Belize
Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. Approximately 2 hours by air from Miami or Houston, Belize is the only official English speaking country in Central America. This stable, democratic country has a mix of more than ten different cultures and its architecture is greatly influenced by the ancient Mayan culture. The country's beautiful terrain is home to hundreds of ancient Mayan temples and large tracts of intact tropical rainforest. Its Caribbean coast is lined with a coral reef and some 450 coral sand islands known locally as cayes (pronounced "keys"). These cayes form the approximately 200 mile long Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and second largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. With 8,867 square miles of territory and only 297,651 people, Belize's population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world. A country with hundreds of bird species, colorful fish, exotic tropical plants and animals combined with friendly Belizeans throughout colorful towns and villages makes Belize an adventurer's paradise.Glover's Reef Atoll
Glover's Reef Atoll, approximately 35 miles off the coast, is one of the three major atolls offshore Belize. This oval-shaped coral island measures 17 miles long by 7 miles wide, and is recognized as the most biologically developed atoll within the Belize Barrier Reef. The Wildlife Conservation Society's Glover's Reef Marine Research Station, built in 1995, offers scientists throughout the world an opportunity to conduct high quality research focused on conserving marine wildlife at one of the Caribbean's most complex and important coral reef systems.
The Blue Hole
This famous diving paradise is an almost perfectly circular hole, more than 1000 feet across and 400 feet deep. It's actually a large underwater sinkhole located near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 17 miles north of Glover's Reef, and is named for the dramatic contrast between the deep, dark blue waters of its depths and the lighter blue of the shallows around it. The site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau who declared it one of the top ten scuba diving sites in the world. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso to the hole to chart its depths.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated in the shadows of the Maya Mountains, this sanctuary encompasses some 100,000 acres of tropical rainforest rising from 300 feet above sea level to approximately 3,675 feet at the summit of Victoria Peak. Originally established in 1984 as a reserve by the Belizean government, it's the first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar and is regarded as one of the premier sites for jaguar preservation in the world. In addition to jaguars, the reserve is home to parrots, black howler monkeys, toucans and a host of other species found only in the tropical forests of Central America. There's an extensive network of well maintained trails, an extraordinary array of flora and fauna, and gentle waterfalls and crystal clear waterways that can be floated down on inner tubes.
San Ignacio
San Ignacio and sister-town, Santa Elena, make up Belize's second largest urban area. The two towns are separated by the Macal River and Belize's only suspension bridge. Located about 70 miles from Belize City, San Ignacio, known locally as "Cayo", is a unique blend of America's Old West and tropical backwater with frontier-like wooden shops on narrow streets. The main thoroughfare is packed with shops, hotels and places to eat where hospitable townspeople mingle in restaurants, and wooden shops with colonial era architecture of days gone by.
Cayo District
The Cayo District is the largest district in Belize. Within the Cayo District are the national capital of Belmopan and the district capital of San Ignacio. The Cayo District has rapidly become one of the country's most popular destinations. With an area of over 2000 square miles, it is the largest and the most diverse region of Belize, rich in history, culture and nature. The land begins with green, rolling hills and farmland in the north, and gradually builds up to the crest of the Maya Mountains along its southern perimeter. Though the official language is English, the people of Belize speak Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, Chinese, German, and three dialects of the Mayan language, in addition to European and central Asian languages.
Lamanai
Lamanai, the second largest Mayan Site in Belize, is a two square mile site located in the jungle along the New River Lagoon. Some of the most impressive Lamanai structures are massive temples which are very much intact. Climbing the 125ft Mayan temple puts you above the jungle canopy and in position for a spectacular view of the surrounding jungle and lagoon. Keep an eye out for a family of Howler Monkeys that reside in the jungle canopy overhead!
Xunatunich
The Mayan ruins site of Xunatunich, located in northwestern Belize's Cayo District, is a major ceremonial center built on a great natural limestone ridge that offers a spectacular view of the Cayo District. The largest pyramid, El Castillo, stands 130 feet above the main plaza and a total of 250 feet above the river valley below and visible from all parts of the valley.
Caves Branch River
The Belize Caves Branch River winds underground through four caves on its course from the Maya Mountains to where it meets the Sibun River. Explore the river on an inner tube with a headlamp as your guide! As you float through, you'll spot mica-studded stalactites and stalagmites filled with 1000-year-old pottery shards, statues of fertility gods and Mayan footprints. Continue past an underground waterfall leading into the "Crystal Cathedral", a spiritual place used by the ancient Maya.