3 Best Sights in Belize

Five miles of golden sand stretch north and south of Hopkins. The in-town sector of beach has a local vibe; the resorts south of the village populate that strand of sand with more international tourists. The water has less sea grass than other mainland beaches, making Hopkins Beach better and cleaner for swimming. The barrier reef lies only 8 to 10 miles (13 to 16 km) out, meaning you don’t have to boat out so far to find good snorkeling. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; solitude; sunrise; swimming; walking.

Don’t come here for an hour, come for the day—and bring friends. Picture paradise with an immaculate beach, “VIP” daybeds for rent, and a bustling restaurant perched over the lagoon. It gets a lot of talk (and mixed reviews) for good reason: It’s not the Caye Caulker most tourists know, but it’s a Caye Caulker you might love. Every half hour, a five-minute ferry ride takes visitors up to the property north of the Split, where you can lounge on the private beach until the stars come out. Spend BZ$50 per person and the ferry is free. Spending is easy, as the restaurant has fairly high prices. Being on the lagoon side, the placid water is a draw for families. To many, Northside Beach Club is more San Pedro than Caye Caulker (developed and resort-ish), which has ruffled some feathers. But there’s no denying it’s a gorgeous place to pass a day. Amenities: daybeds, restaurant, private beach. Best for: relaxing, dining and having a few tropical drinks.  

Many of the visitors here are on cruise-ship excursions, but you can also visit Old Belize on your own (it's a BZ$30 taxi ride each way from downtown Belize City). A 15-minute train ride takes you through exhibits devoted to the rain forest and the Maya and Garifuna cultures, as well as displays on logging, chicle harvesting, and sugar production. Also at the site are a large marina; a restaurant and bar where you can get a decent hamburger and other American-style dishes; a gift shop; and Kukumba Beach, a small artificial beach with an 80-foot waterslide.