Lined with hundreds of small and tiny islands, known as cays, which often rise only a few meters above the warm Caribbean Sea, it has long been considered an excellent diving spot and attracts water sports enthusiasts from all over the world. While the coastal islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are densely populated and offer touristic options for all budgets, most of the outer cayes, covered in mangroves or even sandy and lined with palm trees, are uninhabited and a paradise for birds and marine animals.
However, more and more visitors are also discovering the diversity of the mainland: the starting point is the secret capital of the former British colony, Belize City, which is the only city in Belize, even if the addition of “City” is truly exaggerated with a population of just under 80,000. The bustling streets, whose architecture still recalls its past as “British Honduras,” are dominated by the black Garifuna population, which is also by far the largest ethnic group in Belize as a whole. For many years, Belize City was considered a dangerous place by travelers and this reputation is difficult to get rid of, even though all those responsible are making efforts to improve social conditions and the often shabby appearance of the city. Nevertheless, even in the past, crime and especially violent crime were never primarily directed against tourists. Those who take the usual precautions should not be deterred from discovering this compact city for themselves. Belize City is also the starting point for the northern cayes, for tours to the natural attractions of the hinterland. There is also the zoo about 30 miles outside the city that is well worth a visit and is the only reliable place for those who want to encounter one of the much-photographed but rarely seen jaguars. Popular destinations in Belize – as in neighboring Yucatán in Mexico and Guatemala – are the Mayan sites. The most significant of these are the once powerful Caracol, which lies largely unexplored in the dense jungle near the Guatemalan border, and the ruins of Lamanai on the west bank of the New River Lagoon, which is best reached by boat. Like Costa Rica, Belize recognized the potential of nature-based tourism early on and is increasingly targeting travelers who are willing to pay a premium for the privilege of seclusion in exclusive lodges that combine luxury with rustic charm. These lodges, located in or at least close to the numerous nature reserves and protected areas, offer their guests a wide variety of tours, excursions, and activities. Apart from the tourist-developed cayes and Belize City, there are only two established towns in Belize that offer comfortable accommodation for travelers and are suitable as a location for a longer stay or as a starting point for tours into the surrounding area.