Barrel Bum's Belizean Hideout

Burrell Boom is a peaceful riverside community in Belize, located approximately sixteen miles north of the country's international airport. This tranquil area epitomises rural Belize, where residents coexist harmoniously with the unspoiled natural environment. Burrell Boom is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including multicoloured tropical birds such as yellow-headed parrots, red-headed woodpeckers, yellow-tailed orioles, and various types of hummingbirds and herons. The village is also famous for its fruit wines and preserves, crafted from organic ingredients locally sourced from the surrounding orchards, marshlands, and riverbanks.

Burrell Boom is a tranquil riverside community located 16 miles north of Belize's international airport

The village is named after the heavy chains, or "booms," that were stretched across the river to collect mahogany logs floated downstream from upstream logging activities. Burrell Boom served as a gathering and milling point for loggers during the 18th century, contributing to its growth. Today, visitors can still see original booms and logging equipment in the Burrell Boom Park at the heart of the village.

Burrell Boom boasts a tropical monsoon climate and is known for its tranquil setting, making it a popular destination for nature lovers. The village is just a few miles from the Community Baboon Sanctuary, where over 2,000 black howler monkeys reside. The village's proximity to the sanctuary makes it an ideal spot for tourists passing through to enjoy bird watching, canoeing, and wildlife spotting.

Despite its serene atmosphere, Burrell Boom is conveniently located only 15 minutes away from the international airport in Belize City. This accessibility, coupled with its natural allure, makes Burrell Boom a desirable base for exploring the rest of the country. Visitors can enjoy the village's local fruits and wines, such as sweet berry and cashew wines, while immersing themselves in the unspoiled natural surroundings.

In addition to its natural attractions, Burrell Boom offers a glimpse into its religious history. The village is home to both Methodist and Catholic elementary schools, and on Good Friday, the Anglican, Methodist, and Catholic communities unite for an ecumenical service that rotates among the churches. Burrell Boom's improvement in road connections has brought greater prominence to the village, making it a must-visit destination when exploring Belize.

Belize is a two-hour flight from Miami and a three-hour flight from Atlanta

Belize is a small country located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, just southwest of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. With a population of around 270,000 to 397,483 people, it is a peaceful nation boasting a diverse range of cultures and natural wonders. It is also conveniently accessible from major US cities like Miami and Atlanta.

Belize is just a two-hour flight from Miami, Florida. The distance between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City is approximately 772 miles or 1,242 kilometres. This convenient travel time makes Belize an attractive destination for Americans seeking a quick tropical getaway.

American Airlines offers non-stop flights from Miami to Belize City, with an average flight time of around 2 hours and 21 minutes to 2 hours and 29 minutes. These flights provide easy access to Belize's beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and ancient Mayan ruins.

For travellers coming from Atlanta, Georgia, Belize is a three-hour flight away. The flight duration is approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, or 2 hours and 50 minutes according to another source. While slightly farther than Miami, Atlanta still offers convenient access to Belize's natural and cultural attractions.

Whether arriving from Miami or Atlanta, visitors can quickly find themselves exploring ancient Mayan cities, snorkelling along the Belize Barrier Reef, or relaxing on pristine beaches. Burrell Boom, a tranquil community located north of the Belize International Airport, showcases the country's natural beauty and cultural charm. With its lush vegetation, abundant wildlife, and traditional fruit wineries, Burrell Boom offers a glimpse into the unique "Belizean identity".

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east

Belize is a small country with a population of approximately 410,990 people and an area of 22,960 square kilometres (8,867 square miles). The country is known for its diverse cultures and languages, with English as the official language and Belizean Creole as the most widely spoken dialect. The country has a rich history, having been influenced by the Maya civilization, European colonisation, and waves of immigration from various parts of the world.

The northern part of Belize consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains with diverse flora and fauna. The southern part of the country is home to the Maya Mountains, a rugged mountain range with the highest point in Belize being Doyle's Delight at 1,124 metres (3,688 feet). The country also boasts the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef, which attracts tourists for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Belize has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The country experiences hurricanes and storms, with some causing significant damage and devastation over the years. The Belizean economy is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and merchandising, with a growing focus on ecotourism to showcase the country's natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.

Belize is the only Central American country with English as its official language

Belize is a country situated on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is the only Central American country with English as its official language. The country has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as its diverse ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. The country has a land area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 410,990 (2022). Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide, making it the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.

Belize has a rich history that dates back to the Maya civilization, which spread into the area between 1500 BC and AD 300. European contact began in 1502–04 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. English settlers began exploring the area in 1638, and Spain and Britain both laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798. Belize became a British colony in 1840 and achieved independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981.

The country is known for its extreme biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems. The coast features a swampy coastal plain with mangrove swamps, while the south and interior regions have hills and low mountains. Belize is home to many jungles, wildlife reserves, and a vast array of flora and fauna species, including the black orchid, the mahogany tree, the toucan, and tapirs.

Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language. However, Belizean Creole, or Kriol, is the most widely spoken dialect in the country. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. Over half of the population is multilingual due to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of its people.

Belize is a melting pot of cultures, with a diverse society that includes Maya, Mestizo, Kriol, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab, and Chinese communities. The country has a strong commitment to preserving its unique charms, and its people are known for their warm hospitality and friendly nature.

Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world

Burrell Boom is a tranquil riverside community in Belize, located approximately sixteen miles north of the country's international airport. The area epitomises rural Belize, where residents coexist peacefully with the unspoiled natural environment. Belize is a small country situated on the northeastern coast of Central America, just southwest of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With a population of around 410,990 people, Belize is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.

Belize boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, including nearly 600 species of birds and over 5,000 species of plants. The country is also home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef. This reef system is a significant tourist attraction, popular for scuba diving and snorkelling, and it plays a vital role in the country's fishing industry.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometre-long (190-mile) section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which extends from Cancun in Mexico to Honduras. Within Belize, the reef lies roughly 300 metres (980 feet) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 miles) in the south. It is part of a larger reef system that forms the second-largest coral reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Belize Barrier Reef is renowned for its biodiversity, hosting an array of plant and animal species. It is home to 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. However, the reef faces various threats, including oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Despite these challenges, Belize has taken steps to protect its fragile ecosystem, including banning bottom trawling and offshore oil drilling within a certain distance of the reef.

In addition to its impressive barrier reef, Belize also features three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. These atolls contribute to the country's diverse scuba diving opportunities, offering walls, pinnacles, and reef flats for exploration.

The Belize Barrier Reef is not just a natural wonder but also a significant economic asset for the country. It attracts tourists from around the world, contributes to the fishing industry, and supports the local communities. The reef's protection and preservation are crucial for the long-term sustainability of this fragile ecosystem and the well-being of Belize.

Frequently asked questions