Belize
Volunteer in Belize
With the ingredients that make up Belize, it’s hard to believe that it is often forgotten from many destination bucket lists. It's a land with a foothold in emerald jungles and the other in sapphire seas containing the Belize Barrier Reef. The only thing separating these adventure zones is the pristine beaches that this part of the world is famed for. It’s a stunning Central American country sizzling with Caribbean flavour, welcoming everyone to the party...
Come dive fanatics, culture vultures, music lovers, beach bums and diehard daredevils because whatever you’re looking for, Belize has it in stock! Come for the largest reef in the Northern hemisphere, the mystery of the Great Blue Hole, the exotic wildlife that prowls the jungles, the rich ethnic histories, and the fascinating, ancient cultures, and since Belize is offering you so much, why not give back? Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to volunteer in Belize, helping to conserve the reefs and protect a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the severe threats facing our oceans - join us on the Belize Marine Education and Conservation Project today!
Projects Do More
4 - 53 Nights from $1,369.00
Dive in paradise, help preserve the Belize Barrier Reef, and enjoy private island life!
View project
Wildlife
Due to Belize’s central American location with a wide range of habitats and climates, Belize has a plentiful variety of plants, wildlife and marine life. With 60% of the country forested, you'll find one of the world’s richest assemblage of jungle-dwelling animals such as jaguars, monkeys, macaws, tapirs and kinkajous on land.
Offshore, the diversity of marine life is just as astounding with dolphins, whales, sharks, rays and a whole manner of reef fishes and mammals calling the barrier reef home including:
- West Indian Manatees
- Whale Sharks
- Sea Turtles
- Manta Rays
- Eagle rays
- Dolphins
Sadly, many of these are listed from vulnerable to endangered due to the many threats facing our oceans, including climate change, acidification, overfishing and poaching, irresponsible tourism, and plastic pollution. Education and intervention are the only hope for many of these species, and why protected areas are popping up throughout the country. Volunteer in Belize, and you could make all the difference.
Culture
Volunteer in Belize and you'll find that it is an incredibly diversified country weaved together by many ethnic cultures and profound history. This country is open-minded and all ethnicities add something special to the overall culture of Belize:
Religion – While the majority of Belizeans are Roman Catholic, the country has the largest population of Protestants in Central America. The Maya and Garifuna people practice a mixture of their own traditional shamanism alongside Christianity, and the Mennonites while also Christian, follow their own church. Belize also has pockets of other faiths such as Hinduism, Islam, and the Baha'i, and public primary schools hold nondenominational classes that introduce religions from all over the world.
Cuisine – With many cultural influences, the food of Belize fuses Mexican, American, British and Caribbean flavours to create a countrywide menu. Rice and beans, Mexican favourites such as enchiladas, and Belize’s famous chilli sauce form the staple of a Belizean diet. Of course, as you would expect smoky and sweet and sticky aromas fill the streets with Caribbean-style BBQ pork and chicken on the grills, and with the ocean as a neighbour, there’s also an amazing seafood selection.
Tradition – Due to the cultural diversity of Belize, it’s hard to specify traditions. The Creole people are famed for storytelling and proverbs. In contrast, the Garifuna are known for dancing and singing, and the Mestizo celebrate “Dia de Los Finados”, or All Souls Day to commemorate their ancestors. As a whole, Belize is a country that celebrates assorted religions and welcomes a mix of their traditions, holding regular festivals throughout the year for all to get involved.
Popular Sights
The beauty of Belize is that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re in it for the weather, wildlife, historical sites or there for the Caribbean coast, there’s plenty on offer to satisfy your needs and your soul!
- Belize Barrier Reef – The Belize Barrier Reef is certainly a popular hotspot, especially beckoning out like a siren to diving fiends and enthusiasts! As the second-largest barrier reef in the world, and the largest and most unmarred reef ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s very easy to see the appeal. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it holds over 7 protected areas and natural monuments such as the Great Blue Hole.
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary – The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature reserve that was established to help protect endangered jaguars, other native species and the forests themselves, in 1986. It’s the world’s only jaguar preserve, offering beautiful trails, exotic wildlife, and even Maya culture, as a minor ceremonial site is concealed within.
- Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave – The ATM Cave is in heart of the Belizean rainforest and is a notable archaeological Maya site, as skeletal remains, ceramics and stoneware are found and marvelled at within. This is an exhilarating and eerie hiking experience that is steeped in fascinating history. It is the most popular cave tour in Belize, especially as it holds treasure troves of Sacred Mayan artefacts including a famed possible sacrifice victim known as "The Crystal Maiden".
