Sustainable journey has many definitions, however at its essence, goals to have a constructive affect on each communities and the surroundings, whereas guaranteeing an enriching customer expertise.
This ethos just about defines tourism in Belize.
Geographically positioned in Central America, Belize has one foot within the Caribbean. With a various mix of cultures, from the indigenous Mayas to the Afro-descendent Garifuna, Belize is a melting pot of various languages, cuisines, and traditions.
Belize’s greatest tourism drawcard is its pure surroundings. The pristine coral reef within the Caribbean Sea and the luxurious rainforest masking the mainland are the nation’s greatest property, they usually perceive the financial advantage of defending it.
This a rustic dedicated to preserving its immense pure magnificence, and showcasing it to guests within the lightest method potential.
With over 100 protected areas, greater than 50% forest protection, and a UNESCO World Heritage Listed coral reef, Belize is the proper vacation spot for sustainable vacationers. Outside adventures abound and genuine cultural immersion awaits in Belize.
Belize’s sustainable tourism business
Sustainability comes from the highest in Belize, with the nation’s tourism entity, the Belize Tourism Board, main the cost in implementing a sustainable tourism agenda.
The federal government’s controversial choices in favor of the surroundings, banning all oil exploration in Belizean waters, and phasing out single-use plastics, spotlight Belize’s dedication to preserving its pure magnificence.
The whole vacation spot is marketed with an eco-lens, interesting to inexperienced vacationers all around the world. And it’s extra than simply advertising and marketing. The claims are backed up by passionate tour corporations, inexperienced eco-lodges, and group tourism tasks all working sustainable tourism companies.
Belize has been acknowledged for its efforts, topped as one of many world’s greatest moral journey locations in 2023 by Moral Traveler, and the nation will host the inaugural World Sustainable Journey & Hospitality Awards in 2024.
The tourism board’s web site is a incredible useful resource for vacationers, with a wealth of planning info and useful sustainability suggestions.
Eco locations in Belize
Selecting the place to go to in Belize is hard in a single respect as a result of there are such a lot of fabulous areas to select from. And simple in one other, as a result of there aren’t actually any locations to keep away from by way of sustainability.
Ambergris Caye is the preferred vacationer vacation spot in Belize and is the one place that might be criticized as overdeveloped.
The island’s primary city, San Pedro, is the guts of the resort scene in Belize, and we met many locals who referred to the island as Americanised and touristy. Compared to different resort cities within the area, it’s nonetheless blissfully laidback, however if you happen to’re looking for an genuine inexperienced getaway, that is one place to go away off your itinerary.
Fortunately there are many different locations to select from if you happen to’re trying to keep away from the crowds and expertise the character and tradition of Belize:
- Caye Caulker – Belize’s second hottest vacationer vacation spot has grown quickly prior to now decade, though nonetheless retains a laidback native really feel. With its sandy streets, electrical blue waters, pristine reef offshore, and palm-lined shoreline onshore, that is the excellent place to take in the Caribbean vibe.
- San Ignacio – Belize’s inland journey hub, San Ignacio is the capital of the Cayo District in Western Belize. Use this bustling native city as a base to discover Mayan ruins, intensive cave methods and the protected pine forests of Mountain Pine Ridge.
- Hopkins – the guts of Garifuna tradition in Belize, this coastal village offers you quick access to one of the best of each worlds in Belize. The Belize Barrier Reef is a brief boat journey away, and day journeys are potential to the Mayflower Bocawina Nationwide Park and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Placencia – if you wish to mix sustainability with luxurious and leisure, Placencia is the place. This beautiful land spit has the texture of an island, bordered on one facet by mangrove-filled lagoons, and on the opposite by miles of sandy seashores. Eco-resorts sit apart native eating places, with an easy-going native vibe.
- Hummingbird Freeway – this lesser-visited area is residence to a few of the nation’s most lovely jungles, a handful of luxurious eco-lodges, and a few tasty native delicacies. Discover some lesser-known nationwide parks, like St. Herman’s and Billy Barquedier.
- Distant cayes – there are over 400 cayes in Belize, some inhabited, some not. Many of those welcome guests with various types of facilities. For those who actually wish to get off the overwhelmed monitor you possibly can camp on Glover’s Reef Atoll, take pleasure in a budget-friendly getaway on Tobacco Caye, or take in eco-luxury at Thatch Caye.
- Toledo District – the southernmost a part of Belize is an off-the-beaten-track vacation spot, permitting guests to authentically interact with Mayan communities, and discover various rivers and rainforests from eco-lodges.
Sustainable stays
Selecting a sustainable place to sleep in Belize is straightforward, given the abundance of eco-lodges, low-impact resorts, and locally-owned visitor homes.
Belize stands out as a rustic largely free from main lodge chains, which is a refreshing change from its neighbors, and way more useful for the Belizean economic system.
Not like neighboring vacationer hubs like Cancun, there are solely a handful of multinational lodge manufacturers across the nation. Overlook the high-rise mega-resorts, and there are not one of the sterile, cookie-cutter accommodations which are the identical all around the world. As a substitute, Belize’s lodging have a neighborhood really feel and distinctive character.
In fact, there may be some international possession of lodging in Belize. Nonetheless, normally, these companies are independently owned, usually by expats who’ve referred to as Belize their residence for a few years.
There are a handful of outstanding eco lodging which have achieved the famend Inexperienced Globe certification:
- Xanadu Island Resort – Ambergris Caye
- Gaia Riverlodge – San Ignacio
- Hamanasi Journey & Dive Resort – Hopkins
- Itz’ana Belize Resort & Residence – Placencia
- Ka’ana Belize Resort – San Ignacio
- Matachica Resort & Spa – Ambergris Caye
- Turneffe Flats – Turneffe Atoll
- Turneffe Island Resorts – Turneffe Attol
This checklist is simply the tip of the iceberg although. There are numerous different eco-lodges scattered round Belize’s lush rainforests and tropical cayes, that will not have this degree of certification however are nonetheless working low-impact, eco-friendly lodging.
A fast search on any lodge’s web site ought to reveal a plethora of eco-initiatives. Reserving.com and TripAdvisor’s sustainability rankings additionally present a useful start line for figuring out inexperienced properties.
Low affect adventures
There may be an limitless checklist of adventures in Belize, from the reef to the rainforest. The most well-liked issues to do in Belize all development in direction of mild, low-impact actions.
On the reef
The Belize Barrier Reef runs your entire stretch of Belize’s shoreline and is a part of the broader Mesoamerican Reef, which is the second-largest barrier reef on this planet.
Belize’s part of the reef is effectively protected and has achieved UNESCO World Heritage Standing. The federal government and tourism board frequently commit important funds to tasks to make sure the continued well being of the reef.
As a vacationer visiting Belize, you possibly can expertise the underwater wonders reef by snorkeling or scuba diving, each of which will be loved from any level alongside the coast or cayes.
I used to be impressed with how regulated these actions have been, and the overwhelming majority of operators have been doing the fitting factor. Guests to the reef are actively inspired to keep away from sunscreen and single-use plastics, and most experiences have a powerful academic element fostering a deeper understanding of the fragile marine ecosystem.
The sheer range and abundance of marine species are unbelievable and incomparable to wherever else in Central America.
A day spent snorkeling off the coast of Caye Caulker may see you swimming alongside turtles, rays, sharks, and even manatees, together with a rainbow of colourful corals and reef fish.
For those who’re a devoted ocean lover, most of the smaller cayes home marine analysis stations and provide lengthier volunteer or internship experiences, the place your diving might help the reef. From coral planting and surveying to lionfish looking, you can provide again to this unimaginable marine ecosystem.
Within the rainforest
Over 50% of Belize’s land mass is forested, and there are greater than 100 protected pure areas to discover.
The biodiversity of Belize’s jungles is wealthy, with tons of of species of natural world to find. We have been fortunate sufficient to see Belize’s nationwide animal, Baird’s tapir, within the wild, in addition to its nationwide tree, the mahogany tree.
The Neighborhood Baboon Sanctuary in northern Belize is a community-run protect that protects the endangered Black Howler Monkey (domestically often called Baboons!). The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world’s first jaguar reserve, offering vital habitat for the biggest and most elusive feline within the Americas.
Hen watchers will love the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the Rio Bravo Conservation Space. Probably the most sought-after sightings are of Belize’s nationwide chook, the keel-billed toucan, and the equally noisy and colourful scarlet macaw.
For those who’re eager to strap in your mountaineering boots, there are numerous trails to discover, resulting in secluded swimming holes, expansive networks of caves, and epic viewpoints.
The Billy Barquedier Nationwide Park and St. Herman’s Nationwide Park on the Hummingbird Freeway provide incredible examples of all these items.
For extra thrilling adventures, you can even zipline throughout the cover, rappel down the facet of waterfalls, and even attempt cave tubing. Sure, floating on an inflatable tube on an underground river by way of a cave is feasible in Belize! San Ignacio is one of the best jump-off level for the exercise, which must be achieved with a neighborhood information.
Cultural immersion experiences
Belize has a wealthy and engaging mix of cultures to find, notably the indigenous Maya and Afro-descendent Garifuna individuals.
The historical past of the Mayan tradition in Belize spans 1000’s of years. As the primary inhabitants of the nation from 1,500 BC, they developed complicated and superior cities that may nonetheless be visited at this time. Xunantunich, Caracol, Cahal Pech, and Lamanai are a few of the best-preserved Mayan cities to get a glimpse of the spectacular ingenuity of the Mayas.
You may as well interact with the distinctive Garifuna tradition. Dwelling primarily in villages alongside the coast, like Hopkins and Dangriga, there’s a vary of group tourism initiatives the place guests can pattern and prepare dinner Creole delicacies, attempt their hand at African drumming, or Punta, the normal Garifuna dance.
Native delicacies
The chain-free nature of Belize extends to its eating. You received’t discover a McDonalds in your entire nation! Or every other quick meals chain for that matter, which is a large sustainable win.
Eating places are primarily domestically owned, which advantages the native economic system. There may be an emphasis on tasty native delicacies with contemporary components sourced from farmers and fishermen across the nation.
You’ll be consuming numerous ‘rice and beans’ a Belizean speciality that’s tastier than it sounds, with scrumptious coconut flavors. It’s normally served with some type of protein, plantain, and salad.
Seafood is one other must-try, with an abundance of fish, lobster, conch, shrimp… the checklist goes on and on! Typically served in creamy coconut curries or grilled up on a barbeque.
Belize’s model of quick meals focuses on fast, tasty snacks usually with a little bit of grease and carbs concerned! Fry jacks are a scrumptious staple for breakfast, and salbutes, ganaches, and tacos can be found from mom-and-pop hole-in-the-wall model eating places.
When it comes to groceries, there are not any chains right here both – no Walmart, no Costco, no Tesco. As a substitute, you’ll store at small mini-mart-style shops or native markets.
Attempt to store at native produce stalls wherever potential, as most of the greater grocery shops are foreign-owned.
Ideas for accountable vacationers in Belize
- Say no to single-use plastics – this is applicable in all places on this planet, however pack key objects like a reusable water bottle, cutlery, straws, and tote luggage to keep away from the necessity for plastic.
- Don’t fly – Belize is a tiny nation, and touring from one finish to the opposite doesn’t take various hours. While the native bus might not be essentially the most snug methodology of transport, keep away from short-haul flights across the nation, except it’s strictly vital to scale back your carbon emissions.
- Select moral tour operators – whereas the overwhelming majority of tour corporations in Belize function underneath strict eco-guidelines, there are outliers. Do your analysis earlier than you e-book any actions. Firms doing the fitting factor will proudly market it, with info on their web site and social media about their sustainable practices. That is notably essential for any actions involving wildlife.
- Eat, keep, and store native – that is fairly straightforward in Belize, when most tourism companies are domestically owned, and there aren’t any chains. Nevertheless it’s all the time price double-checking to make sure your cash is benefiting the native economic system.
- Don’t use sunscreen – even ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreen can introduce international our bodies to fragile ecosystems like Belize’s barrier reef and jungle swimming pools. Cowl up as an alternative.
Ultimate ideas on sustainable journey in Belize
Though small, Belize has a lot to supply eco-travellers. There’s something for everybody, from tropical cayes within the Caribbean to the wild and untouched jungles of the inside.
The nation has a real dedication to defending its surroundings, preserving and showcasing its tradition and heritage, and retaining native management of its tourism business to learn its economic system.
For those who’re in search of your subsequent sustainable vacation spot you could discover whereas minimizing your environmental affect, select Belize. You received’t be upset!
Sally, the blogger behind Sally Sees, fell in love with Latin America and loves inspiring and serving to others to plan epic adventures in this unimaginable a part of the world.
