1. For a true beach town vibe Placencia should be your first stop – with beautiful beaches it’s also the perfect place to be based when exploring the cayes
2. Kayak through the crystalline waters of Laughing Bird Caye, where the water is so pure you can see the marine life without going underwater
3. If you’re a sailor at heart hire a boat and sail down the charming shoreline of Belize, only stopping to enjoy the white beaches and delicious seafood of the coast
4. Swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, in the warm waters of Gladden Spit, where these marvellous creatures come to feed around full moon in April and May
5. Drive the Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to coastal Dangriga for stunning views of the Mayan Mountains and the surrounding orchards
6. Visit the ancient Mayan ruins at Caracol many of which date back to the 3rd Century
7. Marvel at the stunning beauty of the Great Blue Hole, whether it’s with a scenic flight above it or a boat trip to dive amongst the parrotfish and reef sharks that live there
8. Dine on lobster and red snapper on the tiny Caye Caulker, an easy going, car-free paradise with stunning dive and snorkel sights on its doorstep
9. Head to the Belize Zoo to see the wide range of creatures that live in this small but diverse country. Highlights are the jaguar and the Baird’s Tapir, Belize’s national animal
10. The Belize Barrier Reef is made up of hundreds of cayes and reefs, teeming with marine life of all colours and sizes – impressive enough for Charles Darwin to describe it as ‘the most remarkable reef in the West Indies’.
