Belize Rest & Relaxation Destinations

Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and the most well known destination in Belize. Located at the northern end of Belize’s waters, a small channel dug by the Maya separates Ambergris Caye from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The narrow, 25-mile (40-km) long island is surrounded by the Caribbean’s aquamarine waters and consists of mangroves, lagoons, and the laid back town of San Pedro, which sits upon a low sandy plateau near the southern end of the island.

Beachfront reggae bars, colorful guesthouses, and a spacious expanse of beach attract tourists to Placencia Village. Located at the end of the 16-mile (28-km) Placencia peninsula, it is the most lively destination in the region. It offers restaurants, shopping, nightlife, accommodations, and tour services.

Caye Caulker is a sleepy, 5-mile (8-mile) long island with 1,300 residents. It’s just 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Belize City and is directly south of Ambergris Caye. With no cars or paved roads, the quiet sandy streets on Caye Caulker are only occupied by golf carts, beach cruisers, and pedestrians. Travelers come here to relax and enjoy the slow pace of island life, whether that be swaying in an ocean-front hammock, kayaking around the island’s calm waters and mangroves, or sunbathing at the popular hangout called the Split, a channel that separates the northern and southern half of the island. Like Ambergris Caye, the island sits just one mile west of the Belize Barrier Reef, offering easy access to the area’s best snorkeling and scuba activities.

Hopkins is a small, laid back village on the central Caribbean Coast. It has a long, beautiful strip of beach, a large freshwater lagoon, and a Garífuna population that is dedicated to preserving their traditions.

Belmopan became the capital of Belize in 1961 after a hurricane destroyed the government buildings in Belize City. Today, this commuter hub is home to approximately 20,000 residents and sits at the crossroads of the Western Highway and the Hummingbird Highway. Most of the people here work for the government in some capacity.

Located 195 miles (315 km) south of Belize City, Punta Gorda is the southernmost coastal town in Belize. Punta Gorda serves as the gateway to Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, a group of shallow island atolls known for their colorful coral gardens and vibrant marine life. It’s also a good base for a visit to the Rio Blanco National Park and some of the off-the-beaten path jungles lodges in the southern Maya Mountains.

Covering nearly 118,000 acres (47,750 ha), the South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the the largest marine reserve in Belize. It is also one of the most accessible from the mainland, with the western edge located just 10 miles (16 km) from the mainland. With lagoons, palm fringed islands, and mangroves, the reserve is home to a wide range of species. Visitors encounter beautiful reef fish, stingrays, and seabirds. Less common but still possible are sightings of sharks, manatees, and crocodiles.

After Belize City, Dangriga is the largest coastal town in Belize. With 12,500 residents, it is a bustling commercial center where nearby residents come to buy food, tools, and other necessities. Dangriga really doesn’t offer much in the way of tourism amenities, but curious travelers who find themselves wandering the busy streets will observe wheelings and dealings among locals, and get a real look at daily life on the Belize coastline.

Maya Beach is a very small and quiet beach community on the Placencia peninsula that consists of a long, clean strip of sand, beach loungers, wooden docks jutting out over the sea, and hammocks strung between palm trees. Visitors who come here do so to relax, sunbathe, and dine on fresh seafood at one of the few beach front restaurants. Out of the three beach towns on the Placencia peninsula, Maya Beach is the most serene.

Seine Bight is a small Garífuna fishing village on the Placencia peninsula, located about halfway between Maya Beach to the north and Placencia Village to the south. It has approximately 1,000 residents and is relatively undeveloped compared to its neighbors. Travelers to Seine Bight will revel in the traditional atmosphere of the stilted homes that line the streets.

A truly unique tropical experience, The island of Tobacco Caye is a place to come unplug, relax and be surrounded by the beaches and waters of Belize.