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Looking for a lesser-known vacation hotspot with outstanding natural beauty, rich culture, and diverse wildlife?
Belize is often overlooked in favor of its much bigger and more popular neighbor, Mexico. But to miss Belize would be a big mistake.
Belize has the same ancient Mayan background as Mexico and has a stunning Caribbean coastline with warm, calm waters and white sand beaches.
With a tropical paradise and the second-largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is an incredible place to explore.
And we’re not the only ones that think so!
According to travel experts ABTA, Belize is one of the best off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit for 2025.
Incredible Natural Attractions
ABTA calls Belize a pocket-sized tropical paradise and a nature lovers delight. And its outstanding natural beauty is one of the highlights of this fascinating destination.
The mainland of the country is largely covered in tropical rainforest which is perfect for hiking or for taking an ATV tour if you’re looking for something a little less active.
Hunab-ku Adventours is one of the top-rated adventure tour operators in the country, and you can take an exhilarating ATV waterfall tour with prices starting from $174 USD.
You could also try canoeing on the Macal River or horseback riding to Xunantunich through the Cristo Rey village.
Thanks to its incredible rainforest backdrop, Belize also boasts a breathtaking array of wildlife. If you’re a nature lover then you could spot big cats such as jaguars and ocelots as well as other wildlife like howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and tapir.
And, of course, thanks to Belize’s 240-mile (386 km) long coastline, you can also experience the incredible wildlife in the Caribbean Sea. Sea turtles, sharks, and beautiful schools of fish litter the shoreline here.
Spectacular Beaches And Watersports
If relaxing on beautiful beaches, scuba diving, or snorkeling are on your list of things to do, then you won’t be disappointed in Belize.
Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world and the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s so beautiful and significant that it’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can both dive and snorkel here, either independently or as part of a tour group.
The barrier reef is around 300 meters offshore, and as you would expect from such a large attraction, there are a huge number of snorkeling and scuba diving tours available here.
Hamanasi has a great reputation for providing both snorkeling and scuba diving adventures. Their Barrier Reef snorkeling tours cost $140 USD per person, alternatively they offer scuba diving packages for $230 USD per person.
More interested in relaxing on the beach than exploring under the shoreline?
Some of the best beaches for relaxation in Belize include those on the tiny island of South Water Caye, the clear waters of Placencia Peninsula, or the soft sand of Half Moon Caye.
Fascinating Culture
Just like in Mexico, people visit Belize for its fascinating culture just as much as for its spectacular beaches. You can explore archaeological sites, including temples and palaces, here.
The huge site of Lamanai is one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Belize. It’s scattered along the lagoon of the New River and was once one of the longest continuously occupied Mayan cities from about 500 BC to 1675.
The most impressive attractions here are the Late Pre-Classic temple-pyramids, and the jungle setting attracts a group of howler monkeys who call the site home.
By far the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize is the site of Caracol. Despite its size, this site still remains largely unexcavated, so visiting has a real air of adventure.
Because of its remote location, right in the middle of the Chicibul Rainforest Reserve, you’ll need to be prepared for a hike to visit.
The best way to visit Caracol is by booking a tour. Maya Walk Tours offers a fully guided tour of the excavated portions of the Caracol site. This tour departs from San Ignacio and lasts between 9-10 hours. This costs £135 USD per person.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.