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Belize honeymoons

While Belize honeymoons certainly offer opportunities for scenic sunbathing on the cayes off its Caribbean coast, this is very much a destination for adventurous couples. Rather than all-inclusive resorts, you’ll stay in rainforest lodges, explore ancient Maya ruins, nature reserves and cocoa farms, as well as indulging in a slate of outdoor activities that will definitely get your hearts beating faster.

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Belize honeymoons

“Although Belize isn’t necessarily a luxurious honeymoon destination in the traditional sense, it’s very much geared towards those who are adventurous and interested in experiencing the country and local life rather than opulent hotels,” advises Greg Thurston, from our partner Audley Travel. “But of course its position on Central America’s Caribbean coast means it also boasts spectacularly powdery beaches for relaxing on.”

What makes Belize honeymoons so special is the range of experiences open to you, the diversity of the landscapes they are set against (from coast to mountains to rainforest), and the ease with which you can segue between them in one or two weeks, with no long internal flights needed.

In this lesser-visited Caribbean country, you can be rappelling down a waterfall one day and tubing along a river the next. Maya civilisation unfolds through jungle-clad cities, fascinating introductions to medicinal plants on jungle treks, and aromatic cocoa farm tours. Idyllic islands promise long, lazy days of sunbathing, sea kayaking and snorkelling over a magnificent coral reef... and all the cocktails in hammocks you desire.

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Is Belize good for a honeymoon?

Belize honeymoons are not for those who want to spend two weeks by the pool in an all-inclusive resort. Sure, there is certainly the opportunity for snoozing under a sunshade on the glorious Caribbean coast and offshore cayes, but this is a destination for those wanting to thoroughly immerse themselves in natural beauty and diverse cultures through a range of activities both on land and at sea.

Getting around is easy. Belize is a compact country, so you can experience several different landscapes – coast, mountains, rainforest – in a few weeks without any super-long journeys. Trips that combine inland activities with the coast and islands, however, typically do require a short domestic flight. (As part of our response to the climate crisis, as of January 2022, we do not sell any vacations that include a jet flight of less than one hour).

Compared to other Caribbean destinations such as Costa Rica, Belize sees far fewer visitors. It’s much easier to find a secluded table in a restaurant or some privacy on the beach. Furthermore, as a former British colony, Belize has English as its official language, so it’s quite easy to spark up conversation. That said, as a large part of the population is multilingual, it certainly won’t hurt to brush up on a few phrases in Spanish or Belizean Creole.

Belizean cuisine reflects the country’s ethnic diversity, with many corn dishes spiced with recado derived from the Maya people, and on the coast a lot of seafood and coconut-based dishes which stem predominantly from the Garifuna and Creole cultures. “Do be prepared that food and drink can sometimes be expensive,” cautions Greg Thurston. “However the portions are often very big (American-sized), so it’s not uncommon for couples to order one main meal between them with two plates so they can share it!”

When pondering souvenirs or gifts for friends back home, we’d suggest you avoid any products made of coral or turtle shell, as their origins may be dubious. Instead, look for woven baskets and chocolate sourced from locally owned Maya businesses, Marie Sharp’s hot sauce (wrap it carefully!), or, if you don’t mind paying for the extra luggage space, a Garifuna drum.

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Things to do on a Belize honeymoon

Explore Maya civilisation

Belize has an estimated 900 Maya sites, most of them as yet undiscovered by tourists. You can explore ancient temples, cave networks, pyramids and plazas surrounded with sculptures in the company of Maya guides, who can interpret the meanings behind them and explain their relevance to Maya people today. Plus, your entry fees contribute to the preservation of these vitally important cultural landmarks.

For a contemporary take on Maya culture, you can also visit one of numerous Belizean cacao farms to see the creation process from bean to chocolate bar, and naturally try a few tastings or pick up some tasty souvenirs that benefit local farming families.

Watersports

And when we say watersports, we’re definitely speaking of the self-propelled, non-harmful variety. Paddling leisurely along in a kayak is a lovely way to discover the beauty of Belize’s Caribbean coast, its many white-sand cayes, and a reef teeming with colourful marine life. No experience is necessary beyond being able to swim.

For a closer look at those shoals of fish, turtles, stingrays and whale sharks, just strap on a mask. The Belize Barrier Reef is glorious for snorkellers, and our vacation partners will ensure you’re fully briefed on how to look around without accidentally causing any damage to the coral. The southern section of the reef, where most of our Belize vacations base you, is considered generally healthy. But other areas, especially in the center section, are in poor condition due to overfishing, water pollution and, increasingly, the scourge of lionfish.

You can also go deeper, with scuba diving and PADI courses available. The Great Blue Hole is justly famous, but there are many more spectacular dive sites around Belize ideal for adventurous honeymooners.

Inland adventures

When you’re planning a Caribbean honeymoon, it’s natural to picture swaying in a hammock between two palm trees on the beach, cocktail in hand. But inland Belize merits putting down your paperback for a few days and strapping on a pair of hiking boots instead of flip-flops. Inland, you’ll find ancient Maya ruins, wildlife sanctuaries given over to protecting howler monkeys, jaguars and tapirs, and a slate of outdoor activities.

As you venture further into remote areas, you’ll typically stay at locally run lodges tucked into the rainforest and chosen for their sustainability credentials, such as the Lamanai Outpost Lodge on the bank of a lagoon and surrounded by remnants of Maya civilisation.

“Here, honeymooners can take a romantic cocktail cruise in search of wildlife aboard a pontoon boat just as the sun slips below the treetops,” advises Greg Thurston. “Or book themselves in for a sunrise canoeing adventure to explore the creek and adjoining wetlands in search of manatees, otters, crocodiles, kingfishers and parrots.”

Best time of year for a Belize honeymoon

The best time of year to take a honeymoon in Belize is between December and April, which is the dry season and when the water is clearest for activities such as kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling.

June to November is the rainy season, and September and October are the wettest months, with tropical storms common, which can put a dampener on the romantic beach cocktails.

The weather – and sea – are consistently warm throughout the year, however, so if the prospect of a little rain doesn’t put you off, May to August is also an option. Especially as you’re likely to find good deals on Belize honeymoons during the low season.

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Responsible Travel would like to thank Belize for their sponsorship of this guide.

More about Belize

Best time to visit Belize

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Belize travel guide

Our Belize travel guide reveals that it’s not all about the sea – there are also Mayan temples, Caribbean culture and hiking trails brimming with birdlife.

Belize map & highlights

Belize’s highlights are scattered across the map on land and sea, with a jungle-lined coast that stretches almost 300km, plus hundreds of cays and islands.

Maya sites in Belize

Read about the history, where to see the great sites, and what sort of adventures await on our Mayan vacations in Belize.

Garifuna cultural vacations in Belize

Head south to Toledo on a Garifuna cultural vacation to meet this community and support their enterprises.

Exploring inland Belize

Explore inland Belize with Maya guides who illuminate the culture and beliefs of their communities.

Belize food & drink

Belizean cuisine reflects the country’s multicultural population and its magnificent Caribbean coast location.

Wildlife vacations in Belize

As well as exploring the much celebrated marine life, wildlife vacations in Belize will take you inland to see birds, tapirs, monkeys and elusive big cats.

Family vacations in Belize

Family vacations in Belize are so exhilarating and easy that many are hooked for life, thanks to its small size, paradise islands and adventures at every turn.