Belize is ripe and bursting with adventure travel and learning opportunities for all ages and abilities. The hard part is deciding which ones to choose in your limited amount of vacation time. It’s helpful to keep in mind the style of travel you like, your physical ability, and whether you will be bringing children. Some folks enjoy getting dirty and being tested to the limits of their physical abilities; others like to stay clean and experience the outdoors in a softer fashion. Some travelers like to trek through miles of muddy jungle in hopes of seeing a tapir or jaguar; others prefer to sight one at the Belize Zoo. While some travelers choose to participate in a jungle research project, others are fascinated by a short visit to some excavated Maya ruins and a guided tour. All of the above are available in Belize and can be arranged through travel agents, guides, hotels, and lodges—or on your own.

Museums are a rarity in Belize (although there are a couple of small, interesting ones in Belize City and elsewhere) and “sightseeing” is much more of an active experience: hiking through Maya archaeological sites, paddling, swimming, diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, caving, and so on. Of course, you can also lay low, spending your vacation reading in a hammock and listening to the surf.

Once you’ve got an idea of what kind of Belize trip you’re looking for, you’ve got to plan your time. If you only have 7–10 days, be careful not to overextend yourself. Because of Belize’s uniquely compact size, many resorts and campgrounds serve well as bases to explore the surrounding sea and mountains in all directions, making moving from hotel to hotel unnecessary. You may consider choosing only one or two regions that suit your needs, then after you’ve arrived, planning your day trips from there. There are also some great loop trips to be had in Belize, especially for the independent traveler. And if you’ve got several weeks or more, you’ll have no problem spending them all in Belize.

It’s not necessary to plan out your activities before arriving in-country, nor is it necessary to have your hotels completely booked before departing home—except during high season in popular areas like San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia. Plan on everything—especially road travel within Belize—taking more time than you expect. Indeed, Belize starts to seem a lot bigger during those long bus rides, as distances stretch along with the local concept of time. Renting a car speeds things up, but can be prohibitively expensive for some. Flying within the country is a cinch, and Belize’s two national airlines can help save many precious hours, with regular service and reasonable rates between the most popular towns and islands.

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WHEN TO GO

Most visitors look at a combination of their available vacation time and Caribbean climate trends when planning when to take their trip. Some plan around the bigger events of the year, like Garinagu (Garifuna) Settlement Day in November or the Ruta Maya Challenge Canoe Race in March. High season (meaning an increased number of tourists and hiked prices) is generally mid-December through May, a period many travel agents and guidebooks will tell you is the “dry season” in a vain effort to neatly contain Belize’s weather. In many years, this is true, with this time of the year enjoying sunny skies and vegetation still green from the rainy season. Mother Nature, however, enjoys making things a bit more unpredictable, especially in these times of uncertain global climate. November can be dry as a bone and sunny, while December, January, and even February can play host to wet cold fronts that either blow right through or sit around for days.

Your best bet? Be prepared, both with clothing and attitude! A week of stormy weather may ruin a vacation planned solely around snorkeling, but it could also provide the perfect setting for exploring the rainforests or enjoying a hot tub and fireplace in the Mountain Pine Ridge.

June, July, and August technically fall in the rainy season—rain during these months may mean just a quick shower each afternoon, or it may go on for days. Those who travel to Belize during this time are rewarded with significantly discounted prices at most accommodations. August is the big month for European backpackers and travelers, while December and February are dominated by North Americans. Some tourism businesses shut down completely during the months of September and October, the peak of hurricane season.

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WHAT TO TAKE

Clothing
In general, pack for hot weather (both humid and dry) and the occasional cool front; at least one pair of pants, long sleeves, and a light shell jacket are recommended (rainy season can push all the way into February when it wants to, and June through November are guaranteed to be damp). Cayo and the Mountain Pine Ridge can get down to sweater weather in any part of the wet season. Don’t forget a swimsuit—and a sarong or wrap for that stylish saunter to the beach bar.

Paperwork
Make a photocopy of the pages in your passport that have your photo and information. When you get the passport stamped in the airport, it’s a good idea to make a photocopy of that page as well, and store the copies somewhere other than with your passport. This will facilitate things greatly if your passport ever goes lost or stolen. Also consider taking a small address book, credit cards, travelers checks, your insurance policy, and an international phone card for calling home. Be discreet when using a money belt—the best option is to buy one that looks like a regular belt instead of a money belt.

Luggage
If you plan to hitchhike or use public buses and collective taxis, don’t use a large external-frame pack. For rain and theft concerns, it’s preferable to have your luggage inside the vehicle with you, and this will be harder to ensure if you bring a monster backpack—instead, strive for something smaller. A bag that fits on your lap is a good parameter. A strong bike cable and lock can secure the pack to a bedpost and a small padlock can shut zippers.

Camping Gear
A few of Belize’s campgrounds offer tents and pads for rent, but not all, so if you’re looking to do a lot of camping, pack a lightweight tent and other items like a small shovel for burying waste. A light, summer-weight rated sleeping bag should be more than enough, or even just a cotton or silk sleep sack or sheet. Don’t forget a water bottle. Finally, if you leave the road with a map, compass, and/or GPS unit, make sure you also have the knowledge to use these tools—or better yet, go with a local guide.

Miscellany
Bring a small first aid kit (see the Practicalities chapter for suggestions), a flashlight or headlamp, plenty of plastic bags and zip-locs for protection during rain or boat travel, and a cheap set of ear plugs for the occasional early morning rooster or karaoke concert. Don’t worry if you forget reading material—most hotels and lodges have a large selection of abandoned or traded books in English. Consider bringing a couple of photos of home to show Belizean hosts and friends who will invariably be interested in your life “up there.”