Tourism continues to heat up in Belize, which saw one of the Caribbean’s fastest rates of growth last year.

The Caribbean hotpot on the coast of Central America saw a 25 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2023, with a total of 464,717 stayover arrivals in the calendar year. The numbers mean Belize has nearly matched its pre-pandemic performance.

Those numbers were buoyed by a record-breaking December that saw the second-most arrivals of any month in the country’s history: 55,574 visitors. November was also a banner month, with a 47.1 percent jump compared to November 2022.

If Belize’s current tourism momentum hold, it’s likely to eclipse its previous all-time record in 2024, when the country welcomed 503,166 stayover visitors.

Belize has carved out a unique niche in the wider Caribbean region, with an enviable blend of lush jungles and pristine waters, making for a rare kind of getaway in the region.

It’s part of what Belize officials are calling a “resilient recovery after facing unprecedented challenges” and “signals a positive trajectory for the tourism industry.”

On the cruise side, Belize saw similarly strong growth, with a 47 percent jump compared to 2022, and more than 904,000 cruise passenger visits. Last week, Belize set another record, with four ships calling on Belize with more than 16,000 passengers — a single-day high for the destination.

That trend is likely to continue, with Belize forecasting more than 950,000 cruise visitors in 2024.

“As Belize continues to navigate the complexities of the global tourism landscape, these encouraging figures attest to the collective efforts and resilience of the industry stakeholders, local communities, and the Belize Tourism Board,” the Belize Tourism Board said in a statement. “The country remains committed to fostering sustainable tourism growth, ensuring the well-being of visitors, and preserving the unique cultural and natural treasures that make Belize a sought-after destination.”

For more, visit Belize.