Fortunately, maintaining your health and wellbeing on a daily Where are the best areas for photos? Where should you stay?
- Marlon August (Author of My Life and Travels in Belize).
- Backpacking Belize Travel Guide (2018).
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Why did I also mention Every destination has an exciting adventure waiting for experience seekers. After a day of exploring though, do you often end up with a hairstyle similar to a highland cow? While you might tolerate a Written by Shilpa Bhim Traveling is such a great experience, and sustainable, or eco-friendly, travel takes your experience to a whole new level. Alyssa here from MyLifesAMovie.
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How To Travel Solo in Sydney. The Ultimate Jamaica Adventure Vacation. How to See the Swimming Pigs of the Bahamas. Backpacking Belize gives you the chance to slow down and soak in the positive vibes. Below I have listed several travel itineraries for backpacking Belize. This day itinerary offers up Belize backpacking at its finest.
My Life and Travels in Belize: Marlon August: theranchhands.com: Books
Start your trip soaking in some sun and going diving on Caye Caulker. Caye Caulker is the unofficial backpacker hub of all of the Cayes. It has a very mellow vibe and attracts a certain type of crowd, i. Some of the other Cayes are built up around resorts and have the associated patrons. Once you are back on the mainland, you can head south. There are a number of fine beaches, reserves, and cool hiking spots all along the coast. Dive operators in Placencia can sort you out if you are wanting to do a scuba trip to the Great Blue Hole. Next, go explore the numerous reserves and national parks located in the interior.
If you are heading to Guatemala after backpacking Belize, San Ignacio is an obvious departure point as it is very close to the border. From San Ignacio, you can explore the surrounding area including the Mayan ruins at Caracol. Many people come to the islands of Belize with primarily one thing in mind: The Ho Chan reserve around Caye Caulker is a fabulous place to snorkel or dive: The water is so clear that on calm days one has excellent visibility for spotting wildlife. It is certainly possible to get a PADI open water diving certificate on the islands; however, it will not be as cheap as the courses offered on the Bay Islands in Honduras.
If you are a diving fanatic like me, then diving the Great Blue Hole is a dream that needs to be realized. There might be a lot of hype surrounding it, but hey, hype exists for a reason and the Great Blue Hole is just as spectacular as you have heard about. Belize City is more of a transportation point than it is a destination.
The Belizean capital has all of the comforts of a large Central American city, and also the associated annoyances. There are certain neighborhoods in Belize City that I would consider sketchy. Most likely, you will pass through en route to the islands or another spot in Belize. The central bus station is the place to go for all of your travel needs. If you are in need of something interesting to do, check out the Belize National Museum. Caye Caulker attracts backpackers from around the world like a magnet. Cheap accommodation by Caribbean standards , excellent food, and prime dive sites make Caye Caulker a true fucking paradise.
A day-trip to the Ho Chan Marine reserve is not to be missed. Hiring a boat is probably the best way to go. You get your snorkel gear, transportation, and a decent lunch. The boat essentially takes out into the reserve and in you go. A whole underwater world awaits. I had never been around so many sharks in my life. I had one of the best meals of my life in Caye Caulker.: The lobster was massive as well. Soak in that beautiful Caribbean water for as long as possible….
Amergis is larger, more developed, and more expensive than Caye Caulker. In general, the island feels a bit like a posh resort full of middle-aged folks wearing polos and fishing hats. There are many diving operators who can help you with just that. Expect to pay top dollar for sure. Though that includes all of your gear, oxygen, lunch, boat hire, and the guide.
Keep in mind that if you plan on spending a few days diving, operators will often be flexible with their initial price once they learn you are interested in multiple dives. Chat to the owner of the dive shop and try to bargain for a good deal. The Great Blue Hole is famous throughout the world for the breathtaking marine phenomenon that it is.
My Life and Travels in Belize
Because of its uniqueness and ecological makeup, diving in the Great Blue Hole offers up a once in a lifetime experience. You will never see so much amazing oceanic wildlife species coming together in one place. A dive to the Great Blue Hole can be organized from just about anywhere in Belize. I advice shopping around at different dive centers in Placencia and Caye Caulker to compare the prices. If you are going to spend money on anything in Belize, it should definitely be on diving in this truly special place.
Dangriga is a laid-back beach town where Garifuna culture and abundant outdoor activities make up the draw. If you are headed south down the coast, a stopover in Dangriga is worth it. There is a good system of hiking trails in which to explore the park. Jaguars are notoriously elusive, like all large jungle cats. Just know that in all likelihood, within the reserve you are probably not too far away from one. On any night of the week, there is liable to be a Garifuna drum and dance party somewhere on the beach.
Bring along some rum and soak in the rhythms that help make up the identity for this part of Belize. The neighboring town of Hopkins also make for a good base in which to explore the area. Book Your Hopkins Hostel Here! Ok, so Placencia has a pretty developed tourism industry.
It is a popular destination for many a foreign tourist.
That said, there is still some fun stuff to get into. The diving just off of the coast is very impressive, as is the snorkeling if you are not a diver. Within the town itself, you will probably be annoyed by how touristy it is. The real attraction, however, is under the water. Make sure you spend as much time doing water related activities as you can in Placencia.
Book Your Placencia Hostel Here! Woud you board it? Further south of Placencia lies Punta Gorda. Punta Gorda is a large fishing village town and the main port between Belize and Honduras. If you want to learn more about the music of the Garifuna people, I suggest a visit to the Warasa Garifuna Drum School. If you have been spending a lot of time in the sea, the fresh, cool water of the cave will feel amazing. Most people pass through San Ignacio on their way to Guatemala and the ruins at Tikal.
To skip over San Ignacio completely would be a mistake. Hire a jeep with some mates to cut cost and spend the morning exploring the magnificent ruins at Caracol. My visit to the ruins was without a doubt a highlight of my trip backpacking Belize. Again, it is slightly pricey but well worth it. In my experience, it is totally worth it. So if you can swing it, go for it!
- Las jefas: Quiénes son, cómo llegaron y cómo viven las ejecutivas más poderosas de la Argen (Spanish Edition).
- 33-My-Life-and-Travels-in-Belize-Marlon-August.
- Rising Sun.
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Fancy a 7-mile river float through mystical caves and turquoise rivers? You can organize a tubing adventure from San Ignacio as well. A backpacking Belize highlight? Getting stoned and haggling for jewels with a new found friend in San Ignacio. I found that getting off of the beaten path was relatively easy in Belize.
Most travelers stick to the islands or the beach, so in the interior, I found far fewer backpackers. Hiking in the numerous reserves Belize has to offer is a great way to explore a beautiful patch of rainforest with limited human interruption. Even the ruins at Caracol were remote enough that many folks opt to simply not go. Having a good tent greatly expands your adventure potential and increases your independence.
Some coastal hostels offer very cheap rates to backpackers who want to pitch their tent and use the facilities. Because the distances are short, you can base yourself in one of the backpacker hubs and make day trips to places in the area.
How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Belize?
You will find that few people make use of the numerous foot paths and hiking trails in the reserves. You should be exploring to the sound of howler monkeys, not humans, especially if you hike in more than a mile or two. Check out this post for another in-depth two week Belize itinerary. All of the key backpacker hotspots within Belize have some form of budget accommodation. I recommend booking in advance for island accommodation during the high season December- February. That said, in the low season, prices drop and you have some room to haggle a bit for the price per night, especially if you stay more than one night.
If you are keen to camp, many hostels offer camping as an option. There are many places where you can camp on the beach for free. Airbnb is huge in Belize, and you can find some awesome apartments for cheap prices. Book Your Belize Hostel Here! Belize is bursting at the seams with awesome things to do.
An expereience diving in this ecological wonder is bound to be both a major life highlight as well as a gold star on your backpacking Belize journey. Go swim with sharks, sting rays, and other sea going marvels. You have never had lobster this good or this fresh, and at this price. Garifuna culture has deep roots in drum music. There is an epic 7-miles river float to be had in Belize. You pass through impressive caves and pristine river systems all from the comfort of your rubber tube. Tubing is a great way to slowly immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Belizean rivers.
With countless nature perserves and epic hiking trails, if you possess a keen eye you can spot exotic birds, like parrots and toucans. Some hostels offer binoculars for rent. The beaches south of Hopkins are prime camping territory. In many places you can camp for free. Make sure to pack all of your rubbish out with you and leave your camp site looking beautiful. These ruins are not as well known as Caracol, but are still very impressive.
Spend the afternoon walking in the shadow of Mayan history. Some days you just want to chill out. Do yourself a favor and pack a hammock, pick some palm trees and your favorite book and take time for yourself to soak in the vibes. Below I have provided essential information and Belize travel tips for your backpacking adventure, including the best time to travel to Belize, how much to budget for Belize, and a guide to Belizean cuisine. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? The Broke Backpacker team has tried out over thirty backpacks this year!
Just use the code: Check out this post to read our full review! These are some of my favorite travel reads and books set in Belize which you should consider picking up before you begin your backpacking adventure…. Shameless bit of self promo here but this book is basically my dissertation on backpacking, nine years of tips and tricks and your purchase helps keep the site going.
There are other time travelers, and some of them are turning up dead. Embracing history, anthropology, politics, and literature. Lucky for us English speakers, English is the official language of Belize. To the ignorant ear Creole sounds like the background chatter from a hit Kingston reggae record.
Keep in mind that more people will speak Spanish as you get closer to the Guatemalan border. Certainly, you can get by with English just fine, but knowing a bit of Spanish will definitely come in handy. For the Spanish speaking parts of Belize, here are a few helpful travel phrases with English translations for your backpacking Belize adventure:. Belize is a paradise but it is not immune to trouble. I personally had a very postive experience backpacking Belize with regards to saftey. I never felt like I was in danger at any point during my trip. Overall, Belize is one of the safest countries in Central America.
Being out late, drunk, and alone is a recipe for trouble anywhere in the world. There have been reports of backpackers getting held up on remote sections of beach and in the rough neighborhoods of Belize City late at night, though this is highly uncommon. Odds are you should be just fine. Your Iphone and wallet are never worth dying over, ever! I strongly recommend traveling with a headlamp whilst in Belize or anywhere really — every backpacker should have a good headtorch!
Be aware that Belize is home to many species of poisonous spiders, snakes, and other dangerous creatures. Always watch your step when trekking through the jungle. Belize has long been renowned as one of the party capitals for travelers backpacking Central America. Booze is cheap and Belezian locals enjoy sinking a few beers in the evening. The people are friendly, Tinder works a treat to meet up with locals and other backpackers and there are plenty of beach parties, clubs and raves… if you know where to look!
Top Attractions in Belize
Avoid traveling with drugs in Belize, the police sometimes strip search backpackers and never cross an international border carrying drugs. That would be stupid! If you do choose to indulge in heavier partying whilst in Belize, take it easy — cocaine in Belize is strong, cheap and addictive. Even if you are only going on a short trip, you should always travel with insurance. Have fun on your backpacking adventure but please do get insurance — take it from someone who has racked up tens of thousands of bucks on an insurance claim before, you need it.
Travelling without insurance would be fucking stupid. Security Belt with Hidden Pocket: I never hit the road without my security belt. This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside — you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off. This is hands down the best way to hide your cash. AR bottle are tough, lightweight and maintain the temperature of your beverage — so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
I would never travel without a headtorch. Even if you only end up using it once, a decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. Taking a tent backpacking is not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy chicks dig hammocks and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere.
For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full backpacking packing list. If you can, try to avoid the rainy season and visit the country from November to April. The really popular guest-houses fill up fast so this is a country where it can definitely be worth making reservations. Hurricane season runs from September to October in the Caribbean.
I would not try to go diving during this time as the visibility has the potential to be very low due to the nature of rough seas. Here is a list of helpful apps to download before you travel. This app is definitely for you. My favourite offline maps app, download your map and route before you venture out to keep you on track while backpacking Belize. It is a great help while calculating expenses. This particular VPN allows for up to five connections which is handy for keeping all your devices connected without having to purchase multiple VPN packages.
Before I got to Belize, I was backpacking in Mexico. There is an international airport in Belize City, however, it is generally much more expensive to fly into compared to Cancun. Your best bet is to come in from Mexico after enjoying Tulum and the cenotes in the Yucatan. Citizens of most countries do not require a visa to enter Belize. For a full l ist of countries NOT requiring a visa to enter Belize, check out this article. Bus is the main method of transportation in Belize. The buses are comfortable, and I never saw them jam-packed the way I did in Guatemala.
Plus they play heady reggae music on the Belizean buses for good measure.