How to plan a trip to Belize ?
An adventure trip to Belize opens up a world of unique vacation opportunities: swimming on the beautiful beaches of the islands, diving and snorkeling on the Barrier Reef, exploring exotic jungles, and hiking to archaeological sites of the Mayan ruins, to name a few. The challenge here is not making sure you have a good time; the challenge is to have enough time to do everything you want. You have to plan your adventure to Belize carefully, considering your time, interests, and budget. Read on to learn what all arrangements needs to be done to spend vacations at Belize.
1. Do your research- Belize is an exotic tourist spot, with miles of beaches and several virgin islands, tropical jungles, and a truckload of archaeological sites that can satisfy the appetite of history junkies. But before your deep dive into planning a vacation to Belize, know more about the country than its attractions. Surf the web to learn the basics: the location, language, currency, people, and health and safety facilities, among others.
2. Prepare your travel documents- Most people do not need to secure a visa to travel to Belize for a maximum of 30 days. All that you surely need is a passport that is valid for at least six months. Check with your embassy for details.
3. Set a budget- Are you planning on going to Belize on a backpacker’s budget? Do you want to experience everything that Belize has to offer in the most inexpensive way possible? Or are you all for splurging on a tropical dream vacation? Ideally, an adventure trip to Belize requires one to two weeks. Fatten up your wallet to support your stay with those timeframes.
4. Pick a vacation theme- Every day can be a new adventure in Belize. Do you want to sample all of the beaches? Explore all parts of the jungle? Visit all the Mayan ruins? Or sample a bit of everything? To help you narrow down your activities – there is simply so much to choose from – create a bucket list of must-do and must-experience things in Belize. Knowing the focus of your trip helps you plan where to stay in the country. Book your hotel near your destination choices for comfort and convenience.
5. Know when to go- Belize has warm, subtropical weather all throughout the year. The peak period for travelling is from November to April, which is the high and dry season. Temperatures can go as high as Expect rainy weather from the months of May to October, fewer tourists, and lower hotel rates. Avoid going to Belize in September and October; they are the country’s hurricane months.
When to go to Belize largely depends on the activities that you intend to do. If you are aiming for scuba diving with whale sharks, schedule your trip between March and June. For aquatic sports and jungle explorations, go between February and May.
6. Get vaccinated- While Belize is a treasure trove for tropical adventures and exciting escapades, it can also be a Pandora’s Box for accidentally acquired illnesses. Before trooping to the jungle or go canoeing in the wild rivers of Belize, get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and yellow fewer, and rabies.
7. Pack the essentials- Make sure that you pack these essential items for an adventure trip to Belize:
- Regular shirts, shorts, and skirts made of light and breathable material, such as cotton
- Beachwear & swimwear
- Light jacket or raincoat, in case it rains or the temperature drops
- A hat
- Hiking shoes, beach sandals, and flip-flops
- Toiletries
- A guidebook
- Your passport, identity cards and credit cards
- Medicines and vitamins, and a small traveler’s first aid kit
- Sunblock
- Insect repellent
- A small flashlight, pocket knife, and binoculars
- Ziplock bags
- A nice camera for photos
8. Book your jungle trips ahead of time- Impromptu, do-it-yourself tours are all the rage, especially for backpackers who want to save as much money as they can, these days. To stay on the safe side though, book your Belize jungle tours ahead of time, from a day to a week in advance.
9. Hire an experienced tour guide- Regardless of your budget, tour preferences, and length of stay, you will do well to hire a reputable and experienced tour guide for your adventures in Belize. Getting lost, injured, or sick can be all too easy while hiking the mountains, exploring ruins, or canoeing in a jungle river. Local tour guides know the ins and outs of these places and will know the safety precautions to practice. Hiring a tour guide also brings the possibility of travelling with other groups, which is safer than going it alone.
