Belize has a way of bringing out the best parts of you. You morph into “the you” you’ve always imagined yourself to be. The most adventurous you. The daredevil version of you. Best outdoor activities in Belize.

Mountainous jungles bring out the hiker in you, and the inner zipliner. There are reefs for your inner snorkeler and diver. Ancient Mayan Ruins and Caves for your inner explorer. Waterfalls for your inner rappeller.  And, at the end of each day’s adventures, Rhum Bars on the beach will definitely bring you out  to kick back in a beach hammock and end the day with a delicious pina colada.

Whatever your taste in recreation – or perhaps just relaxation? Belize is a paradise for all your needs, so, we guarantee there will be something for you to do – or not do…. Active travelers rejoice!

I’ve put together 5 of the most epic outdoor adventures being offered in Belize. An because you definitely need a decent outpost for exploring, I’ve also recommended some fantastic accommodations at the end.

5 Epic Outdoor Adventures in Belize

Caving

Caving in Belize goes beyond your regular caving experience, and cave river trips are an increasingly popular way to explore.  Tubing into a dark cave is truly a surreal experience. You’ll hear the crashing of a waterfall up ahead and be told to hold on tight. Out from the darkness spectacular forests lay ahead. Trek through sub-tropical trails, wade through stunning lagoons, and discover a variety of exotic flora and fauna native to Belize.

Belize has unbelievable cave formations, and with an abundance of limestone and a wet climate, this is one of the premiere destinations to cave in the world. For those who consider themselves explorers, most caves have not yet been thoroughly explored, and their isolation means natural wonders remain largely untouched, and significant archaeological discoveries are just waiting to be found. What are the best caves in Belize?

Don’t miss the ATM. The Actun Tunichil Muknal is the most popular cave in Belize, though an experience best reserved for the fit and adventurous. Once a Mayan burial site, it is now full of skeletons, pottery and other ceremonial objects left by the Maya. “The Crystal Maiden” is the cave’s most famous skeleton, her bones cemented into the floor by natural processes; leaving them sparkling as though they have been crystallized. Caving in Belize. 

The 45-minute hike from the cave entrance will have you swimming, climbing and exploring through tropical rainforest, multiple streams and several different chambers. It is 5 km deep, and the deeper you trek, the more ceramics and pottery of all sizes to be found in the exact spots where sacred Mayan ceremonies were performed. Best caves in Belize. 

Note that the inner chambers will require you to take off your shoes so as to not damage the priceless artifacts, and no cameras are allowed.

Ziplining & Water Rappelling

Heading to the jungle? Why not soar through it? Experience the Belize jungle canopy from treetop to treetop, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the rainforest below. This is a huge adrenaline rush, and many zipline tours combine the experience with rappelling from the last treetop in order to reach the ground.

For a truly unique experience be sure to choose a zipline tour which includes a waterfall rappel!  Even if you’re not experienced you can enjoy this – rappelling at Mayflower Bocawina National Park for instance is designed especially for families, and considered an introduction to rappelling.

Ruins

Belize is well known for its huge range of Mayan temples and historical sites, so much so, that it is called the heartland of the Mayan World. You could very easily center your whole itinerary around visiting all the Maya sites in Belize. Some of the most popular historical sites include Lamanai, Xunantunich, Caracol (the country’s largest Mayan ruin) and Altun Ha.

If you’re limited for time you should focus on Cayo, Belize’s Westernmost District. It is here where the most impressive Maya cities in Belize lie.  The Ancient Maya City of Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nan-tu-nitch) with its 39m-high El Castillo pyramid is a must. Best ruins in Belize. 

This fascinating ruin is believed to be around 1400 years old, and is made up of several plazas and a large selection of classic period structures. Those ambitious enough to hike to the top have the chance to take in a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding Maya mountains and valleys with views of both Guatemala and Belize. Does Belize have any good ruins?

Helicopter Tours

Helicopter Tours are definitely up there when it comes to price but the incredible views and photo ops will most certainly make up for it. Imagine soaring over lush, protected and untouched jungle reserves, Maya Mountains with a cascading 1000-Foot waterfall. Picture an up-close aerial tour over the ancient Maya City of Xunantunich. Helicopter tours in Belize. 

Helicopter tours are a truly thrilling way to witness Belize’s diverse landscapes and environments, and you’ll capture a perspective few others have the fortune of seeing. How much is a helicopter tour in Belize?

Scuba & Snorkelling

Located on one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, there are many places to dive and snorkel all throughout Belize. The country boasts a bucket list of destinations for divers and snorkelers looking to explore this unbelievable underwater world. Water visibility generally reaches 100+ feet and the clear warms waters are exceptional. Best snorkeling in Belize. 

The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans 185 miles of the country’s coastline, and features countless dive sites both inside and outside the reef, including the world renowned Blue Hole. Dryer water-sports are also readily available for those looking to explore life on top of the water.  It’s quite easy to organize a canoeing trip through the country’s many inland rivers, kayak through the cayes, paddle boarding, fishing or relaxing from a sailboat, or even kite and wind surfing. Can I snorkel in the Blue Hole in Belize?

The Blue Hole, Belize’s biggest diving attraction, an almost perfectly circular hole of water 480 feet (145 m) deep with a radius of more than 1,000 feet (305 m). It is one of the most astounding dive sites to be found anywhere on earth, the hole itself being the opening to a system of caves and passageway that penetrate this undersea mountain. Scuba Dive Belize Blue Hole. 

“Today the Blue Hole is famed for its sponges, barracuda, corals, angelfish, and a school of sharks often seen patrolling the hole’s edge.”

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging since 2007, with the main aim of inspiring others to embark on their own worldwide adventure. Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

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