Belize’s Hummingbird Highway is the most scenic drive in the country. This lush jungle highway gently winds through the Maya Mountains, connecting Belize’s capital city, Belmopan, with the gorgeous Caribbean ocean.
With such beautiful landscapes and a handful of attractions situated right along the edge of the road, a drive down the Hummingbird Highway is worth taking even if you don’t need to. It makes an easy and rewarding day trip from Hopkins and San Ignacio, and it is also a lovely area to stay in a jungle lodge.
I’ve had the privilege of driving along this picturesque route several times, and I am excited to share my favorite Hummingbird Highway sites! Whether you’re looking for a refreshing swimming hole, a short jungle hike, somewhere to grab lunch, or a unique culinary experience, this article is for you.
Note: This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through these links, at no cost to you. But don’t worry, I only share products I’d truly recommend to a friend.
Belize Hummingbird Highway: 7 Unforgettable Stops
1. Billy Barquedier Waterfall
My favorite Hummingbird Highway stop is Billy Barquedier National Park, which has a beautiful little waterfall with the perfect swimming hole below.
Since this humble waterfall doesn’t seem as impressive as some of Belize’s larger waterfalls (like 1000 Foot Falls in the Cayo District), few people make this stop.
That means it is fairly easy to get this stunning swimming hole to yourself! A visit to the waterfall does require a short 15-minute hike, so you will want to budget at least an hour or so to hike in and out, and enjoy the falls.
Billy Barquedier National Park is located right off the Hummingbird Highway on mile 17. Visit during opening hours (8am-4pm) and pay a $10 BZE ($5 USD) entry fee to the park ranger at the edge of the highway.
The national park has a small parking area, changing rooms, and bathrooms. Besides the waterfall hike, you can also hike a more challenging trail to an overlook with views of the Maya Mountain range, farmland, and dense jungle landscapes below.
For more information about this lovely Hummingbird Highway stop, read my full guide to Billy Barquedier National Park.
2. St. Herman’s Cave & Crystal Cave (Caving & Cave Tubing)
St. Herman’s Cave, and the neighboring Crystal Cave are also worth visiting on any Hummingbird Highway. St. Herman’s Cave is one of the most accessible caves in Belize, as it is only a 15 minute walk from the parking lot and the first 200 meters of the cave can be explored without a guide.
If you have a little more time, you can also go cave tubing (book in advance here), or on a guided caving experience deep in Crystal Cave (book in advance here).
And if you have no interest in entering a cave, you may still want to stop here for a nature hike on one of the park’s many jungle trails.
Located in St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, it costs $10 BZE ($5 USD) to visit, and you will need to pay extra to rent a headlamp if you decide to go inside St. Herman’s Cave. However, if you read my full guide to St. Herman’s Cave, you’ll find that I actually recommend packing your own headlamp as the ones at the park aren’t the best.
Bonus: St. Herman’s Cave and Crystal Cave are located in the same national park as the famous Inland Blue Hole (up next!) so you can visit both with the same ticket. However, keep in mind that the caves and the Blue Hole have two separate parking areas, a few minutes down the road from each other.
3. Inland Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is undoubtedly the most well-known attraction along the Hummingbird Highway. This bright blue swimming hole is less than a five minute walk from the parking lot, making it an easy and rewarding stop.
Not to be confused with the Great Blue Hole, which is off the coast of Belize, this Blue Hole is a charming little cenote (natural sinkhole) that is comparable the types of cenotes you’ll see along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
As I mentioned above, the Blue Hole and the caves are located in the same park, St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. It costs $10 BZE ($5 USD) to visit, but you ticket allows you to visit the Blue Hole, caves, hiking trails, and visitor’s center.
The Blue Hole is a few minutes down the road from the caves, with its own ranger station, bathrooms, changing rooms, and a small parking lot.
If you are curious about my experience here, be sure to check out my full guide to the Inland Blue Hole.
4. Lamanai Chocolate Co.
If you’re in the mood for a snack, a souvenir, or a culinary experience, you have to check out Lamanai Chocolate Co.! Situated in a dense jungle garden right off the highway, Lamanai Chocolate Co.
If you have a little time to spare, stop by and ask to book a tour of the property, or learn how to make chocolate from scratch. Or, if you only have time for a short stop, order a delicious treat from their menu — we loved the banana chocolate smoothie (its vegan and makes a great snack).
Related: Visiting the Lamanai Mayan Ruins in Belize
Lamanai Chocolate is also the perfect spot to buy locally-made souvenirs in the form of chocolate bars, cacao nibs, and other natural goods. Best of all, you can taste all of their chocolate products before buying!
5. Marie Sharp’s Factory & Tasting Room
If you’re a fan of Marie Sharp’s, the factory and tasting room is a must-add to your Belize itinerary! And if you have no idea what I’m talking about, you probably haven’t spent much time in Belize — but don’t worry, I’ll explain!
Marie Sharp’s is the creator of the flavor-packed habanero hot sauce you’ll find on every single table in Belize. Since my husband has family in Belize, he’s been consuming this delicious fiery hot sauce since he was a toddler, and it never gets old! It is so good that Marie Sharp’s has started exporting it to dozens of countries, and thankfully, we can find it in local grocery stores in the US.
Despite its popularity in Belize and abroad, very few people know you can actually visit Marie Sharp’s factory for a tour and tasting.
The tasting and tour costs $15 per person, and includes an interesting tour of the small factory that produces all of Belize’s best hot sauce. The best part is the tasting, when you get to try 16+ hot sauce flavors, plus a handful of other Marie Sharp’s products, like their jams and wines. Of course, you can buy all the sauces and jams, as well as some Marie Sharp’s merch!
6. Guanacaste National Park
Located at the very start of the Hummingbird Highway in Belmopan, Guanacaste National Park is one of Belize’s smallest national parks, and a beautiful spot for a swim, walk, or picnic.
This beautiful little park is situated along the Belize River, with tiny waterfalls and hidden swimming holes abundant. I’ve heard this park is great place for bird watching as well!
The park is open from 8am-4:30pm daily, and it costs $5 BZE ($2.50 USD) to enter.
It is worth mentioning that the entrance can be a little challenging to find — it is right next to a roundabout (connecting Hummingbird Highway and George Price Highway) and can only be entered from the eastbound side of the George Price Highway.
7. Sleeping Giant Scenic Overlook & Restaurant
The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant is one of the best places to stay along the Hummingbird Highway, but it is also a lovely place to stop even if you aren’t spending the night.
This gorgeous rainforest resort has a viewpoint overlooking the Maya Mountains and rural farmland which you can access by car — just beware, the road is quite steep and gravel, but I was able to do it without 4WD. I also loved relaxing at their landing above the Sibun River and wandering through their grounds — the whole property is basically a botanical garden!
Related: Book a Stay at Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
There are also several restaurants onsite. I had lunch at the Grove House, which had several vegan options. It was one of the only places in Belize where I found tofu on the menu, and of course they have plenty of delicous non-vegan offerings as well. Sleeping Giant also has a wood fire pizza restaurant (Don Tonito’s Pizzeria) and a cafe if you’re craving something different.
Of course, given that it is a resort, this is one of the pricier places to eat on the Hummingbird Highway, but the tranquil atmosphere certainly makes it worth it.
Where to Stay Along the Hummingbird Highway, Belize
There are plenty of eco resorts and other Hummingbird Highway hotels to choose from if you’re looking for somewhere to spend a night or two (or more!)
Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
The same lush property I mentioned above is certainly one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for luxury! Many of their spacious cottages have their own private pools, and of course you get access to the property’s large pool and other amenities.
Jaguar Creek Eco-Lodge
Situated in the Caves Branch part of the Hummingbird Highway, Jaguar Creek is a breathtaking eco-lodge nestled in the rainforest. Their beautifully designed rooms really make you feel like you’re one with the jungle, with mountain views and meaningful touches. Also, I love their focus on sustainability and giving back to the local community.
Sattva Eco Luxury
Sattva is a eco luxury retreat center and their rooms are perfect for a tranquil escape even if you’re not on a group retreat. Guests love the meals, which can be added on for an additional price. The staff will also arrange excursions — zip-lining, waterfalls, Mayan sites, caving, and more.
Final Thoughts: Driving the Hummingbird Highway in Belize
Are you adding the country’s most scenic road to your Belize itinerary? If so, I hope this article helped you plan your trip! If you have any questions about the Hummingbird Highway, Belize, or other travel topics, feel free to leave a comment on this article and I’ll respond quickly.
More Belize Travel Guides
★ The Best Waterfall and Swimming Spot on the Hummingbird Highway
★ The Ultimate Guide to St. Herman’s Cave in Belize
★ Belize Inland Blue Hole Travel Guide
★ My Honest Review of Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Hopkins, Belize
★ Visiting the Lamanai Mayan Ruins on a Jungle River Cruise
Essential Belize Travel Resources
Visiting Belize soon? Here are my favorite resources for Belize vacations.
🗺️ Hotels + Vacation Rentals: I always use this site for for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform and great rewards. When I’m looking for a vacation rental, I compare Vrbo and Airbnb.
💪 Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is an essential for any trip! I use SafetyWing, which has affordable rates and coverage for many adventure sports.
🚠 Tours + Activities: Viator (owned by Trip Advisor) is the best site for comparing and booking experiences with local tour operators in Belize.
🚗 Car Rentals: Use DiscoverCars, a highly-rated platform for comparing and booking rental cars around the world.
📱 Easy phone plans abroad: Use this company to get an eSIM for phone coverage while traveling—without getting a SIM card or canceling your existing plan (unless you want to!)
🎒 Essentials always in my bag: Check out my ‘in my bag‘ page for the items I always have in my carry-on.