Belize
Belize has a distinctly Caribbean lilt to it which stands out from its Spanish-influenced neighbours. There’s laid-back beach life at its best by the warm Caribbean Sea along with top diving experiences, astounding Mayan sites and wildlife-rich jungle.
Belize offers a relaxed and easy going attitude with fabulous scenery to boot. Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, you can relax on the terrific beaches, marvel at the mountainous landscape and take in the tropical rainforests which are teeming with wildlife. Belize is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. With a Caribbean history and Central American geography, Belize is a subtle blend of cultures with a wonderfully laid back lifestyle.
The islands of Belize are one of the world’s best dive sites. In fact, Belize has the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and is second only to Australia as the longest reef in the world. At Lighthouse Reef is the Blue Hole that provides not only superb diving but is a great place to snorkel and fish. The Turneffe Islands forming part of the Reef are also excellent for diving and provide the discerning visitor with a relaxing experience amid charming scenery, sandy beaches and turquoise waters.
San Ignacio, located in the Cayo District, stands amid attractive wooded hills and is an excellent town to rest in if coming from Guatemala. It is also a good base for excursions into West Belize with its thousands of caves and the Mountain Pine Ridge offering wonderful river scenery, high waterfalls and shady picnic areas along with forests filled with orchids, bromeliads and butterflies. Cahal Pech is a short walk from the Cayo District and is an interesting Mayan site and nature reserve.
Placencia, a former fishing village situated on a thin sandy peninsula, remains delightfully unspoilt with offshore caves and marine life. Its appeal lies in its laid-back atmosphere; sunbathing or watersports are how most pass the time. With the right timing you might even be lucky enough to see migrating whale sharks which pass through this area.
Orange Walk is located in the north of the country and is a Belizean feast of natural wealth and archaeological wonder. It is primarily Maya and Spanish with an old world flavour mixed in. The area consists of amazing ancient cities, the temples at Lamanai, jungles, rainforests, coastal lagoons and rivers. Rare jaguars and manatee can still be found here.
Belize may be small, but this tropical country is an exotic, English-speaking, adventurer’s paradise.
