Belize Guide
The northern cayes and atolls
Belize's spectacular Barrier Reef, with its dazzling variety of underwater life and string of exquisite islands – known as cayes (pronounced "keys") – is the main attraction for most first-time visitors to the country. The longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, it begins just south of Cancún and runs the entire length of the Belize coastline at a distance of fifteen to forty kilometres from the mainland. One of the planet's richest marine ecosystems, it's a paradise for scuba divers and snorkellers, who come for the incredible coral formations teeming with hundreds of species of brilliantly coloured fish.
In recent years the town of San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye, has experienced a transition from a predominantly fishing-based economy to one dominated by tourism. There are still some beautiful spots on Ambergris, however, notably the protected areas of the island, including Bacalar Chico National Park in the north and Hol Chan Marine Reserve in the south. Caye Caulker, south of Ambergris Caye and home to another marine reserve, is much smaller and more Belizean in feel. Still popular with budget travellers, it is also expanding into a more upscale market.
Beyond the chain of islands and the coral reef are two of Belize's three atolls: the Turneffe Islands and Lighthouse Reef. In these breathtakingly beautiful formations, a ring of coral just below the surface encloses a shallow lagoon, often with a caye sitting right on its edge; here you'll find some of the most spectacular diving and snorkelling sites in the country, if not the world. Lighthouse Reef is the site of beautiful Half Moon Caye and the unique Blue Hole Natural Monument – an enormous, collapsed cave that attracts divers from all over the world. All of these destinations are regularly visited by day-trips or live-aboard dive boats from San Pedro and Caye Caulker.
Highlights
1 San Pedro Sample some of the best food and nightlife in the country in this laid-back resort village, made famous by Madonna in her song La Isla Bonita.
2 Bacalar Chico National Park Venture to this remote park on the northern tip of Ambergris Caye, stopping at ancient Maya seaports on the way.
3 Caye Caulker Go barefoot on the sandy streets, eat delicious, inexpensive meals, snorkel the Barrier Reef just offshore and soak up the Belizean Caribbean on this relaxed little island.
4 Sail the Caribbean Watch the glorious sunset from a handsome wooden sailing boat on an excursion from Caye Caulker, best enjoyed as an overnight trip.
5 Turneffe Islands Spend the day snorkelling or diving, or stay overnight on Belize's largest atoll and marvel at the marine life in this virtually pristine, biologically diverse environment.
6 Lighthouse Reef View it from the air, dive or snorkel the unique splendour of the Blue Hole, and then visit the booby birds on Half Moon Caye, arguably Belize's most enchanting island.