- Snorkel and dive the Belize Barrier Reef from Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye
- Base yourself in San Ignacio for caves, rivers and Maya ruins, and an easy hop to Tikal
- No direct flights from the UK, so connect in the US (ESTA needed)
- English is the official language and US dollars are accepted everywhere
- Airports
- Belize City Philip S. W. Goldson (BZE)
- Flight time
- about 13-15h from London with one stop in the US
- Best time to go
- Late November-April (dry season)
- Currency
- Belize dollar (BZ$), fixed at 2 to the US dollar
Belize is a small country with a big reef. The Belize Barrier Reef, part of the second-longest barrier reef system in the world, runs the length of its coast, and the cayes (pronounced "keys") offshore are made for snorkelling, diving and doing very little. Inland, rainforest hides Maya temples, river caves and jaguar reserves. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language, which makes it an easy, relaxed place to travel.
It is also a natural add-on to Mexico's Yucatán and to Tikal in Guatemala. This guide, one of our Central America guides, covers where to go, when to travel, the best routes from the UK and what to budget in 2026.
Where to go in Belize
Caye Caulker
Tiny, car-free Caye Caulker runs on golf buggies and the motto "go slow". Rooms are simpler and cheaper than on Ambergris, and it is the best base for snorkel trips to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where nurse sharks and stingrays gather.
Ambergris Caye and San Pedro
The largest caye has the widest choice of resorts, restaurants and dive shops. It is busier and pricier than Caye Caulker but suits families and divers who want comfort. Both islands run day trips to the Great Blue Hole, the giant marine sinkhole on Lighthouse Reef.
San Ignacio and the Cayo District
Inland, San Ignacio is the hub for adventure. Visit the ruins of Xunantunich and Caracol, float through caves on an inner tube, and join a guided trip into Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM cave), where you swim and scramble to Maya skeletons and pottery. It is also less than half an hour from the Guatemalan border and the road to Tikal.
Placencia and the south
Placencia is a long, sandy peninsula with a laid-back village, good for beach time on the mainland. From here you can take boat trips to the outer cayes and whale shark snorkelling at Gladden Spit, mainly around full moons in spring. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar reserve, is close by.
Best time to visit Belize
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dry season (late November-April) | Sunny, calm seas, best visibility for diving; peak prices at Christmas and Easter |
| Early wet season (May-July) | Hotter, short heavy showers, fewer visitors, lower rates |
| Peak hurricane season (August-October) | Highest storm risk, some places close in September and October |
Travel insurance with good hurricane cover is essential for trips between June and November. Check what your policy pays if flights are cancelled by a named storm.
Getting to Belize from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK. The quickest routes connect in the US, with American, United and Delta via Miami, Houston, Dallas or Atlanta, taking about 13-15 hours in total. Because you change planes in the US, you will need an ESTA even though you are not staying there. Another popular option is to fly direct to Cancún in Mexico and travel overland to Belize via Chetumal, or take a water taxi from Chetumal to Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
Entry requirements
British passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit; you are normally given up to 30 days on arrival, which can be extended locally. You may be asked to show a return ticket and enough funds. An exit fee applies when you leave by land or sea, and is usually included in air fares. Rules change, so check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Belize before booking.
Getting around
Small planes with Tropic Air and Maya Island Air link Belize City with the cayes, Placencia and other towns, and are quick and scenic. Water taxis run between Belize City, Caye Caulker and San Pedro several times a day. On the mainland, local buses are cheap and slow; a hire car or private transfers make more sense for the Cayo District. Roads are generally fine on the main highways.
Money and costs
The Belize dollar is fixed at two to one US dollar, and US notes are accepted everywhere, though change often comes in Belize dollars. Belize is pricier than Guatemala or Mexico because so much is imported. Budget about US$100-150 per person per day for mid-range travel, more on Ambergris Caye and for diving. Hotels add tax and often a service charge; tip around 10-15% in restaurants if service is not included, and tip guides and boat crews.
Top attractions in Belize
Belize on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye better?
Caye Caulker for a cheaper, backpacker-friendly, car-free island; Ambergris Caye for more choice of hotels, restaurants and family resorts. Day trips from either reach the same reef sites.
Do I need a visa for Belize?
Not for a holiday on a British passport. You will usually get 30 days on arrival. Remember the ESTA if you are connecting through the US.
Can you visit Tikal from Belize?
Yes. Tikal is about two hours from San Ignacio by road, so it can be done as a long day trip, though staying overnight near the site lets you see it at sunrise.
Is Belize good for diving beginners?
Yes. There are calm, shallow sites ideal for learning, and plenty of PADI schools on both cayes. The Great Blue Hole itself is a deep dive for certified, experienced divers.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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