As you approach Belize City, mangroves and mudflats appear here and there, and the Caribbean Sea changes from dark blue to bright turquoise as the reef rises below the surface. A small boat cuts a white line across the water. The land beyond the coastline becomes lush and green.
Spirit Airlines currently flies non-stop on the following routes: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Philip SW Goldson International Airport, Belize CityDirect access to one of the most geographically diverse destinations in the Caribbean Basin. The route operates three times a week, on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, and is the only non-stop service between the two cities.
Belize City is the latest addition to Spirit’s Fort Lauderdale network expansion, where the airline operates more than 100 peak-season departures to more than 70 destinations.
What it offers non-stop is access to reefs, rainforests, islands and small beach towns far removed from the large resort corridors found elsewhere in the region.
Reef: coral wall and clear water
Belize’s coastline stretches nearly 190 miles along the world’s second largest coral reef. From Belize City, you can quickly connect to a dive boat heading to a marine reserve teeming with coral walls, grooved terrain and sea life.
Snorkelers float over brain corals and purple sea fans in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Eagle rays travel through the shallows. Nurse sharks circle beneath tour boats in Shark Ray Alley. Further out to sea, the Great Blue Hole is a nearly perfect ocean sinkhole that drops more than 400 feet and attracts experienced divers from around the world.
Reefs shape our daily lives. Fishing boats leave before dawn. Lobster traps are stacked along the dock during the season. The beachside grill is filled with the aroma of fresh sea bream and conches.
The headline here is the clear, warm, active water.
Ambergris Caye: Reef Access and Dock Living
north of the mainland, Ambergris Caye It is the largest island in Belize. The town of San Pedro lines the eastern shore, where wooden piers extend into shallow waters and golf carts travel along sandy paths.
Dive shops are clustered along the coast. Boats depart throughout the day for snorkeling trips and fishing charters. The restaurant near the sea serves grilled lobster, fry jack and rum cocktails.
The reef is close enough that many trips return before noon. By late afternoon the docks are full again and the boats are idling as the light on the water softens.
Ambergris balances an active day on the reef with easy access to beach bars and small hotels along the coast.
Caye Caulker: Split with Sandy Raines
South of Ambergris, k caulker Move at a slower pace. A sandy road crosses the island. The bicycle leans against a painted wooden house. Hammocks are hung between palm trees near the water’s edge.
Split, the narrow waterway dividing the islands, attracts swimmers and small boats all day long. Snorkeling tours depart for the same reef system that defines Ambergris, but the rhythm here is quieter.
In the evenings there is an outdoor seafood grill and a small bar with tables directly on the sand. The island is small, nice for walking, and it’s not rushed.
Into the Rainforest: Rivers, Caves, and Mayan Temples
Heading inland from Belize City, the terrain changes quickly. Mangroves lead to dense rainforest. The river cuts through limestone hills. The air is thick with moisture and birdsong.
Guides take visitors into a cave system where an underground river flows through cathedral-like chambers. Ancient Mayan temples rise from the forest floor in areas such as Xunantunich and Caracol, and stone steps lead to panoramic views of the jungle canopy.
At Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, a waterfall tumbles into a clear pool surrounded by pine and hardwood forests. The road winds through red dirt and green hills to eco-lodges and riverside retreats.
The interior adds depth to your Belize itinerary. It moves from saltwater to freshwater and from coral to canopy.
Hopkins and Placencia: Southern beach towns
Further south, the coastline narrows to a series of beach communities facing the Caribbean Sea.
in hopkinsA wooden fishing boat rests along the sand. Garifuna culture remains central here, with drumming and traditional cuisine permeating daily life. Small inns and boutique resorts line the beach, separated by palm trees and sea vines.
back to the south, placencia It stretches along a narrow peninsula between the lagoon and the sea. A concrete footpath branches off into a sandy path that runs through the village center towards the beach. The sailboat docks offshore. Anglers head to the lagoon at dawn in search of tarpon and permits.
Placencia offers access to both coral reefs and rainforest, with dive operators and tour companies running trips in several directions.
Together, Hopkins and Placencia offer quieter alternatives with easy access to long stretches of sand and inland adventures.
Where to stay in Belize
Phoenix Resort, Ambergris Caye
Located in San Pedro, The Phoenix Resort We offer beachfront suites overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The property includes a central pool deck overlooking the ocean, on-site dining, a dive shop and immediate access to the boat launch area. Guests can walk to the town’s restaurants and bars or head straight to the pier for a snorkeling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Gaia Riverlodge, Mt. Pine Ridge
Located above Five Sisters Falls in Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Gaia River Lodge It places guests deep inside Belize. Cabanas and villas overlook the forest and river. A trail leads to the waterfall, and guided tours take visitors to nearby caves and Mayan archaeological sites. It is set around rainforests and rivers rather than coastlines.
Seiri del Mar, Hopkins
In Hopkins Village Seiri del Mar It offers beach villas along a long stretch of sand. The property features a pool area and restaurant steps from the shoreline, making it easy to coordinate reef tours and inland excursions. Guests wake up to the sound of waves and fishing boats moving along the coast.
One flight, many landscapes
Spirit now flies nonstop between Fort Lauderdale and Belize City, so you only need one nonstop flight to reach this mix of coral reefs, islands and rainforests.
From the airport, water taxis can take travelers towards Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. A small plane connects to Placencia. The road leads west into pine forests and jungle hills.
Belize concentrates reef diving, inland exploration, and small-town beach culture into one small coastline. From coral walls on the coast to river waterfalls inland, these new, non-stop destinations are all accessible with just one flight south.
New Belize flight prices
Flights currently start at around $369 round-trip, according to Google Flights. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes by plane.
