Best Beaches in Belize You Must Visit

Belize is a tropical paradise situated just south of Mexico’s popular Yucatan Peninsula. With a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea, Belize is well known for its stunning beaches. In this post, we will list some of the best beaches in Belize that you must visit while traveling to this beautiful country.

Best Beaches in Belize

1. Placencia

best beaches in Belize: Placencia

 

Popularly described as “barefoot perfect” by residents around the area, Placencia, in southern Belize, is known to be home to some of the best beaches in Belize. With its 16-mile long coastline and several pristine beaches, Placencia is surrounded by the Caribbean in the east and the Placencia lagoon in the west. The distance between the city and Placencia is 185 km approximately and can be covered within 3 hours by road or half-hour by air.

Known for its gorgeous white sandy beaches, the peninsula is full of adventure activities like snorkeling, diving with whale sharks, sailing, and lots of inland excursions.

The beaches of the Placencia peninsula originate at Maya Beach in the north covers Seine Bight, and end in the lap of Placencia Village.

2. Caye Caulker

best beaches in Belize: Caye Caulker

 

Caye Caulker is an island off of Belize accessible by water taxi from Belize City. The ferry takes 45-minutes and costs $12 USD. We went with the company Ocean Ferry Belize that has several departures per day.

You can also take the ferry to/from Ambergris Caye which is only 30 minutes away. It is possible to fly to Caye Caulker from Belize City, flights are around $75 one way and are less than 15 minutes.

An island where the motto is “Go Slow” and that is exactly what the island does. There is no reason to be in a rush on Caye Caulker. Everything is within walking distance, no cars – just bicycles.

Caye Caulker is a great place to get a taste of island life in Belize. A day on Caye Caulker involves lots of snorkeling and naps in a hammock under a palm tree. If you get a little restless on the island there are day trips to the Belize ruins and cave tubing in Belize.

3. Silk Caye

best beaches in Belize: Silk Caye

 

Off the coast of Placencia is tiny Silk Caye. This national park is a protected area that is a top pick for snorkeling and scuba diving. Right off the coast of Silk Caye, you can spot a wide range of coral types, grouper, turtles, and hammerhead sharks. Head slightly further out to the barrier reef, and you might even spot the famed gentle whale shark.

Back on dry land, you can unwind on sugar sand beaches or spot stingrays as they swim by in the clear blue water. The best way to see Silk Caye is on a guided boat tour from Placencia for the day.

4. Laughingbird Caye

Laughingbird Caye

 

Laughingbird Caye is another island off the coast of Placencia that makes for an unforgettable day trip. Without hotels and infrastructure, the island is a true tropical paradise. If you’re after sandy beaches, beautiful water, plenty of palm trees and a natural, undeveloped atmosphere, then this is the ideal destination. Plus, Laughingbird Caye is the perfect spot to access the rich underwater life in the region.

Most guided boat tours heading out to Laughingbird Caye offer snorkeling or scuba diving along the way. The island is also a popular spot for birdwatching in Belize.

5. Hopkins

Hopkins

 

Reflected upon as the friendliest village in Belize, Hopkins is located roughly 140 km from Belize city and 65 km from Placencia.

Easily accessible by bus or car, Hopkins is a traditional Garifuna village with its natural vibe intact. No paved pathways, no high rise modern buildings, and no beach cleaners to clean seaweeds, palm leaves, and fallen coconuts, the beach at Hopkins is exactly what a laid-back natural beach surrounding should be.

The only resorts are located far away from the coastline and into the city making the atmosphere around the beach completely tranquil. The natives are warm and friendly and believe in welcoming everyone with open arms.

Hopkins is surrounded by quite a few waterfalls, mountains, and reefs, and is home to natural attractions such as Bocawina National Park and Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve.

6. Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye

 

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and accessible by water taxi or air. There are 11 daily flights to Ambergris Caye with Maya Island Air prices average of $86 one way. This would be an epic view of the islands of Belize and worth the money.

The island is 25 miles long and one mile wide, boasting some amazing white sand beaches. Ambergris Caye is best explored by golf carts and bicycles. The main town of San Pedro has tons of restaurants, shops, hotels, and companies to book day trips with.

Some of the most popular things to do in Ambergris Caye are snorkeling and diving. The most popular spots are Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Snorkel trips can be arranged for less than $65 a person here. It’s a popular destination for divers due to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. The Great Blue Hole is on all diver’s bucket lists but if you aren’t a diver like myself, jump in a helicopter for an epic view.

 

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