Snuggled between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south you will find relaxed, English speaking Belize. It is only a two-hour plane ride from the continental U. S. Venture into a land rich in natural beauty and steeped in the magic of its Maya past. Renowned for pristine waters, exotic marine and wildlife, lush, unspoiled landscapes, and superb diving, Belize is truly Mother Nature'''''''' s Best Kept Secret.
From the tropical beauty of Cayo''s rolling hills and verdant rainforests to the sun-drenched beaches of its offshore cayes. Belize offers a rich variety of enjoyable travel experiences. All of which is in the confines of a small friendly English speaking country on the Caribbean coast of Central America.
Belize, with a population of only 240,000 people, boasts some surprising superlatives, the best known of which is its offshore barrier reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere. Its capital city, Belmopan, is the worlds smallest with a population of 7, 000, up sharply from 3, 400 in 1985. Belize is proud of its Jaguar Preserve in the Mountain Pine Ridge, the only jaguar preserve in the world.
In its role as a pleasure travel destination, Belize has two distinct faces. Its coconut palm studded offshore cayes strung out along the barrier reef with a multitude of Caribbean beach resort hotels, and its Central American mainland replete with ancient Mayan ruins, jungle hideaways, and magnificent virgin rainforest.
Ambergris Caye is the largest of the offshore cayes. Visitors arriving at the International Airport in Belize City can load their luggage aboard a 12-seat aircraft and land in San Pedro village on Ambergris Caye 20 minutes later. Here, they''ll be ready to enjoy all the pleasures of a Caribbean beach resort with emphasis on undersea diving along the barrier reef and feasting on the indigenous conch, lobster and other seafood. The best weather and high season for visiting the Caye is November through March/April.
Accommodations in San Pedro range from inexpensive to luxurious. Victoria House, located on the beach just south of the village, offers a quiet atmosphere, a choice of beachfront casitas or rooms in the inn, . Boats call frequently at the Victoria House dock to pick up divers en route to the barrier reef. San Pedro village features shopping and some exciting nightlife.
For Americans, mainland Belize is perhaps best described as a frontier environment. The best time of year to visit the Belize mainland is February/March through June. Belize City is the commercial hub of the country, but its congestion and street crime limit its attraction for tourists.
From the tropical beauty of Cayo''s rolling hills and verdant rainforests to the sun-drenched beaches of its offshore cayes. Belize offers a rich variety of enjoyable travel experiences. All of which is in the confines of a small friendly English speaking country on the Caribbean coast of Central America.
Belize, with a population of only 240,000 people, boasts some surprising superlatives, the best known of which is its offshore barrier reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere. Its capital city, Belmopan, is the worlds smallest with a population of 7, 000, up sharply from 3, 400 in 1985. Belize is proud of its Jaguar Preserve in the Mountain Pine Ridge, the only jaguar preserve in the world.
In its role as a pleasure travel destination, Belize has two distinct faces. Its coconut palm studded offshore cayes strung out along the barrier reef with a multitude of Caribbean beach resort hotels, and its Central American mainland replete with ancient Mayan ruins, jungle hideaways, and magnificent virgin rainforest.
Ambergris Caye is the largest of the offshore cayes. Visitors arriving at the International Airport in Belize City can load their luggage aboard a 12-seat aircraft and land in San Pedro village on Ambergris Caye 20 minutes later. Here, they''ll be ready to enjoy all the pleasures of a Caribbean beach resort with emphasis on undersea diving along the barrier reef and feasting on the indigenous conch, lobster and other seafood. The best weather and high season for visiting the Caye is November through March/April.
Accommodations in San Pedro range from inexpensive to luxurious. Victoria House, located on the beach just south of the village, offers a quiet atmosphere, a choice of beachfront casitas or rooms in the inn, . Boats call frequently at the Victoria House dock to pick up divers en route to the barrier reef. San Pedro village features shopping and some exciting nightlife.
For Americans, mainland Belize is perhaps best described as a frontier environment. The best time of year to visit the Belize mainland is February/March through June. Belize City is the commercial hub of the country, but its congestion and street crime limit its attraction for tourists.