Honeymoon in Belize

With an azure Caribbean coastline of beautiful beaches and a verdant tropical rainforest inland, a honeymoon in Belize is a little slice of chilled-out paradise.

Belize is a tiny destination, not much bigger than Wales or New Jersey, making it a superb choice to tag on to other neighbouring Central American jewels like Mexico or Guatamala. Although the Belizean locals speak a creole patois, Belize’s official language is English, which makes it a straightforward choice for native-speaking couples.

The jump-off point is Belize City, with most couples heading straight to Ambergris Caye. This is Belize’s biggest island, and the biggest draw is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belize Barrier Reef. The BBRRS is the world’s second-largest barrier reef (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef). Located just one kilometre off Ambergris Caye, it’s one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world. Explore Sharkray Valley, the Blue Hole and Hol Chan marine reserve. Enjoy the laid back town of San Pedro. Add a stop in the lesser-visited neighbouring island, Caye Caulker. The motto of the island is ‘go slow’, so a honeymoon in Belize is the perfect place for a slice of post wedding bliss.

Go caving at Actun Tunichil Muknal. Explore the lush rainforest of Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Go waterfall rappelling and ziplining (the longest rainforest canopy in Central America is in Belize). You can even opt to take the 2-hour route by night, experiencing bats and owls and other nocturnal creatures.

Explore the Belizean rainforest at Mountain Pine Ridge. Go horseback riding and cave tubing. An excursion to the Mayan sites of Caracol (only discovered in 1936) and Xunantunich are a must. Get off the beaten track to explore Glover’s Reef Atoll. Snorkel and dive amongst the unique marine life and go kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing. Spend a couple of days in Hopkins, the centre of Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture and home to easy going seafront hotels. While away the days swinging in a hammock at a cute lodge, zip-line through the jungle, visit an organic cacao farm or wander at the ancient Maya sites, Belize is the perfect honeymoon destination with a difference.

Belize is a little more rustic than some of its neighbouring Central America and Caribbean countries, suitable for couples less interested in all-inclusive resorts of the region. Although if you like the sound of luxury and a little adventure, Belize combined with a luxury adult-only all-inclusive resort in Mexico is a beautiful combination. That’s not to say there isn’t some unique hotel accommodation in Belize! You can take a bus or taxi from Tulum or fly from Cancun airport. You can also combine a honeymoon in Belize with the USA. With flights from Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles, you could combine a road trip honeymoon in Texas or California.