Summer is nearly upon us and it is time to plan out your escape! Belize is the perfect destination to discover underrated beaches, dive incredible locations like the Great Blue Hole or along the Belize Barrier Reef, explore the jungle, and have every type of adventure to make a memorable summer! As COVID restrictions continue lifting, Belize is also one of the easiest international destinations to visit only requiring proof of vaccination to enter.
Explore multiple destinations throughout the country from the jungle to the famous Cayes or simplify your trip planning by staying at one of the several resorts in the country that take away all the hassles of traveling by providing all trip coordination. Hamanasi Resort is one of the most popular destinations for visitors that offers this type of comprehensive trip coordination, where they manage everything from the domestic transfers to organizing all the tours to maximize a visit, even offering COVID testing at the resort before returning home. Just keep your focus on the most important part of the vacation- relaxing and enjoying a beautiful new country! Here are several reasons why Belize should be your top destination this summer:
Diving in Belize
If you are ready to get up close and personal with the local marine wildlife, sign up for a dive or snorkel trip. Visit the famous Great Blue Hole or enjoy the world’s second-largest coral reef on a dive along the 180-mile-long Belize Barrier Reef. Within the barrier reef, there are three primary atolls that offer great diving and snorkeling locations, including Glover’s Reef which is one of seven protected UNESCO areas along the reef.
The pristine waters are teeming with over a hundred types of coral as well as hundreds of fish species, loggerhead turtles, spotted eagle rays, eels, sharks, and more. If you are ready to take a dive up a notch, join in on the lionfish hunt at Hamanasi to help curb the invasive species from spreading through the region while serving up a tasty meal!
Beach Time
Wake up early to catch one of the beautiful early sunrises over the Caribbean Sea. Spend a quiet morning on the beach with a good book or sip a cup of hot coffee. Grab a mat from your room to do your own stretching and meditating or join a group-led session to start a morning with an energizing flow! If sleeping in and enjoying a late breakfast is more your style, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beach later in the day to work on building a summer tan or take out a kayak or paddleboard to burn a few calories while enjoying the refreshing water.
Experience the Culture
For history buffs, don’t miss one of the tours to visit the Mayan pyramids deep in the rainforest. Learn more about the advanced ancient civilization that built elaborate architectural complexes, developed sophisticated calendar systems, advanced clocks, and a highly efficient numerical system.
After a scenic drive and crossing a hand-cranked ferry explore the Xunantunich, or the Stone Maiden, Mayan Ruins with the monumental detailed friezes gracing the sides of these massive ceremonial centers. For the foodies that are eager to sample all the local delicacies, sample some of the locally made chocolate on a visit to a cacao farm where you can learn about the process of making chocolate by hand in the same way that the ancient Mayans did.
Hike the Caves
Pack your long pants and hiking boots to hit the trails to explore waterfalls, caves and the jungle. Depending on how challenging of a hike you want, hit the Mayflower Jungle and Waterfall Hike or the Cave and Jungle Adventure for a more challenging option or opt for a tropical birding tour or a jungle river canoeing trip for a more physically moderate adventure.
Swim in a Cenote
Take a dip in a cenote at the Blue Hole National Park or spot a jaguar on one of the night hikes through the jungle. Each of the adventures is led by a local expert who keep the exploration filled with fascinating insights about the area and interesting historical tidbits. All of the options ensure you see the hidden gems of Belize, so pick your own adventure!
Responsible Eco-Tourism
Traveling green is an important aspect of being a responsible traveler and many places like Hamanasi are prioritizing these efforts by leading the way to make a difference in the indigenous community and maintaining green practices to preserve the environment. As one of the founding members of Regenerative Resorts, an environmentally focused collection of luxury hotels and resorts, Hamanasi takes active measures to protect the surrounding community and environment. Learn about their sustainable practices during your stay by visiting the organic on-site garden, wearing reef-friendly sunscreen, and supporting their reducing, reusing, and recycling campaign.
Sip Cocktails by the Pool
Don’t forget to spend some time just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery inside the resort. Whether you choose a room with a beach view or select a more secluded treehouse, there are plenty of places to relax. Take a nap in one of the many hammocks around the premises, watch the sunrise from the end of the private pier, or sip one of the handcrafted cocktails by the pool.
Whatever your group’s preferences are for vacation, whether the focus is on relaxing and recharging or seeing as much of the country as possible, Hamanasi is a perfect destination to ensure everyone gets exactly the vacation they need while enjoying every minute in Belize.
If you are looking for a summer getaway, this is it! Grab some friends, pack your bags, and build your own perfect Belize escape.
What you need to know before going:
Most major airlines offer incredibly reasonable prices to Belize City. From there let Hamanasi coordinate all the details for a short connecting flight into the local airport or take a ground transportation option in a sanitized van along the scenic Coastal Highway.
No visas are required for American visitors staying less than 30 days.
Travel insurance is still required to cover any disruptions due to COVID. The Belize Travel Insurance is mandatory which costs $18 and protects travelers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses, in case you test positive for COVID-19 during the stay in Belize.
English is the official language and USD are acceptable currency throughout most of the country. Electric outlets are the same, so no need for converters!
