Activities in Belize

With its wicker armchairs, hanging vines, and vintage botanical prints, the Radisson Fort George Hotel's cocktail bar has a colonial-chic vibe. There'

Founded in 1983 by an American biologist who had 17 semi-tame animals on her hands after filming a documentary about rain forests, the Belize Zoo is a

The 120-year-old dry-goods store is still the go-to emporium downtown. Its atmospheric interior has cast-iron Doric columns, and aisles are stocked wi

The sanctuary is home to 1,000 black howler monkeys (known here as baboons), a large tree-dwelling species that is endangered in Belize. This is a vol

Belize City has no naturally sandy stretches, but the man-made Cucumber Beach, five miles outside of town, is a sugary expanse that's worth a visit. I

Wander the streets of Fort George, a residential neighborhood of clapboard houses on stilts and yards lush with banana trees and bougainvillea. Look f

This small, trim shop has a no-nonsense atmosphere: two desks, four humidors, and one smoking chair, which keeps the focus squarely on cigars. Many of

The three-square-mile Hol Chan Marine Reserve was created in 1987 to protect marine habitats in Belize’s coral reef, seagrass beds, Mangrove beds, and

The stately oceanside mansion was the British governor's residence from 1812 to 1961; it now offers a look at an elegant, bygone era. Cases filled wit

Run by a nonprofit group promoting contemporary Central American and Caribbean artists, this shop features an impressive range of work, from quirky wi

Years as agent: 14. Other specialties: Costa Rica, Guatemala. Consulting fee: Varies. katien@travelpoints.com

Offers private custom tours with in-country offices, guides, vehicles, and 24/7 emergency support. The tour company also arranges intimate access to t

Small but jam-packed, the excellent museum has a native butterfly collection, historic photographs, and rare Mayan artifacts, such as geometric-patter

Skip the predictable coconut-shell earrings and head straight for this souvenir store's real draw: locally made condiments and spirits. Pick up jugs o

Reggae music blares from the speakers outside this tiny store; inside there's an assortment of Caribbean-music CDs. Look for Belize-based label Stonet

The improbable location—a fenced-off riverside lot, across from a power plant—is a downside worth overlooking at this swish sports bar–style spot. Tak

This open-air, beachside restaurant at the exclusive, dual-villa Azul Resort sources locally-grown, seasonal ingredients. The thatched roof, brightly

Set on a tranquil plot dotted with teak trees, the steepled 1826 church is the oldest in Central America, and the only Anglican building outside of En

The hand-cranked drawbridge across Haul Over Creek, known as Swing Bridge, is the unofficial center of town. On the southern side of the bridge, you'l

Years as agent: 10. Other specialties: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize. Consultation fee: Varies.