Belize things to see and do

Learn about the flora of Belize at the San Ignacio Botanical Gardens, its manicured grounds filled with orchids, heliconia and many more tropical plants. Or, if you’re interested in the healing properties of plants, discover the native herbs of Belize at the Chaa Creek Medicine Trail nearby. And, while you’re in the area, visit the ancient agricultural settlements of the Maya at the archaeological ruins of El Pilar.

Belize’s most popular destination, Ambergris Caye has everything from diving and snorkelling to golf and even a casino. The reefs and dive sites here are world class; it also has an excellent nightlife and fine seafood restaurants. Ambergris is now often called ‘La Isla Bonita’, from Madonna’s song penned in tribute to its main town San Pedro.

An eye-opening alternative to the countryside’s natural beauty, Belize City, though tiny, is its gritty capital, showing a different side to Belize. Here, however, is where you’ll find real Belizean life, which doesn’t depend solely on tourism. It’s worth a couple of hours by day to witness its raunchy vibes, but don’t expect a Caribbean paradise.

Otherwise known as the Jaguar Sanctuary, the 40,500 hectares (100,000 acres) of tropical forest were set aside in the Maya Mountains in 1984 as the world’s first reserve for this rare wild cat. You’ll be extremely lucky to spot a jaguar, but other residents include jaguarundis, howler monkeys and toucans. There are nature trails and rustic accommodation for visitors.

Visit Altun Ha, a major Maya centre dating from 250BC. A huge quantity of jade was uncovered in the site, including an ornate carved head of a Maya god, which is now a national symbol of Belize. You can explore the plazas and temples dotted around the site, the largest of which is the Temple of the Masonry Altars, where the jade head was found.

Belize has the longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere, a wall of coral stretching almost the length of the whole country. You can go snorkelling from cayes such as Ambergris, Caulker and Half Moon Caye; or for one of the world’s best dive sites, try the Blue Hole: the vivid blue sinkhole measures 300m (1,000ft) across and over 120m (400ft) deep.

This inland pool is not to be confused with the offshore Blue Hole dive site. The turquoise waters of the Blue Hole, a 7.6m-deep (25ft) collapsed sinkhole, are a popular swimming spot within the national park near Belmopan. The park is home to an abundance of birds, animals, flora and St Herman's Cave, an ancient Maya cave.

Some 25 miles (40km) by motorboat up the New River from Orange Walk leads through tropical jungle to Lamanai, site of a spectacular Maya citadel. Today, the ruin sits in its own archaeological reserve, home to howler monkeys and many birds. You can climb the High Temple, or visit the museum, the remains of two 16th-century Spanish churches and a 19th-century sugar mill.