5 Reasons to Vacation in Belize this Summer
Summer is the busiest season for travel to Europe. That’s where most vacationers are headed during the months of June, July, and especially August. However, with the flight delays that continent has been experiencing, wouldn’t it be more enticing to go somewhere new and different? Perhaps closer to home?
Belize is climbing the ranks for best countries to visit for a vacation. It offers a trip filled with fun and adventure for a much smaller price tag than you could find in most European countries. In addition to the low price, there is no way you would feel like you were missing out on anything. Belize offers a diverse landscape with ancient Mayan ruins, the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the slow, quiet island beach life. Here are five reasons why you should consider Belize for your next vacation.
1. The Great Belize Barrier Reef
Belize’s barrier reef is a World Heritage Site and it is one of the world’s great natural wonders. It spans about 190 miles along Belize’s Caribbean coastline and supports vibrant marine life and habitats. It is at Belize’s Great Barrier Reef that you can enjoy world-class snorkeling and diving, which was dubbed by Charles Darwin as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies.”
2. Diving at the Great Blue Hole
Part of what the barrier reef has to offer is an amazing diving spot, call the Great Blue Hole. About 50 miles east of Belize city is the barrier reef’s most famous atoll, Lighthouse Reef Atoll. It is there that the Great Blue Hole is located. This diving spot is famous, in particular, because Jacques Cousteau deemed it one of the best scuba diving sites in the world.
3. Ambergris Caye
There are two well-known islands off the coast of Belize’s mainland: Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Ambergris Caye is the largest of the two and sits right off the coast from the barrier reef and blue hole diving spot. Ambergris Caye is known for its water sports and for its Caribbean beaches and is the most touristy area of the country. If your idea is to make sure and visit the best diving and snorkeling spots that Belize has to offer, head to Ambergris Caye and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
4. Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is the small, less populated island of the two, but still brings a lot to the table. Cars are prohibited on this tiny island, and the best way to fully enjoy your experience here is to take in the charm that it has to offer, in the way of small private shops and boutiques, kayaking among the mangroves to the north of the island and enjoy the slow and relaxed lifestyle Caye Caulker has to offer.
5. Mayan Ruins
Most of the Mayan Ruins and temples are located on the mainland. Tours are offered on the mainland and from Ambergris Caye, through tour companies. The ruins are located in the rainforests of Belize, and different sites each have something that sets them apart from the others. The ruins at Lamanai, for example, are rumored to have a monkey population that likes to come out and make appearances for tourists.
With so many things to do, it’s no wonder Belize is gaining in popularity among tourists and travelers. Many are even choosing to retire to Belize, or otherwise relocate there. This is partially due to do the affordable amenities and cost of living when compared to many other countries. A flight to Belize from either the United States or Canada can be as low as $375 USD. Combine that with the average cost of a hotel stay in Ambergris Caye for anywhere from $55 to $170/night, and you’ve got yourself a pretty nice vacation for a very affordable price. You don’t have to go too far from home, and you don’t have to worry about those European flight delays. Everyone wins! The average cost of a casual meal for two is only about $10, which leaves plenty of room in a vacation budget for the fun stuff: cave tubing, snorkeling, swimming with the sharks and rays, touring the Mayan ruins and more! To top it all off, the native language is English, so you can get by in the country easily speaking only English or only Spanish (which is very widely spoken).
Choose to visit Belize rather than Europe for your summer destination, and you’re even more likely to be able to fit a multi-country trip into your budget. Think about that!
