Written by Milly Whitehead on 06 / 12 / 2023
Gap Year Advice
Belize is a country of sunshine, reggae tunes and the second largest barrier reef in the world. A small country, (so easy to get around), defined by its diversity, from stunning islands, called Cayes, to dense jungle, to impressive Mayan ruins.
The waters off it's Caribbean coast make up part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The caye islands and the Great Blue Hole are a paradise for world-class scuba diving and snorkelling or just drinking rum on the beach. The interior is green, lush, and dotted with nature reserves. Wildlife is everywhere, from jaguars and butterflies to monkeys, and toucans. Caracol is home to one of the largest Mayan archaeological complexes in all of Central America.
Belize is an English-speaking country, although Belizean Creole is heard on the coast, and Spanish near the Guatemala border. Everyone here is charming and super easy going - it's peachy paradise for a gap year travel destination and combines perfectly with a Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico gap year itinerary. It gets our vote as the 'one not to miss'.
Fly into Belize City or cross the boarder from Guatemala, at San Ignacio, or from Chetumal in Mexico. It is also possible to travel by boat from Mexico or from Rio Dulce in Guatemala, but these options are more expensive.
Belize is a country of sunshine, reggae tunes and the second largest barrier reef in the world. A small country, (so easy to get around), defined by its diversity, from stunning islands, called Cayes, to dense jungle, to impressive Mayan ruins.
The waters off it's Caribbean coast make up part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The caye islands and the Great Blue Hole are a paradise for world-class scuba diving and snorkelling or just drinking rum on the beach. The interior is green, lush, and dotted with nature reserves. Wildlife is everywhere, from jaguars and butterflies to monkeys, and toucans. Caracol is home to one of the largest Mayan archaeological complexes in all of Central America.
Belize is an English-speaking country, although Belizean Creole is heard on the coast, and Spanish near the Guatemala border. Everyone here is charming and super easy going - it's peachy paradise for a gap year travel destination and combines perfectly with a Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico gap year itinerary. It gets our vote as the 'one not to miss'.
Fly into Belize City and grab a taxi outside the airport to Belize’s Water Taxi Port for about $10. Get to the port and purchase your ticket. Water taxis to Caya Caulker and San Pedro depart every 1.5 hours and typically run 8am to 6pm. This phase is all about island life and relaxing.
We advise spending 2 days on each island to get a feel for both of them. Caya Caulker is a smaller island than San Pedro with a more laid back backpacker vibe. Popular areas here are the ‘split’ – a sand bar and pier with bars and restaurants. Snorkelling is awesome here with the chance to see nurse sharks and rays.
Head over to San Pedro for 2 days – it is more upmarket and dining is more expensive here but it is a fun experience. This is your base to scuba dive or snorkel from – explore the Belize Barrier Reef and explore the Blue Hole if you’re a scuba diver looking to do a tour-guided trip. For food options check out Truck Stop, a shipping container food truck beer garden!
Hopkins
is a small welcoming village that is still in touch with its traditions
such as drumming. While here explore the Bocawina National Park and go
ziplining, hiking or swimming. Take a boat down Monkey River and spot
crocodiles and of course monkeys. Hopkins is also the place to be if you
would like to take a cooking class and try the local cuisine. If you
want to see more Mayan ruins then head to Xunantunich which is located
in Cayo, a couple of hours from Hopkins where you can climb all the way
to the top of the temple.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
and Jaguar Preserve is also something to add to your list – you most
likely won’t see a jaguar but you will see waterfalls, hiking trails and
get to do river tubing. We advise spending 2-3 days in Hopkins.
A
beautiful city – think street food and backpacker hang outs. Hop on a
bus here and try to time your visit over a Saturday so you can explore
the local market. A favourite traveller restaurant is Ko-Ox Han Nah.
While in San Igancio go on a tour to see the ATM caves
– you will be hiking, swimming and exploring your way through these
ancient caves where you can explore Mayan artifacts and history. It is
like something from a fairytale. We advise spending approx. 2-3 days in
San Igancio.
If
you’ve not had your fix of Mayan ruins yet then this will do the trick.
Caracol is the biggest mayan ruin in Belize. Stop off at the Rio Frio
cave en route if you would like to witness the beach inside a cave – the
water is too shallow to swim in but it is an awesome site. Stay here
for 2 nights.
There are a number of beautiful beaches, reserves, and cool hiking spots all along this strip of southern coast, starting with:
Dangriga - which is a laid-back beach town, home to a groovy Garifuna community. On any night of the week, there is usually a Garifuna drum and dance party somewhere on the beach. From here you you can hike and explore the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a jaguar reserve.
Great Blue Hole - make sure you schedule in a scuba trip here, easily arranged from Placencia. The Great Blue Hole is a breathtaking marine phenomenon, made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it as one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. Because of its uniqueness and ecological makeup, diving in the Great Blue Hole offers up a very special, once in a lifetime experience where all the oceanic species come together in one place.
Punta Gorda - further south of Placencia lies a large fishing village town, and the main port between Belize and Honduras. This is another great place for a diving and snorkeling and we highly recommend a visit to the Toledo Cave for a fresh cool water swim.
Belize's interior is literally covered in reserves, national parks and the famous Mayan ruins at Caracol.
Caracol was once one of the most powerful cities in the entire Maya
world and now lies covered by thick jungle near the Guatemalan border,
a 52-mile, roughly two - or three-hour drive from San Ignacio. Sitting high on
the Vaca Plateau, this is the largest Maya site in Belize, having possibly
stretched over 70 sq miles at its peak around AD 650. Nearly 40 miles of
internal causeways radiate from the center to large outlying plazas and
residential areas.
If you after a jungle trek we reccommend you try the Cockscomb Basin Forest Reserve or Guanacaste National Park, which is a smaller tropical reserve or the Tiger Fern trail which has amazing waterfalls.
Get prepared for a selection of boats, cars, taxis, planes, buses and golf carts on the islands.
1. By air
The two main airlines in Belize are Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, who both operate what many refer to as ‘puddle jumpers’, to many destinations across the country including Belize City, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio, San Pedro, and more. Tropic Air also offers international services to El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
2. By taxi
Taxi drivers will drive you anywhere in the country – for a price, but they are often the best option as they are a valuable source of local information and many double up as registered tour guides and can legally show you around as your personal guide.
Please note:
3. By bus
Buses, like many other countries in Central America, are in the form of an old U.S. school bus. They may be re-purposed but they haven’t been converted or refurbished, so expect vinyl seats, designed for short legs, and not at all luxurious. There’s a bus terminals in all major towns and a bus stop in every village, if you can always take the express option, as the standard buses stop in EVERY village. You pay for the bus when you are on the bus so make sure you have local cash on you.
4. By water-taxi
Water taxi's operate to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker from Belize City, try San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi and Caribbean Sprinter. Journey's take about 1.5 hours. You can book online or buy a ticket at the departure point. You can hop on a water taxi from the airports but they are more sporadic.
The national currency of Belize is the Belizean dollar, locally called the BZD. There are lots of international ATMs but they can be tough to find once you are outside of the cities and are in more remote areas. On the main islands – there are an abundance of ATM machines.
USA dollars are accepted everywhere but expect to be given change in BZD - so can be confusing.
November to April is the best time to travel as this is the dry season. Shoulder months of October and May are great as prices drop and the the rainy season hasn't really got started, which gets cracking in June.
Month to avoid is August as this is hurricane season.
Don't let this gap year friendly country pass you by - you will love it and it will add great contrast to Costa Rica and Guatemala especially with regard to the beaches and reggae culture. As we know, everyone loves a Caribbean beach. Have fun.
