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Tourism in Belize is a major industry inthe country. The sector has grown in the 2020s, with international arrivals reportedly increasing 30% in 2024, the highest rate in theCaribbean.[3] Former Prime MinisterDean Barrow stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country.[4]
The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry. The results for Belize's tourism-driven economy have been significant, with the nation welcoming almost one million tourists in a calendar year for the first time in its history in 2012.[5]
Prior to its independence in 1981, Belize was not regarded as a tourist destination due to an inadequate infrastructure. However, rapid expansion of the tourist industry over the last decade[when?] has made it the nation's second largest industry.
Belize has large array of diverse tourist, adventure tourist, andeco-tourist attractions. TheBelize Barrier Reef (second largest in the world), over 450 offshore Cayes (islands), excellent fishing, safe waters forwindsurfing,swimming, cave rafting,boating,paddleboarding,scuba diving, andsnorkelling, numerous rivers forrafting, andkayaking, variousjungle andwildlife reserves of fauna and flora, for hiking,bird watching, and helicopter touring, as well as many Maya ruins, support the thriving tourism andecotourism industry. Of the hundreds of cave systems, Belize also holds the largestcave system in Central America, 544species of birds, and well-preserved natural beauty. Despite all this, it is still among the least visited countries in the region.[6]
In 2024 there were about 500,000 tourist arrivals.[7]
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Development costs are high, but the Government of Belize has designated tourism as its second development priority after agriculture. In 2012, tourist arrivals totalled 917,869 (with about 584,683 from the U.S.) and tourist receipts amounted to over $1.3 billion.[5]
Tourism is the domain of the Ministry of Tourism, within which the Belize Tourism Board works as a link between the private and public sector.[9]
Thetourism industry is an important part of the economy ofBelize, in 2007 contributing to over 25% of all jobs, and making up over 18% of theGDP.[10] This constituted 590 millionBZD (295 millionUSD), according to the Belize government, up 90 million BZD (45 million USD) from the year before.[10] Important tourist attractions in Belize include the natural attractions of land and sea, making the areas important inEcotourism, as well as the historic ruins of Belize'sPre-ColumbianMaya civilization.
Popular tourist destinations includeSan Pedro Town andCaye Caulker, both located about 70 km and 40 km east off the coast of Belize, both situation only a few miles from the Barrier Reef at any point. They have been regarded as a "tropical paradises" by theLos Angeles Times.[11] Cruise ships have been docking inBelize City, and average 850,000 tourists alone every year, some who partake in tours to nearbydistricts as well as the colonial city.[12]
Many privately run companies have cooperatives in Southern Belize that manage a rural and community-based tourism project, which has been developed with support from theUNESCO. Tourism allows otherwise marginalized minorities such as the Maya and theGarifuna people to receive new opportunities in alternative markets, harvest crops, preserve and involve foreigners in their culture and diversify their income.[13] Many companies offer visitors the opportunity to visit a cacao, cashew farm, learn about Maya, Kriol or Garifuna craftsmanship, and even to stay overnight on a Maya, Kriol or Garifuna village and explore with a community guide.
Eco-tourism aims to be ecologically and socially conscious, it focuses on local culture, wilderness, and adventure. Belize's eco-tourism is growing with every passing year,[14] it boasts a number of eco-tourist tours and energy efficient hotels, with environmentally-conscious and renewable resources.[15] Popular eco-tourism destinations in Belize include the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary,[16] Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve,[17] Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary,[18] and the Community Baboon Sanctuary.[19]
Before the arrival of Europeans in America, Belize lay in the heartland of theMaya civilisation, and consequently contains some of the earliest and most importantMaya ruins.[21] Archaeological findings atCaracol, in the southern end of the country, have suggested that it formed the centre of political struggles in the southern Maya lowlands.[21] The complex covered an area much larger than present-dayBelize City and supported more than twice the modern city's population.[20] Meanwhile,Lamanai, in the north, is known for being the longest continually-occupied site inMesoamerica, settled during the earlyPreclassic era and continuously occupied up to and during the area's colonisation.[21]
While the majority of reserves under this category are related to the pre-colonial era,Serpon Sugar Mill andYarborough Cemetery, both designated in 2009, only date from the 19th century and are alternatively described ashistorical reserves.[22]
The country's 15archaeological sites are managed by the Institute of Archaeology, a branch of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH),[23] which comes under the authority of the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture.[24] This type of protected area was gazetted under the Ancient Monuments and Antiquities Act, 1 May 1972.[23][25] All of the following reserves are open to the public. Many other sites, such asCuello andUxbenka, are located on private land and can only be visited if prior permission is obtained from the landowner.[21]
The following is a list of other archaeological sites located within Belize:
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Roughly 26% (2.6 millionacres, or 1.22 millionhectares) of Belizean land and sea is preserved within a total of 95 reserves, which vary in their purpose and level of protection.[26][27] This network of protected areas exists under a variety ofmanagement structures:[28]
In Belize,national parks are areas designed for the protection and preservation of natural and aesthetic features of national significance for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Therefore, they are areas of recreation and tourism, as well as environmental protection. National parks are gazetted under the National Parks System Act of 1981.[29] They are administered by the Forest Department and managed through partnership agreements with community-based non-governmental organisations.
| Reserve | District | Size (ha) | Size (acres) | IUCN | Co-management | Est. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguas Turbias | Orange Walk | 3,541 | 8,750 | II | —[note 1] | 1994 | [30] |
| Bacalar Chico | Belize | 4,510 | 11,100 | V | Green Reef Environmental Institute[note 2] | 1996 | Excludes adjacentmarine reserve.[31][32] |
| Billy Barquedier | Stann Creek | 663 | 1,640 | II | Steadfast Tourism and Conservation Association | 2001 | [33] |
| Chiquibul | Cayo | 106,839 | 264,000 | II | Friends for Conservation and Development | 1995 | Excludes adjacentforest reserve.[34][35] |
| Five Blues Lake | Cayo | 1,643 | 4,060 | II | Friends of Five Blues Lake National Park | 1994 | [36] |
| Gra Gra Lagoon | Stann Creek | 534 | 1,320 | II | Friends of Gra Gra Lagoon | 2002 | [37] |
| Guanacaste | Cayo | 23 | 57 | II | Belize Audubon Society | 1994 | [38][39] |
| Honey Camp | Corozal /Orange Walk | 3,145 | 7,770 | II | Association of Friends of Freshwater Creek[note 3] | 2001 | [40] |
| Laughing Bird Caye | Stann Creek | 4,095 | 10,120 | II | Southern Environmental Association | 1996 | [41][42] |
| Mayflower Bocawina | Stann Creek | 2,868 | 7,090 | II | Friends of Mayflower Bocawina National Park | 2001 | [43][44] |
| Monkey Bay | Belize | 859 | 2,120 | II | Guardians of the Jewel[note 2] | 1994 | [45][46] |
| Nojkaaxmeen Elijio Panti | Cayo | 5,130 | 12,700 | II | Belize Development Foundation[note 4] | 2001 | [47][48][49] |
| Payne's Creek | Toledo | 14,739 | 36,420 | II | Toledo Institute for Development and Environment | 1994 | [50][51] |
| Peccary Hills | Belize | 4,260 | 10,500 | II | Gracie Rock Reserve for Adventure, Culture and Ecotourism | 2007 | [52][53] |
| Río Blanco | Toledo | 38 | 94 | II | Río Blanco Mayan Association | 1994 | [54] |
| Sarstoon-Temash | Toledo | 16,938 | 41,850 | II | Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management | 1994 | Ramsar site.[55][56] |
| St. Herman's Blue Hole | Stann Creek | 269 | 660 | II | Belize Audubon Society | 1986 | [57][58] |
Anatural monument is designated for the preservation of uniquegeographic features of the landscape. The designation is primarily based on a feature's high scenic value, but may also be regarded as a cultural landmark that represents or contributes to a national identity.
Natural monuments are gazetted under the National Parks System Act of 1981;[29] marine-based monuments additionally come under the Fisheries Act. Of the five natural monuments in the country, three are terrestrial, administered by the Forest Department, while the remaining two are marine-based and come under the authority of the Fisheries Department.
| Image | Reserve | District | Size (ha) | Size (acres) | IUCN | Co-management | Est. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Actun Tunichil Muknal | Cayo | 185 | 460 | Ia | Belize Audubon Society; Institute of Archaeology | 2004 | Terrestrial.[59][60] |
 | Blue Hole | Belize | 414 | 1,020 | III | Belize Audubon Society | 1996 | Marine.[61][62][63] |
| Half Moon Caye | Belize | 3,954 | 9,770 | II | Belize Audubon Society | 1982 | Marine.[64][65] |
 | Thousand Foot Falls | Cayo | 522 | 1,290 | III | —[note 5] | 2004 | Terrestrial.[66] |
 | Victoria Peak | Stann Creek | 1,959 | 4,840 | III | Belize Audubon Society | 1998 | Terrestrial.[67][68] |
The country's threenature reserves enjoy the highest level of protection within the national protected areas system. The designation was created for the strict protection of biological communities or ecosystems, and the maintenance of natural processes in an undisturbed state. They are typically pristine,wilderness ecosystems.
Nature reserves are legislated under the National Parks System Act of 1981.[29] It is the strictest designation of all categories within the country's national protected areas system, with no extractive use or tourism access permitted. Permits are required to enter the area and are restricted to researchers only. The nature reserves are under the authority of the Forest Department.
The oldest of these, Bladen Nature Reserve, forms the centrepiece of theMaya Mountains biological corridor, and is considered one of the most biodiversity-rich, and topographically unique areas within the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot.
| Reserve | District | Size (ha) | Size (acres) | IUCN | Co-management | Est. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bladen | Toledo | 40,411 | 99,860 | Ia | Ya’axché Conservation Trust; Bladen Management Consortium | 1990 | [69][70] |
| Burdon Canal | Belize | 2,126 | 5,250 | Ia | —[note 6] | 1992 | [71] |
| Tapir Mountain | Cayo | 2,550 | 6,300 | Ia | Belize Audubon Society | 1994 | Formerly known as Society Hall Nature Reserve.[72][73] |
Wildlife sanctuaries are created for the preservation of an importantkeystone species in the ecosystem. By preserving enough area for them to live in, many other species receive the protection they need as well.
Wildlife sanctuaries are gazetted under the National Parks System Act of 1981, and are the responsibility of the Forest Department.[29] There are currently seven wildlife sanctuaries, three of which are being managed under co-management partnerships, whilst the other four are managed under informal arrangements. Two of the following wildlife sanctuaries are considered to be marine protected areas, and may also have collaborative agreements with the Fisheries Department in place.
| Reserve | District | Size (ha) | Size (acres) | IUCN | Co-management | Est. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguacaliente | Toledo | 2,213 | 5,470 | IV | Aguacaliente Management Team[note 2] | 1998 | Terrestrial.[74][75] |
| Cockscomb Basin | Stann Creek /Toledo | 49,477 | 122,260 | IV | Belize Audubon Society | 1997 | Terrestrial.[76] |
| Corozal Bay | Belize /Corozal | 73,049 | 180,510 | IV | Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development[note 2] | 1998 | Marine.[77][78] |
| Crooked Tree | Belize /Orange Walk | 15,372 | 37,990 | IV | Belize Audubon Society | 1984 | Ramsar site. Boundaries ill defined. Terrestrial.[79] |
| Gales Point | Belize | 3,681 | 9,100 | IV | Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary Community Management Committee[note 2] | 1998 | Terrestrial.[80][81] |
| Spanish Creek | Belize /Orange Walk | 2,428 | 6,000 | IV | Rancho Dolores Development Group[note 2] | 2002 | Terrestrial.[82] |
| Swallow Caye | Belize | 3,631 | 8,970 | IV | Friends of Swallow Caye | 2002 | Marine.[83][84] |
Forest reserves, overseen by the Forest Department, are designed for the sustainable extraction oftimber without destroying the biodiversity of the location. These are gazetted under the Forests Act of 1927,[85] which allows the department to grant permits to logging companies after extensive review. There are currently 16 forest reserves with a combined acreage of 380,328 hectares (939,810 acres), making up 9.3% of total national territory.[23]
| Reserve | District | Size (ha) | Size (acres) | IUCN | Est. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caye Caulker | Belize | 38 | 94 | VI | 1998 | Excludes adjacentmarine reserve.[86] |
| Chiquibul | Cayo | 59,822 | 147,820 | VI | 1995 | Excludes adjacentnational park.[87] |
| Columbia River | Cayo /Toledo | 60,016 | 148,300 | VI | 1997 | [88] |
| Deep River | Toledo | 27,232 | 67,290 | VI | [89] | |
| Fresh Water Creek | Corozal /Orange Walk | 13,513 | 33,390 | VI | 1926 | [90] |
| Grants Work | Stann Creek | 3,199 | 7,900 | VI | 1989 | [91] |
| Machaca | Toledo | 1,253 | 3,100 | VI | 1998 | [92] |
| Manatee | Belize /Stann Creek | 36,621 | 90,490 | VI | 1959 | [93] |
| Mango Creek | Stann Creek /Toledo | 12,090 | 29,900 | VI | 1989 | Comprises two separate segments.[94][95] |
| Monkey Caye | Toledo | 669 | 1,650 | VI | 1996 | [96] |
| Mountain Pine Ridge | Cayo | 43,372 | 107,170 | VI | 1944 | [97][98] |
| Maya Mountain | Stann Creek | 16,887 | 41,730 | VI | 1997 | [99] |
| Sibun | Cayo | 32,849 | 81,170 | VI | 1959 | [100][98] |
| Sittee River | Stann Creek | 37,360 | 92,300 | VI | [101] | |
| Swasey Bladen | Toledo | 5,980 | 14,800 | VI | 1989 | [102] |
| Vaca | Cayo | 14,118 | 34,890 | VI | 1991 | [103] |
Marine reserves are designed for theconservation ofaquatic ecosystems, including marine wildlife and its environment. The majority of these reserves contribute to the conservation of Belize'sBarrier Reef, which provides a protectiveshelter for pristine atolls,seagrass meadows and rich marine life. The preservation of the Barrier Reef system has been recognised as a global interest through the collective designation of seven protected areas, including four of the following marine reserves, as a World Heritage Site.
Marine reserves are legislated under the Fisheries Act, and are administered by the Fisheries Department. One of the department's key responsibilities is to ensure the sustainable extraction ofmarine resources. There are currently eight marine reserves, management of which is either direct, by the department, or in partnership with non-governmental agencies.
| Reserve | District | Size (ha) | Size (acres) | IUCN | Co-management | Est. | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacalar Chico | Belize | 6,391 | 15,790 | IV | Green Reef Environmental Institute[note 2] | 1996 | Excludes adjacentnational park. Divided into two zones: a conservation zone,[104] and a general use zone.[105][32] |
| Caye Caulker | Belize | 3,913 | 9,670 | VI | Forest & Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker | 1998 | Excludes adjacentforest reserve.[106] |
| Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes | Stann Creek | 10,514 | 25,980 | IV | Southern Environmental Association | 2000 | Divided into two zones: a general use zone,[107] and a conservation zone.[108][109][110] |
| Glover's Reef | Belize | 86,653 | 214,120 | IV | — | 1993 | In 2001, the reserve was divided into four zones: a general use zone,[111] a conservation zone,[112] a seasonal closure zone,[113] and a wilderness zone.[114] A spawning aggregation zone was broken off in 2003 and comes under separate management (see below). |
| Hol Chan | Belize | 1,444 | 3,570 | II | Hol Chan Trust Fund | 1987 | Divided into four zones: Mangrove,[115] Seagrass,[116] Shark Ray Alley,[117] and Coral Reef.[118][119] |
| Port Honduras | Toledo | 40,470 | 100,000 | IV | Toledo Institute for Development and Environment | 2000 | Divided into two zones: a general use zone,[120] and a conservation zone.[121] |
| Sapodilla Cayes | Toledo | 15,618 | 38,590 | IV | Southern Environmental Association | 1996 | [122] |
| South Water Caye | Stann Creek | 47,702 | 117,870 | IV | — | 1996 | [123][124] |
Belize District
Stann Creek District
| Orange Walk District Cayo District
| Toledo District
Corozal District
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