Belize

About Belize

Known as the Jewel of the Caribbean, Belize is a land of ancient treasures, teeming with life and mystery.  Here, shaded below jungle canopies, you can find ancient vine-wrapped temples of the Mayan Empire.  Beneath its ocean waves you can discover the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Underground, there are caves and waterways that often appear on the surface as small blue pools. But the greatest treasure of Belize can be found beneath sheet metal rooftops of informal settlements and cloth awnings of remote jungle villages–its people. When you volunteer in Belize with ISL, you’ll discover more than just what’s on the surface. You’ll see more than sparkling beaches and colorful wildlife. You’ll do more than zipline through jungle treetops or crest Mayan ruins. You’ll have the opportunity to serve others, and in doing that, you will find the true Jewel of the Caribbean.

A Brief Overview of Belize

Belize is considered a jewel in Central America. It is well known for its rich Mayan heritage, and evidence of this is visible with its numerous archaeological sites referred to by locals as “Maya ruins.” Home to the world’s second longest barrier reef, Belize is an ideal spot for deep sea fishing, diving, snorkeling and numerous other water sports, and is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. As for native Belizeans, tourism and agriculture are their main sources of income, and it’s easy to see why. With an area of 8,867 sq miles, Belize is one of the most sparsely inhabited countries in the world, with only approximately 500,000 residents.

Belize is a Central American country, but it is also considered part of the Caribbean, due to the fact that its entire coastline is washed by the Caribbean Sea. Its history is as unique as its location, having been ruled by England up until September 1981, when it became an independent country.  Belize is the only country in Central America with English as its official language, but Spanish is also widely spoken here, due to neighboring Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south.

Where We Serve in Belize

With a low population density and a unique jungle topography, Belize is primarily a rural country with few significantly populated villages and cities. Because of this, the places we serve fall into two categories: rural and semi-rural.

Rural

In the western part of Belize, in the villages of the Cayo District, there is a large population of immigrant families, some of whom settled illegally due to the abundance of rich agricultural land and lack of surveillance by the authorities. Here there is often inadequate infrastructure, basic utilities, and in some cases unreliable transportation. In the southern part of Belize, in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, there is a mix of immigrants and native Belizeans who work in the citrus and banana industries. Because this is mostly seasonal work, some people are unable to afford adequate housing and proper healthcare. There is also a large number of indigenous Maya communities in the Toledo District who still believe in living off the land. These communities are deep in the forest and the terrain to access health care comprises of miles of unkept roads and numerous water ways which are easily flooded during rainy season.

Semi-Rural

In the northern districts most villages were settled by sugar cane farmers and fishermen. Many have diversified over the years. Some of these families are better off than many who live in other parts of the country, but inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of basic affordable healthcare is the same as in other villages in Belize.

The Need in Belize

The Belize Ministry of Health and Wellness provides free primary healthcare at community hospitals located in major towns and more advanced care at regional hospitals. Regional care is more expensive, as more advanced tests are often required and regional hospitals can be as far as two hours away from some of the villages in Belize. There is only one tertiary care institution in the country, where patients are referred on a per need basis. The public health department brings mobile clinics to several villages every six weeks, but they provide only post-natal care and administer vaccines.

A large portion of the population in these villages suffer from seasonal illnesses and either use local remedies or receive no treatment at all. Many other villagers suffer from chronic diseases that remain untreated due to the geographical and socioeconomic challenges of obtaining proper medical care. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has Community Health Workers in most communities. These are the feet on the ground and the link between the community and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. They provide health education and conduct home visits, but depending on the size of the community and time of year, it may be difficult for them to reach those most in need. Because this is voluntary work, it takes a special individual to be able to comply with the requirements for a monthly stipend. Lack of adequate health education seems to be a major issue in relation to compliance especially when dealing with chronic diseases.

Caye Caulker: Welcome sign at the wooden pier dock in Caye Caulker. It is a small island near Ambergris Caye, Belize.

What to Expect as a Volunteer

With your service program, you’ll arrive in Belize via the Philip S W Goldson International Airport. This is the only international airport in Belize, located approximately 20 minutes away from Belize City. After going through Customs and retrieving your luggage, you will be met by an ISL staff member and transported by, van, or bus (arranged and paid for by ISL) to your hotel or guest house in the area closest to your work site.  Depending on the area in which you’ll be volunteering, the ride to housing varies from one to two hours.

You will travel daily with ISL staff to your volunteer location. These villages may be as close as 15 minutes away or as far as an hour away, depending on the time of year and road conditions. You will remain at your assigned housing for the working part of your stay and then relocate to a hotel on the island of Caye Caulker for recreation day activities and your departure the following day.

Cultural Exploration

With ISL Belize, you’ll have many opportunities to explore the culture of those you serve through a variety of activities such as cooking classes where you learn how to make one of the many famous and delicious Belizean dishes and drinks, and dance classes where you learn a variety of local cultural dances including punta, zapatiada, soca and the bruk down. Other opportunities may include visits to numerous archaeological sites, natural medicine trails, chocolate making classes, exploration of caves and waterfalls, and an all time favorite being a visit to the island of Caye Caulker with an option to snorkel along the Barrier Reef with a stop at the famous Shark and Ray Alley. Dependent on the location of the clinic and housing will be other cultural activities such as visiting a local farmers’ market where the farmers from neighboring communities offer their best deals on their freshest produce, an opportunity to learn how to make native crafts and have some local handicrafts to take home when you’re done volunteering, and possibly a chance to visit with a native Belizean who makes medicines and natural remedies from plants collected in the jungle.

Recreation

When it comes time to get out and explore, you’ll see why Belize is said to be one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Dependent on the location of the clinic you may have opportunities to explore the acient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, or take a guided tropical river adventure up the New River and explore the Mayan ruins of Lamanai. Tubing through a jungle cave, a jungle zipline, and swimming/diving at the Inland Blue Hole, a large marine cavern, or sinkhole, which is open on the surface and perfect for swimming, are but a few more of the potentail opportunites that exist on the mainland. While on Caye Caulker you will have opportunities to explore Belize’s Barrier Reef while snorkelling beneath the waves of the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Recreational opportunities do have an extra cost so check with your iSL Representative when scheduling your activities to make sure that you prepare well for those expenses.

Lodging

Whether lodging at a hacienda on the beach of the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Penasco, Mexico; a walled convent in the heart of Alajuela, Costa Rica; or an apartment situated above the bustling metropolis of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, ISL’s volunteer lodgings are unique and carefully chosen based on very important criteria.

Accommodations are safe, clean, and within reasonable driving distance to service sites and recreational opportunities. Volunteers are provided their own bed, easy access to restrooms and showers, and meeting spaces for training and fellowship. Many ISL accommodations are unique and may include retreat houses, guest houses or home stays, all of which provide a distinctive cultural experience.  ISL Country Coordinators will provide a description of your lodging in the Final Trip Document posted to your My ISL portal prior to your departure.

Alumni Quotes:

“This experience was hands down one of the best of my entire life. I enjoyed every minute of being in Belize and working with the people there. The ISL staff was incredible and every day was full of fun and learning. I not only learned new nursing skills, but I learned about life as well. It was so great I plan on going on another trip!”

Allison
University of Maine

Alumni Video Testimonial:

Team University of Tennessee – Kentucky (UTK) traveled to Belize in March 2025.

Following is their video testimonial … enjoy

Team St. John Fisher University (SJF) traveled to Belize in April 2025.

Following is their video testimonial … enjoy