TEN REASONS TO TRAVEL TO BELIZE

Belize is a small country in Central America found between Guatemala and Honduras. The country is officially English speaking and with a massive Caribbean influence as big as its Caribbean seas. The Caribbean is home to the Great Blue Hole, Hol Chan and the second largest barrier reef in the world!  Although Belize’s water sports are incredible this small country has so much more to offer! Here are our top ten reasons to travel to Belize.

Tropical climate

Maya Ruins

Belize all be it small, is jam packed with Maya Ruins. A number of these archaeological sites have been excavated so that visitors can see these Mayan sites. Belize has more Maya Ruins per square kilometre than any other country in Central America and some of them can be found a few steps away from the main road, for example Xunantunich. It is hard to find another country with so many of these Mayan pyramids with such easy access, even in Mexico.

Xunantunich

The Great Blue Hole

This dive site is probably why you have even heard about Belize. The Great Blue hole is a hole in the ocean just off the coast of Belize and so incredible it can be seen from space. This gigantic sink hole is about a kilometre wide and became part of the ocean over a million years ago. It once belonged to the mainland but it collapsed to make a spectacular sea hole some 150 metres deep. It is one of the biggest attractions for SCUBA divers, and snorkellers who will most certainly have this incredible site on their top ten list.

The Great Blue Hole

Wildlife

Belize has a small population, with just over 350,000 people living in the country and there is little industrial development. The upside to this is the untouched tropical rainforest were wildlife flourishes and endemic species thrive.  The government know that this is a tourist attraction and go out of their way to protect the wild animals and birds living in their natural habitat. The country is home to the world’s only Jaguar preserve in the Cockscomb Wildlife Preserve and of course a number of other species also live there!

Cockscomb national park

 The Beaches

 So Belize does not have many beaches and no big beaches per say, however Belize´s beaches, are pristine, stunning, uncrowded, and some even lead up to the tropical rainforest. The best beaches are in the south of the country with crystal-clear turquoise waters. Did we mention that the water temperature is so mild you can swim even in winter? There are dozens of small islands called “cayes” as well as atolls dotted all along its coast and you can find many small sandy beaches where you will probably be the only visitors there!

Belize cayes

Ease Of Travel

Because of its small size, it is easy to travel around Belize. In fact, the whole country can actually be visited in a day. Of course, it is much better however, to spend a week or two visiting different areas. Many visitors hire a car for a couple of days and take off along the bumpy highways to explore Belize’s inland areas and impressive wildlife parks. 

Hitch-hiking in Belize

 Diving and Snorkelling

The Great Barrier Reef runs the whole length of Belize, starting with Quintana Roo, in Mexico in the North, and ending in the south with border with Puerto Barrios Guatemala. The barrier reef epitomises Belize and natural coral reef means that the entire coast of Belize is within protected waters. Brave surfers and even para-sailors can venture outside the reef for more active waves.  Between the reef and the coast, you can find some of the best diving in the Caribbean. World-class diving is especially attractive off one of the atolls that can be found along the coast.

Snorkelling off the coral reef

 Belizean Food

Many different cultures that make up this small country combine their culinary talents to tickle your tastebuds.  Belize enjoys a bounty of seafood and most restaurants will be happy to serve up lobster, sea bass, shrimp, conch, swordfish and fish fillets. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant throughout the country and are shipped daily to all areas of the mainland and the cayes, including papaya, kiwi fruit, watermelon, melons, soursop, mango´s and pineapples. 

 

Fresh lobster

 Islands And More Islands

There are about 100 inhabited islands and even more “visitable” islands scattered all over the Belizean coast, from tiny desert island landmasses with a dozen coconut trees, to big atolls such as Turneffe. Charter a small boat with captain and take off to visit one of these emerald gems. Spend the day swimming, diving, or lazing in a hammock while the captain cooks the day’s catch on the deserted beach. Belize is also amazing for camping so you can spend the night before you sail off to visit another island!

Ambergris Caye

 Adventure Travel

The wide-open spaces on the mainland include mountain ranges, tropical rain forest, jungle, rivers and caves, making it perfect for adventure travel. You can drive, hike, or have a tour guide take you to you to do your favourite activity, be it birding, spelunking, racing river rapids, or exploring underground rivers once used by the Mayas for sacrificial rituals. You can even spend a couple nights at a remote jungle lodge and maybe catch a glimpse of a passing tapir or jaguar. Canoe trips down the Macal, Sitee and Belize Rivers are popular options for those on family vacations and looking for a relaxing tour in the countryside without having to hike through the jungle.

Diving into a pool

The Weather

Belize is in the tropics, so is blessed with year-round spectacular weather, ideal for a vacation. The average annual temperature is 29°C. It gets hotter in the summer, but that’s what the beaches are for! In the winter it is still warm so even during the Christmas Holidays visitors can enjoy outdoor activities as well as some beach time.

Sunset over the ocean