Belize Travel Guide

Caribbean vibes, Cayes & the relaxed go-slow life

A few photos from my trip

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Essentials

Safety

In the tourist hotspots—especially on the Cayes—you feel very safe. People are relaxed, the vibe is super chilled. Belize City on the mainland has a rougher reputation—stick to the usual rules there.

Best time to visit

Dry season from late November to May is the most popular: blue skies, lots of sun—perfect for diving and beach days. I went in low season (June–November), which has perks too: fewer crowds!

Currency & Language

Currency is the Belize Dollar (2 BZD = 1 USD). USD is accepted almost everywhere. The official language is English! In daily life you’ll also hear melodic Kriol (Creole) everywhere.

Visa

For many nationalities, short stays are visa-free—check your country’s requirements. Your passport should be valid at least 6 months on arrival.

Getting there & transport

Arrival: Fly into Philip S. W. Goldson International (BZE) near Belize City or come overland from Mexico (e.g. ADO bus to Chetumal) or Guatemala like many backpackers do.

Water Taxi: The key mode of transport! From Belize City’s port, fast ferries (e.g. San Pedro Belize Express) take 45–60 minutes to the Cayes—cruising over turquoise water is already a highlight.

On the islands: On Caye Caulker, you’ll walk everywhere. On bigger Ambergris Caye, golf carts rule the roads.

On the mainland: Old-school chicken buses are cheap and get you to Maya ruins and inland spots.

Top destinations

Caye Caulker– The absolute gem (and my favorite)

Honestly, Belize really got me—and the reason is Caye Caulker. No paved streets, just sand lanes. No one’s in a rush. The motto “Go Slow” isn’t just a phrase, it’s a way of life. The vibe is unbeatable: stroll barefoot from your guesthouse to a small hut for a breakfast burrito, spend the day at “The Split” (a channel that divides the island and the hotspot for swimming and sunbathing), sip a rum punch at sunset and eat fresh grilled fish. Cool bars, friendly people, and that feeling of having arrived.

Ambergris Caye (San Pedro)– The other island

I also visited the bigger neighbor island. It’s more developed, has more cars (well, golf carts) and gives off resort vibes with larger hotels. It felt less authentic to me. Maybe it was the low season, but bars and streets felt almost empty. If you’re short on time or budget, you can skip it—my heart firmly belongs to laid-back Caye Caulker.

Mainland – Maya ruins & jungle solitude

Step onto the mainland and it’s a different world. Find impressive Maya ruins likeXunantunichorCaracol, tucked deep in the jungle. Towns likeSan Ignaciomake great bases for adventures like cave treks (ATM Cave!).

The underwater world

The Great Blue Hole

This giant marine sinkhole is world-famous. Diving here is for very experienced divers only: it gets deep fast and apart from a few stalactites and reef sharks, there’s not a lot of colorful life at depth. Honestly, many say the view from the air is even more spectacular. A scenic flight in a small plane over that deep blue hole in turquoise waters—it’s the real show and worth every cent!
Great Blue Hole on Google Maps

Snorkeling & diving

From Caye Caulker, don’t miss a tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. You’ll swim with dozens of harmless nurse sharks, huge stingrays and turtles. Surreal and unforgettable!

Food & drinks

The cuisine is a tasty mix of Caribbean and Latin American influences.

Rice and Beans: The national dish, often served with stew chicken.
Fry Jacks: Deep-fried dough pockets for breakfast—sinful but delicious.
Seafood: Eat as much fresh fish, lobster (in season) and conch as you can—best straight from the grill.
Belikin Beer: The national beer—an ice-cold Belikin at “The Split” hits the spot.
Rum Punch: The official island cocktail. Careful—it packs a punch!

Costs & budget: Paradise has a price

Here’s the catch: compared to its neighbors, Belize isn’t cheap. You’ll feel it across the board. Even versus Honduras (not exactly budget), Belize is another league.

Daily budget: As a backpacker, count on at least €50/day (better more) if you want to do activities.
Accommodation: A dorm bed on Caye Caulker can be ~€20. In high demand times, places book out—reserve a few days ahead if you want options.
Food: Street grill meals ~€5–10; restaurants more. I’d budget ~€10 each for lunch & dinner.
Activities: The biggest cost! Day trips like sailing + snorkel stops rarely start under €50–70. Dives are pricier. A scenic flight over the Blue Hole is a premium experience (friends paid ~€300).

Summary: Your Belize adventure

Belize is a trade-off. You pay more, but you get a world-class underwater world, a wonderfully relaxed Caribbean atmosphere and— with Caye Caulker—an island that might make you want to quit your job and open a bar. Maybe not ideal for months-long shoestring-budget travel, but for a week or two it’s a dream. Encounters with nurse sharks, reggae in your ears and that “Go Slow” feeling—you won’t forget it. For me, worth every cent.