Caye Caulker
On Caye Caulker, there are no cars, no fumes and no hassles, just balmy breezes, fresh seafood, azure waters and a fantastic barrier reef at its doorstep. The easy-going attitude is due in part to the strong Creole presence on the island, which pulses to a classic reggae beat and is home to a small community of Rastafarians.

Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye remains for many visitors the archetypal tropical paradise where sun-drenched days are filled with fruity drinks and water sports. There are plenty of simple pleasures to be had here from riding a bike along a windswept beach path under the shade of coconut trees to snorkelling in crystal clear waters.
Though the entire island is often called San Pedro, technically that is the name of the town that dominates the southern half.

Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, 318 m across and 124 m deep.
It may not be the best dive in Belize, but it certainly ranks among the most popular. The image of the Blue Hole – a deep blue pupil with an aquamarine border surrounded by the lighter shades of the reef – has become a logo for tourist publicity and a symbol of Belize.
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Bermudian Landing
No real baboons inhabit Belize; but Belizeans use that name for the Yucatan black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra), an endangered species that exists only in Belize, northern Guatemala and southern Mexico and is one of the largest monkeys in the Americas. The Community Baboon Sanctuary is an amazing community-run, grassroots conservation operation that has engineered an impressive increase in the primate's local population. The black howlers have made an amazing comeback in the area, and the monkeys now roam freely all around the surrounding area.
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Altun Ha
Altun Ha, the Maya ruins that have inspired Belikin beer labels and Belizean banknotes, stands 34 miles north of central Belize City, off the Old Northern Hwy. While smaller and less imposing than some other Maya sites in the country, Altun Ha, with its immaculate central plaza, is still spectacular and well worth the short detour to get here. The original site covered 1500 acres, but what visitors today see is the central ceremonial precinct of two plazas surrounded by temples.
The ruins were originally excavated in the 1960s and now look squeaky clean following a stabilization and conservation program from 2000 to 2004. The largest and most important temple is the Temple of the Masonry Altars (B-4) also known as the Temple of the Sun God.
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Lamanai
Perhaps the most fascinating Maya site in northern Belize, Lamanai lies 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town up the New River (or 36 miles by unpaved road). The ruins are known both for their impressive architecture and marvelous setting, surrounded by dense jungle overlooking the New River Lagoon. Climbing to the top of the 125ft High Temple to gaze out across the vast jungle canopy is an awe-inspiring experience that is not to be missed.
Most visitors approach Lamanai by guided river trip from Orange Walk not just to avoid the long and bumpy road, but to take advantage of the river trip itself, which goes deep into the home of the countless colourful and unusual birds that live in the area. Many guides who do the 1½-hour river trip are experts in both archaeology and the area’s wildlife, making it an especially worthwhile experience. The river voyage passes through some of the most beautiful jungle and lagoon country in northern Belize, and the Mennonite community of Shipyard, before reaching Lamanai itself. There are a number of excellent tour guides in Orange Walk who specialize in the journey.

Orange Walk Town
Orange Walk Town is many things to many people: agricultural town, economic hub, Mennonite meeting place, street-food paradise…but it is not generally considered a tourist town. And the chances are pretty good that this won't change any time soon. This town of 14,000 souls – just 57 miles from Belize City – doesn't have much to keep travellers around for more than a day or two.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
Between December and May, migrating birds flock to the lagoons, rivers and swamps of the massive Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, which is managed by Belize Audubon. The best bird-watching is in April and May, when the low level of the lagoon draws thousands of birds into the open to seek food in the shallows. That said, at any time between December and May, bird-watchers are in for hours of ornithological bliss.
Boat-billed, chestnut-bellied and bare-throated tiger herons, Muscovy and black-bellied whistling ducks, snail kites, ospreys, black-collared hawks and all of Belize's five species of kingfisher are among the 276 species recorded here. Jabiru storks, the largest flying bird in the Americas, with wingspans of up to 12ft, congregate here in April and May, and a few pairs nest in the sanctuary in the preceding months.

Corozal
Corozal has a vibe different from any other town in Belize. The Mexican influence is palpable on the streets of this provincial town, where you are likely to hear Spanish and eat tacos. Though it feels prosperous (especially by Belizean standards), most of the town's wealth comes from its position as a commercial and farming center – not from tourism. In fact, the town's fledgling tourism sector has been hit hard by the direct boat service between San Pedro and Chetumal, which has seen many travellers bypass Corozal altogether and several tourist-orientated businesses close.

Sarteneja
If you came to Belize in search of sparkling blue waters, delicious fresh seafood, fauna-rich forests and affordable prices, look no further than Sarteneja (sar-ten-eh-ha). The tiny fishing and shipbuilding village, located near the north-eastern tip of the Belizean mainland, is a charming base from which to explore both the nautical and jungle treasures of the region.

Belize City
Belize City does not exactly top the list of tourist destinations in Belize and many visitors choose to bypass the country's only major urban area. This is the historical (if no longer the actual) capital of the nation, making it an interesting place to spend a day or two. Its ramshackle streets are alive with colourful characters who represent every facet of Belize's ethnic make up, especially the Creoles.
Belize City's main historical sights are all located within walking distance of the Swing Bridge and include the Museum of Belize, St John's Cathedral, Image Factory and the Swing Bridge itself.
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Belmopan
Like many purpose-built capital cities around the world, Belmopan can seem a bit dull at first glance. Ordered streets, empty urban parklands and drab government buildings conspire to give it a desolate feel. The exception is the vibrant central market area, where cheap food stalls and incoming buses provide some welcome activity.
But this is the national capital, a major transport hub, a place to extend your visa and an easy-going university city with a decent range of restaurants and shopping. More importantly, it's a useful base for exploring nearby caves, national parks, the Hummingbird Hwy and most of the attractions in eastern Cayo.
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Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
A natural wonderland located just off one of the country's main highways, this 1.7-sq-mile wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center offers lodging and activities for casual travellers, as well as internship activities for those with a more long-term interest in Belize. A well-stocked library provides plenty of reference and reading matter on natural history and the country.

Guanacaste National Park
Belize's smallest national park was declared in 1990 and is named for the giant guanacaste tree on its southwestern edge. The tree survived the axes of canoe-makers but has now died naturally, though it still stands in its jungle habitat. The 250,000-sq-yd park, off the highway at the Belmopan turnoff, is framed by Roaring Creek and the Belize River, with 2 miles of hiking trails that will introduce you to the abundant local trees and colourful birds.

Hummingbird Highway
The lyrically named Hummingbird Hwy is one of the prettiest drives in Belize, winding its way through jungle and citrus orchards and impossibly small villages as it skirts the northern edges of the Maya Mountain range between Belmopan and Dangriga. Passing caves and jungle adventures, on a clear day the road affords plenty of postcard-perfect vistas. You can drive the 55-mile length of it in two hours but along the way are some excellent ecolodges and budget accommodations, just begging for an overnight stay.

Blue Hole National Park
The 575-acre Blue Hole National Park contains St Herman's Cave, one of the few caves in Belize that you can visit independently. The visitors center (where flashlights can be rented for BZ$3) is 11 miles along the Hummingbird Hwy from Belmopan. From here a 500yd trail leads to St Herman’s Cave. A path leads 200yd into the cave alongside an underground river – to go any further you'll need a guide.

San Ignacio
San Ignacio is the heart and soul of the Cayo District, a vibrant traveller center from where all roads and activities fan out. Together with twin-town Santa Elena, on the east bank of the Macal River, this is the main population center of Cayo, with lots of good budget accommodation, decent restaurants and frequent transport.
But San Ignacio is no inland San Pedro, existing only for tourism. It has a very positive and infectious local vibe, with a bustling market and a steady influx of immigrants. Residents are Mestizos, Maya and Garifuna, as well as a bunch of free-spirited expats from Europe and North America. San Ignacio is on the west bank of the Macal River, a couple of miles upstream from its confluence with the Mopan River – a meeting of waters that gives birth to the Belize River.
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Cahal Pech
High atop a hill about a mile south of San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is the oldest-known Maya site in the Belize River valley, having been first settled between 1500 and 1000 BC. Less impressive than Xunantunich and Caracol, it's still a fascinating example of Preclassic Maya architecture and an easy uphill walk from town. It was a significant Maya settlement for 2000 years or more. Drop into the small visitors center, which explains some of the history of Cahal Pech.
Cahal Pech (kah-hahl pech) is Mopan and Yucatec Mayan for 'Place of Ticks,' a nickname earned in the 1950s when the site was surrounded by pastures grazed by tick-infested cattle. Today it's a pleasantly shady site with plenty of trees and few tourists. Its core area of seven interconnected plazas has been excavated and restored since the late 1980s. Plaza B is the largest and most impressive complex; Structure A-1, near Plaza A, is the site's tallest temple. Two ballcourts lie at either end of the restored area.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
Actun Tunichil Muknal – the Cave of the Stone Sepulchre – is one of the most unforgettable and adventurous underground tours you can make in Belize. The guided trip into ATM takes you deep into the underworld that the ancient Maya knew as Xibalba. The entrance to the 3-mile-long cave lies in the northern foothills of the Maya Mountains.
The experience is moderately strenuous, starting with an easy 45-minute hike through the lush jungle and across Roaring Creek (your feet will be wet all day). At the wide, hourglass-shaped entrance to the cave, you'll don your helmet, complete with headlamp. To reach the cave entrance, you'll start with a frosty swim across a deep pool (about 15ft across), so you must be a reasonably good swimmer. From here, follow your guide, walking, climbing, twisting and turning your way through the blackness of the cave for about an hour.
Giant shimmering flowstone rock formations compete for your attention with thick, calcium-carbonate stalactites dripping from the ceiling. Phallic stalagmites grow up from the cave floor. Eventually you'll follow your guide up into a massive opening, where you'll see hundreds of pottery vessels and shards, along with human remains. One of the most shocking displays is the calcite-encrusted remains of the woman for whom Actun Tunichil Muknal is named.
The trip takes about 10 hours from San Ignacio, including a one-hour drive each way. A number of San Ignacio–based tour companies do the trip for BZ$180 per person, including transportation, admission, lunch and equipment. You must be accompanied by a licensed guide, and cameras are not permitted inside the cave.

Caracol
Once one of the most powerful cities in the entire Maya world, Caracol now lies enshrouded by thick jungle near the Guatemalan border, a 52-mile, roughly two-hour drive from San Ignacio. Sitting high on the Vaca Plateau, this is the largest Maya site in Belize, having stretched over possibly 70 sq miles at its peak around AD 650. Nearly 40 miles of internal causeways radiate from the center to large outlying plazas and residential areas.
At its height, the city’s population may have approached 150,000, more than twice as many people as Belize City has today. Though they had no natural water source, the people of Caracol dug artificial reservoirs to catch rainwater and grew food on extensive agricultural terraces. Its central area was a bustling place of temples, palaces, busy thoroughfares, craft workshops and markets. Caracol is not only the pre-eminent archaeological site in Belize but also exciting for its jungle setting and prolific bird life. At the ticket office, a small visitors center outlines Caracol’s history and has a helpful scale model, while a museum houses much of the sculpture found at Caracol. There are toilets, picnic tables and a small gift shop. Be sure to bring food, water and, if you’re driving, a spare tire. Overnight stays are not permitted.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
The 200 sq miles of submontane pine forest reserve is full of rivers, pools, waterfalls and caves; the higher elevation means relief from both heat and mosquitoes. Beyond Mountain Pine Ridge is the spectacular Maya ruin of Caracol.

Xunantunich
Set on a leveled hilltop, Xunantunich (shoo-nahn-too-neech) is one of Belize's most easily accessible and impressive Maya archaeological sites. Getting here is half the fun with a free hand-cranked cable ferry taking you (and vehicles) across the Mopan River. Xunantunich may have been occupied as early as 1000 BC but it was little more than a village. The large architecture that we see today began to be built in the 7th century AD.
You can climb to the top of El Castillo to enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view. Its upper levels were constructed in two distinct phases. The first, built around 800, included an elaborate plaster frieze encircling the building; the second, built around 900, covered over most of the first and its frieze.
To reach the ruins, take the ferry in San Jose Succotz village, then it's about 1 mile uphill to the parking lot and ticket office. Any bus from San Ignacio can drop you at the ferry point.

Dangriga
Dangriga is the largest town in southern Belize, and the spiritual capital of the country's Garifuna people. It has a funky coastal vibe about it – tumbledown and mildly untidy. Despite sharing a similar ramshackle exterior with Belize City, Dangriga doesn't have a big-city feel and is generally a safe place to explore.

Central Cays
Less crowded, lesser known and often less costly than the cays in the north, the central cays – most of them private islands – off Belize's central coast are smack in the middle of some of the country's most amazing diving, snorkelling and fishing sites.
South Water Caye and Thatch Caye are home to fancy all-inclusive resorts, but some good deals can be found on Tobacco Caye and Glover's Reef Atoll.
In most cases the resorts will arrange boat transfers. The central cays are best reached from Dangriga, but charters also run from Hopkins and Placencia.

Hopkins
The friendly, slightly scruffy, coastal village of Hopkins attracts travellers looking to soak up sea breezes and Garifuna culture. It's an unpretentious place to meet other travellers and makes a good base for explorations to the cays, reefs and islands to the east, and the jungles, mountains and parks to the west.
About 1.5 miles south of Hopkins, Sittee Point is a small community where high-end beachfront resorts and a few interesting independent restaurants gather.
Hopkins is a fine place from which to access some of Belize's best dive sites. The barrier reef is less than a 40-minute boat ride away, and Glover's Reef is about 90 minutes on a fast skiff. Diving and snorkelling can be arranged through several outfits in Hopkins and nearby Sittee Point.

Placencia
Placencia, a true beach-holiday strip on the mainland, is enduringly popular with North American expats and tourists. Perched at the southern tip of a long, narrow, sandy peninsula, the village has long enjoyed a reputation as 'the cay you can drive to' – a fully-paved 27-mile road heads off the Southern Hwy via Maya Beach and Seine Bight to the tip of the peninsula.
The village of Placencia occupies the southernmost mile of the peninsula. On the eastern side is a sandy beach; between the beach and the road is a narrow, pedestrian-only footpath known as the Sidewalk.

Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda (or PG as it's known) is a slightly ramshackle coastal settlement down in the Deep South of Toledo. Once known to travellers mainly as a port to get the boat across to Guatemala, it's increasingly attracting visitors looking to chill out in the south and as a base for exploring surrounding Maya villages and culture, and the remote Southern Cayes.

Big Falls
Big Falls is a small village with a number of cultural and adventure attractions. This is a good starting point for the Toledo cultural circuit taking in San Miguel and San Pedro Columbia.

Lubaantun
The Maya ruins at Lubaantun, 1.3 miles northwest of San Pedro Columbia, are built on a natural hilltop and display a construction method unusual in the ancient Maya world of mortar-less, neatly cut, black-slate blocks. Archaeologists postulate that Lubaantun, which flourished between AD 730 and 860, may have been an administrative center regulating trade, while nearby Nim Li Punit was the local religious and ceremonial center. The Maya site comprises a collection of seven plazas, three ballcourts and surrounding structures.

Rio Blanco National Park
The 105-acre Rio Blanco National Park is a compact protected wildlife area that's home to a variety of flora and fauna. The highlight for visitors is definitely Rio Blanco Falls, a beautiful 20ft-high waterfall leading into a clear swimming hole just a five-minute walk from the ranger station. Other attractions include bird-watching, hiking and kayaking (the ranger station has one kayak at BZ$5 per hour).

Blue Creek
This village, part Kekchi and part Mopan, is split by the pretty, blue-green–tinted namesake river. Howler monkeys inhabit the surrounding hilly jungles, otters live along the creek and green iguanas are plentiful. For travellers Blue Creek is an appealing destination for its cave, zip lining and jungle walks.

San Antonio
The largest Mopan Maya community in Belize, San Antonio was founded in the mid-19th century by farmers from San Luis Rey in the Petén, Guatemala.