From historical remains to life beneath water – Belize

A fusion of remains from the past and a rich marine life in the world’s second-most spectacular reef off the shore, the ancient Maya architecture scattered across the country , rivers and caves to explore, the trails through the tropical rainforests and the Islands off the shore – you are bound to be lost in the charms of the country of Belize.

Location

This 8,867 square miles Central American country faces the Caribbean Sea on its east. To its north is Mexico and Guatemala flanks it from south and west.

Best time to visit

With a sunny and warm weather throughout the year, anytime is apt for a visit to Belize, depending on what you want to do.

How to reach

Getting to this Caribbean getaway is fairly easy, through air, water or road routes. Plenty of flights come here from North America and there are quiet a few airports here. You could rent a yacht all by yourself or cruise to Belize. There are international flights to this country from several cities of the United States such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles and Houston.

From North and Central America, you can enjoy a bus ride to Belize too. For getting around in Belize, you can rent a car, a bike, bicycle or use the local modes of transportation.

Attractions of Belize

While Belize might not promise a typical Caribbean vacation, it definitely is a charmer in its own ways.

Belize is a popular snorkeling and diving destination. Off shore Belize is the second largest reef system of the world – the 185 mile Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to spectacular dives sites like the Blue Hole, the drop offs among others.  For the divers and snorkelers, there are the 70 types of hard corals, 500 fish species, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles and eagle rays to see.

You can take a short trip to Islands offshore as well, enjoy a book on a hammock, and go kite-surfing, kayaking, fly-fishing or sport-fishing.  For Island and marine explorers, there is a lot to explore at the three atolls here, the Halfmoon Caye National Monument, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye Park, Bacalar Chico Marine and Wildlife Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Park, Port Honduras Marine Reserve and the Sapodila Cayes Marine Park.

There are few good beaches too, to the South of Belize.

The lush green tropical rainforests are major attractions of Belize, with their waterfalls, hiking trails, flora and fauna like jaguars and iguanas, rivers etc. You can climb the Victoria peak, canoe on the Macal River, cave-tube down the Sibun River. Also worth exploring are some of the national parks like the Guanacaste National Park and the Rio Blanco National Park,  explore the wildlife of Belize in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the others sanctuaries. The Bladen Nature Reserve and the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve are other areas that will delight the eco-tourists in Belize.

This destination is abundant in rivers such as the Monkey River and the Moho River, which attract the competitive racers as well.

Adding to its adventure quotient is the cave system with stalactites and stalagmites here, the largest one in Central America, dating back to two million years. They almost completely dot the southern half of the country.

Cave-exploration is a popular sport here. The Maya Civilization supposedly used them for religious ceremonies. Some of these caves are Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Barton Cave, St.Herman Cave, Tiger Cave and the Rio Frio Cave.

A must-do here is a walk through the ancient remains – Maya temples and other Maya archaeological sites who occupied this place since 1500 BC itself. Some important among these are the Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol, El Pilar, Cerros etc. Among the historical and cultural sites, the significant ones include the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, Gulisi Garifuna Museum, the Hawksworth Bridge, House of Culture, and the Yarborough Cemetery, among many others.

While unlike other Caribbean destination, Belize does not attract tourists necessarily for its beaches, it does attract a hell lot of them for the historical sites, rainforests and of course, its splendid reefs. It’s a place that both the beginners and the experts in water activities can enjoy.