Solo Female Travel in Belize

I love Belize — and I love traveling alone in Belize. This tiny country borders Mexico and Guatemala, but it hardly resembles either Latin nation. Belize is all about Caribbean culture instead — languid island vibes, reggae-influenced dance beats, spicy chicken stews, and some of the clearest, bluest water you’ve ever seen in your life.

Belize is like candy — a sweet and forbidden indulgence. If you’re looking to travel solo in Belize, you’re going to have a wonderful trip.

Truthfully, Belize was never high on my list of places to visit. I had heard nice things about the country, but it seemed more like a means to an end — a pricier stopover en route from Guatemala to Mexico. While backpacking in Central America, I met several travelers who opted to speed through Belize or skip it altogether to spend time in cheaper countries.

But then I got to Belize — and WOW, was I ever wrong. I loved the country so much more than I expected. People were skipping this?! Sure, Belize was more expensive than Guatemala or Nicaragua, similar to Costa Rica prices, but it had the goods to back it up — it was wild and gorgeous with so many cool adventure activities. I snorkeled with tropical fish, explored sparkling caves, and left Belize with tons of new friends!

Belize can be a great destination for solo female travelers — particularly solo travelers who are street smart or already have a decent amount of travel experience. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about traveling Belize on your own. Let’s dive in.

This is a Solo Female Destination Guide.

Want more? We have guides to Costa Rica, Mexico, Central America, and more!

Feet in a green and yellow hammock with a boat on the beach in the background

Why Travel Solo to Belize?

Most people travel to Belize to enjoy a bit of warmth during North America’s winter months. But Belize is so much more than a beach to lie on for a week. What makes Belize an exceptional travel destination?

Outstanding diving and snorkeling. The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s most important coral reefs. You can become a certified diver here, or if you’re experienced, dive the Blue Hole. And if you’re not a diver, you can snorkel with sharks, turtles, and lots of tropical fish.

Chilled out island life. If you want to be somewhere life moves oh so slowly, consider Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye. Here the days softly blend into each other and your biggest decision is whether or not to have another coconut.

Adventure activities. Head inland in Belize and it’s all about climbing ruins, river tubing, and swimming through caves — and the sparkling, human sacrifice-filled ATM Caves are one of the most original and unusual activities I’ve seen around the world.

A lot of cultural variety in a very small country. At about 8,800 square miles (23,000 square km), Belize is a small country, and you can get from one end to the other within a few hours. But within this country you’ve got so many cultures — Caribbeans, Latinos, indigenous Garifuna and Maya people, Chinese, all kinds of mestizos (mixed folks), even Mennonites!

A mysterious and unusual destination. Everyone has an image of Mexico in their mind. Everyone has an idea of Jamaica in their mind. But Belize? It has a lot more mystery. When you get home, everyone is going to be asking you what it’s like. And you’ll have a lot of stories to tell!

Kate rides a bike down a sandy road in Caye Caulker, Belize.

Is Belize Good for First-Time Solo Female Travelers?

It depends — I think Belize is good for some but not all first-time solo female travelers. If you already have a good amount of travel experience and have just never traveled solo, or if you have lived in a big city, you may have a better time in Belize.

Why is this? Because the street harassment is significant, especially on the islands and beaches. It’s hard to go anywhere alone on Caye Caulker without the men yelling stuff at you. It happens day and night, whether they’re on their own or with others, and it can make you feel threatened.

If you’ve only lived in a small town and haven’t traveled internationally before, even with other people, I wouldn’t recommend Belize for a first-time solo trip. You might have an easier time somewhere like Costa Rica, Scotland, or even Thailand.

Belize Tours for Solo Travelers

If you’re not quite sure if you’re ready to travel completely solo, another option is joining a group tour! G Adventures is a company with whom I’ve traveled before and I recommend. Their tours are very solo-friendly, they keep their groups small, they’re sustainability-minded, and they have several tour options in Belize. Most include some time in Guatemala or Mexico in addition to Belize.

Here are some of them:

Mayan Encounter (12 Days, Antigua, Guatemala to Playa del Carmen, Mexico) — This trip includes time in San Ignacio and Caye Caulker in addition to time in Guatemala and Mexico.
Classic Belize and Tikal (9 Days, Belize City to Caye Caulker) — This trip includes time in San Ignacio and Caye Caulker in addition to a jaunt into Guatemala to see Tikal and Flores.
Explore Belize (9 Days, Belize City to Caye Caulker) — A National Geographic-branded journey throughout the country with additional cultural inclusions like a visit to a baboon sanctuary and the ATM caves.
Mayan Discovery (15 days from Playa del Carmen, Mexico) — This trip includes San Ignacio and Caye Caulker plus lots of Mayan sites in Guatemala and Mexico like Tikal, Palenque, and Chichén Itza (plus my beloved city of Mérida).
See all their Belize tours here.

Is Belize Good for Experienced Solo Female Travelers?

Hell yes — if you’re an experienced solo traveler, Belize is a great choice. When I visited Belize for the first time, I had been to more than 50 countries. And I found Belize to be such a breath of fresh air, so unlike how I thought it was going to be. It’s a beautiful hybrid of Latin America and the Caribbean, so many different cultures living in one place, with amazing people.

Belize also has one experience that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world: the ATM Caves. It is the single best thing I did in Belize and an experience that will blow away any jaded traveler.

I always encourage experienced solo female travelers to get off the beaten path a bit. In Belize, check out Hopkins, an up-and-coming beach town with a Garifuna community. You might enjoy the tiny island of Tobacco Caye.

Is Belize Safe?

Generally speaking, Belize is a very safe country to travel, even for a woman traveling alone. It’s no more dangerous than the surrounding countries, most of the crimes take place in parts of Belize City where tourists don’t go, and if you stay focused and use common sense, chances are you’ll have a perfectly safe trip to Belize.

While Belize is generally a safe country, though, Belize doesn’t always feel safe to women. The street harassment here can be vile and incessant, particularly on the islands. If you’re used to hearing street harassment on a regular basis, you’ll be accustomed to this; if you’re new to it, it may be jarring or even frightening.

I found that on the islands of Belize, many of the local men will hit on women nonstop — especially if she’s on her own. This usually starts out lighthearted but promptly escalates into increasingly sexual comments.

It’s hard to know how to deal with harassment when it happens, especially since the men in Belize often start out saying innocuous things with a big smile on their face before launching into the gross stuff. It’s particularly a tough dance in Belize, where the people are generally so friendly. I’ll respond to “Hi beautiful!” comments and the like, but the moment they go from friendly to sexual, I ignore them and walk away.

Other than street harassment, the other major safety issue in Belize is watching your drinking. It’s very easy to drink more than what you’re used to here. A lot of people camp out on the Split with beer buckets and spend the whole day drinking; many of the snorkeling and diving tours end with rum punch, which can quickly turn into several glasses, and the juice often masks the alcohol, leading you to believe you’re not getting that drunk.

When you’re traveling solo, it’s smart to keep your drinking to less than usual. I find that two drinks is a good amount. Keep asking yourself, “Do I want to have less control than I do now?” and make your decisions accordingly

One thing I noticed about Belize is that tour operators tend to be stricter here than in nearby countries, like Guatemala. Just days before I got to Belize, I was on a cave tour in Guatemala where people were jumping off high platforms in caves and squeezing through tight crevices with waterfalls, no helmets or life vests. In Belize, they’ll make you wear a helmet and life vest when you need it.

Don’t judge Belize’s safety based on crime rates in Belize City; Belize City is not reflective of Belize as a whole. Most tourists only pass through Belize City while in transit — like from the airport or bus station to the ferry terminal — and it’s perfectly safe to do so. As always, keep a close eye on your belongings while in transit in Belize City.

So is Belize safe? No destination is ever 100% safe, but in Belize, you are usually as safe as you would be in your hometown. The vast majority of travel safety in Belize comes down to common sense. Keep an eye on your belongings, do research in advance, watch your drinking, keep in touch with someone at home.

Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women

Where to Go in Belize

If you want to maximize your time in Belize, I recommend you mix some island and/or beach time with some jungle time. Luckily, Belize does these two aspects very well. Here are some of the best places in the country to base:

Caye Caulker. This small island is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You have easy access to all the diving and snorkeling activities, and this may be one of the most laid-back islands on the planet. Spend your days lazing about in a hammock or on the Split — this is a good place to go slow.

Ambergris Caye. Belize’s largest and most visited island is more high-end than Caye Caulker. San Pedro is a small, low-key city filled with bars and restaurants. You’ll find more resorts here, and easy access to water activities. San Pedro also has a large community of people who came to Belize on vacation and decided to move there!

Placencia. This town in southern Belize is home to one of the nicest stretches of beach in the country. Placencia is becoming the new luxury hotspot in Belize, though there are plenty of budget spots here. Come here for the beach, snorkeling the reef, and splashing out on high-end dining or hotels.

Hopkins. If you’re looking for an offbeat beach town, Hopkins is a great spot on the mainland. Hopkins is also home to an indigenous Garifuna community and is one of the best places in the country to experience Garifuna culture.

San Ignacio. This town in the Cayo district of Belize, close to the Guatemalan border, is the center for inland adventures and eco-tourism. The town isn’t very exciting, but you come here for the day trips: here you can explore the jungle, climb Mayan ruins, swim in caves, go tubing, and enjoy the peace of the wilderness.

Feel free to skip Belize City and Belmopan. Belize’s two main cities don’t have much tourist value, and you’re better off spending your time elsewhere.

Finally, Guatemala is an easy side trip. If you’re basing in San Ignacio, you can head over the border to see the Tikal ruins and the town of Flores. It can be done in a very packed day trip, but I recommend overnighting in Flores if you have the time.

Best Things to Do in Belize on a Solo Trip

Spend three days sailing down the Belize coast with Raggamuffin Tours. This was one of the most insanely fun trips I’ve ever done. I was comped on my trip, and I’ve sent well over a dozen readers on the same trip since. You spend the days sailing and snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef and you spend your nights camping on the beach.

Explore the Aktun Tunichil Muknal caves. The ATM caves, located in the west of the country near San Ignacio, are one of the most unique activities you can do in Central America — if not the world. You swim into an enormous cave where the rock formations sparkle with crystals. After you explore the cave, you come upon the sparkling bone remains of human sacrifices — shimmering skeletons. Absolutely no cameras are allowed, which is why I don’t have photos to share, but trust me, it’s unreal.

See the Mayan ruins. You don’t have to go to Guatemala or Mexico to experience Mayan ruins — Belize has excellent ruins of its own. One of the best sets of Mayan ruins to see is Xunantonich, which you can do as a day trip from San Ignacio. Other spots are Caracol, Altun Ha, Lamanai, and Cerro Maya.

Learn to scuba dive — or go on the dives of your life. If you’ve never scuba dived before, Belize is a great place to learn. There are scuba schools throughout the coast and islands, but the greatest selection is in Ambergris Caye. (Don’t cheap out on scuba school — this is one place where you should pay for quality.) Belize is full of outstanding dive sites, including the Blue Hole for advanced divers.

Go swimming with sharks. If you want to swim with sharks, Belize is a great place to do so. Many tours take you swimming with nurse sharks, a benign species. (The tuna were much scarier than the sharks.) You can also swim with whale sharks, but only while they’re passing by Belize, roughly from March through June.

Snorkel with all kinds of fish. If you’re not a diver, fear not — Belize is full of snorkeling options. You’ve got the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belize Barrier Reef and all its interesting spots, including the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Swim with the fish, avoid touching the coral, and you might even spot a turtle!

Get professional photographs taken in Belize. Professional photos of me on my travels are my absolute favorite souvenirs! Whether for Instagram or a professional portfolio, they are priceless. Flytographer offers packages with professional portrait photographers around the world, and in Belize they operate in Placencia.

Go river tubing in caves. One popular day trip from San Ignacio is going river tubing in the caves. Some stretches of tube-able river are seven miles long! The river is gentle here; don’t expect wild rapids.

See the wildlife. Belize is full of places to see wildlife, like the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where they’re actively trying to grow the jaguar population, and you can spot large cats, armadillos, anteaters, and all kinds of birds.

Spend a day hanging out on the Split. Belize is a place that encourages you to be lazy (well, in between all the adventure activities) — and the best place to veg out is on the Split, where the two islands of Caye Caulker break apart, and which is home to a bar perched on bright turquoise water.

Get into Lobsterfest. Lobster season in Belize kicks off in mid-June and with it, Lobsterfest takes over the country. San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Belize City each have their own celebrations with concerts, beach parties, even beauty pageants, all accompanied by lots and lots of lobster.

Kate stands in a sarong on a boat on top of turquoise water.

Belize Travel and Safety Tips

“Caye” is pronounced “Key” in Belize. It takes a bit of getting used to!

Just because it’s an island, it doesn’t mean it has beaches. Many of Belize’s islands don’t have beaches, and Caye Caulker is more or less beachless. Ambergris Caye has some beaches, but if you want a really nice stretch of beach, head somewhere on the mainland like Placencia or Hopkins.

Not all dive sites are equal in Belize — especially the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is the most famous diving site in Belize, but this site should only be attempted by advanced divers. I have multiple friends who attempted the Blue Hole as experienced divers but not quite advanced, and they struggled. If this is you, don’t worry — there are plenty of great dive sites in Belize that aren’t the Blue Hole.

Don’t use regular sunscreen in Belize — only reef safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreen can damage the reefs’ delicate ecosystems.

English is the language spoken in Belize. This is the remnant of Britain’s colonization, and Belize used to be called “British Honduras.” You won’t have issues with a language barrier. Indigenous and Creole languages are spoken in Belize as well. Spanish is spoken close to the Guatemala and Mexico borders.

See a travel doctor before your trip and be prepared on what to do if you get sick. On the Central America tours that I led in 2015, I was shocked that roughly half of my attendees got sick. Your doctor may advise you to take antibiotics that are easily available at pharmacies throughout Belize. As I am not a medical professional, you should ask your doctor what you should do.

Belize requires a yellow fever vaccination if you’ve traveled to a country with yellow fever is present. You can see the full list of countries here. Budget for this, as there it’s pricey and there is a vaccine shortage. I paid around $200 in the US and you can’t get it cheaper anywhere; the price is set. Get it for cheap while abroad if you can. If not, get it when you see the travel doctor.

Whether you’re actually checked for your yellow fever vaccination in Belize is unlikely, but it’s better to have it just in case.

Belize has malaria in some regions: There is no risk in Belize City and the islands, but malaria has been documented in districts of Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo. San Ignacio is in Cayo district. Some travelers choose to take malaria prophylactics; others do not. Again, that’s a conversation for you and your travel doctor. You may decide to take pills; you may decide not to. Either way, wear mosquito repellant and cover up, especially in the affected regions.

The zika virus has been documented in Belize. Read more on this from the CDC. Zika should be a concern of pregnant women, partners of pregnant women, and women who intend to become pregnant soon, but if you’re none of those things, you don’t need to worry. Once more, this is a conversation to have with your travel doctor.

Is the water safe to drink in Belize? In some areas. The water is safe to drink in urban parts of Belize, but it’s not safe to drink in all of the country, particularly rural areas. While most travelers rely on bottled water, it creates a major waste problem.

For this reason, I recommend you bring a LifeStraw, a bottle that purifies water as you drink it through its straw. Alternatively, you can bring a reusable bottle and invest in a SteriPen water purifier (much better and faster than tablets).

Haggling is the way to purchase at markets in Belize. Never accept the first price — people are expecting you to lowball them. Have fun with it, but don’t get so caught up in it that you’re arguing for five minutes over the value of 25 cents with someone who makes far less money than you.

Keep your valuables locked up in your accommodation and only take with you what you need that day. I do this with my Pacsafe Travelsafe and I consider it the most important thing I pack. Keep an extra debit card and at least $100 hidden in obscure parts of your luggage.

Get an extra debit card. You should have two debit cards to two different bank accounts. If you only have one, I recommend you get a debit card from Transferwise. Keep a few hundred dollars in your account, hide the card deep in your luggage, and use it if your primary debit card is stolen.

Never leave your bags anywhere unattended. Take your belongings with you.

Don’t flash your valuables or wear expensive jewelry. There’s no need for fancy jewelry or purses in Belize. I wouldn’t wear an Apple Watch in Belize City or on public transportation.

If you carry a purse, hold it close to you. I recommend a crossbody purse, made out of a tough material like leather or fake leather, that zips shut. I recommend many purses in this post. Never let it hang behind you — always keep it in a place where you can see it, and keep your hand on it if you’re in a crowd.

If you carry a wallet without a purse, don’t keep it in your back pocket. This is obvious to thieves. They will grab it and run.

Be careful about your drinking. Drink less than you ordinarily would at home — two drinks is a good limit. Only take drinks from bartenders, never take a drink from a stranger, and always keep it with you and keep an eye on it. Be especially cautious in party spots like Caye Caulker, but drink spiking can happen anywhere.

Do not take drugs, even if you’re a party drug enthusiast. Drugs in Belize can be cut with poisonous substances that can often lead to your death, and if you’re caught by the police, you’ll be in life-changing trouble.

Spend extra money on staying safe. If it costs you money to take a taxi rather than walk, or to stay in a guesthouse in a well-lit, central area, do it. It’s worth the peace of mind. Don’t pinch pennies on your safety.

Bring a digital Belize guidebook. I always bring PDFs of Lonely Planet guidebooks — they have critical information, like details on transportation and the locations of medical centers, and a digital version adds no weight to your bag. You can buy the book or individual chapters, and I keep my PDFs in the Books app on my iPhone.

I recommend Lonely Planet Belize if you’re just visiting Belize or Lonely Planet Central America if you’re visiting multiple countries in Central America.

How to Get Around Belize Solo

Belize may be a tiny country where you can go from end to end within a few hours, but there are lots of ways to get around the country — by land, air, and sea.

How to Get to Belize

If you’re flying into Belize, you’ll land at Belize International Airport in Belize City. If you’re looking for cheap flights to Belize, I recommend using Skyscanner.

If you’re traveling overland into Belize, the most common routes by bus are from Chetumal, Mexico, to Belize City; and from Flores, Guatemala, to San Ignacio. You can also take a ferry on Belize Water Taxi from Chetumal to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

Getting Around Belize by Air

Being such a small country, it’s not necessary to fly around Belize, but if you’re on limited time and don’t mind spending the money, it may be a worthwhile option for you. Especially if you hate ferries (and as someone who survived a shipwreck in Indonesia and was nervous on boats for years after, I get it).

There are two airlines providing domestic flights in Belize: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Both fly to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and various points around the country. Flights to the islands take only 15 minutes. I recommend using Skyscanner to compare both prices of airlines simultaneously.

And if you’re REALLY a baller, you can hire a private helicopter to the islands for $1,400 for up to four people!

Getting Around Belize by Boat

If you’re visiting Belize’s islands, you’ll probably travel by boat. Ocean Ferry Belize and Belize Water Taxi run ferries from Belize City to Caye Caulker (45 minutes) and San Pedro on Ambergris Caye (90 minutes), and between Caye Caulker and San Pedro (30 minutes). Belize Water Taxi also offers direct ferries from Chetumal, Mexico, to San Pedro (90 minutes).

Some smaller islands run small boats from the nearest point on the mainland. For example, the boat to Tobacco Caye leaves from Dangriga at 9:00 AM each day, but other boats leave as soon as they have 4-6 passengers (or people willing to pay extra).

There is also the three-day sailing trip from Caye Caulker to Placencia with Raggamuffin Tours. While this is more of a snorkeling and camping trip than transportation, it was a fantastic way to travel down the coast!

Getting Around Belize by Bus

On the mainland, I recommend getting around Belize by bus. Buses run fairly frequently between the major tourist destinations, and most of the buses route through Belmopan, the capital. You can see bus schedules here.

Buses are cheap in Belize, but don’t expect air-conditioned luxury buses — chances are you’ll have a repurposed school bus with all the windows open for ventilation. Keep in mind that holidays often have different bus schedules; it’s good to verify with your accommodation or a travel agency in town.

Getting Around Belize by Bike

Renting a bike is a fun way to get around the islands and beaches in Belize. You can find bike rental shops all over the place. Even though islands feel safe, be sure to get a bike lock and use it.

Hiring a Private Driver in Belize

You can hire a private driver to take you from place to place in Belize, which is the most expensive way of getting around the country. This gives you the ultimate privacy, flexibility, and comfort, plus the drivers might know some cool places to stop along the route.

I don’t recommend hiring a driver for the full duration of your time in Belize, but it can be nice to do for one or two long legs of your trip, like from Belize International Airpor t to Placencia.

Renting a Car in Belize

Should you rent a car in Belize? I don’t think it’s necessary with the coverage the buses give you, but you can if you want to. I recommend scheduling your trip so it doesn’t end up sitting parked for days when you’re in the islands — for example, traveling from Belize City to San Ignacio to Placencia and back to Belize City, then returning the car and getting a ferry to the islands.

You could also use a rental car to drive into Guatemala, and I recommend checking with your car rental agency to see whether crossing borders would be an additional cost.

If you’re looking for a cheap car rental in Belize, I recommend using RentalCars.com.

Palm trees on the beach in Belize with a sailboat in the background

Best Time to Visit Belize

The best time to visit Belize is between early December and April — this is considered high season in Belize. The weather is warm and mostly clear. As a consequence, this is when most North American tourists visit, trying to escape the winter, and this is when Belize is at its most crowded and expensive.

For the absolute best weather, try to time your visit from mid-February to mid-April.

Low season in Belize runs from June through November. May and June are the hottest months of the year and July starts the rainy season, lasting through November. This can still be a fun time to visit Belize, and most travel companies operate year-round.

Hurricane season in Belize officially runs from June through November, but hurricanes tend to hit Belize between August and October.

Event-wise, lobster season begins on June 15, and this kicks off Lobsterfest along the islands and beaches — two weeks of celebrations around lobster!

September 21 is Belize’s Independence Day and the Belizeans go all out with celebrations — not just on the 21st but all month long.

Overall, you can have a great trip to Belize at any time of year, but you’ll have the best luck if you time your visit from December to April — or ideally, mid-February to mid-April.

How to Meet People in Belize

If you’re looking to meet people in Belize while traveling solo, you’re in luck. It’s easy to connect with travelers while doing organized activities, and locals are gregarious and friendly. When I went on the three-day sailing trip in Belize, I met a lot of people whom I stayed in touch with after.

Stay in social hostels and guesthouses. Read through the reviews of hostels and guesthouses (and keep in mind that many Belize hostels have private rooms!) and spend time in the common areas.

Check out local meetups via Meetup.com. Whether you’re into travel, running, movies, board games, or just want to meet a group of nice people, there’s a Meetup for that.

Couchsurfing. The Couchsurfing Belize community isn’t just for free accommodation, it’s also for socializing. The local Couchsurfers often put on events and meetups in a variety of destinations.

Join local tours and events. Belize is all about activities! Going swimming with sharks or exploring the ATM caves or going sailing is a great way to meet other people in Belize! Once the day is over, ask someone if they feel like getting a drink or dinner.

Put out feelers on social media. You never know — often a friend of yours will have a cousin or friend who is in Belize at the same time as you, or knows someone who is living there as an expat long-term.

Tinder. If you’re looking to date or hook up in Belize, it’s as easy as swiping right.

How to Meet People While Traveling Solo

Kate taking a selfie underwater as she swims with sharks

What to Pack for a Belize Trip

When packing for a Belize trip, you’re going to be packing for warm weather and being outdoors. Be sure to pack enough clothing and gear for your adventure activities planned. Here are some things that are especially good to pack for Belize:

Sports sandals — Essential for the ATM caves. These lightweight supportive sports sandals are better than flip-flops for light adventure activities. I’ve been wearing my Teva Tirra sandals since 2010. In the ATM caves, you need to both swim and wear active footwear, and this is a MUCH better choice than soaking your sneakers.

Flip-flops — Essential beach footwear. I can’t wear most flip-flops due to arch issues but I ADORE my Abeo flip-flops with arch support.

Trail runners — If you plan to hike or work out in Belize, bring trail runners — they work equally well as sneakers and hiking shoes, as long as you’re not doing super-intense mountain hiking. I love my Merrill Siren Edge Q2 Waterproof Trail Runners.

A sarong — If you don’t have one, don’t worry, you’ll find tons for sale on the beach in Belize.

Speakeasy Travel Supply scarf — These scarves are ideal for travel — they all have a hidden pocket for your passport or cash, and some come in light fabrics perfect for Belize. I love these scarves (I even designed my own!).

Rash guard — If you’re snorkeling, this is an essential item to keep your back from burning.

Reef safe sunscreen — This protects the reefs from harm. Always use it when you’re in the water, not just when you’re snorkeling the reef.

GoPro or underwater camera — You’re going to be a lot of cool stuff while snorkeling, and underwater selfies are so much fun!

Pacsafe Travelsafe — I consider my portable safe the most important thing I pack.

LifeStraw or SteriPen water purifier and reusable bottle — This lets you drink water safely in Belize without creating more waste.

Pink and blue sunrise with palm fronds in Belize

Travel Insurance for Belize

One last note — it’s absolutely vital to have travel insurance before traveling to Belize. If you get sick or injured on your trip, if you get robbed, or even if you have to be flown home for more care, travel insurance will protect you from financial ruin. I use and recommend World Nomads for trips to Belize.

Travel insurance will help you in your hour of need if you have an accident while diving the Blue Hole; they will help you get medical care if you come down with appendicitis or trip and break an ankle while climbing Xunantunich; and if your flights get canceled due to hurricanes, you can get accommodation and new flights paid for.

As always, be sure to read your policy carefully and make sure it’s a fit for you. See what World Nomads covers here.

Caye Caulker island fro a distance, a kite in the air.

Belize is Waiting for You!

I had such an amazing time in Belize — and I want the same for you! Belize is a fantastic country and I enjoyed it so much more than I expected to. I only hope that you have the same experience.

Go to Belize and have the time of your life. Then come back and tell me all about it.

Solo Female Travel in Belize — Is Belize Safe?

Why Travel Solo to Belize?