Tiny, English-speaking Belize offers an amazing range of travel adventures. The country's Great Barrier Reef, largest in the Americas, runs for over 170 spectacular miles along Belize's Western Caribbean Coast.

Highlight for divers is the famed 400+ ft. deep Blue Hole. Inland many coastal mangroves and cool mountain pine highlands form natural sanctuaries of exotic plants, wildlife, and still contain the ruins of ancient Maya cities. New all-weather roads, including the recently paved Hummingbird Highway, now make once remote sites quick, easy drives.

The country's largest town is Belize City (Pop. 90,000+). Capital city is Belmopan, was recently relocated to the interior, and in 2002 is slated to be home of the country's long awaited National Archaeology Museum.

Highlights

Belize City: The English-speaking former capital of British Honduras
Maya Mountains: Pine forests, cascading waterfalls, adventure tours
The Barrier Reef: Diver's paradise that runs offshore the length of Belize
Blue Hole: 400 ft. deep cavern made world famous by Jacques Cousteau
Ambergris Caye: One of scores of Belize's idyllic Western Caribbean isles
Lost Cities: Explore ancient Mayan Altun Ha, Xunantunich and Caracol

Country Facts

Size: 8,867 sq. mi., about the size of Vermont.

Population: 250,000+.

Capital: Belmopan (pop.9,000).

Largest City: Belize City (pop.90,000).

Language: English is the official language. Spanish is also widely spoken as is Garifuna, Creole and Maya.

Electricity: Normally 110 volts, 60 cycles but some remaing 220 volts, 50 cycles. Often a voltage converter and two-prong plug adapter are necessary for U.S. appliances.

Religion: Roman Catholic, and many Protestant denominations.

Diving: World class SCUBA and skin diving are the feature of Belize's barrier reef. Major dive resorts are located on Ambergris.

Archaeology: Major sites including Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Caracol, Lamani, El Pilar (and several lesser known ruins) Visitors are often offered the opportunity to see on-site excavation in progress by archaeological teams.

Rare Flora Tours: Exotic orchids and bromeliads highlight plant collection and viewing tours throughout Belize.

Travel Facts

American Airlines offers daily, nonstop flights between Dallas-Ft. Worth & Miami and Belize City. There's also an increasingly popular, low cost, scheduled bus service from Cancun, Mexico (via Chetumal) to Belize. There is now a good, all-weather road from the Guatemala border that links the Belize border with Tikal in less than 2 hours drive time. Topic Air is the leading domestic airline. Tropic is based on Ambergris Caye, and serves Belize City, Corozal, Caye Caulker, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, an also offers international flights between Belize City and Flores, Guatemala (the airport serving Tikal).

City Codes

BZE: Belize City (international airport)

TZA: Belize City (domestic airport)

SPR: San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)

Entry requirements: Valid U.S. passport.

Taxes/Surcharges: International departure tax: $10.

Hotel taxes and service charge: 5%.

Tipping: Usually not included on a restaurant bill; normally 10 to 15% additional.

Currency: Belize Dollar. Exchange is widely available in hotels, banks and businesses. Banking hours: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Shopping: Handicrafts include woodcarvings and straw objects. Albert and Queen Streets in Belize City offer wide selection. Also popular is the downtown National Handicraft Center on Fort Street.

Food and Drink: Excellent seafood featuring lobster tops most menus. Local dishes include meals of rice, beans and tamales (cornmeal with fish wrapped and baked in leaves). A local country favorite is Cow Foot Soup. The national drink is rum, which is good, as is the locally brewed Beliken Beer.

Getting Around

There is extensive air taxi service to all points within the country. No town or village is further than 25 minutes by air from Belize City. Hourly connections to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) are available via two local carriers from Belize City. Distances are manageable and car rental is a suitable alternative. Water taxis also link Belize City with the barrier reef islands.

Belize City: A remnant of its days as British Honduras, Belize City was the Crown Colony's former capital and survives today as Belize's largest city. Since its independence from Britain in 1978, when the capital was moved to Belmopan, Belize City has remained the commercial and administrative center of the country as well as the international air gateway. The city is located on a small peninsula on the Caribbean. From here all points within the country are easily reached via domestic air or road system. Accommodations are good, and range from four star to backpacker inns. City sightseeing is limited. Nevertheless, Belize City still offers the visitor an interesting blend of Afro-Caribbean culture. From Belize City day exceptional trips can be made to all major points within the country including most of the country's protected areas.

To The North:
The following nearby sites can be combined in a one-day excursion from Belize City: Altun Ha: Just 30 miles north of Belize City is Altun Ha, a small but significant post-classic Mayan archaeological site. Here the world's largest jade carving was found which weighs over 10 pounds and is housed in a vault in capital city Belmopan (and should be on display at the new museum in 2002). Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: Thirty five miles from Belize City this popular visitor destination features exotic plants, tropical flowers and butterflies. Trail and boat tours are offered.

Bermudian Landing Community Baboon Sanctuary: Started as a cooperative project with the help and financial assistance of the Milwaukee Zoo and World Wildlife Fund, the Baboon Sanctuary on the Belize River protects the endemic Black Howler Monkey.

To The West:
The Belize Zoo: En route west from Belize City toward San Ignacio one soon reaches this excellent, small zoo containing over 100 species of the wildlife found within the country. The zoo is a very rewarding half-day excursion from Belize City. Belmopan: The new capital of the country will warrant a stop to visit the national archaeological collection when it opens in 2002.

San Ignacio Area: On the border with Guatemala, the San Ignacio area offers the special interest traveler an exciting array of opportunities. Jungle lodges and adventure camps abound in the area. Bird watching, hiking, float trips, and seminars in the use of Indian herbal medicines are just a few of the eclectic activities offered at the camps. Budget hotel accommodations are available in the town of San Ignacio, and several excellent cottage resorts are nearby. From here good all-weather roads connects the area with neighboring Guatemala and the ruins of Tikal.

Xunantunich: On the outskirts of San Igancio, 80 mi. west of Belize City, and reached by hand-operated river ferry, stands the classic Mayan site Xunantunich. The main pyramid's ornate roof-comb can be seen rising above the jungle floor for miles. Well worth a visit!

To The South:
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: Nestled in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, this sanctuary is one of the last remaining natural habitats of the jaguar. Here one may climb 3,675 ft. Victoria Peak, Belize's highest mountain.

Mountain Pine Ridge: Very few expect to find cool green mountains and cascading waterfalls in Belize - but they'fre here! The Mountain Pine Ridge region is unique in that it's the only pine forest in Central America, and houses hundreds of species of migratory birds. In addition, visitors will delight in finding fascinating caves and spectacular waterfalls that plummet 1,000 feet over jungle cliffs. The recently excavated ruins of Caracol are also a major attraction, but the poorly maintained access road can be an adventure.

Placencia: Far south along the coast this is still a quiet, unspoiled, rustic beachfront resort, but go soon for it's fast growing in popularity.

To the East:
Ambergris Caye: The Barrier Reef coast of Belize has earned the reputation of being one of the world's finest dive sites. Ambergris Caye, the most developed of the reef's off-shore isles and cayes, is 36 miles from Belize City and offers a wide range of accommodations for both the diver and sun-seeker. The 20 min. flights connecting the island with Belize City operate frequently every day. San Pedro, the lone village on Ambergris, has charter boats available for diving and fishing. The underwater Hol Chan Marine Park is also accessible from Ambergris. Accommodations are good and range from four star resort properties to funky island inns.

Caye Caulker & Caye Chapel: All along the famed Barrier Reef, which runs the entire length of the country, many other islands (accessible by water taxi from Belize City) are becoming increasingly popular with divers and deep sea fisherman. They include Caye Caulker, the Turneffe Islands, and Half Moon Caye. Nearby are Lighthouse Reef and the incredible 400 ft. deep, stalactite filled "Blue Hole" first explored by Jacques Costeau.

Diving: World class SCUBA and skin diving are the feature of Belize's barrier reef. Major dive resorts are located on Ambergris.

Archaeology: Major sites including Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Caracol, Lamani, El Pilar (and several lesser known ruins) Visitors are often offered the opportunity to see on-site excavation in progress by archaeological teams.

Rare Flora Tours: Exotic orchids and bromeliads highlight plant collection and viewing tours throughout Belize.

Weather

Most of Belize is part of the limestone flat lands that becomes Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The highlands of the southwest interior contain pine forests, mountains, and waterfalls. Dress is very casual and comfortable, especially on the islands. Weather is tropical year 'round throughout the country. Belize lies within the track of Western Caribbean hurricanes.

Websites

Host: Belize Tourist Board

Site: http://www.travelbelize.org

Features: Location & maps, history, culture, geography, things to see & do, Getting here & around, places to stay. travel tips, online tour.

Tel: 800 624-0686

Also Check: http://www.belize.net