Belize: Paradise Worth Pursuing?

Belize is a small Central American country, formerly known as British Honduras, with a population of around 400,000 people. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and friendly locals. With its mix of Caribbean and Central American culture, Belize offers a unique travel experience that is slowly gaining attention. Here are some reasons why Belize is worth considering for your next trip:

- Natural Wonders: Belize boasts lush jungles, vibrant coastlines, and the second-largest barrier reef in the world, making it a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

- Mayan Ruins: The country is home to numerous Mayan archaeological sites, including Caracol, with the tallest man-made structure in the country, and Cahal Pech, which offers a crowd-free exploration experience.

- Cultural Diversity: Belize is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Creole, East Indian, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, Mennonite, and other ethnic groups, resulting in a diverse range of cuisines, languages, and traditions.

- Outdoor Activities: From hiking and cave exploration to snorkelling and scuba diving, Belize offers endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to connect with nature and discover its abundant wildlife.

- Accessibility: Belize is easily accessible from the United States, with reasonable flight times and English as the national language. The country's small size also makes it possible to explore a variety of destinations within a short period.

Belize's beaches and resorts

Belize offers a range of beachfront accommodations, from luxurious private island resorts to small boutique hotels and locally owned cabanas. Many resorts in Belize are all-inclusive, offering packages that include meals, transportation, and activities such as snorkelling, diving, fishing, and guided tours. Here is a list of some of the top beach resorts in Belize:

• Pelican Reef Villas Resort
• Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages
• Laru Beya Resort & Villas
• Matachica Resort and Spa
• Ramon's Village Resort
• Coco Beach Resort
• Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Hopkins Bay, a Muy'Ono Resort
• Naia Resort and Spa
• Xanadu Island Resort
• Caribbean Villas Hotel
• Victoria House Resort & Spa
• Almond Beach Resort at Jaguar Reef
• Belizean Shores Resort
• Captain Morgan's Retreat
• Sapphire Beach Resort Belize
• King Lewey's Island Resort
• Shaka Caye Island Resort
• Parrot Cove Lodge
• St. George's Caye Resort
• Sunset Caribe Belize
• Umaya Resort & Adventures

Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef, which provides ample opportunities for snorkelling and diving. The Great Blue Hole, a favourite diving spot of marine biologist Jacques Cousteau, is also located in Belize. In addition to its beaches and water sports, Belize also offers ancient Maya cities, unspoiled rainforests, and breathtaking waterfalls.

Mayan ruins and history

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras and the Mayan provinces of Chetumal and Dzuluinicob, is a small Central American country with a rich Mayan history. The land that is now Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The country is now home to more than 600 Mayan sites, including sacred caves and enormous pyramids that are still the largest man-made structures in the country.

The ancient Mayan civilisation in Belize surged and ebbed, with periods of growth and prosperity mixed with war, civil unrest, and starvation. After several millennia of existence, the civilisation began to break apart for unknown reasons between 600 and 900 AD, leaving the once-mighty cities to be swallowed up by the jungle. By the time the Europeans arrived on the continent, the Mayan civilisation was almost completely gone.

Belize boasts the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. The largest ruin in Belize is Caracol, located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. This ancient city was once one of the most powerful in the Mayan world and was home to about 120,000 people. Caracol features majestic temples, including the tallest man-made structure in Belize, the Caana pyramid.

Another notable Mayan site in Belize is Xunantunich, which means "maiden of the rock" or "stone woman" in Mayan. Xunantunich was the first Mayan ruin to be opened to visitors in 1950 and is located just across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz. The site features six major plazas, more than 25 temples and palaces, and well-preserved sun god masks.

Altun Ha is another impressive Mayan site, located just 31 miles north of Belize City. Altun Ha was a major ceremonial and trade centre during the Classic Period and features two principal plazas. The most significant find at this site is the Maya Jade Head, which represents the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua, and is the largest object carved from jade in the Mayan civilisation.

Cahal Pech is a smaller Mayan site located in San Ignacio Cayo district, featuring seven plazas and over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat house, all situated on just 2 acres.

In addition to these well-excavated ruins, many more large cities are still awaiting exploration in the jungles and rainforests of Belize.

Belize's food and drink

The basis of any Creole main meal is rice and beans, which is a staple across the country. The white rice and red beans are cooked together in coconut oil and usually served with stewed chicken or beef, or fried fish. There’s always a bottle of hot sauce on the table for extra spice—most notably, Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce, which is a very spicy sauce made from a base of habanero peppers, carrots, and onions.

Belize's strongest suit is its seafood. Fresh fish, lobster, shrimp, and conch are widely available, especially in the beach and island destinations. Belize has historically been a major exporter of lobster, but overharvesting has caused the population to decline. It is still readily available and relatively inexpensive, but there is a lobster season, from June 15 to February 14.

Chicken is the most prevalent meat, often chopped up in tasty stews or folded into burritos. In the morning, eggs are a common menu option, served Maya-style with diced tomatoes.

Belize also has a wealth of delicious tropical fruits. The most common are mangoes, papayas, pineapples, melons, and bananas. Other fruits you might find include the fruit of the cashew tree, which has orange or yellow glossy skin, and carambola (star fruit).

For drinks, the most basic options to accompany food are water, beer, and soft drinks. Belikin is Belize's main beer and comes in several varieties, including regular, lager-type bottled and draught beer, stout, Lighthouse, and Premium (more expensive bottled brews). Local rum is also a popular choice, with both dark and clear varieties available. Fruit juices are widely available, with fresh orange, lime, and pineapple being the most popular options.

One of the most unique drinks you can sample is a seaweed shake, a blend of dried seaweed, evaporated and condensed milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg, blended with ice. It can also be kicked up with a shot of rum or brandy.

Wildlife and nature

Belize is a nature lover's dream come true. The country is home to a diverse range of ecosystems and habitats that host many different species, both on land and in the water. More than half of Belize is a protected nature reserve, park, or animal reserve. The country has the most accessible tropical wilderness in the Western hemisphere.

Belize has incredible jungles and an impressive coast. It is a birder's paradise, with almost 600 bird species identified in the country. The Keel-Billed Toucan, the country's national bird, is a social creature, rarely spotted alone. Birdwatchers will also be able to spot migratory birds from North America, such as the Red-capped Manakin and the Ornate Hawk Eagle.

Inland Belize offers a variety of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that house many species. The country lays claim to 145 mammal species and over 70 kinds of forests. Many of Belize’s wildlife species are quite elusive, including four members of the feline family: the puma, the ocelot, the margay, and the jaguar. Southern Belize is home to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the only jaguar reserve in the world. Those with keen eyes will also be able to spot spider monkeys and howler monkeys in the wild, as well as mammals like the peccary, the coatimundi, and the gibnut, Belize’s most prized animal.

Belize also lays claim to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. It is home to more than 100 types of coral and over 500 species of fish, including barracudas, groupers, angel fish, and clown fish. West Indian manatees are common at the mouths of Belize’s rivers and in coastal lagoons and cayes. Whale sharks are often spotted, and the waters also contain nurse, reef, lemon tip, and hammerhead sharks. The reef is Belize’s most popular tourist destination as it gives divers the opportunity to explore incredible underwater caves and the Blue Hole, initially made famous by Jacques Cousteau.

Travel and accommodation

Belize is a small Central American country, formerly known as British Honduras, and is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. It is inhabited by approximately 400,000 people of primarily mixed Mestizo, Creole, Mayan, and European descent.

Belize is served by daily flights from many cities across North America. Once you arrive, you can explore the country's beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and multiple islands. To get around, you can use local airlines, helicopters, rental cars, buses, boats, and even horses.

There are no big-name international resorts in Belize, but there are plenty of great local options. Here are some of the best hotels in Belize, according to TripAdvisor:

• Pelican Reef Villas Resort
• Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection
• Blu Zen Caye Caulker
• Grand Caribe Belize
• Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas
• Ramon's Village Resort
• Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Matachica Resort and Spa
• San Ignacio Resort Hotel
• Caribbean Villas Hotel

In addition, Belize has a range of villas, boutique hotels, and eco-resorts.

If you're looking for a more local experience, you might want to skip the more touristy areas like Caye Caulker and instead explore the caves, waterfalls, and ruins in Cayo. You can also visit Hopkins and San Ignacio for a more authentic taste of Belizean culture.

Food

Belize is known for its diverse culinary landscape, offering a variety of culturally curated soups and other dishes. You can expect to find a mix of Central American, Mexican, British, Caribbean, and Garifuna food. Some notable dishes include rice and beans, escabeche, hot cross buns, cassava bread, and, of course, seafood.

Activities

Belize offers a range of activities for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Here are some ideas:

• Ziplining through the jungle
• Scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea
• Exploring the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world
• Hiking through rainforests and nature reserves, such as the Bladen Nature Reserve
• Visiting Mayan ruins, such as Caracol
• Exploring caves, such as Actun Tunichil Muknal
• Relaxing on the beach

Frequently asked questions