Belize
The wild and unspoiled country of Belize lies on the eastern coast of Central America between Mexico and Guatemala. Belize is 9,000 sq. miles of majestic mountains, mangrove swamps, rainforests, jungles, thundering rivers and waterfal around some of the tourist areas. ls, and pristine beaches. Offshore, Belize is protected by the second largest barrier reef in the world providing world-class deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and diving. Formerly called British Honduras, Belize is an English-speaking country and its currency is tied to the U.S. dollar which is widely accepted. The country realized years ago that in order to maintain a high level of tourism its natural resources, and the main reason most people come here, must be protected. Eco-tourists will fall in love with Belize with its huge diversity of plant and animal life, its unspoiled natural resources, and a government that plans to keep things just as they are.
Belize is blessed with a line of beautiful beaches which occupy its mainland coast as well as a string of islands and cays just offshore. These islands and their wonderful beaches are protected by the second largest barrier reef in the world which gives the area some of the best snorkeling, diving, and deep-sea fishing in the Caribbean. Most of the beaches have golden to white colored sand and many of the islands and cays just offshore are uninhabited making them perfect for day-trips and picnics. Snorkeling, diving, and deep-sea fishing are big business here with parasailing and jet-skiing thrown in around some of the tourist areas. Many visitors who fly here come into Belize City only to board another plane or boat and head for one of the offshore islands as their final destination. Divers and snorkelers can be found from Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, to Lighthouse Reef with its amazing, huge Blue Hole, to the Turneffe Islands, to Glover's Reef. Snorkeling and diving are highly recommended activities while you are in Belize as well as sightseeing the islands from a boat or catameran.
The mainland interior of Belize has a wealth of natural wonders and activites awaiting you. This geographically-diverse countryside includes jungles, rainforests, scenic mountain ranges, and ancient Mayan ruins. Activities include hiking, bird watching, wild animal sightseeing, whitewater rafting, zip-line tours through the jungle tree canopy, and tours to many ancient Mayan cities. Wild animals and birds fill these lush, tropical green mountains, rainforests, and jungles that flow smoothly toward the pristine palm tree lined sandy strands of beach.
Belize City is the starting point for most visitors who travel here. The city is home to the international airport as well as the cruiseship terminal. Accommodations range from small inns to major resorts and many of these lodgings feature prices that are unusually low for the Caribbean region. Limited duty-free shopping is available in the city near the cruiseship terminal and many locally-made souvenirs including crafts made from straw, wood carvings, ceramics, and shell jewelry are sold by native artisans. Nightlife in Belize is relatively low-key but many restaurants, clubs, and bars do offer after dinner drinks and local island music during the evening. Belize City is also the headquarters for many excursion and tour companies which can make arrangements for you to explore the rainforests and jungles, sightsee the many wild birds and animals, make connections to any of the offshore islands and cays, or tour the many Mayan cities.
Belize is a potpourri of fantastic natural wonders, exotic birds and animals, mystical Mayan cities from the past, jewel-like islands fringed by a coral barrier reef, and mountain ranges filled with whitewater rivers, plunging pools and waterfalls, and underground cave systems. Belize may appear like an eco-tourist destination, but with this many natural assets it posseses memorable experiences for everyone. Bring your camera and be prepared to take a journey to the wild, exotic, natural world of Belize.
