Whether you’re chasing adventure or craving tranquility, Belize offers an unforgettable blend of both. Imagine climbing ancient Maya temples or meandering along rainforest trails rich with exotic birdsong. When it’s time to slow down, you can immerse yourself in cultural traditions—like chocolate making or perusing the local farmers’ market. And if you’re lucky, a curious juvenile iguana might just make itself comfortable on your head.

Xunatunich, “Maiden of the Rock,” is an ancient Mayan ceremonial site of the Late and Terminal Class periods (700-900AD) that sits next to the Guatemalan border and Mopan River. The city consists of six plazas, more than 26 temples and palaces, and a ball court. El Castillo, the pyramid found with carvings, is the second tallest structure in Belize. The carvings depict the birth of a god, gods creation, and the tree of life (underworld, earth, and heaven). Many of the structures are still being excavated.

Our guide was very knowledgable about Mayan history and its culture. Prior to bringing us to the site, he brought us to his friend’s nearby farmland. There, they have discovered artifacts in cenotes, but due to law, they are not allow to extract or dig for antiquities. His friend was very passionate about his heritage and took a video of us from his land while we were on top of El Castillo.

Winding gracefully through the heart of the Belize Botanic Gardens are tranquil walking paths that lead visitors across 45 lush acres of native plants. The gardens showcase nearly 50 varieties of ginger and heliconias—as well as over 180 species of orchids.

One of the most enchanting experiences is passing through a towering tunnel of giant bamboo, which had to be over 100 feet tall. For a bird’s-eye view, the gardens’ 35-foot lookout tower provides a spectacular panoramic view of the garden and the foothills of the Maya Mountains in the distance.

While we strolled in the gardens, we enjoyed the soothing sounds of the native wildlife and spotted a variety of birds, including Toucan and Motmot.

Take a stroll through the San Ignacio market and emerge yourself in the local culture. You can find souvenirs and clothing, but what interested us the most is the variety of produce and spices. The marketplace is enormous and could take hours to look through.

The Green Iguana Conservation Project, located at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, was established in 1996 in response to the declining population of the Green Iguana. Since then, the project has played a vital role in restoring their numbers through incubation, hatching, and release programs.

Visitors can learn about each step of the conservation process and even have the chance to hold both juvenile and adult iguanas.

Cacao is native to the lush tropical rainforests of Belize and has deep cultural roots in the region’s history. Ancient Mayans often prepared chocolate beverages for ceremonies and festivals—serving them exclusively to royalty and elite members of society.

At Ajaw Chocolate in San Ignacio, we had the chance to experience this ancient tradition firsthand. We learned about each step of the process: from harvesting and fermenting the cocoa pods, to drying and roasting the bean. Using a metate, a traditional Mayan grinding stone, we ground the roasted beans into a rich paste. Our experience ended with tasting the final product, an unsweetened bitter chocolate beverage.