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Although Belize isn't especially known for its golf courses, vacationers can still hit the greens while visiting this beautiful little tropical paradise. The only 18-hole golf course that you'll find in Belize isn't located on the country's mainland, but on one of the tiny islets just off shore.
Caye Chapel
The first golf course to open in Belize was built on Caye Chapel at the end of 1999. Prior to then, there hadn't been an 18-hole golf course in Belize since the British colonial days. This is excellent news for those travelers who plan on teeing off while visiting Belize. Caye Chapel Golf Course & Marina, as the course is now being called, is a par-72 championship golf course designed to utilize the unique layout of the tiny island for a more challenging game of golf.
Caye Chapel is a narrow island, so the fairways on the front nine are narrow, too. These fairways also feature water at every hole. On the back nine, the terrain is a little more varied and has more doglegs. If it's a challenge you're looking for, the Caye Chapel Golf Course & Marina has plenty of greens that will test the skills of even the most seasoned golfer.
Another feature of the Caye Chapel course that adds to the difficulty level is its turf. Golfers may have to adjust to playing on the Bermuda grass, as well to the wayward winds that can sometimes knock your ball off course. Generally, the golf course on Caye Chapel is uncrowded, so you can concentrate on your swing without all the hustle and bustle of larger country clubs. The cost to play at the Caye Chapel Golf Course & Marina is about $200(USD) per person, and this includes the cost of golf clubs, all the golf you can play, a golf cart, access the to the country club's pool, and even food and beverages.
Miniature Courses in Belize
If you want to enjoy a scaled-down version of golf in Belize, you may want to check out its smaller nine-hole courses. You can find these mini courses near the Altun Ha ruins and at Jaguar Reef Lodge. The existence of these courses is the source of much controversy. A group of environmentalists argue that the pesticides and fertilizers used on the courses' grass could be harmful to the environment. But the courses now use a grass hybrid that requires half of the fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation that typical golf-course grass needs.
Several hotels in Belize have special accommodations packages, which include a trip to one of Belize's nine-hole golf courses. Contact your resort or hotel to see whether golf is a part of your stay.