City overview
Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America, and it packs an improbable amount into an area smaller than Massachusetts: the second-largest barrier reef in the world running the length of its coast, hundreds of cayes and three offshore atolls, and a jungle interior full of Maya cities and river caves that were used as ceremonial spaces more than a thousand years ago. Most visitors split their time between an island and the mainland, flying or taking a water taxi between them. The Jewish presence is small and recent. Chabad of Belize opened in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in 2016 and remains the country's only Jewish institution, serving a handful of local families and a steady stream of travellers. It runs the country's only kosher restaurant, holds Shabbat and holiday services and meals, and is the practical starting point for any observant visitor planning a trip here.
The Great Blue Hole
Belize · Blue Hole Natural Monument park fee: Belizean nationals BZ$2.50 per day; non-nationals BZ$60 per day. Separate from boat, dive or aerial tour prices and other park fees.
A near-perfect circular sinkhole more than 300 metres across in the middle of Lighthouse Reef, ringed by shallow coral and dropping into darkness.
Time needed
Full day
Hours
Daily 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, including weekends and holidays
Tips
Diving it means a long boat run — around two to three hours each way from Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker — and the dive itself is a deep one to around 40 metres to see the stalactites, so it suits experienced divers. Scenic flights over the hole are the alternative for everyone else, and arguably show it better.
Address
BelizeNeighborhood
Lighthouse Reef Atoll
Activity providers
Kosher map of Belize
Pick a place on the map or search an address or hotel to see what is kosher around it.