Belize

Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries can visit Belize visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, with the possibility of extending at the immigration office in Belize City. Belize is one of the more accessible Central American destinations in terms of entry requirements, and the fact that it's English-speaking makes it particularly straightforward for first-time visitors to the region. On arrival, you'll need to show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds for your stay. There's a departure tax payable at the airport when you leave — check the current amount before your trip, as it's sometimes included in airfare and sometimes not. Always verify the current requirements for your specific nationality before you travel.

Belize is one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the Western Hemisphere, full stop. The Belize Barrier Reef — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — runs for nearly 300 kilometers along the coast and is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity: nurse sharks, rays, sea turtles, moray eels, and hundreds of species of reef fish. The Great Blue Hole, a 300-meter-wide marine sinkhole about 70 kilometers offshore, is one of the most famous dive sites in the world — best experienced on a liveaboard or day trip from Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. Hol Chan Marine Reserve near Ambergris Caye is excellent for snorkeling, with reliable encounters with nurse sharks and rays at Shark Ray Alley. The water is warm year-round, visibility is generally excellent, and the reef is accessible from multiple cayes along the coast.

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are the two most popular cayes in Belize, and they attract slightly different types of travelers. Ambergris Caye — and its main town, San Pedro — is the larger and more developed of the two, with a wider range of accommodation, restaurants, and dive operators. It's the better base for serious divers who want easy access to the reef and the Great Blue Hole. Caye Caulker is smaller, slower, and more laid-back — the island's unofficial motto is 'Go Slow,' and it means it. It's cheaper, more social, and has a backpacker-friendly atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people. Both cayes are reached by water taxi from Belize City, and many travelers spend time on both. If you want comfort and diving infrastructure, Ambergris is the better choice; if you want a relaxed, social atmosphere on a budget, Caye Caulker wins.

Belize is small enough that ten days to two weeks gives you a very comprehensive first trip. A typical itinerary might include a few days on the cayes for reef time, a few days in the jungle for Maya ruins and wildlife, and a day or two in or around Belize City for logistics. The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave — one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in Central America, where Maya ceremonial artifacts and skeletal remains are preserved in an underground cave system — is a full-day experience that's worth building your itinerary around. Tikal in neighboring Guatemala is a popular day trip or overnight from western Belize. A week is possible but tight; two weeks lets you slow down and actually enjoy the reef and jungle rather than rushing between them.

Belize is one of the more expensive destinations in Central America, which surprises some travelers who expect it to be as affordable as Guatemala or Honduras. The US dollar is accepted everywhere (Belize dollars are pegged at 2:1 to the USD), which makes budgeting straightforward but also means prices feel higher than in neighboring countries. Accommodation on the cayes — particularly Ambergris Caye — can be pricey in peak season. Diving and snorkeling tours are a significant expense if you're doing multiple trips. Inland, in the jungle areas around San Ignacio and the Cayo District, costs are noticeably lower. Eating at local spots rather than tourist-facing restaurants makes a significant difference. Overall, Belize is best approached as a mid-range destination rather than a budget one — the experiences it offers are worth the cost, but it requires more budget than some of its Central American neighbors.