Jungles, Jaguars, Reefs and Beaches. Here’s Why Travelers Are Flocking to Belize.
The jungles. The beaches. The reefs. The jaguars. If you know Belize, you know there’s nowhere quite like it in the Caribbean: a vibrant, layered destination, one where you can spend the morning in a tree-filled river and the afternoon on the sand; spend one day exploring Maya history and the other at the world’s most famous blue hole.
And it’s a dynamic duality that’s drawing huge numbers of visitors, Caribbean Journal has learned.
Belize reported 547,370 visitors last year, a sizzling 16.7 percent increase compared to 2023, according to data provided to Caribbean Journal by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization.
That was actually the second-highest growth rate for any destination in the Caribbean (after Curacao).
It’s a sign of the growing energy for Belize, which has been seeing strong numbers since the pandemic and continues to draw in travelers for its exotic blend of attractions.
We loved exploring Belize on our recent stay in the country, looking for jaguars in the Caribbean’s only jaguar preserve; checking out Francis Ford Coppola’s wonderful beach hotel in Placencia; and immersing ourselves in Garifuna culture in Hopkins, a place we’ve called the best Caribbean beach town you’ve never heard of (and it’s true).
Did we mention the bucket-list beach bar called Driftwood?
Are you planning a getaway to Belize? The only challenge is choosing where to start; when I headed there on my last trip, I went down to the southern portion of the country, visiting beach towns and inland wonders. But you can also focus on one or the other, too.
You can head for the jungles, rivers and waterfalls of the lush Cayo District, where pristine nature meets Maya ruins; or the aforementioned Hopkins, a laid-back beach town with a rich tapestry of culture; or Placencia, the up-and-coming hotspot with cafes, boutique hotels and an endlessly playful vibe.
Then there’s, of course, Ambergris Caye, the bustling, fun-loving island where golf carts reign and overwater bars dot the seascape.
In Cayo, we love the Gaia River Lodge, with a stunning perch high above a rushing river replete with its own funicular and a unique kind of river “beach.” It’s also checking out the town of San Ignacio, where I fell in love with the pupusas. Rooms at Gaia start at $280.
In Hopkins, there’s nowhere better than the Seiri Del Mar, a villa-style resort with a great strretch of sand and the area’s best eatery. Rooms start at $274 and include full kitchens.
What about Placencia? Coppola’s charming Turtle Inn has rooms right now for $569, all just steps from the sand with soaking tubs and “shell phones.”
Lately, we’re very fond of the Phoenix resort in Ambergris Caye, with a great location in the heart of San Pedro and residential-style rooms with a sleek-modern look that we adored when we last stayed at the property.
Flights to Belize are more accessible than ever, including sub-$400 fares on flights from Miami to Belize City’s airport, according to Google Flights.
