USA.
In addition to a 15-metre-high, 25-metre-long waterslide, the park features a Tarzan swing, beach volleyball courts and floating structures.
➜ Kukumba Beach has all the ingredients for a successful family day out. The inflatables allow the youngest to let off steam, while the more adventurous slide down the big slide. The beach is beautiful and deckchairs are available to enjoy it. The restaurant doesn’t leave an indelible impression, but the view over the basin is pleasant.
Good to Know
- Kukumba Beach is open Tuesday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm and closed on Mondays.
- Admission: $15 for people over 1 m tall – $5 for all others
- The Old Belize Exotic Beach & Bar restaurant offers on-site dining.
Escape to Ambergris Caye
Whether it’s for a day trip or a few days’ stay, it’ s unthinkable to come to Belize without visiting the Caribbean islands. With their turquoise waters and heavenly beaches, they are the country’s main tourist destination.
From Belize City, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are easily accessible by ferry. Both islands are obviously very beautiful, although the atmosphere is very different. Caye Caulker is the relaxed island par excellence, so small that you can walk around it. Larger, Ambergris Caye is also livelier and offers more activities. That’s why we chose it for our 2-night stay. The program includes a stroll along the various beaches, exploration of the island in a golf cart and a meal with your feet in the sand…
➜ To discover the details of these two idyllic days, click here: “Belize | Getaway to Ambergris Caye, the most beautiful island in the world“.
➜ ➜ Want more heavenly scenery? So why not embark on an unforgettable cruise through Belize’s magnificent cays? Discover all the beauty of this destination in the article: “Belize | A cruise to discover the Belizean cays“..
