Now that fall is officially underway, it’s time to start planning the next holiday getaway — and there’s no better place during the winter months than Belize. With its warm year-round weather, Belize is the best place to bask on a beach in the middle of December, and there’s no shortage of things to do there over the holidays.
As you plan holiday travel for your clients, here are five exciting things to recommend in Belize over the winter holiday months!
1. Spend Time in the Water
Belize has some of the most pristine waters you’ll ever find. Whether the goal is to relax on the sand or play in the water, Belize beaches offer the perfect getaway from the holiday hustle and bustle.
Divers from all over the world come to Belize for unmatched diving experiences. Belize is home to the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere and three of four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere, with drop sites inside and outside the reef. From masters to newly certified divers, there’s a dive site for everyone in Belize. Because the water at the reef is crystal clear — with visibility routinely extending from 75 to 80 feet and warm (average of 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit), divers in Belize always get the best view and experience in comfortable waters all year round. For the ultimate diving adventure, travelers can head to the Great Blue Hole, one of the greatest geological wonders of the world. Just 43 miles off the mainland by boat, it is an easily accessible day trip. Non-divers can also get a breathtaking view of this magnificent wonder via an aerial tour.
For those who prefer to stay closer to the surface, there are snorkeling options for everyone from the beginner to the seasoned snorkeler. Novice snorkelers can connect with knowledgeable local guides who will help them explore the kaleidoscope of colors found in hard and soft corals; sponges; and over 500 species of fish and marine life. The Belize Barrier Reef offers hundreds of snorkeling sites of varying depths; even going back to the same spot ensures a different experience every time.
Sailing on the beautiful waters is another way to spend the holiday. Hidden coral heads can make navigation tricky, but it’s a great adventure for experienced sailors. For the less experienced who nonetheless love the open waters, charter a boat and enjoy the ride.
Kayaking is also popular in Belize. Coastal and island resorts offer kayaks for short excursions up the beach and around the islands, while professional kayak outfitters offer multiday packages that operate from a single base camp.
2. Live Like a Local
There’s no shortage of holiday traditions in Belize, and December boasts several can’t-miss places and experiences. The southeast coast on Christmas Day is one of them.
People flock to the south to see the Garifuna people do their world-famous Wanaragua Dance (or “Jankunu/John Canoe” dance). The dancer dons a mask to resemble a European slave master, complete with shells tied to each knee and an extravagant headpiece for their performance. The dance is said to make fun of colonial slave masters and is accompanied by pounding drums to a fast-paced beat. The jerking movements and vibrating shells make for an elaborate dance that has been passed down from generations.
Also consider a visit the southern village of San Antonio to see the rare, historic Maya Deer Dance. This traditional festival features a ritualized dance that mimics the hunting of a deer. The Maya dancers wear painted masks and large headpieces, and they scale a greased pole. This dance is said to show the relationship between the Mayas and their land. Witnessing such a dance is a rare sight and one that should not be missed!
3. Get a Taste of Belize
The entire country of Belize is plunged into a warm holiday spirit during December – and it shines through in the food. During a holiday visit, eating a Belize fruit cake is a must. As soon as the end of November approaches, locals begin purchasing black fruit cake ingredients. It is traditional for Belizeans to make large batches of fruit cake to send their families (both in Belize and abroad). Usually housed in a small, foiled pan, this treat does not taste like your typical cake; its semi-sweetness is coupled with a unique tart flavor. Often made with molasses, burnt sugar and steeped in alcohol, the cake is topped with chewy fruits and optional pecans.
If spending Christmas in Belize, it’s traditional to feast on a Christmas ham. Glazed with mustard, and peppered with cloves and pineapple slices, a perfectly prepared Christmas ham is enough to make anyone want to spend the holidays in Belize.
To wash it all down, rumpopo — often compared to eggnog — is available at every dinner table once the holiday season in Belize begins. Belizean liquor makes the rum popo special to Belize. (Hint: It’s a bit more potent than your typical eggnog.)
4. San Pedro Lighted Boat Parade
Also known as the Christmas Boat Parade, the San Pedro Lighted Boat Parade takes place on Ambergris Caye, and attracts thousands of locals and visitors each year.
Participants spend much time and effort lavishly decorating their boats with Christmas themes, lights and music. The route starts at Wayo’s Restaurant near Boca Del Rio and makes its way south to Caribbean Villas, ending at the Central Park. A jury chooses the best-decorated boat, and the winner receives a prize during the awards ceremony.
Then, the after-party begins! Partygoers take in the holiday market; the huge Christmas tree; live music; fill up on food and more.
5. Nature Tours
There are thousands of caves in Belize. They range from easy walks to challenging hikes that can often turn into squeezes, crawls, climbs, rappels and swims. In most caves, spelunkers will find extensive stalactite and stalagmite formations, and pottery shards. Others have ancient intact pottery, as seen in the Che Chem Ha cave; human remains, such as intact skeletons in Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave; and natural formations such as underground waterfalls Blue Creek and Caves Branch. Just about the only thing adventurers won’t find in the caves is boredom.
The winter months are the ideal time to take a nature tour in Belize. Some tours, like the ATM cave or hiking, may be seasonal due to the rains, meaning the summer might not be the best time to experience them. In the winter, however, travelers can rest assured that weather will not impede their tours. Adventurers can enjoy spelunking and chasing waterfalls all winter long.
Book Trips for Clients, Earn Rewards for You
As a travel agent, when you book Belize trips for clients, you can also earn rewards. Enroll in the UnBelizeable Rewards Program for a chance to experience the destination for yourself.
This exciting new program, designed exclusively for travel agents, rewards you with points for every confirmed booking you submit. You can redeem points for stays with partner hotels and select Belizean handmade merchandise when you arrive in Belize. Additionally, the top-selling travel agents will be rewarded with a special trip to experience Belize on a whole new level.
Participation in the UnBelizeable Rewards Program is open to all travel advisors. By signing up and reporting your bookings that include an overnight stay in Belize, we will reward you with points. Trips to Belize can be booked with any tour operator, any third party or direct. To earn points, the booking needs a minimum of one overnight in Belize on the itinerary. You will earn points for every confirmed room night booked in Belize. Points are valid for 24 months after the date of departure.
Even more exciting: Although this is a new program, as an agent you can add your largest trip booked to Belize for a client within the past 24 months to start earning points. All you need to do is show proof of booking, and you’re on your way to exciting rewards.
Enroll in the UnBelizeable Rewards Program by visiting the website. To better equip you to sell more of Belize and earn more points, become a member of the Belize Specialist Program by clicking here.
The editorial staff had no role in this post's creation.