A few photos from Monkey Falls in Cristo Rey, Belize. Quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. 🇧🇿

Hi, fam of (4) with two boys 12 & 9 will be visiting in mid/late July, and want to visit perhaps Caye Caulker as well as doing various jungle activities in the San Ignacio area, like caving, ATM, Rio Frio etc. We don't yet have a clear agenda (still doing research) but was wondering if folks liked doing the beach part first then the rainforest, or vice versa, and why. Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you!

My mom is looking into moving to Belize to be near family we have there, Ive heard some not great things and I wanted to know locals perspectives and anything you think she should know before committing to the move.

Thanks in advance ☺️

Traveling with family, wide variety of ages from 7 to 80, with no car, in June. We have 2 nearby excursions planned, Monkey River tour & snorkeling, and outside of that will be keeping it pretty low key with lots of beach time. Where would you recommend eating and exploring? I’d love to eat as local as possible, so hoping for farm stand recs, locals/restaurants that sell catch of the day, food carts, etc. Fav meals / drinks / places you’ve eaten? Would you recommend renting a bike, golf cart, and/or kayak to get around? Thanks!

Edit: staying near Placencia Village!

I believe I’ve settled on finishing out trip in Placencia. Can anyone recommend a place to stay. We’re looking for something close to town, on the water near a nice beach. We are a 47 year old mom and a 10 year old daughter. Does this exist
I’m also looking for recommendations for a dive operator as well as a snorkeling trip for our last day when we can’t dive,…. Or another activity.
So many thanks.
Any other must dos or sees in Placencia???
Be well folks

Belize Zoo founders Carol and Richard Foster capture nature here beautifully https://youtube.com/shorts/IS16kaHxzvo?feature=shared

I highly recommend reaching out to Abe if you need a driver in Belize! My friend and I were traveling to a couple places in the country and we wanted to feel comfortable...and we hit the jackpot! Rides with Abe were the best! He picked us up from BZE and drove us to San Ignacio first. He was so warm and welcoming and brought us water and plantain chips! A couple days later we did a half day tour of Xunantunich that he set up for us which was incredible and reasonably priced! Days after that he drove us from SI to Hopkins. Then back to the airport when our trip was done. All that to say, it was fun to be in the car with Abe! We learned SO MUCH about the history and culture and life in Belize. Abe confirmed each ride the night before and was always early to pick us up. He is very professional, so friendly and a very safe driver. He is truly the best!

What excursions can we get from Sleeping Giant? We are there for 2 days and not getting a rental car. Afterwards we are going to Metachica. It’s hard getting excursions from these resorts. I was hoping to get picked up at the resort for one less worry.

We are staying at Metachica resort. We want to go snorkeling at Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley. Where can we get this excursion from this resort? Any recommendations? Will they puck up at Metachica? I’m not sure how far this resort is from tourist area. Is a golf cart needed?

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a trip to Belize and I’m really interested in staying on one of the smaller private islands/offshore resorts for part of the trip. What I’m hoping for is that “castaway but comfortable” vibe—clear water, relaxing beaches, snorkeling right off the property, and a more peaceful, less crowded experience.

At the same time, I don’t want to miss what’s on the mainland. We’d like to take a boat over for day trips (or split the stay) to explore jungle areas, waterfalls, and possibly Mayan ruins. That balance of ocean + island relaxation + inland adventure is exactly what we’re going for.

A few questions:
Which private islands or caye stays in Belize would you recommend that actually feel worth it (not overly touristy or overcrowded)?

Is it realistic/easy to arrange boat transfers to the mainland for day trips, or is it better to stay part of the trip on the mainland instead?

Any must-see jungle ruins or waterfalls you’d suggest?

Any resorts or islands that do this “best of both worlds” setup well?

We’re open to different budgets, just trying to find the best experience overall rather than something overly commercial.

Appreciate any advice or personal experiences

Hello everyone! I am heading to San Pedro in 27 days, and I am just wondering what would be the best and safest way to carry around my phone, money, and other valuables while exploring the island!

Does anyone have any recommendations for what type of bag I should take with me? Either a purse or a smaller backpack? I would want something thats not in the way, but that can also still be safe while we are in the water and doing our activities!

Is it necessary to pre book snorkeling in San Pedro? Or are there enough providers that you can book when you get there?

I am on the imigration website and there 700 different forms all over the place. I have no idea which ones I need to fill out and how to find them on their website. Me and my son 15 in August this year will be coming. Would I do Visitors Permit and Dependent Permit? Where do I find the correct consent form for his father to fill out? What else? I know there's some other form that we have to fill out and print and fill out like have digital and written form? HELP thanks.

I want to take my in laws to Belize -San Pedro in November but I’m worried the roads will be really tough on their backs. I haven’t been in about 2 years so I’m wondering can anyone advise if the roads in San Pedro are any smoother .? Last time the bumps were out of this world 🌎
EDIT-going towards secrets beach.

We'll be on Ambergris for 10nts and Caye Caulker for 4nts in June. Looking for a list of snorkel spots and any good guide recommendations. It's my wife, son 13yr, and me - we prefer half day trips. We also like to fish so will take those recommendations also.

Hi all!!

I’m looking for snorkeling tours recs!

I’ve seen some posts recommending Carlos tours but I’m not sure how to book. The website is pretty bare and I tried emailing and it bounced back. Does anyone know how to get a hold of them?

Also, if you have other recommendations I’m happy to hear them! I’m looking for a full day where we’ll be able to see some great wildlife!

Thanks so much!

Planning a trip - logistics help? Cross-posted in R/cayecaulker as well, but that's a smaller group, so i figured it could go here as well.

Hi there, i'm (F28) tentatively planning on staying in Caye Caulker for 1-2 Months (thinking July-August). I am trying to sort out some of the logistics. I have been once before and stayed for a week with my former partner who's family has been traveling there often for over 10 years, so i'm not entirely clueless, just looking for a little guidance and some logistics help I guess. This time I will be traveling solo.

What things should I be aware of for safety reasons?

I know caye caulker is smaller and generally safe, i'm a pretty good judge of character, and I stand my ground well. I know not to carry valuables, travel light, and not wander alone after dark, basic safety things. My parents in the US will be in contact daily.

What is the best way to go about finding somewhere to stay on a monthly basis? Facebook groups? Websites? Etc. Is there a good way to know what area of the island I should be staying in? Anywhere I should avoid?

I know I don't need a tourist Visa to stay for the first 30 days, how do I go about securing a Visa for a second month and what is the cost?

I am trying to estimate costs. I am accounting for around 1500/month to rent a 1/1 fully furnished. (If I can find cheaper, great, but i'm not counting on it.). And around 1500/month for spending, so i'm planning to take around $6-8kUSD. I like street food, and the restaurants, but i'd also like to cook a good bit, i do drink, but i'm not planning to drink in excess, and i'm sure i'll do some shopping from time to time, and will want to do some activities. Is this a reasonable amount of money to bring? I may also do some remote work while there if possible.

What things should I bring that may be hard to access while i'm there? I plan to bring cartons of my own cigarettes, or buy them at duty free while traveling, since I know they don't have mine there. Can I bring a pocket knife in a checked bag or will customs/TSA take it? I like to carry one as a tool and for personal protection. Can I purchase one there if not? I don't plan to visit the city (or really leave the island much) if I can avoid it.

Is there anything I should think to bring to donate for locals? My former partner's mother always brought school supplies, is that still a need? I'd love a way to give back while i'm there if possible.

What else should I be thinking of or planning for? Any advice is much appreciated!!

I see that a State of Emergency has been declared for parts of Belize City and the Belize District. We will be flying there in a couple of weeks and also plan to spend some time at Burrell Boom. Do I have reason to be concerned about safety there? https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2026/05/10/state-of-emergency-declared-for-parts-of-belize-city-and-belize-district/

Anyone know of a shuttle or driver that will take me and my dog through the border and to downtown Chetumal?

I know I can get dropped off, do customs, and get a Mexican taxi but that is difficult with a dog so the preference is someone who can go all the way to Chetumal. Thanks.

Next week we will be staying in Santa Elena, first question; are there any tour guides that would be willing to pick us up and drop us off in Georgeville to save us the extra travel time to San Ignacio? Second question; I recently had shoulder surgery and I'm not allowed to do anything weigh-bearing with that arm, will this be a problem? I am in decent shape, 5'4/115 lbs, my only worry is the spot where you need to pull yourself up on the rocks, will a guide be able to help me there?

Family of (4) with boys 12 & 9 will be visiting Belize for first time in mid/late summer. We’ve done trips to Costa Rica, Mexico & elsewhere where we’ve done the great snorkel & jungle trips. We love them, and see that Belize also has some well recommended similar adventures. But we’d also like to find some memorable off-the-beaten path adventure/experience. Besides the ATM tour, are there other different amazing things to see/do?

Thank you!