The 17 Most Instagrammable Places in Belize & Best Photo Spots

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Last Updated on: 18th March 2023, 11:06 pm

Take me back to Belize! The beautiful country is full of secret beaches, luscious jungles, beautiful caves, and stunning waterfalls. Going through my photos and scrolling through Instagram, I can’t help but dream about going back as soon as possible! Here are my votes for the most Instagrammable places in Belize and the best Belize photo spots to help you plan your own perfect Belize getaway.

Read: Planning a Trip to Belize Checklist

The Most Instagrammable Places in Belize & Best Belize Photo Spots

In no particular order…

Ambergris Caye

Centered around the town of San Pedro, this beautiful island is the perfect vacation escape. With fun (and super photogenic) beach bars, palapas, and a sandy boardwalk to stroll down, you’re always surrounded by picture-perfect views. Accessible only by water taxi, even arriving at the island offers a bit of adventure.

Read: 7 Ridiculously Fun Things to Do in San Pedro, Belize

Caye Caulker

Popular with backpackers, Caye Caulker is the best place to go in Belize if you want your relaxation with a side of nightlife. Great photo opportunities include chilling at the Split, going on sunset boat rides, and even kite surfing! You can also rent a bike and get out and explore the island.

Read: How to Get from Belize City to Caye Caulker & Back

Xunatunich

Located on a ridge above the Mopan River, Xunantunich is a series of Mayan ruins in the middle of the Belizean jungle. It is so far west that it’s actually less than one mile to the Guatemalan border. The name ‘Xunantunich’ means “stone lady.” While there are dozens of temples, the most famous (and most photographed) is the large El Castillo depicting beautiful Mayan friezes.

Secret Beach

While Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye is not really a secret, it is a stunning beach. You can see all the way out to the mangrove islands across the turquoise water. Getting from San Pedro to Secret Beach is a little bit of a hassle, but it’s worth the extra effort.

Read: The Secret Beach in Belize: How to Get There & Why You Need to Go ASAP

Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is one of the most famous and Instagrammable spots in Belize. Most people who visit do so to scuba dive, but if you want a shot from above you’ll need to plan ahead and book a Blue Hole flyover tour.

Butterfly Falls

One of the most beautiful waterfalls in a country famous for them, Butterfly Falls is over eighty feet high and is actually in a pool that attracts butterflies! To visit the falls, you must be staying at the Hidden Valley Inn, which owns the land the falls are on. You can read more about how to visit Butterfly falls here.

Placenia

Placenia is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Belize, and it is no wonder since it has large stretches of pristine white sand beaches along the Caribbean. It’s also a great place to base yourself if you’re looking to get a mixture of beach and jungle adventure (and photography) in while you’re in Belize. Make sure to set aside time to visit the nearby village of Seine Bight.

Lamanai

Continually inhabited for three thousand years, Lamanai is one of the few Mayan sites that weren’t abandoned before the Spanish came to North America. The ruins can be reached by boat floating up the New River from Orange Walk. Make sure to see the three most prominent spots of the Jaguar Temple, the High Temple, and the Mask Temple.

Hol Chan

Scuba diving or snorkeling at Hol Chan are two of the most popular ways to visit, though you can also visit on a stand-alone boat trip. Bring a GoPro or underwater camera so you can photograph the cool wildlife you see.

Corozal

Just nine miles south of the border with Mexico, Corozal is a more traditional Belizean city with fewer tourist and far fewer resorts. However, the less tourist aspect makes it a more fun place to test your photography skills, and there are far more opportunities for fun street photography than in traditional tourist centers. Popular with bird waters and tourists looking to get in some fishing, there are also opportunities for getting great beach and bay shots.

Belize City

Most people will arrive in Belize by flying into Belize City, and few choose to stay and make this area of the country part of their vacation. It’s not a particularly picturesque town, but it does own one of the most famous Instagram spots in Belize: the colorful Belize sign. If you’re simply heading straight from BZE to Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye, you can still see this sign on the way to or from the airport to the water taxi terminals. We asked our taxi driver to stop and let us do a quick photo shoot.

Big Rock Waterfalls

Located near Belize’s western Cayo District, Big Rock Waterfalls is the tallest waterfall in Central America. You can swim in the pool below, or simply get your perfect photos on the edge.

Shark Ray Alley

Snorkeling with nurse sharks and manta rays was the highlight of my time in Belize, and you can see the amazing wildlife here on a tour, typically combined with Hol Chan (above). As stated earlier, make sure you bring an underwater camera (I used a GoPro) so that you don’t miss your shot while you are enjoying the views.

Read: How to Snorkel at Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley

Altun Ha

Just fifty miles north of Belize City, the images here might seem familiar to anyone who picked up some Belizean banknotes (or a local Belikin beer). The site tourists visit is smaller than some of the other Mayan ruins, that, combined with its proximity to the airport in Belize City and its beautiful central plaza, make it a great place for a day trip.

Rio Frio Caves

Located in the western Cayo District in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, this slightly heart-shaped cave is super popular on Instagram, but it’s also just a great place to cool off in a country that’s hot year-round. Follow the little river through the cave and you’ll come out on the other side at a sandy and secluded beach.

Laughingbird Caye

This tiny island off the coast eleven miles off the coast of Placenia is the perfect place to escape for some snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, or even just to enjoy the local birds. Come with a sense of adventure and the utmost respect, and you may just get to photograph sea turtles, stingrays, and even barracudas.

View from the Plane

Whether you’re coming or going, try to get a window seat and have your camera ready! I’ve traveled to almost seventy countries, so I’ve seen my fair share of window views. I have to say that flying into Belize City took my breath away. You won’t want to miss what will either be your first or last Instagrammable moment in Belize.

5 Things to Bring to Belize

I have an entire post on what to pack for Belize, but if you don’t read it, make sure to have these five things with you before you leave for your trip:

Lonely Planet Belize which is available as a paper copy or in a Kindle edition.
Mosquito Repellant is the single most important thing you’ll want on you as soon as dusk hits. Have enough to at least get through the first night. However, if you’re traveling with a checked bag, bring enough for your trip since it’s way more expensive in Belize.
After Bite for mosquito bites even being extremely careful, you may end up with some bites if you have to go somewhere at dusk.
Full Sized Travel Towel This is the best travel towel in the world. It’s pretty enough for the beach, large enough that you forget it’s a microfibre towel, and quick-drying, which is crucial in super humid Belize.
A GoPro for underwater and action photography. Why go all the way to Belize and not be able to capture some of the most exciting parts of your trip?

Read: What to Wear & What to Pack for Belize

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

Even though it’s not fun, I always buy a Travel Insurance Policy because things happen on the road. I pay for World Nomads, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance if you’re going to be doing any snorkeling or scuba diving while in Belize. And the policies are pretty affordable. You can check policy prices for your trip dates here.

Pro Tip: I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for travel insurance for two years, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance if you’re going to be doing any water sports, like scuba diving, sailing, or snorkeling, or if you’re going to do anything in the jungle or visit any ancient ruins. Check policy prices for your trip dates here.