Eylul Tunc 
Welcome to the unique Central American Destination of Belize! This country is known for its mind-blowing white sand beaches, the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, and being home to some cool Mayan Ruins! Are you ready for adventure dear travelers?
This country has so many things to attract all tastes. If you like to travel to places where you can do a bit of everything, Belize will not disappoint you. Imagine a country where you can go on a diving adventure to swim with sharks one day and the net, explore the mysterious Mayan culture!
Thanks to its beautiful eco-friendly accommodations, Belize is also a famous destination for eco-tourism. Don’t worry travelers, I’ve done the hard work for you and looked through all the areas in the country to pick the absolute best hotels for you!
In this blog post on where to stay in Belize, I will talk about the 6 best areas to stay in the country and give you the top hotels for all budgets. Before we start, I just want to remind you that in order to get better deals on hotels and secure your place, do not forget to make a reservation in advance. Many of the hotels in Belize have a free cancelation, so don’t worry if you change your mind!
Let’s start to discover this paradise of the Caribbean coast!
Contents
- If you are in a hurry
- 1. Belize City – where to stay in Belize for the first time
- 2. Caye Caulker – the best place to stay in Belize on a budget
- 3. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye – the best town for water sports
- 4. San Ignacio – where to stay in Belize to learn about Mayan Culture
- 5. Placencia – a beautiful town to stay in Belize for families
- 6. Corozal – a hidden gem to stay in Belize
- Frequently asked questions about Belize
If you are in a hurry
Here are the best places to stay in Belize with hotels from luxury to budget. They all have good reviews and great locations!
Here is a map about where to stay in Belize, Central America, with the 6 best areas I will be talking about in this travel guide so you can easily visualize them:
- Belize City : for first-timers
- Caye Caulker: on a budget
- San Pedro: for water sports
- San Ignacio : for Mayan culture
- Placencia: for families
- Corozal: a hidden gem
1. Belize City – where to stay in Belize for the first time
Belize City is the largest city in the country and where you will find the most major cultural and historical landmarks, nice shops, and Belizean restaurants. In order to get to know the Caribbean culture and take day trips to incredible beaches and attractions, there is no better place to stay than Belize City!
Start your day with a stroll through beautiful streets full of colonial architecture. After taking a lot of photos of the colorful buildings, visit the Museum of Belize and St John Anglican Cathedral. During the sunset, head to the seaside and pick one of many nice restaurants to have delicious food with a view of the Caribbean Sea. Sounds like an entertaining city, right?
Another must-do thing in Belize City is to go scuba diving in the epic barrier reef and the Great Blue Hole. It’s one of the most unique experiences in the country and a great way to discover amazing marine life. You can reach the barrier reef with just a 40 minutes boat ride on a tour!
In Belize City, you have many nice hotels for all budgets and I’ve already picked the top 4 for you. In order not to miss them, make sure to make your reservation in advance.
Located in Belize City, this hotel has a great location to access Belize’s cultural attractions and go on day trips in nature. Best Western Hotel offers comfortable rooms with a coffee machine, a nice swimming pool, a restaurant with international cuisine, and a good breakfast. Enjoy tropical cocktails at the pool bar and relax on the sun terrace.
Other accommodation options in Belize City
This hotel offers comfortable rooms with a nice terrace, a great breakfast, an airport shuttle, and a restaurant
This place has apartment rooms with hot tub and spacious rooms, free wifi and easy access to the city center
This Airbnb has a nice swimming pool, comfortable rooms, free wifi, a nice garden, and private parking
Things to do in Belize City
- Visit the Museum of Belize to learn some cultural facts
- Take a water taxi to go island hopping from Belize City
- Join a diving tour to see the incredible barrier reef and the Great Blue Hole
- Take a day trip to the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center
- Go to the Altun Ha Archaeological Site and learn about Mayan culture
- Check out the beautiful view at Baron Bliss Lighthouse
- Go to the Image Factory Shop and Gallery
- Take a trip to the Belize Nature Reserve
2. Caye Caulker – the best place to stay in Belize on a budget
Caye Caulker is an island located on the east coast of Belize that can be reached from Belize city with a 40-minute boat ride by water taxi or 1.5 hour ferry ride. This paradise island offers one of the best diving and snorkeling spots full of amazing marine life and a stunning reef!
The good news is you do not have to pay a lot for accommodation to enjoy the stunning beaches as Caye Caulker is the best place to stay in Belize if you are traveling on a budget!
Caye Caulker is the world’s 2nd-largest barrier reef and a paradise island to discover marine life!
Here you will also find many nice beaches, local seafood restaurants, and cute bars.
This laid-back town has many nice affordable accommodations but before moving to them I would like to remind you, do not forget to make your reservation in advance if you want to get better deals on hotels (who doesn’t?).
Now let’s have a look at the best places to stay in Caulker Caye:
Island Magic Beach hotel is located right on the beach and offers scenic views of the Caribbean sea. This charming hotel has a nice swimming pool, private beach, comfortable rooms with romantic decoration, a good breakfast, and an airport shuttle. You can have a delicious dinner in the hotel’s restaurant by the sea and have tropical cocktails at the beach bar.
Other accommodation options in Caye Caulker
Located near to the beach, this hotel has a nice swimming pool, bright rooms with a private terrace, and free wifi
Surrounded by palm trees, this hotel is perfect for backpackers and offers comfortable rooms with free wifi
Located in Caulker Caye, this private house has spacious rooms, a nice garden in nature with a jungle vibe, and free wifi
Things to do in Caye Caulker
- Go scuba diving and snorkeling to discover the amazing marine life of the Caye Caulker barrier reef
- Visit the Aria Kat Art Gallery
- Have a delicious meal at Pasta Per Caso Anna & Armando
- Discover white-sand beaches at the Split
- Have mouth-watering local foods at Chef Kareem’s UnBelizeable Lunch
- Have a lobster in one of many Belizean restaurants
- Go to the Seahorse Reserve Caye Caulker
3. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye – the best town for water sports
Ambergris Caye is the biggest island in Belize, and San Pedro is the main city in this paradise. San Pedro is located on the east coast and an hour’s ferry ride from Caye Caulker. If you are into watersports you will have the chance to do many activities here such as diving, fishing, snorkeling, sailing, and kayaking. So get ready for amazing sea adventures!
In San Pedro, you will be discovering incredible caves, beautiful beaches, and museums where you can learn about the culture of the town. Another highlight of San Pedro is that it has some of the best nightlife in Belize!
You will be able to find numerous seafood restaurants, beach clubs, and lively bars. Also, if you are a luxury traveler San Pedro also has one of the best upscale hotels by the stunning beaches.
Here are the best of the best hotels for every budget that I carefully picked for you.
Located on one of the best beaches of the island of Ambergris Caye, this luxury beach resort has charming private bungalows in amazing nature with a jungle feel. Ramon’s Village Resort offers a nice swimming pool, an on-site restaurant with local and international cuisine, private parking, and a great breakfast. Simply relax on the beach laying on comfortable sunbeds while watching the stunning scenery.
Other accommodation options in San Pedro
Located right on the beach, this resort has romantic rooms with a sea view, a swimming pool, and a good on-site restaurant
This hotel is within walking distance to the beach and offers travelers free bike rentals, comfortable rooms, and free wifi
This Airbnb is few minutes walk away from the beach and features spacious rooms, a fully furnished kitchen, and private parking
Things to do in San Pedro
- Explore underground caves of San Pedro with a kayaking tour
- Join a sailing tour to try fishing and discover the best snorkeling spots with amazing marine life and the reef in Ambergris Caye
- Visit the Belizean Melody Art Gallery
- Buy some delicious chocolates from the Belize Chocolate Company
- Join a tour to see reefs at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and swim with sharks
4. San Ignacio – where to stay in Belize to learn about Mayan Culture
Located in Belize’s Cayo District and 70 miles (100 km) west of Belize City, San Ignacio is the best town to stay for sightseeing if you want to discover Mayan culture and historical sites. I guarantee that history lovers and culture buffs will go crazy here!
Belize country is known for being home to the Mayans and in San Ignacio, you will be able to see the impressive Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve and Xunantunich. Apart from amazing historical sites, San Ignacio also offers spectacular landscapes perfect for hiking. You can go to Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and discover impressive caves at the archeological site of Actun Tunichil Muknal.
In Belize’s Cayo District Ignacio, I found the most beautiful accommodation options in nature with easy access to Mayan ruins and archaeological sites. Let’s have a look at them.
Centrally located in San Ignacio, Ka’ana Resort & Spa is one of the nicest resorts to stay in Belize. This boutique resort has a stunning garden, a swimming pool in a jungle atmosphere, a fabulous spa where you can indulge yourself with a massage in beautiful nature, and a great on-site restaurant. Travelers will love the hammock overlooking tropical trees on the private terrace of the rooms!
Other accommodation options in San Ignacio
Sweet Song Jungle offers a unique stay experience in Ignacio San with a private beach inside the jungle, an on-site restaurant, and ecological rooms
This centrally located hotel in Ignacio San is perfect for backpackers and has comfortable rooms, free parking, and easy access to the Mayan ruins archaeological site
Set in a jungle, this Airbnb has an amazing terrace an open bathroom surrounded by trees, and spacious rooms with stunning views
Things to do in San Ignacio
- Discover Mayan Ruins at Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve
- See the ancient Mayan archaeological site, Xunantunich in Belize’s Cayo District
- Go shopping at the local San Ignacio Market
- Take a day trip to the archeological site at Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
- Join a tour to discover Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
- See wildlife at the Green Iguana Conservation Project
5. Placencia – a beautiful town to stay in Belize for families
Palencia is a peninsula located off the east coast, 100 miles (180 km) south of Belize City, and one of the safest places to stay in Belize. Palancia has a paradise coastline with white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees and crystal clear water. Yeah, you will have the perfect postcard kinda photos here!
Palencia is a laid-back fishing town where you can enjoy beautiful beaches without crowds as well as go fishing, snorkeling, and diving in amazing spots with your families. Some of the white sand beaches you must not miss here are Silk Caye National Parks and Harvest Caye. Once you are there you won’t believe the color of the water!
In Palancia you will be able to find nice local seafood restaurants, cafes as well as family-friendly hotels for all budgets. These hotels I picked in Palanica have spacious rooms, kids facilities, and are near to the beaches with shallow water so, they are perfect for families with kids.
Here are the best places to stay in this lovely town.
Centrally located in Placencia, this all-inclusive resort offers a unique stay to travelers by the beach with a tropical vibe. This luxury hotel has a very beautiful swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden, a spa, spacious rooms with stunning Caribbean island views, and a great on-site restaurant. You can go diving to discover Belize’s impressive marine life or enjoy chilling on the private beach. With its great kids’ activities, I also recommend this resort for families.
Other accommodation options in Placencia
Located in Placencia, this beachfront hotel offers spacious family rooms, a nice garden, and a stunning swimming pool
This hotel is great for backpackers and offers comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, free parking, and easy access to the Placencia town center
This Airbnb is a great place to stay for families with its spacious rooms, private swimming pool, and beach
Things to do in Placencia
- Swim in the crystal clear water and enjoy powdery sand at Silk Caye National Parks
- Go for a stroll at Placencia Municipal Pier & Plaza
- Visit the Art n Soul Gallery
- Get a suntan at the beautiful beach, Harvest Caye
- Go for a fishing adventure on a guided boat trip
- Swim and snorkel in turquoise waters at Laughing Bird Caye
Corozal is located in the northernmost part of Belize and is 90 miles (130km) from Belize City. This cool city still hasn’t been discovered by many travelers yet so you have the chance to explore it before it gets so popular!
In Corozal, you will be able to see many cultural and historical sites such as Santa Rita Archaeological Site, the Cerros Mayan Ruins, and the Corozal House Of Culture. After sightseeing, you can head to Corozal Bay to chill on the beach and swim in the crystal clear water.
Here you will be able to find nice Belizean restaurants, shops as well as great accommodation options. If you want to stay in a less touristy area and experience the local atmosphere here are the best hotels to stay in Corozal.
This 5-star hotel features lush gardens, an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by beautiful trees, private parking, and free wifi. Royale Manor has private house-style accommodation with spacious rooms, a fully furnished kitchen, and a private terrace. You can go on hiking or cycling adventures from the hotel and thanks to its family-friendly facilities, I also recommend this hotel for families.
Other accommodation options in Corozal
This hotel has a very large swimming pool, private beach, spacious rooms, and also a great place to stay for families
This hotel is within walking distance to the beach and features spacious rooms with a private balcony, free wifi, and private parking
This Airbnb offers private bungalow accommodation, a nice garden, and has comfortable rooms with great amenities
Things to do in Corozal
- Visit the Santa Rita Archaeological Site
- Have fun at Maximum Water Park
- See Cerros Mayan Ruins
- Visit the Corozal House Of Culture
- Enjoy beach time at Corozal Bay
| 👑 Luxury price: | $220 |
| 💵 Mid-range hotel: | $120 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $70 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | $120 |
| 💰Lodging prices: | Medium |
| 📍Best Area: | Belize City |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Umaya Resort Adventures |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Tower Vacation Rental |
Frequently asked questions about Belize
🗺️ What part of Belize is best to stay?
Belize City is the best town to stay if you are visiting the country of Belize for the first time thanks to its easy access to the main attractions and other towns. The best hotels in Belize City are Best Western Plus and Villa Boscardi.
🤔 Is Belize dangerous for tourists?
The country of Belize is moderately safe for tourists. The hotel areas and touristy places are safe for travelers but it is better to be careful walking on the streets at night and leave your valuable things in your hotel.
🐠 Where to stay in Belize for diving?
Thanks to having the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Caye Caulker island is the best town to stay in for Belize’s famous diving.
👨👩👦👦 Which are the best places to stay in Belize for families?
Some of the best hotels for families in Belize are Ramon’s Village Resort and White Sands Cove.
☀️ What is the best month to go to Belize?
The best time to go to the country of Belize is between January – May. This period is the dry season and there are few rainy days but it also brings the most travelers.
Conclusion
It is time for me to say goodbye, dear travelers. In this blog post on where to stay in Belize, I talked about the best places to stay from luxury to budget as well as Airbnbs in each area. I also gave you some information about the things you can do there so you could pick the perfect one for you!
As I’ve already said, being close to famous attractions, having a good connection with other cities, and being able to take tours to the barrier reef makes Belize City the best place to stay for first-timers. However, each town has a different vibe so I let you decide on the area based on your priority whether it is history, white-sand beaches, or diving!
I would like to remind you again that in order not to miss your favorite place to stay in Belize and get better deals on hotels, do not forget to make a reservation in advance!
For those who are having difficulty picking among the Belize vacation packages, let me sum up. Here are the best 2 hotels in Belize that have convenient locations as well as good reviews. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you can’t decide between the awesome options in this list!
- Umaya Resort Adventures – Located in Placencia this resort is one of the best places to stay in Belize
- White Sands Cove – a great place to stay with amazing nature and great facilities in San Ignacio
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Belize and Central America, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be glad to leave a reply to them!
Enjoy your trip to Belize,
Eylul
Pin it for later!
Pin it for later!
Hi Eylul
I am planning a 3 week trip to Belize and will be staying on Ambergris Caye for the first week. I am not sure where the rest of my adventure will take me and am interested in Caye Caulker and Northern Districts. I realize it is the high season and wonder if I must have reservations between January 10 and 17th, or can I wing it?? Is it possible to find rooms for 2 people, nothing very expensive , just clean and comfortable as we travel about.
thank you, Karin
Hi Karin,
yes, we definitely recommend booking everything in advance (just choose something with free cancelation if you are not 100% you will be able to make it there), especially considering you are going during the high season.
The good hotels are almost never available last moment (unless you are a luxury traveler, those once are available even a couple of days in advance, but for a higher rate)
Hope that helps,
have an amazing trip to Belize!