Belize’s tiny size, tropical scenery, and fascinating history make for a relaxing and memorable family trip. Belize is a country in northeastern Central America, with a stunning view of the Caribbean Sea to its east.

This little country is home to a wide range of civilizations and ethnic groups because of its strategic location. The area is known for its natural beauty, numerous Mayan ruins, and excellent swimming. Don’t worry if you have no idea what to do during your visit to Belize with your kids because we’ve compiled a list of the top attractions.

1. Hanna Stables Horseback Riding Tours –Cayo District

Rudy Juan and his descendants have run Hanna Stables for almost seven decades. These days, Santiago Juan, Rudy’s son, runs the barn.

Why Hanna Stables?

Horses seem to be a worldwide favorite among kids’ toys, from rocking horses to carousels. So why not ride across the countryside and visit ancient Mayan ruins in Belize?

The helpful staff at Hanna Stables can arrange trips to local attractions like the Actun Kan Mayan ruins, the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, and San Lorenzo Ranch.

 Age Recommendation  

Hanna Stables recommends riders at least two years old for their horseback riding adventures. Teenagers will also have a great time on the tour.

2. Greenhill Butterfly Farm- Cayo District

With 30 varieties of native butterflies and 100 acres of land, Green Hills Butterfly Farm has been the largest butterfly farm in Belize.

Why Green Hills Butterfly Farm?

The enormous vivid blue morpho butterfly is among the 700 butterfly species that live on the Belize farm. For this reason, Belize is home to many butterfly farms, the most popular of which is Green Hills Butterfly Ranch. Step into a world teeming with 300 different kinds of birds and colorful flora.

 Age Recommendations 

Green Hills is a beautiful farm for families with children of all ages, from infants to preteens.

3. Belize Zoo — Belize District

The number of mammal species in Belize is 145, the number of bird species at 580, and the number of reptile and amphibian species at 139.

The Belize Zoo is a great place to learn about the local wildlife and its role in the country’s ecosystem.

Why you should visit Belize Zoo

Visit the Belize Zoo to get a close encounter with over 800 varieties of wildlife. There are no cages for the animals at the Belize Zoo. Instead, the zoo provides a permanent home for them in massive cages designed to look like their native environments. Similar to the previously mentioned animals, these were rescued rather than captured.

Age Recommendation 

The Belize Zoo is one of the best places for visitors of all ages to spend time together in Belize. If you are traveling to Belize this weekend, you should swing by as they’re open daily.

4. Xunantunich Maya Ruins, Cayo District

Three thousand years after their arrival, the Maya left a cultural legacy in Belize that may still be seen today. Xunantunich, a historic site said to have been inhabited during the Preclassic Mayan period, is one such relic.

Why You Should Visit Xunantunich Maya Ruins

It’s an expedition to get to Xunantunich. To reach the hill overlooking Cayo District, one must take a boat across the beautiful Mopan River, which must be cranked by hand. Nevertheless, Xunantunich is packed with exciting attractions.

You will find Six plazas and twenty-six palaces and temples within its mile radius. The site’s most incredible pyramid served as a place of residence, worship, and administration. Even better, friezes of gods, a temple, and a tomb decorate the temple’s walls.

Age Recommendations

Xunantunich Ruins are a must-see for any family visiting Belize, and they are enjoyable for visitors of all ages. This interaction gives you some background on the indigenous people that are still present in the country today.

5. Placencia Peninsula – Stann Creek District

Once a quiet fishing community, Placencia exploded in popularity as a vacation spot in the early twentieth century after its discovery as Mayan ruins.

Why you should visit Placencia Peninsula

Relax with a swim in the Caribbean Sea while taking in the stunning scenery. The town of Placencia is known for its vast stretches of white sand beaches, lush mangroves, and various restaurants, bars, and stores.

Placencia’s local guides and scuba centers provide a diverse range of activities for children to enjoy, from swimming and lounging to surfing, diving, camping, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Age Recommendations

Placencia’s beaches and communities are perfect for a day trip for visitors of all ages.

6. Mountain Pine Ridge — Cayo District

Wildlife preserve since its inception in 1944, Mount Pine Ridge spans over a hundred thousand acres.

 Why you should visit Mountain Pine Ridge

Visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize to experience various natural wonders, including caves carved out of limestone, creeks, cliffs, waterfalls, and meadows.

Mountain Pine Ridge is a fantastic place to take your family if you all enjoy being outdoors and exploring new places. In addition, the park charges no admission, making it an excellent option for families seeking an inexpensive day out in Belize.

Age Recommendations

The reserve is well-marked, making it ideal for unsupervised, low-cost family outings. This outdoor adventure best suits toddlers and preschoolers who can walk alone. Still, parents who insist on bringing a younger child should be prepared with a baby carrier and limit their outing’s duration.

7. Macal River – Cayo Division

The ancient Maya relied heavily on this waterway to connect their cities, markets, and sacred sites.

Why You Should Visit the Macal River

To experience the tranquil and historically relevant Macal River, rent a kayak and paddle down the river. You can take a journey up or down the river and take in the sights of the forest either way. There’s a wide variety of wildlife here, many of which you might see as you drive past.

You can stop at a botanical park, a wildlife refuge, and an additional old Mayan city down the river.

Age Recommendations

Those with a passion for nature and at least five years old should visit the Macal River.

8. Belize Kids Cave Tubing — Belize City

Tours of Central America or the Caribbean Islands have been a specialty of Island Marketing since the company’s founding in 2002.

Why You Should Visit Belize Kids Cave Tubing

Island Marketing offers an X-Stream Children Cave Tubing Expedition where you and your children can float through tunnels and around natural pools of azure water. The tour includes several activities, including cave tubing, a rainforest stroll for learning, and a dry cave tour.

Beginning in the verdant, tropical Belize Rainforest, the good times carry on to the Sibun River that you’ll cross on your way to the neighboring dry caverns. Among the fascinating rock formations and fruit bats, this cave is a must-see for families.

Age Recommendation

Families with kids aged five to eight are the target demographic for the X-Stream Family Cave Tubing Adventure.

9. Hopkins Village — Dangriga

Enslaved people captured from Africa were among the first people the British government brought to the islands of the Caribbean and Belize in the 18th century. The friendly black people of modern-day Belize may be seen in Hopkins Village; they descended from Africans who intermarried with the indigenous Original inhabitants or Caribs of the region.

Why You Should Visit Hopkins Village

Visit the vibrant Hopkins Village to learn about diverse cultures that now consider Belize home. Locals believe the Hopkins neighborhood to be the cultural epicenter of the Garifuna residents in the nation.

Participate in a tour and get to know the locals by sampling the tasty traditional fare, touring a few homes, learning to play drums, and enjoying an impromptu dance performance set to the rhythms of their music.

Age Recommendations

Everyone, regardless of age, can appreciate the historical and educational value of a journey through Hopkins Village.

10. Hol Chan Marine Reserve — San Pedro

Hol Chan, which translates to “small channel” in Mayan, is home to several reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests over 2,000 acres. The government implemented marine reserve fishing restrictions in 1987 to prevent environmental damage.

Why You Should Visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Hol Chan’s shallow waters are home to several marine species, including manta rays, nurse sharks, and various fish. Several marine animals are so tame that you can pet them. However, certified adult divers can go 80 feet below the surface to visit a shipwreck further from the shore.

Despite its somewhat foreboding location, this submerged barge is home to some of the world’s nicest sharks and moray eels. Even though the marine life at Hol Chan has become adapted to humans, you should still treat these animals with caution because you are still a stranger in their habitat.

Age Recommendations

Undersea exploring in Hol Chan is excellent for youngsters of all ages, especially those over five. However, if you want to dive safely and have a good time, talk to the dive masters.

11. Eladio’s Chocolate Adventure — Toledo District

Eladio Pop, a 14-year-old with a lifelong love of farming, started his chocolate farm. Eladio and his relatives worked tirelessly, and soon Agouti Cacao Farm—also known as Eladio’s Eco Farm—was up and running.

Why You Should Visit Eladio’s Chocolate Adventure

Since Eladio and his family are devout Mayans, a trip to the farm includes a lesson in the history of Mayan chocolate manufacture from Eladio himself.

After giving you a tour of his farm and enlightening you about Mayan culture, he takes you to his family’s outside house to show you how chocolate is made the traditional way. One of the most enjoyable activities in Belize for families is a visit to their farm.

Suggested Ages

The best and most instructive activities in Belize for kids are a tour of Agouti Plantation and a lesson in making Mayan chocolates. However, inquisitive preteens and teenagers can also learn much from this cultural excursion.

12. Half Moon Caye

You can reach the universe Great Blue Hole from Half Moon Caye in just 25 minutes.

Why You Should Visit Half Moon Caye 

The Beautiful Blue Hole is often the first thing people associate with Belize. More than 400 feet deep, the Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole stretching over 1,000 feet.

Family members who are certified scuba divers can make new aquatic acquaintances while snorkeling or diving in this sinkhole. On the other hand, Lighthouse Reef and Half Moon Caye are great places to take children because of their beaches and diverse animals.

Have a blast doing kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and birdwatching.

Suggestions on Age

The Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, and Half Moon Caye beach offer fun for visitors of all ages.

13. Ramon’s Village Resort — San Pedro

Ramon Nuez, the property’s late owner and namesake, was Belize’s first professional scuba diver and a simple fishing instructor for tourists.

Why You Should Visit 

It’s hard to beat Ramon’s Resort for a relaxing vacation with its blend of Pacific Islander and Mayan decor. It’s a haven where you may relax in one of the cabanas made from local materials and surrounded by lush plants and flowers.

Just outside, you’ll find a lovely, tranquil beach where you may take a nice, warm swim. You may also enjoy a good time fishing and participating in thrilling adventure trips while enjoying their tropically-themed meals and drinks—activities on their itinerary range from snorkeling and swimming with manatees to glass-bottom boat rides and beach lunches.

Suggested Ages

Visitors of any age will find Ramon’s Village Resort a welcome respite.

14. Green Iguana Conservation Project — Cayo District

Conveniently located in Cayo District, the center of the Maya civilization is a family-owned luxury hotel with a mission to protect the local population of green iguanas.

Why You Should Visit 

Are there any kid-friendly activities in Belize? Yes! Let them interact with tame iguanas by feeding them. Since 1996, the San Ignacio Resort has been actively working to preserve this species, and their iguana habitat has been well praised for being both environmentally responsible and safe for children.

Children and adults can observe the iguanas’ birth, early development, and eventual release. These docile and sociable reptiles are yours to pet, handle, cuddle, and feed during your stay.

Suggested Ages

The goal of this worthy endeavor is to inspire and mobilize visitors of all ages to take action in defense of vanishing or threatened species. The San Ignacio Children’s Museum is a must-see for families visiting the city.

15. Chaa Creek — Cayo District

Mick and Lucy Fleming, a married couple, are former farmers who worked the land along the Macal River. The owners of Chaa Creek, another of Belize’s earliest environmental resorts, wanted to share their enthusiasm for the country’s natural beauty and cultural traditions with the world, so they did just that.

Why You Should Visit 

Chaa Creek is Belize’s first property that incorporates a reserve, butterfly display, farm, and horse stable, among other things. In addition, the 400-acre property features a natural reserve, jungle bungalows, and Mayan and Belizean heritage displays. They also provide a wide variety of well-known tours that visitors adore.

Suggested Ages

Chaa Creek is a great place to start if you’re visiting Belize with toddlers, teens, or adults.