6 Continents

Belize enchants adventurous families

A very different destination, which is not often talked about but has a lot to offer. Shall we discover this "new" family destination?

By Claudine Blanco

When I received the invitation to visit Belize, I was thrilled! I love exploring new destinations and bringing new itineraries for families.

First, let’s get oriented because many people asked me where it was because they had never even heard of it. That’s the best part, because it really is a little-known destination, which makes it even more special.

Belize is located in Central America and shares borders with Mexico and Guatemala, bordered by the Caribbean Sea. It’s where the second largest Barrier Reef in the world is located, second only to Australia, so for families with divers, it’s a great paradise.

Like every place in the Caribbean, the focus is always on the sea, which undeniably is the highlight of the trip, but Belize has a uniqueness that other destinations don’t have; it has jungle and Mayan ruins as well, which will certainly make the trip more complete and interesting as it combines paradisiacal beaches, culture, and a dose of ecotourism.

Being a destination that is still relatively unexplored, it is quite different from what Brazilians are accustomed to finding when traveling through the Caribbean. Don’t expect to find large networks of well-known resorts, downtown areas with shops and various restaurant options, and everything that resembles Americanized islands. Here, everything is rustic and very typical.

The gateway is Belize City, where the international airport is located, receiving flights from Miami or Panama (with less frequency). The most well-known beach areas are in the North, in San Pedro, but for families, the ideal itinerary is to explore the southern beaches, in Placencia, where hotels have more infrastructure.

The ideal is to first do the Jungle part and from there visit the ruins, leaving the beach for last. Belize City doesn’t have any tourist attractions, so it’s best to arrive and immediately head to the San Ignacio region, which is a 1:30-hour drive from there. That’s where the Xunantunich and Caracol ruins are located, the two main Mayan ruins in Belize. It’s really cool to be able to explore the ruins, and you can even walk on them, which is not allowed in many archaeological sites like those in Mexico. It becomes easier for children to understand and explore their culture by exploring the different areas, and for the more adventurous, it’s even possible to go horseback riding.

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The region has two incredibly charming boutique hotels: Blancaneaux Lodge and Ka’Ana Resort and Spa. For fans of healthy food, it’s worth noting that they take pride in serving organic and natural cuisine. It’s quite common to find vegetable gardens amidst their gardens, and their dishes are primarily based on fish, meat, and poultry, often with a spicy kick, so extra caution is advised when it comes to children’s meals.

Photos 1 and 2: Blancaneaux Lodges; Photos 3, 4 and 5: Ka’Ana Resort / Media

Between one visit to the ruins and another, the ideal is to combine some adventure tours. The coolest thing about this region is cave exploration, which can be done in canoes for those who prefer something lighter and have younger children, like Barton Creek.

For the more adventurous, there’s Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave). Here, the exploration is for the daring ones who have no problem with claustrophobia. It’s a journey of over 4 hours inside the cave (round trip), passing through areas with water up to almost neck level and some narrow stretches until reaching the central chamber where you can see various remnants of sacrifices, including human skeletons, offered by the Maya who considered the caves sacred. An adventure worthy of Indiana Jones.

Starting from this region after exploring caves and ruins, it’s time for the family to enjoy the beaches. The best way to move from one region to another is by small aircraft with Tropic Air. Flying over this entire region is incredible and will enchant the family. The next stop is Placencia.

There, charming boutique hotels offer various options to accommodate families, including some villas for those traveling with a family or group of friends.

The top choices are Itz’Ana Resort or Turtle Inn, the famous hotel owned by filmmaker Francis Coppola’s family.

Photos 1 and 2: Itz’Ana Resort; Photos 3 and 4:Turtle Inn / Media

For those who enjoy local gastronomy, it’s worth experiencing a Garifuna dinner (offered by Itz’Ana), where friendly locals sing songs in that language while the sound of drums fills the air. Families can taste dishes made from green bananas, coconut, and fish. It’s a great opportunity to introduce children to the local culture.

To visit the paradisiacal beaches, you must necessarily take a boat and visit the so-called Cayos, which are sandbanks that form small islands. The most famous one is Laughing Bird Caye, but there are several others that can be visited, such as the tiny Silk Caye. During these tours, the family will have fun snorkeling and exploring the rich marine life in the atolls. Various species of colorful fish, turtles, and rays float in front of us.

An unmissable experience is taking a scenic flight over the breathtaking Blue Hole, which is the iconic postcard of the destination. In fact, it is a cave with over 120m of depth, and only experienced divers are allowed to dive in it. The overflight in small aircraft is operated by Tropic Air, which offers the experience on specific days and times (please inquire in advance). It costs an average of USD 230 per person, but it’s worth it as the view is incredible!

For those who are eager to dive, it is ideal to stay near the coral reef to explore the region every day. The Ray Caye Island Resort is a great option, but it is located on a secluded and exclusive island, making it ideal for families with teenage children who already practice diving.

Now, for those who truly want to explore the best of Belize’s sea in a unique and exclusive way, the experience of staying aboard a Catamaran with a private chef and all the refinement and comfort that the most luxurious services can offer is worth it. At The Moorings, your family will discover the most hidden paradises and sail through the best that this destination has to offer.

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How about taking your family to explore a new destination?

Best time to go: from November to May
Language: English
Exchange rate: USD 1.00 = 2.00 BZD (Belize dollar)
No visa required (only if traveling via Miami)
International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required.

The travel agencies Viajar com Crianças (Traveling with Kids) and Viajar com Adolescentes (Traveling with Teens) can organize this trip for your family.