Travel to Belize: cheap flights to the Great Blue Hole and Maya cities
A circular sinkhole visible from space, a UNESCO barrier reef, laid-back cayes and, inland, Maya pyramids rising from the jungle: Belize brings the Caribbean Sea and Central America together in a small English-speaking country. Here is how to plan the trip, then watch for cheap flights to Belize.
Belize at a glance
Capital
Belmopan
Population
About 400,000
Area
About 23,000 km²
Currency
Belize dollar
Languages
English, Kriol, Spanish
Heritage
Barrier reef
Continent
North America
Time zone
UTC-6
Airports covered
1
Why visit Belize
Reef, cayes, jungle and Maya cities
The Great Blue Hole
An immense circular marine sinkhole about three hundred metres across at the heart of the reef: seen on scenic flights or dives, it has become the country's emblem.
A barrier reef to explore
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO site, offers easy snorkelling near the cayes and world-class diving.
Maya cities in the jungle
Caracol, Altun Ha, Lamanai and Xunantunich tell of a civilisation that thrived here for centuries; some pyramids can be climbed for a view over the canopy.
English-speaking and multicultural
English, Kriol, Spanish, Maya languages and Garifuna live side by side. The food mixes rice and beans, fish, lobster and Garifuna traditions: an easy trip for English-only travellers.
Highlights
Great Blue Hole, cayes, Caracol, Altun Ha, Lamanai and the interior
Belize works in two parts: the sea, with the reef and cayes, then the land, with Maya sites and nature reserves. Distances are short, but plan on boats, buses or small planes to get around.
The Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef
The Great Blue Hole is best admired from the sky, on a flight from Belize City or the cayes, or up close on a dive for experienced divers. All around, the barrier reef, one of the largest in the world, forms a garden of coral heads, sandbanks and clear water to explore by boat.
The cayes: Ambergris Caye, San Pedro and Caye Caulker
San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, is the best-known caye, with its piers, beaches and diving and snorkelling trips to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Smaller Caye Caulker lives by its motto go slow: sand streets, beach bars and trips to the reef.
Caracol, the great pyramid of the jungle
Hidden in the forest near the western border, Caracol was a major Maya city that may have held over a hundred thousand people. Its main pyramid, tall and wide, rises above the canopy; you climb it for the view after a long track and with guides.
Altun Ha and Lamanai: two Maya sites, two moods
Altun Ha, near the coast, lines up pale stone temples around large plazas and is easy to visit on a trip from Belize City. Lamanai is reached by boat up the New River, with crocodiles, birds and howler monkeys on the way, before temples hidden in the jungle.
The interior, jaguars, caves and the south coast
In the south, Cockscomb Basin, the world's first jaguar reserve, can be explored on trails, and caves in the interior are visited with guides. Further down the coast, Placencia and Hopkins offer beaches and Garifuna culture, with drums and cassava bread.
Before you go
February to May for the dry season, June to November for the rains
| Area | Weather | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Cayes and reef | Hot and breezy; calm sea and clear water in spring. | March to June, outside the rains |
| Interior and Maya sites | Hot and humid; tracks easier in the dry season. | February to May |
| South (Placencia, Hopkins) | Wetter, dense forest, quiet beaches. | February to May |
| Belize City and north coast | Humid heat, summer showers. | February to May |
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November and Belize can be affected, so check forecasts before booking and consider travel insurance. Flights cost more around Christmas and in spring, which is why tracking them early pays off.
Getting around
Buses, taxis, water taxis and small planes
Traffic drives on the right. Long-distance buses are very cheap and link the main towns; taxis suit short trips and excursions. To reach the cayes you take a water taxi from Belize City, about thirty minutes to Caye Caulker, or a small plane.
For the Maya sites, an organised tour eases access, especially for Caracol and Lamanai. Pack sunscreen, insect repellent and shoes for sometimes damp trails.
Culture and food
Garifuna, Kriol, rice and beans and seafood
Belize is a country of blends: Maya, Garifuna, Creole, Mestizo and other communities live side by side. Garifuna music, dance and language, recognised by UNESCO as intangible heritage, are best met in the south at Hopkins and Placencia.
At the table, try rice and beans in coconut milk, grilled fish, lobster in season, tamales and Garifuna cassava bread. Tropical fruit is everywhere.
Travel to Belize
The Belize airport tracked by SniperAir
Philip S. W. Goldson International
The airport of Belize, about sixteen kilometres from Belize City, a twenty-five-minute drive. Boats and small planes to the cayes leave from Belize City or the municipal airstrip.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Belize
Which airport should I use to travel to Belize?
Philip S. W. Goldson (BZE), near Belize City, handles international flights. From there you reach the cayes by boat or small plane. SniperAir tracks BZE for you.
When is the best time to travel to Belize?
February to May is the pleasant dry season, with calm seas in spring. June to November is wetter and is the Atlantic hurricane season: stay flexible.
Is travelling to Belize expensive?
It is one of the pricier destinations in Central America, especially on the cayes and for excursions. You can balance with guesthouses, buses, local meals and day trips. Tracking flights helps.
Do I need a visa for Belize?
Rules depend on your nationality. A valid passport is required. Always check the official rules before you travel.
How long should I spend in Belize?
A week lets you combine a caye with a Maya site. Ten days gives time to add Caracol, caves, the south and a day at sea.
What currency is used in Belize?
The Belize dollar, pegged to the US dollar, which many businesses also accept. Cards work in hotels and restaurants; keep cash for buses and small places.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Belize drops below my budget?
Create a SniperAir alert with your departure airport and BZE, set your maximum price, and we notify you as soon as a fare falls below it. SniperAir monitors prices and sends alerts. See how it works.
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