Activities in Belize

Tropical rainforests and a unique underwater ecosystem make Belize one of the premier vacation destinations in the Caribbean.

Each year, thousands of vacationers are attracted to Belize because of its countless possibilities for fun in the sun. Vacationers can choose from a variety of things to do while visiting this country, including golf, snorkeling, diving and fishing.  In 2011, Belize was voted as the top Caribbean spot for adventure by readers of Caribbean Travel + Life in their "Best of the Caribbean" poll.

Water Sports

Belize's barrier reef structure is the second largest in the world and is home to a legion of sea animals and fish species. Snorkelers and divers can experience the amazing underwater world of the reefs while vacationing in Belize. The water's temperature and clarity make exploring the abundant marine life comfortable and easy. Underwater exploration is an excellent addition to your Belize travel itinerary. There are a number of snorkeling and scuba diving sites where you can delve into the depths, and Belize's dive shops can supply you with all of the equipment you need for your excursion.

Because the waters of Belize are so rich in aquatic life, including game fish, the country is a popular vacation destination among fishermen. The Caribbean Sea shelters fish species like marlin, sailfish, and other smaller game fish. Avid fishermen can spend their trip on the water fishing or trolling from a boat, or casting off near the coast at river mouths or lagoons. Many resorts on the island have fishing packages, so you can easily include sport fishing as a part of your stay.

Sports

Golf isn't typically one of the main activities that draws visitors to Belize. Although, the country was once home to one championship golf course, it has recently been closed. The Caye Chapel Golf Course & Marina offered 18 holes of challenging golf. The course's structure was somewhat unique compared to other courses in the Caribbean because it was designed to fit around the narrow terrain of the islet. The fairways were a little more cramped than many golfer's were used to, but the fees were reasonable.  Many have hope that the course will reopen one day.  In the meantime, there are a number of miniature golf courses throughout the country.

Tennis, however, is even more limited than golf.  There are no public tennis courses, and none of the resorts offer courts to their guests. 

Shopping

Your Belize vacation is not complete if you return home lacking souvenirs.  Luckily, there is plenty of opportunity to go shopping in Belize.  There are not a large amount of malls or department stores, but when you're looking for souvenirs, it's the local shops that you want to browse anyways.  Local handicrafts to be on the lookout for include hand-sewn linens, woodworkings, clay figurines, and Belizean seasons and spices.

Events and Festivals

Visitors who hope to experience local culture in a fun way are in luck.  Heritage is important to the people of Belize, and many of their annual events showcase aspects of culture that are important to them.  Celebrations honoring religious figures and ancestors are quite common, and there are even a few music festivals, food festivals, and sports competitions that take place each year.  Like much of the Caribbean, Belize celebrates Carnival in February.  The festivities are raucous and lively, and if you are visiting during Carnival season you will definitely want to make a point to attend the annual parade. Read more about events and festivals in Belize by clicking here.  

Nightlife

There are dozens of venues that remain open in Belize as night fall, allowing vacationers who can't stand for their day to end to keep the party going.  In San Pedro, there are a few bars that are situated right along the beach, which allows for visitors to really soak up every ounce of the Caribbean that they can during their night out.  Elsewhere in Belize visitors will find sports bars, dance clubs, and laid-back dives to enjoy nightlife in Belize.

No matter what kind of activities you enjoy, Belize has something special to offer all types of active travelers vacationing in the region.