Lexi Webster
Belize is a Central American country known for its lush nature and rich history. Among its many attractions is the La Perla del Caribe, a beach resort located on Ambergris Caye, one of the country's top tourist destinations. The resort, whose name means The Pearl of the Caribbean in English, offers designer villas, lush gardens, a sparkling pool, and a private dock. The villas come in two, four, and five-bedroom configurations to accommodate different group sizes. The resort also provides easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef, one of the best diving spots in the world, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a mix of relaxation and exploration during their stay in Belize.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the resort | La Perla del Caribe |
| Meaning of the name | The Pearl of the Caribbean |
| Location | Belize’s Ambergris Caye |
| Features | 12 designer villa homes, lush gardens, a sparkling pool, a private dock, and a beachfront that spans 500 feet |
| Villa range | Two, four, and five bedrooms |
| Rooftop terraces | Offer an easy view of the sunrise and sunset against the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean |
| Other activities | Sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, trekking, yoga classes, etc. |
What You'll Learn
La Perla del Caribe resort
Accommodation
La Perla del Caribe offers private beach villas with a modern indoor-outdoor style. The villas are equipped with a kitchen, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and hammocks. The resort also has a pool and a private check-in/check-out service.
Activities
Guests at La Perla del Caribe can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving at the Belize coral reef, which is one of the top ten dive sites in the world and is located just offshore. They can also explore ancient Mayan ruins, go on village fiestas, and sample local and international cuisine at nearby restaurants and clubs.
Reviews
The resort has received excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, with many guests praising the friendly and helpful staff, the beautiful location, and the overall relaxing atmosphere. Some reviews mention the need for improvement in terms of maintenance and comfort, specifically regarding the beds and tiles in the bathrooms.
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Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef is widely regarded as one of the best diving venues in the world. Located right off the coast of northern Belize, it surrounds Ambergris Caye, a 25-mile-long island that was originally inhabited by the Mayas. Today, Ambergris Caye attracts thousands of visitors seeking easy access to the reef.
The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a variety of coral and marine life species. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, facing the southern edge of Ambergris Caye about 4 miles from shore, is the oldest reserve in Belize. Its name, which translates to "Little Channel", refers to a coral-filled gap in the immense barrier reef. Covering 3 square miles, this densely populated aquatic zone is a sanctuary for stingrays, eels, nurse sharks, and other creatures.
The reserve is divided into four parts: the mangroves, the reef, the sea-grass beds, and Shark Ray Alley, which was added in 1999. Because of its diversity, the reserve has become a popular spot for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Another popular attraction within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Shark Ray Alley, located southeast of San Pedro. It was once a place where fishermen cleaned their catch, attracting stingrays, nurse sharks, and even the occasional manatee. Today, visitors can spend the morning snorkelling or diving with the underwater wildlife and then return to San Pedro Town for the afternoon.
The Great Blue Hole, located at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, is another notable site within the Belize Barrier Reef. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, it is one of the world's most distinguished scuba sites. Created during the last glacial period about 10,000 years ago, this blue channel contains underwater tunnels, caverns, and rock formations. While marine life can be spotted lining the coral wall at the surface, there are unlikely to be many creatures encountered as you descend 410 feet below sea level.
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The Great Blue Hole
The hole is circular, over 300 metres across and about 125 metres deep. It is the largest natural formation of its kind in the world. The sinkhole has a deep blue hue, encircled by the lighter shades of Belize's Lighthouse Reef. This contrast makes it visible from space.
The site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso, to the hole to chart its depths. Investigations by this expedition confirmed the hole's origin as typical karst limestone formations, formed before rises in sea level in at least four stages, leaving ledges at depths of 21m, 49m, and 91m.
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The Maya ruins
Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The country is now home to the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America.
Belize's Maya ruins are a testament to the once-mighty civilisation that flourished for several millennia before its mysterious collapse between 600 and 900 AD. The Maya civilisation was a patchwork of kingdoms and principalities, united by a common language and religion. The Belize River was a "super highway" for trade and transport, connecting powerful city-states such as Tikal.
Today, the country's impressive Maya ruins offer a glimpse into the past. Here are some of the most notable sites:
- Xunantunich: This site, located near San Ignacio, was the first Maya ruin to open to visitors in 1950. The name means "Stone Woman" in Maya, as the site is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman dressed in white with glowing red eyes. Xunantunich was once home to 200,000 people and features six plazas and over 25 palaces and temples.
- Caracol: This site, located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, is the largest Maya ruin in Belize. It was once one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world, with a population of about 120,000. Caracol features majestic temples, including the Caana (Sky Palace) pyramid, which stands at 143 feet.
- Lamanai: Located in northern Belize, Lamanai is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in the country. The name means "submerged crocodile" in Maya. This site is prized for its spectacular jungle setting near the New River Lagoon.
- Altun Ha: These ruins are the closest to Belize City and are easily accessible with flat grassland terrain. Altun Ha was a major ceremonial and trade centre, featuring two large central plazas and pyramids. It is famous for the "`Jade Head`, the largest Mayan jade artifact ever discovered.
- Cahal Pech: Located just outside San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is a smaller-scale Maya site that was originally built for the wealthy. It consists of several pyramids, residence buildings, and courtyards. The name means "place of ticks" in modern-day Maya, as the surrounding area was once used as pasture land.
- Lubaantun: Lubaantun is the largest Mayan site in southern Belize, featuring 11 limestone pyramids, five plazas, and three ball courts. Unlike other ruins in Belize, Lubaantun was built without mortar, using carefully measured and cut stones.
- Nim Li Punit: This smaller Mayan site is known for its large stone columns (stelae) carved with intricate Maya hieroglyphs and pictures. The name means "the big hat" in Maya.
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The Belize Zoo
The zoo was started by Sharon Matola, who was caring for a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. When filming ended, Matola was left with 17 animals, including an ocelot, a puma, a jaguar and several exotic birds. She started a makeshift zoo to generate funding for their care.
The zoo is home to a variety of native mammals, birds and reptiles, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays and jaguarundis. Other animals include various species of monkeys, deer, peccaries, otters, coatis, snakes and more.
The zoo has received recognition for its work, including the Belize Tourism Board's 9th National Tourism Award for "Educational Award of the Year" in 2009. It is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Pearls can be obtained from the Belize Barrier Reef, which is one of the best diving venues in the world.
There are countless festivals, amazing cuisine, and lively clubs to investigate. This is an area that enjoys a leisurely way of life but also parties late into the night.
La Perla del Caribe is a great choice, offering everything you need to relax, including air conditioning, a mini-fridge, kitchenette, complimentary wifi, and even a work desk.
The villas offer lush gardens, a sparkling pool, a private dock, and a 500-foot beachfront. You can freely take off on a kayak or go diving or snorkeling, likely somewhere close to the Belize Barrier Reef.
There are countless things to do and see in Belize, including exploring Maya ruins and diving into the gorgeous natural beauty of the Great Blue Hole.
