The pristine reefs of Ambergris Caye. The sparkling beaches of Placencia. The rugged natural beauty of the Cayo District. 

Belize is a world of destinations for every kind of traveler, whether you’re seeking a rainforest retreat, a stay in a river lodge or a good old-fashioned sandy getaway. 

It’s no surprise, then, that the country on the Caribbean coast of Central America is in the midst of a full-fledged travel boom. 

International arrivals to Belize are up a whopping 30 percent so far this year, with air arrivals jumping 30 percent compared to 2023 – the fastest growth rate of any destination in the Caribbean. 

That’s the story from analytics firm ForwardKeys, which just released its Caribbean report in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. 

Belize’s growth is faster even than similarly-booming destinations like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and more even than the white-hot destinations in the Dutch Caribbean like Curacao and Aruba. 

Curacao is up 24 percent, while Aruba has seen arrivals climb by 20 percent, according to ForwardKeys. 

It’s what the company called “impressive” growth for Belize, which has been seeing steady growth since its tourism reopening in the beginning of the post-pandemic travel relaunch. 

“As the Caribbean seeks to build on its success in the global tourism recovery, a data-based approach to destination promotion and management will be foundational for a sustainable, resilient and profitable future for the region’s tourism sector,” said Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys. 

Are you planning a vacation to Belize? 

There’s something for every type of vacation, from the aforementioned river lodges like Gaia and Blancaneaux Lodge to beach retreats like Ambergris Caye’s popular Phoenix resort and Alaia, two of our particular favorites. 

To learn more, visit Belize.