water around Ambergris Caye It goes through several shades of blue. Farther inland, jungle surrounds ancient Mayan cities, underground caves, and rivers that can float beneath limestone ceilings. Small communities along the southern Caribbean Sea have access to some of Belize’s most popular snorkeling, fishing and diving destinations.
Reaching anywhere from the Canadian Prairies will be much easier this winter (as flights to Belize from North America expand further).
WestJet is launching new nonstop flights between Winnipeg and Belize City starting December 14.We’ve created the first direct link between Manitoba and a Central American country during the peak winter travel season.
New flights operate once a week. Winnipeg Richardson International Airport and Philip Goldson International AirportIt is an international gateway just outside Belize City.
This route allows Winnipeg-area residents to travel directly to one of the Caribbean’s most diverse warm-weather destinations, replacing connections through Calgary, Toronto or the United States with a single WestJet flight.
It also expands WestJet’s growing Belize network. Canadian airlines are already flying nonstop to Belize from: Calgary and TorontoThis winter, we are offering national non-stop service from three Canadian cities.
New warm weather route from Winnipeg
The December 14 launch puts the new flights at the start of Manitoba’s coldest travel period, when Canadians seek out destinations where they can enjoy warm waters, beaches and outdoor activities.
WestJet said the expansion is part of a broader winter leisure program designed to meet growing demand for Mexico, Belize and other destinations in the region.
“These additions support the growing demand for options in Mexico and the Latin Caribbean, while continuing to expand our itineraries and manage our fleet during the peak winter travel season,” he said. John Weatherill, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, WestJet.
“We’re excited to offer more ways for our guests to trade their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most, and we look forward to the travel stories that begin with these exciting new options.”
With one itinerary per week, Belize is especially suitable for a seven-night getaway, whether you spend the entire trip on the island or split the week between the Caribbean and Belize’s rainforest interior.
WestJet has not yet revealed specific operational dates or departure times for the new service.
Why Belize Works in Canada
Belize has long held a unique place on the Caribbean travel map. English is the country’s official language, the Belize dollar is tied to the US dollar, and the destination offers an unusually wide range of experiences within a relatively small country.
You can spend a few nights next to it. Belize Barrier ReefThen head inland to a jungle lodge near San Ignacio. A single itinerary can include snorkeling, diving, fly fishing, cave tubing, birding, and visits to Mayan archaeological sites.
The country’s Caribbean culture is equally diverse, with origins from Garifuna, Creole, Maya, Mestizo, and other communities. Placencia, Hopkins, San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Cayo District each offer a different version of Belize.
Canada remains one of Belize’s major international source markets. Belize Tourism BoardDemand is partly driven by travelers interested in nature, culture and small hotels.
“The launch of WestJet’s new Winnipeg-Belize City service is an important step in strengthening air connectivity between Canada and Belize and a strong signal of confidence in the continued growth of our destination,” he said. Anthony Mahler, Belize Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations.
“Canada is one of Belize’s most important international markets, and with this new route, which complements WestJet’s existing service from Toronto and Calgary, Canadians now have more options than ever to experience all that Belize has to offer.”
From Belize City to the Island
WestJet flights will arrive at Philip Goldson International Airport, the starting point for travel across the country.
Many visitors are heading there. Ambergris Caye or k caulker A short domestic flight connects from the international airport. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air fly frequent flights to San Pedro, where golf carts, beach hotels and floating restaurants line Belize’s busiest island destination.
Ambergris Caye is also one of the primary bases for exploring the Belize Barrier Reef. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are among the country’s most popular snorkeling trips, and experienced divers can continue further offshore. great blue hole Lighthouse Reef Atoll.
Caye Caulker offers a smaller, more casual alternative with sandy paths, waterfront restaurants, and easy trips to nearby reef areas.
Travelers continuing south can connect by road or domestic flights to get to: placenciaThe peninsula is famous for its long beaches, independent restaurants and growing number of boutique hotels and villa resorts.
Further north, the small islands around Turneffe Atoll are attractive to divers, anglers and travelers who want to stay on a more remote island.
Reef and rainforest excursions
The new Winnipeg route also opens the door to one of Belize’s signature vacations: a few nights in the Caribbean followed by several nights in the western jungle.
that Cayo DistrictCentered around San Ignacio, the area is home to riverside lodges, forest reserves and some of Belize’s most important Mayan ruins. Sunantunić, accessible by small manual ferry across the Mopan River, is famous for the towering El Castillo Temple. Located deep in the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol was once one of the largest cities in the Mayan world.
Belize’s cave systems provide another reason to travel inland. Aktun Tunichil Mukhnal, commonly called ATM Cave, combines hiking, river crossing and an underground archaeological site. Other trips include cave tubing through the Caves Branch system and a canoe trip to Barton Creek Cave.
Some of Belize’s best-known jungle features are located in this area, including: Blancano Lodge, sky resort, The Lodge at Chaa Creek and Gaia River Lodge.
Split accommodations are especially suitable for weekly direct flights. You can start inland and continue to the reefs before returning home to Belize City, or you can reverse the order and end your trip in the jungle.
Where Canadians Can Stay
Belize offers a variety of smaller hotels rather than the expansive resorts of some of the larger Caribbean destinations.
On Ambergris Caye happy belize The beachfront setting combines several swimming pools, restaurants, and rooftop venues near San Pedro. Victoria House Resort and Spa while still providing a quiet beach experience south of the city. Matachica Resort and Spa North of San Pedro are colorful casitas.
Hotels on Caye Caulker tend to be smaller and more informal, befitting the island’s walkable, rustic nature.
On the Placencia Peninsula Itzana Resort and Residences, Naia Resort and Spa and Turtle Inn We offer many different interpretations of a Belizean beach vacation. Further north, Hopkins is closely associated with Garifuna culture and offers convenient trips to nearby waterfalls, wildlife refuges and coastal snorkeling sites.
The country also has private island resorts accessible by boat, including accommodations centered around diving, fishing, and private island stays.
What new flights mean
Winnipeg has not traditionally had the direct Caribbean routes available from larger Canadian gateways such as Toronto, Montreal or Calgary.
Our Belize offering adds a destination with a very different vacation profile. Belize is not the center of a single resort corridor or all-inclusive region. Tours are often centered around two or more regions, with local hotels, independent guides and outdoor excursions playing a central role.
The flights could also attract travelers from across Manitoba and neighboring Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario, which previously required an additional Canadian connection before continuing south.
Meanwhile, Belize has direct links to new Canadian markets during Canada’s busiest tourist season.
“Improving air connectivity is a cornerstone of tourism growth, and we are excited that our close partnership with WestJet will allow more Canadian travelers to discover Belize’s vibrant culture and experiences from its legendary coral reefs to its rainforests,” said Mahler.
Expanding Canadian Network in Belize
With the addition of Winnipeg, WestJet will connect Belize with three major Canadian provinces: Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba.
The new service comes as Caribbean and Central American destinations continue to compete for Canadian winter travelers. Direct flights play a particularly important role in making such decisions in cities where passengers often face multiple connections.
Now Belize has the opportunity to reach Canadians who have been considering the destination but have opted for an easier non-stop vacation elsewhere.
Starting December 14, travelers leaving Winnipeg will be able to land in Belize and then take a boat, domestic aircraft or road to an island, jungle lodge or small beach town in the Caribbean without changing flights.
For Manitoba, this flight adds another escape from winter. In Belize, you can experience a whole new part of Canada on a non-stop trip along the reef.
