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If you find yourself in Belize City with a little extra time—or maybe you’re here on a cruise stop, there are a lot of options for great half- or full-day trips to explore Maya ruins, jungles, caves, the barrier reef, and Belize’s unique zoo.
If you don’t want to figure out local public transportation on your own, most tours offer hotel or cruise port pickup, so you do not need to worry about how to get there. This makes things a whole lot easier, especially if you feel nervous about driving or using buses on your first visit.
Just know that while Belize is generally affordable, the tours can be budget-busters (most tours are at least US$100 per person). But they are generally worth it!
Let’s check out some easy day-trips from Belize City.
Visit Altun Ha Maya ruins
Altun Ha is one of the most popular Maya sites near Belize City. It takes only about an hour by car to get there.
Although it’s smaller than some other Maya sites in Belize, Altun Ha has been restored in a way that really gives you a feel for its ancient past. It’s most famous for having the largest carved Jade Head depicting the Sun God “Kinich Ahau”. The site has wide plazas, stepped temples, and grassy open spaces. Some structures are open for climbing, which rewards you with a view over the jungle and ruins. Paths are not very steep, so this ruin often works well for people who want an easier walk.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or sandals with good grip, since some stones are worn and can be slippery. Take a morning tour to avoid the strongest heat.
Drive yourself or take a tour. You can visit Altun Ha as a half-day tour (usually under US$100) or combine it with a Belize City tour, the Baboon Sanctuary, Cave Tubing or Belize Zoo for a full-day tour (usually around US$150)
Visit Lamanai Maya ruins
If you’ve seen the picture of the giant stone face on Belize souvenirs, that’s at Lamanai. Lamanai, “place of crocodiles” is another popular Maya site near Belize City, and one of the largest Maya sites in Belize.
It also takes about an hour by car to get there from Belize City—but then you take a one-hour boat ride up the New River to reach the actual site. You might spot crocodiles, spider monkeys, and a host of tropical birds and plants on this leg of the journey.
If you are willing to climb the Lag Temple, Lamanai will reward you with amazing views of the site, the river and surrounding jungle.
As always, bring a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or sandals with good grip, since some stones are worn and can be slippery. Take a morning tour to avoid the strongest heat.
Tours to Lamanai from Belize City will cost around US$140 and take the full day and include lunch.
Cruise the Belize River for wildlife and jungle views
River tours from near Belize City let you see a different side of the city. Boats cruise the Belize River, passing mangroves and riverbanks lined with trees and small villages.
Your guide will help you look for crocodiles, iguanas sunning on branches, manatees (seasonal), and a variety of birds.
Bring insect repellent, sunglasses, and, if you have them, binoculars for a closer look at birds and animals.
These river tours will run you around US$60. Just note that these tours are generally geared towards the cruise market.
Snorkel the reef on a tour
If you don’t have time to get to the cayes but still want reef time, you do not have to stay overnight on an island. Tours from Belize City can take you out snorkeling, to basically the same reefs as the tours from San Pedro or Caye Caulker (it just takes a little longer to get there). So even if you are based in Belize City, you’ll get a chance to snorkel the famous Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. You’ll see nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and colorful fish and corals.
A typical trip includes a one-hour boat ride across turquoise water, one or two snorkel stops on the barrier reef, a simple lunch, and maybe even some time to relax on a small caye.
Before you book, read recent reviews, ask about life jackets and snorkel gear, and look at the weather forecast. Wind and rough seas can occasionally make for a bumpy ride.
Visit the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center
The Belize Zoo is not a big city zoo with imported animals. It was started as a home for rescued wildlife, and it still focuses on species native to Belize. No creature was plucked from the wild except to save it.
Winding through shaded paths you can see jaguars, tapirs (Belize’s national animal), howler monkeys, and bright tropical birds. Signs share stories about each animal and how it came to the zoo. The experience works well for families and anyone who loves nature.
The zoo is about 45 minutes to an hour from Belize City by road. Many tours combine a visit with another activity, such as cave tubing or ziplining, but you can also find options that focus on the zoo alone.
If you want to DIY it, you can hop on a local bus (heading to Belmopan or Benque) and ask to be let off at the zoo. They even have luggage storage if you want to stop for a quick visit while transiting to somewhere else, like San Ignacio. If you are heading back to Belize City, cross back over the road and flag a bus down that is headed to Belize City.
Wear cool, light clothing (long sleeves and pants to avoid bugs), and bring water. Paths can be uneven, so wear closed shoes or sturdy sandals. Expect to be outdoors for at least two hours.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave
If you are up for a LONG day, you can actually book an ATM Cave tour from Belize City. This cave is one of Belize’s top attractions, and with good reason.
You’ll drive about 2 hours to get to the park entrance, then hike for 45 minutes, then enter the cave. Once inside the cave you will spend about 3 hours wading through a river, climbing through some small passages and over rocks until you get to the dry area. Then you’ll spend some time viewing broken Maya pottery and human skeletons, where you’ll learn about some of the ancient practices. Then it’s time to go back the way you came (much faster going with the river current this time) and head out into the light.
It’s challenging, but doable for most. I highly do NOT recommend this tour if you are claustrophobic or have mobility issues!
Then you’ll eat lunch and head back on your two-hour journey back to Belize City.
This tour will run you about US$200.
Xunantunich Archaeological Site
Another LONG day trip option is visiting the Maya ruins of Xunantunich, just past San Ignacio. Once again you are looking at at least a two-hour drive each way, so a lot of bus time.
Xunantunich is an interesting little archaeological site, with a few temples you can climb up. The main temple gives amazing views of the surrounding jungle, all the way into Guatemala (which is just a few miles away).
To get to Xunantunich you actually have to cross the river on a little hand-cranked ferry, which is a novel experience—it takes about a minute. If you go on a tour, they will drive you up the hill to the site after the ferry. If you are getting to Xunantunich independently, you’ll have to walk up the relatively steep hill, about 20 minutes.
Since visiting Xunantunich doesn’t actually take that long, two hours tops, tour operators also often pair it with a cave tubing adventure.
Given the travel time from Belize City, I would opt for visiting Lamanai or Altun Ha instead. But I wanted to let you know about the options out there!
Practical Tips for Day Trips from Belize City
One of the great things about day trips from Belize City is once you have decided what you want to do, it’s pretty easy to plan.
Booking tours
If you have made up your mind about which tour you want to take, I suggest booking it in advance, especially during the high season. Tours do sell out.
If you want a little more flexibility, or want to shop around, you can certainly roll the dice and book something once you get to Belize City. Your hotel or cruise can usually help you book something, but it will be more expensive, as they add a little something something for themselves.
Prices are generally comparable from one operator to the next, but there can be small variations. Just check the fine print to see what they are offering in terms of quality of transportation, water, meals, etc.
There are offices around town offering tours, and of course you can always book online.
Independent Day Trips
Public transportation in Belize can be a little tricky, especially when you are first figuring out the ropes. And it can’t get you everywhere. But if you are up for adventure, visiting these sights on your own might be a good option.
The easiest day trip by public transportation is the Belize Zoo. And actually getting to Xunantunich by public transportation is quite easy, but it is a long trip, especially in a school bus.
Getting to Altun Ha or Lamanai by bus would be tricky, there are only a few buses per day that head in their general direction, and even then you would have to walk or hitch quite a ways to get to the site. Do not recommend.
If you have a rental car, you’ll have a lot more options. But you’d have to do the cost/benefit analysis of whether it’s cheaper just to do the tour. It will definitely make more sense if there are a few of you to share costs.
At least you have options!
What to pack and wear for day trips from Belize City
Belize City is hot and humid most of the year. Light, breathable clothing will help you stay comfortable as you move between sun and shade. And don’t forget to plan for the occasional highly air-conditioned bus.
For a typical day, pack:
- Light T-shirt or breathable top and shorts or thin pants
- Hat or cap and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (a lot of insect repellent!)
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals with grip
- Small backpack or crossbody bag that closes securely
- Light rain jacket, poncho, or small umbrella
Afternoons can bring sudden showers, but they usually pass quickly. A small dry bag or plastic pouch for your phone and money can be handy if you get caught in the rain.
Key Takeaways on Day Trips from Belize City
Belize is a small country. While perhaps not ideal, basing yourself in Belize City gives you lots of options for day trips to explore inland or the reefs, especially if you are short on time and need to start or end the day near the airport.
I’m not at all recommending basing yourself in Belize City for an extended period—there are much more charming towns to hang out in. But if you do find yourself in Belize City with an extra day or two, you can make the most of it by venturing out either on your own or on a tour. You can have a classic Belize adventure and be back in your hotel (I recommend a few here) or cruise ship by evening.
