Attractions of Belize

To help inspire or plan your trip to Belize, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Belize which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker The tiny island of Caye Caulker lies 34km northeast of Belize City in the Caribbean Sea. It's a great location to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. Some of the world's best diving and snorkelling is available here - there are over 500 species of colourful tropical fish, as well as numerous corals, molluscs, sponges and crustaceans. There's also the chance to explore underwater caves and observe manatees in their mangrove habitats. The island itself, just 7km long, is an uncrowded and unpretentious place of friendly locals, sandy streets, beautiful beaches and some excellent seafood just out of the water. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker

The tiny island of Caye Caulker lies 34km northeast of Belize City in the Caribbean Sea. It's a great location to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. Some of the world's best diving and snorkelling is available here - there are over 500 species of colourful tropical fish, as well as numerous corals, molluscs, sponges and crustaceans. There's also the chance to explore underwater caves and observe manatees in their mangrove habitats. The island itself, just 7km long, is an uncrowded and unpretentious place of friendly locals, sandy streets, beautiful beaches and some excellent seafood just out of the water.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

Mayan City of Xunantunich
Mayan for ‘Rock Stone Maiden’, Xunantunich is located right on the present-day border with Guatemala, just west of Tikal. The site's most impressive feature is the 40 metre tall pyramid known as El Castillo. The pyramid can be climbed to see inscriptions representing the Sun god and other astronomical features and also the spectacular view over the whole site and surrounding region.

Mayan City of Lamanai
The Mayan ruins at Lamanai in northern Belize offer a distinct experience to visiting other Mayan sites. The ruins have not been extensively excavated and reconstructed and therefore are located in thick, humid rainforest. Reached by a boat ride followed by walking through rough forest trails, there is a sense of discovery not felt when visiting some of the more reconstructed and visited sites. Lamanai is believed to be about 2,000 years old and is known for the many representations of crocodiles found at the site.

Mayan City of Lamanai

The Mayan ruins at Lamanai in northern Belize offer a distinct experience to visiting other Mayan sites. The ruins have not been extensively excavated and reconstructed and therefore are located in thick, humid rainforest. Reached by a boat ride followed by walking through rough forest trails, there is a sense of discovery not felt when visiting some of the more reconstructed and visited sites. Lamanai is believed to be about 2,000 years old and is known for the many representations of crocodiles found at the site.

Mayan City of Altun Ha
The Mayan site of Altun Ha is located on Belize's Caribbean coast. The city is believed to have been inhabited 2,000 years ago with evidence of influences from Teotihuacan in Mexico. There are a number of structures at the site today, including pyramids, temples and plazas, the most notable of which is the 18 metre Temple of the Sun. Altun Ha is famous for being the site where the jade head of the Mayan Sun god Kinich Ahau was discovered.

Mayan City of Altun Ha

The Mayan site of Altun Ha is located on Belize's Caribbean coast. The city is believed to have been inhabited 2,000 years ago with evidence of influences from Teotihuacan in Mexico. There are a number of structures at the site today, including pyramids, temples and plazas, the most notable of which is the 18 metre Temple of the Sun. Altun Ha is famous for being the site where the jade head of the Mayan Sun god Kinich Ahau was discovered.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's first and only jaguar reserve where the magnificent big cat is protected from game hunting. Spotting jaguars is very difficult but the reserve has many other species to observe whilst walking through its forest trails. These include jaguarundis, peccary, brocket deer and iguanas, as well as numerous bird species such as toucan, king vulture and scarlet macaw.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's first and only jaguar reserve where the magnificent big cat is protected from game hunting. Spotting jaguars is very difficult but the reserve has many other species to observe whilst walking through its forest trails. These include jaguarundis, peccary, brocket deer and iguanas, as well as numerous bird species such as toucan, king vulture and scarlet macaw.