Reefs, Ruins & Rainforests
Nestled on the Caribbean coast between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize (formally British Honduras) blends a British colonial past with Spanish and Maya influences. Famous for diving, snorkeling and fishing, Belize also offers tropical forests rich with wildlife, and mysterious Mayan temples. On a single day you can visit the ruins of a 700-year old Maya city, hike in the largest contiguous rainforest north of the Amazon and dive with manta rays on the second largest unbroken barrier reef in the world! Central America’s only English-speaking country and a stable democratic government complement Belizean hospitality.
Places of Interest
 Reefs
Belize’s 185-mile long barrier reef is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. Its shallow reefs, uninhabited atolls and cayes offer some of the best diving and fishing found anywhere in the world. Offshore Belize is what gives the country its Caribbean element. The Caribbean boasts of four oval atolls unique in the Western Hemisphere; three of these huge coral formations (Turneffe Island, Lighthouse Reef, and Glovers Reef) call Belize home. Lighthouse Reef offers the incredible Blue Hole as its main attraction. Measuring approximately 1,000 feet in diameter and over 450 feet deep. Described as a dark blue circle in the middle of a turquoise sea, the Blue Hole contains a variety of incredible stalactites, some of which reach 35 feet in length. It is inhabited by gray reef, silk, and bull sharks. In an effort to protect these incredible marine resources, the Belize government has established a number of marine parks, such as Half Moon Caye National Monument, Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Laughing Bird Caye National Park. Water visibility commonly reaches 100+ feet; water temperature hovers around 80 degrees Fahrenheit; and the barrier reef makes for calm water most of the year.
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Ruins
Archaeologists estimate that at the height of the Maya civilization during the classic period from 300 to 900 A.A., the population reached almost two million and mighty cities such as Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai dotted the Belize landscape. By 1500 A.D. the entire civilization had mysteriously fallen apart and disappeared. So far, archaeologists have uncovered fifteen major sites, but many still remain buried under centuries of vegetation.
Lamanai, one of the largest ceremonial centers uncovered to date, sits on the banks of the New River Lagoon about 70 miles northwest of Belize City. The 950-acre complex has 700 known buildings (of which only 40 have been excavated), and the massive Southern Temple, code named “N10-43,” is the largest known Preclassic structure in all of the Maya world. An estimated 35,000 people lived in the city during its peak between 500 to 900 A.D.
Caracol, Belize’s largest Maya site and one of the largest in all of the Maya world, is located about 70 miles west of Belize City in the rugged Cayo district. Larger than Tikal, most of Caracol’s 55-square-mile city complex and its 35,000 buildings are still covered by thick jungle. At its peak an estimated 200,000 people lived in the city.
Tikal, in northern Guatemala is less than a 2 hour drive from the Belize border and can also be reached by scheduled flights from Belize City. Tikal is is one of the largest ceremonial centers of the Maya world and certainly one of the most impressive. Founded as early as 600 B.C., experts believe that the knowledge and ideas which originated in Tikal were instrumental in shaping the Classic Period of the Maya beginning in 250 A.D. During this time, cities consisting of astronomical structures, ceremonial buildings, market places, palaces and acropolis sprang up all over Mesoamerica.
The site was discovered in 1847 by a gum cutter named Ambrosio Tut. In 1957 the University of Pennsylvania undertook the largest and most complex excavation project of Mayan sites. Tikal National Park occupies 17 square kilometers. The area contains over 260 species of birds including keel-billed toucans, turquoise crowned motmots and ocellated turkeys. There is also a variety of wildlife such as jaguars, pumas, monkeys, deer, tapir, anteaters and kinkajous. The ecosystem of the rainforest includes flora ranging from 130 medicinal plants, 300 species of orchids and a great assortment of lichen and fungi.
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Fishing
Belize is a mecca for those interested in fishing. All kinds of fishing - spin, fly, trolling - can be experienced all year long, and the abundance of game fish guarantees excellent sport. The estuaries, inlets and mouths to the many rivers are known for their tarpon, snook and jacks. The lagoons and grass flats are known for the bonefish, permit and barracuda. The coral reefs support grouper, snapper, jacks and barracuda while the deeper waters off the drop off are home to sailfish, marlin, bonito and pompano. Fishing is great all along the coast of Belize, from the Port Honduras and Punta Icacos lagoon of Toledo to Rocky Point on Ambergris Caye. Any of the many rivers which empty into the Caribbean along Belize's coasts can guarantee a daily catch. Most of your guides and boatmen speak English so learning where and what to fish will be no problem. Be sure to ask your hotel manager to cook up your daily catch.
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Rivers & Kayaking
Though Belize is a relatively small country, with very low-lying land, it receives plenty of rain during the winter season, and supports 20 major river systems and smaller streams. These many waterways are potential outdoor adventures for the kayak and canoe lovers. This is an excellent way to birdwatch and view wildlife along the banks. You will also experience the flow of human life in Belize as the rivers of the country are still major gathering places for Rivers, cleaning and transportation.
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Wildlife
Because of Belize's small population and lack of industry, much of Belize has remained virtually undisturbed. About 66% of the country is still forested. Birders in particular will have the opportunity to observe hundreds of different species of birds. It is not uncommon to view 50 in a single outing. Belize has recorded over 500 species of birds within its borders. Any of the national parks make excellent locations to bird. Of special interest would be: - Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
- Silk Grass Creek Road
- Mountain Pine Ridge
Wildlife is a little more difficult to view, especially the jaguar. Most animals see, smell, hear or feel a human long before the human is aware that an animal is nearby. But you can get lucky.
If you want to be assured of viewing wildlife other than birds, be sure we included a visit the Belize Zoo.
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Culture
Belize is a country of various culture, language and ethnic groups. Approximately 200,000 people in Belize consist of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, and Eastern Indian. Due to racial harmony and religious tolerance, all of these different elements have mixed and blended successfully, and Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly peoples.
One of the most prominent ethnic group is the Creoles, which formed 30% of the population in 1991. Creoles are descendants of the intermingling of the early British settlers with African slaves from Jamaica. More than 40% of the population are Mestizos. They are descendants of mixed blood Mexicans and Yucatec Mayans who fled from Yucatan in the mid 1800's. Another 6.6% of Belize's population are the Garifuna, but has decreased since 1980. The Garifuna have their own language and culture. The Yucatec, Mopans and Kekchi are three Amerindians groups which also make up Belize's population. The Chinese, with a population of 6,000 has made distinct communities, as well as the East Indians and the Mennonites. English remains the most common language spoken as well as Creole, but Spanish is becoming more widely spoken. The Garifuna, Mayans and Mennonites speak their own language.
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