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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Belize with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Belize with Yachtious. Book Now!
DISCOVER BELIZE
THE TROPICAL DESTINATION OF YOUR SAILING DREAMS
If you are looking for perfect sailing off the beaten track, the tropical cayes, of Belize, protected by one of the world’s longest barrier reefs, should be on your list.
With the Caribbean Sea to its east and the sheer superfluity of waterfalls, rivers, and lagoons caressing the entire country, Belize is known as the blue beauty of the world. This beautiful Central American country offers a wealth of travel adventures that include snorkeling in the stunning waters, exploring ancient Mayan sites, and hiking in lush, tropical rainforests, to name a few.
A yacht charter in Belize allows you to discover some of the most unspoiled islands of the Caribbean and can mesmerize anyone with its captivating beauty.
Over 200 tropical islands in the archipelago of Belize are uninhabited, with only the peaceful turquoise waters lapping up onto the land. This stunning heaven in the Caribbean with some of the most pristine beaches has become a favored spot for yacht charters and adventurers seeking diving vacations.
Once a Mayan fishing village, Belize City was the country's capital until 1970 after Hurricane Hattie unleashed her fury. Today, it is the largest city in Belize plus a commercial center that features a port that greets cruise ships and welcomes visitors into this main entryway. Belize City's greatest attractions are most assuredly its stunning island beaches.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT BELIZE
Belize is a fabulous year-round destination with the warm tropical weather. The average temperatures linger at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Belize features both a dry season and a wet season. The dry season is during late November to mid-April. Of course, this is the most crowded time for your yacht charter as there will be plenty of other tourists. However, if you enjoy being around other people, this won’t bother you. Plus, you can hop on your yacht charter to escape.
The wet season for Belize is June through December. Travel is still fine until early August when the rains tend to fall each afternoon. Sailing here becomes more challenging during this time, and hurricane season is in effect from June to October. Regardless of weather though, many people flock to Belize throughout the year because of the exciting cultural events and activities.
From February through mid-April, many cruise ships are coming in from North American travelers from the USA and Canada. In March and early April, the temperatures are heavenly, and the waters are calm, an ideal time for your yacht charter as well as diving and snorkeling. In March, many people come to see the Ruta Maya canoe race on the Old Belize River. Humidity rises in April and May, making it ideal for tying hair up or wearing a hat. In June, Lobster Fest takes place. Placencia and Ambergris Caye are among the best places to be to taste this coveted crustacean.
August, September, and October are the wettest months and less ideal for visiting. Many businesses do shut down during this time, but you’ll still find plenty open. Just do your homework before you arrive in your yacht charter, so you’re not disappointed. When you do, you’ll find better bargains. Plus, in early August, La Costa Maya is the biggest festival with musicians coming from all over to perform. Ambergris Caye is where you’ll find pageants, music, and plenty of dancing. September promises local excitement with Independence Day, St. George’s Caye Day, and Carnival, while in November, Garifuna is great for drumming up fun for National Garifuna Day. You can even come for Christmas, but the prices and crowds are the busiest. Going south on your yacht charter will get you out of the crowds.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: FEBRUARY TO MAY
TIME ZONE: GMT−06:00
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH,SPANISH AND CREOLE
CURRENCY: BELIZE DOLLAR
REASONS TO VISIT
BELIZEAN FOOD
DIVING AND SNORKELING
HIKING
MAYA RUINS
PLENTY OF BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS
THE GREAT BLUE HOLE
WILDLIFE
WORLD’S LONGEST BARRIER REEFS
EXPLORE OTHER CHARTER AREAS WITHIN THE CARIBBEAN
GETTING TO BELIZE
Because of its location in Central America, Belize is easy to access from most places in the world. Philip Goldson International Airport handles all international flights (BZE), referred to as “PGlA” by the locals, in Ladyville, which is located 11 miles (17 km) northwest of the city center of Belize. Private airplane charters must be cleared through the Civil Aviation Department and the Belize Airport Authority at the PGIA.
You’ll find direct flights from the USA to Belize going out of Miami, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. Travelers from Canada should expect to connect via one of the airports in the USA. It’s the same case for travelers from South America, Europe, and Australia. Passengers coming from Central America that fly with Avianca will usually stop in El Salvador.
The most popular airlines have flights for you to Belize. You can catch direct American Airlines flights to and from Los Angeles, Charlotte, and Miami. Avianca Direct flies to and from Houston in the USA and San Salvador in El Salvador. Copa Airlines provides flights three times per week to Panama. With Delta Airlines, you can fly directly to and from both Atlanta and Los Angeles. Southwest Airlines offers direct flights to Houston Hobby Airport. Regular flights on Transportes Aeros Guatemaltecos go between Belize and Guatemala City through Flores. Tropic Air offers flights to Flores, Guatemala plus Merida and Cancun in Mexico. It also has routes from Roatan and San Pedro Sula in Honduras. United Airlines can get you to Belize directly from Chicago, New York, and Houston.
Looking for the cheapest way to get to Belize? You’re better off flying to Cancun, Cozumel, or Playa del Carmen and taking a bus. Additionally, you can find charter flights from the USA, Canada, and Europe that are often as much as half the price of the cost of flying into Belize.
You can also rent a private jet and enjoy the freedom of choice, total comfort and flexible terms for your travel.
Always bear in mind that the airline industry is a fluid one and the services detailed here may change, sometimes from month to month. Please do not rely solely on this information for your travel plans. To keep an eye out for any new flights and to search for excellent flight deals, a website such as Tripadvisor can be a handy resource.
Going by land to Belize is the most inexpensive way to get there. You can use Mexico’s ADO buses that go from Cancun and Playa del Carmen to get to Belize City. Lina Dorada buses run from Guatemala City and Flores to Melchor de Menchos just on the western border of the country. For your yacht charter, you can make things easier by arranging a private transfer.
Other methods include taking a car. However, the roads in Belize is notoriously tricky. It’s a long trip, about 1,350 miles (2173 km), driving through Mexico. Plus, you’d need Belizean insurance and to have Belizean dollars. This method is not very recommended unless you know what you’re doing. The buses are faster, more comfortable, and far more inexpensive. Still, if you can’t resist a road trip to kick off your yacht charter, you’ll want to head out of any border city of the USA to Mexico City and then proceed onto Chetumal, located on the north border of Belize. Some highways connect to Mexico City via Chetumal. If you’re coming from Guatemala, there are a variety of bus companies you can choose from to bring you from Guatemala City to Flores, Petén, and Melchor.
Why not try the ferry service? It runs from Punta Gorda in Toledo’s southern district and Puerto Barrios in eastern Guatemala. The ports of entry available are Belize City, Dangriga, San Pedro, Punta Gorda, and Corozal. You must report to the police or immigration authorities as soon as you enter Belize.
WHERE TO STAY IN BELIZE
The variety of accommodations in Belize are perfect for any traveler. From pampering resort-style to eco-adventures, Belize has it all.
Hotels
Resorts here are small in size but huge with luxury. There are even all-inclusive plans at some of them, making for an even better stay. For tighter budgets, you can look for smaller hotels, bed, and breakfasts, or guesthouses that range through all the price brackets.
Condo & Villa Rentals
Large groups or those staying for a longer time should rent a condo, villa, or apartment. These have separate rooms, private bathrooms, and kitchens, making it easy to keep expenses down by cooking your meals.
Camping & Eco-Tourism
Outdoorsy? Then eco-lodges or campgrounds will suit you. There are more campgrounds in Belize than anywhere else in the Caribbean, so if you want to connect with nature, this is the place!
WINING AND DINING IN BELIZE
The cuisine of Belize is a mixture of the many regional traditional foods and cultures from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Mayan influences. The locals have adapted techniques from the early settlers of Spain and Africa. It’s an interesting combination, one that will be sure to delight your palate.
Belizean Rice and Beans
As beans are an integral part of Mexican cuisine, so too are they in Belize. The difference here though is the rice is flavored with coconut milk. You’ll often see this served with baked plantains, potato salad, coleslaw, and Marie Sharp pepper sauce.
Belize Fruit Cake
Nothing is more lovely than a traditional rum-based fruit cake from Belize. Preserved fruits and plenty of rum are thrown in. The cake is aged for a minimum of one week before it’s served.
Cashew and Craboo Wines
If you like wine, you must try this Belizean wine made from fermented cashew fruit. Many winemakers also add mango and blackberry to it. You’ll want to take home a case of it!
Johnny Cakes
Made with coconut milk and flour and baked up in a clay fireplace, Johnny cakes are usually gobbled up by the locals with butter, cheese, and refried beans.
Ceviche
Perhaps you’ve had ceviche before, but in Belize, they only use conch, octopus, shrimp, and lionfish. The marinade is slightly different too, but no less delicious!
Cochinita Pibil
Slow-smoked roasted pork is a real local treat. It’s cooked with annatto seed paste, fresh onions, cilantro, habanero pepper, and tomato in a clay oven until it’s so tender it melts in your mouth.
Tamales
A local favorite and part of everyday eating, these cornmeal dumplings are different from the Mexican versions because they have meat chunks with tomatoes and green peas.
Chicken Escabeche
Here’s some chicken soup for your soul, Belize-style. Exotic with roasted spices and bold flavors, it is sure to be your new favorite soup.
Belizean Desserts
Sweets are part of the sweet Belizean life. Soursop ice cream is a favorite. Cassava pudding, nance ice cream, and craboo wine are also big favorites to enjoy for dessert.
Belikin Beer
You’ll find this traditionally-prepared beer in just about every restaurant. Give it a try if you’re in the mood for a beer.
Belizean Cowfoot Soup
Here’s another soup to taste while in Belize. As the name suggests, it has cow foot, but also plenty of vegetables. It’s very robust, and while it might seem odd to drink a soup made from feet, you’ve got to try it.
Panades
It’s similar to a tamale, but this cornmeal-filled delight features fish or beans. Then it gets fried to perfection.
Sere
This flavorful soup of fried fish, coconut milk, cassavas, and plantains is ideal for representing Garifuna flavors. It’s similar to hudut but in soup form.
Boil Up
There are so many things that can be thrown into a Belize boil up. Fish, bread dumplings, eggs, veggies and more, it is the national dish of Belize, and you’ll miss out much if you don’t give it a try.
Salbutes
Fabulously fried tortillas topped with tasty tidbits of chicken, cabbage, cheese, onion, avocado and Marie Sharp pepper are what’s for lunch or dinner. Cahal Pech’s restaurant is one of the best so make sure to taste it.
Chimole
They call this “Black Dinner” because this soup is black in hue. It comes from Mayan and Mestizo cultures and is purely magical.
Tamalitos or Ducunu
This tasty mini tamale is made from corn. They come from Mestizo food and are utterly sublime.
