From Belize Jungles to Belize Cayes - What to Do and Where to Stay In Belize

With 900 Maya temple sites, the second largest coral reef on earth, the only jaguar reserve in the world, and 450 beautiful islands called Cayes (pronounced keys), Belize is a breathtaking paradise. It’s also the only Central American country where English is the official language. This makes it a little less intimidating for many Americans. Apart from English, there are also many recognized regional languages including Kriol, Garifuna, Spanish, and Mayan. While one of the least populated countries in the world, nearly one million tourists visit Belize annually. 70% of those tourists are American. So if you’re reading this and you’re NOT from America… spread the word. Belize is amazing!

Whether you’re interested in a jungle stay, diving, snorkeling, sailing, birding, chocolate tasting, or simply lounging by a pool with tropical drinks, there are plenty of things to do. Belize eco-tourism has also made major strides in recent years. So, if you’d like to be environmentally conscious while traveling there are many options. Eco villas can be found on the mainland and allow travelers to experience the rainforest of Belize with all the modern-day amenities.

Accessibility, Tourism, and What to Expect

Now for the downside. Like much of Central America, planning an accessible holiday is difficult in Belize. Activities for disabled adults are limited. Hotels often have steps leading inside, and elevators are scarce countrywide. Wheelchair-accessible transport is difficult to find and public transport is almost nonexistent. When it comes to accessibility in travel and tourism, Belize has a long way to go. Infrastructure is not very well developed, which means you’ll encounter unpaved roads, infrequent bus service, few hospitals, and unreliable internet service.

A bit of good news, if you stay on one of the many Cayes you won’t have the need for a car and can get around quite well using a wheelchair, scooter, or renting one of the many golf carts depending on your needs. Staying on the mainland can be slightly more difficult, but there are several tour companies offering wheelchair-accessible tours to the jungle of Belize, like Roam Belize. It is strongly recommended that travelers arrange all tours prior to their trip and confirm with the tour company directly that a wheelchair-accessible bus, van, or other transport will be provided. Do not trust what you read on a third-party booking site.

As far as the Internet, most of the hotels and other rental properties do offer Internet service. Though it can be spotty. Because there are only 6 hospitals in the entire country of Belize, if you do have a medical condition, it is advisable to check with your insurance provider to see if they offer a video chat service with a medical provider back home. This service has been incredibly valuable for me. I also strongly recommend visiting your primary care physician prior to travel for a few “in case of emergency” prescriptions. I always carry an antibiotic, anti-nausea medication, and something for travelers’ diarrhea. I also pack Benedryl, Advil, bandages, KT Tape, an ace bandage, an ice pack, Neosporin, and a few other over-the-counter items. Hopefully, these will not be necessary, but it’s not like there’s a corner pharmacy in the middle of the jungle.

It pays to be prepared. Also, make sure to have your doctor’s phone numbers in your phone and know what their protocol is for after-hours emergencies. And as always, make sure you carry a list of all your medical conditions, current medications, and allergies at all times.

Ecotourism, Eco Villas, and Belize Spas

It can be difficult figuring out the best Belize resorts for your stay. Many visitors will want to split their stay between several islands or an island and the mainland. If you enjoy glamping or want to give it a try, Belize is a great place to do it. We stayed at the Maruba Jungle Resort and Spa in Maskall, Belize. Located in the middle of the lush jungle, the rooms, bungalows, and villas are constructed of recycled materials and decorated in an eclectic combination of Mayan, Creole, and traditional African elements. Combining accessibility, art, eco-design, and Belize’s top masseurs, The Maruba Jungle Resort and Spa is my favorite Belize Boutique Hotel. And when it comes to massages, this place consistently ranks as the top Belize spa.

It’s important to note that you must stay on the paved or stone pathways, as the ground on either side is uneven and heavily covered in brush. All common/ public areas are wheelchair accessible. But it is recommended that you call the resort to confirm in-room accessibility. Several of the villas and dining areas had steps leading inside, but employees mentioned they frequently put up ramps to assist those using a wheelchair for travel.

We stayed in a bungalow, which was quite spacious, contained a mini-fridge, roll-in shower, A/C, and a TV with a DVD player. There were DVDs available at the front desk. Do not expect to watch TV as the service is spotty throughout the country and there are only 2 TV stations. But hopefully, you didn’t journey to the middle of the beautiful jungle just to watch TV.

Breakfast was included in our stay. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner and has a full bar. We were out touring during the days, but the dinners and breakfasts were quite tasty. (Must try dishes: the ceviche and the french toast) Keep in mind the restaurant on resort grounds is the only nearby place to grab a bite to eat. There is nothing else in the immediate area. Make sure you stock up on snacks if you need to eat outside of designated meal times because there is NOTHING within walking distance.

Word of warning… The resort grounds are patrolled by armed guards. While out fetching fresh water in the middle of the night, my fiancé came face to face with one of these armed guards who assumed he was someone trying to sneak onto the property. It was a slightly terrifying lesson to stock up on water before we turn in for the night. The resort provides armed guards mostly for protection against wildlife. Please don’t think this is a high-crime area full of people trying to sneak onto your bungalow in the night. The guards are there for your protection. And after they scare the heck out of you, they’re really quite nice.

The resort offers a full spa, hookah lounge, horseback riding, pools, and a gym. They also offer several excursions which we took full advantage of. Its close proximity to Mayan ruins, the Belize City airport, cave tubing, zip-lining (Which is not recommended for safety reasons), and Caye Caulker make it an excellent place to stay if you only have a few days to explore Belize.

Wheelchair Accessible Accommodations in Belize

As mentioned earlier, planning accessible holidays in Belize is difficult. Most hotels and homes are built elevated from the ground to protect against flooding from heavy rains. Elevators are not common in Belize and are rarely seen outside of high-rise hotels in Belize City. Which, it is very much NOT recommended travelers stay in Belize City due to high crime rates.

If you require wheelchair-accessible accommodation, check out Air BnB. Belize offers several accessible options on both the mainland and the Cayes. If you’re not into using Airbnb in Belize, below are a few recommendations to make your wheelchair-accessible vacation to Belize as fun and enjoyable as possible.

Mariposa Jungle Lodge - Located in the Cayo District of Belize, The Mariposa Jungle Lodge offers a three-bedroom, two-bathroom premium suite with a king bed, queen bed, and two twin beds. One of the rare accessible jungle resorts in Belize, Mariposa Jungle Lodge also offers a step-free path to the outdoor entrance, a step-free entrance to rooms, and a dedicated disabled parking spot. The lodge serves farm-to-table plant-based meals. Alcohol is not offered on-premises, but guests are welcome to bring their own and mix it with the lodge’s incredible array of fresh fruit juice.

Robert’s Grove - Located on Placencia Beach, the resort offers fantastic views of the Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef. Robert’s Grove has 43 rooms, suites, and villas, a spa, 2 outdoor pools, and a dive shop. They also offer several packages, including the Belize fishing package, romance package, and sea & jungle package. All accommodations feature air conditioning. Please call to request a wheelchair-accessible hotel room.

Jungle Jeanies Beach Cabanas - This Hopkins beachfront hotel has 10 rooms arranged over a single floor looking out at the beautiful ocean. They offer an accessible bathroom, roll-in shower, wheelchair-accessible path of travel, wheelchair-accessible parking, wheelchair-accessible public restroom, meeting spaces, business center, lounge, handrails in stairways and wheelchair-accessible on-site restaurant, making this my top pick for wheelchair users.

Possible but Sometimes Difficult Vacations - Belize is Worth It

While they have a lot to learn about how to improve tourism for disabled travelers, a trip to Belize is not impossible for those with mobility issues, chronic illness, or chronic pain. It just takes far more planning than the average trip. Whether you’re looking to glamp amongst the rainforest in Belize, stay in Belize jungle lodges, visit the atolls in Belize, try your hand at snorkeling Caye Caulker, zip line Belize tropical jungles, try your hand at diving Caye Caulker, snorkel Ambergris Caye, visit Mayan ruins Altun Ha, or Lamanai ruins, or simply enjoy an amazing beachfront massage and piña colada, Belize has something for everyone… even those of us with disabilities.

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