Belize
Belize where ten different cultures meet! With fertile savannas and mountains, utmost genuine hospitality and breathtaking natural beauty Belize invites travelers and adventure seekers to its wondrous lands to spend colorful vacations in an always smiling atmosphere Belize offers a myriad of exciting adventurous possibilities from picturesque rivers and spectacular cascading waterfalls to majestic limestone caves that beckon you to canoe, cave tube and bird watch, to sun-kissed lovely beaches to relax and laze out. There is so much 'to see' and 'to do' that you'll simply be amazed in the variety.Located in Central America, north of Honduras and south of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, Belize is a small nation with total area of 22,960 sq km and housing a population of less than 300,000. The terrain of the country is mountainous and hilly with the highest point Victoria Peak soaring 1,160 m above sea level in the Cockscomb Mountains. The coastline is flat and swampy featuring many lagoons, especially in the northern and central parts of the country. More than 50% of Belize is covered by tropical rainforest dissected by a network of rivers mostly small in length. The country is divided into six districts, including Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo.
Belize enjoys a subtropical climate and is characterized with two seasons: the dry season that's lasts from November to May, and the wet season that is from June to October. Average temperatures in the coastal regions hover between 24°C in January and 27°C in July.
Ambergris Caye, that for centuries has been the hub of Belizean area maritime trade, is the largest island and the main getaway for travelers to this western Caribbean slice of paradise. Only half a mile from the Belize Barrier reef, Ambergris Caye is an ideal world-class destination for water related activities, including swimming, parasailing, fishing, jet-skiing, and windsurfing. There is also a wide range of land adventures, like nature hiking, biking and trekking. Here you will find accommodation and dining options to suit any need and all budget levels. During the 17th century Ambergris Caye was a favorite refuge for English pirates. The picture-postcard town of San Pedro is the major settlement on the island, offering comfortable, shorts-and-sandals seaside vacations in low rise hotels and bungalow style resorts with modern conveniences and facilities.
The 185 mile long barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, second in size to the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coastline of Australia, is a World Heritage Site and one of the main attractions in Belize, ideal for diving. People come here to explore the truly ancient mysteries of Maya sites such as Altun Ha or Lamanai, to learn about fascinating Belize wildlife, try Belize traditional food and Go Island hopping in at least several of about 200 Belize islands, cayes and atolls. Caracol is the single largest archeological site in Belize and one of the biggest Mayan structures that is worth a visit. Other attractions in Belize include Caye Caulker, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Lighthouse Reef, the beautiful Macal River and much more.
Belizean incredible adventure travel remains one of the world's great experiences with hundreds of Maya archaeological sites, rainforests full of rich flora and fauna and a majestic reef dotted with hundreds of islands teeming with tropical underwater world.
Things to do in Belize
The island hosts the largest Barrier reef in the western hemisphere, the big Blue Hole, offering 185 meandering miles of unspoiled beauty, something you will remember for the rest of your life. In the central part of the island you can explore the historic Mayan ruins, visit spectacular waterfalls and raft in one of the island's many rivers, while the southern part of the island is where you will find lush tropical rainforest full of diverse species of plants, like ferns, palms, lianas, birds and wildlife. Vacation in Belize means stunning beaches, fine dining options, luxury accommodation and a large variety of 'to do' and 'to see' things.The Cayo District, known as the adventurous hub of Belize, is where many travelers head if they are looking for some of the best the mainland has to offer. Spanning more than two thousand sq miles across diverse terrain, Cayo boasts a vast array of jungle rainforests, picturesque rivers, cascading waterfalls, limestone caves, an extensive number of archeological sites and a growing number of accommodation options to suit any budget. There are several ways to experience Cayo include, hiking, canoeing and horseback riding. What will surround you in Cayo are the everlasting vistas of stunning beauty that will turn an ordinary vacation into a trip to long a lifetime. Top visit attractions in Cayo include Hidden Valley or Thousand Foo Falls, the highest waterfall in Central America, Belize Botanical Gardens, a true precious jewel for nature enthusiasts, Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, home to Actun Tunichil Munkal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre) and the Mayan ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, El Pilar and Cahal Pech.
Belize offers great Scuba Diving experiences, dazzling tourists from all over the globe. People come to explore the underwater world filled with shallow coral gardens, colorful fish, vibrant sponges and other interesting marine habitats. Ambergris Caye is the most popular attraction in Belize where you will find unbelievably superb diving and snorkeling conditions. Excellent weather combined with clear warm waters and accessibility to such dive sites as Turneffe Islands and Lighthouse Reef will make your diving adventure unforgettable. From shore diving in shallow water to the Great Blue Hole at over 200 feet deep, both beginners and advanced divers will enjoy the marine life at its best.
Other Belize vacation activities popular among tourists include birding, with the unique opportunity to observe hundreds of different species of birds, including Frigate birds, Pelicans and brown Bobbies; canoeing/kayaking, which are very common and rewarding activities ideal for witnessing the natural beauty of the island from a different point of view; caving in limestone formations of archeological significance and fishing. There are few places on earth that are small in size and with no shortage of adventurous activities and diversity of landscapes, and Belize is one of them.
Belize Hotels and Resorts
Belize is a truly laid-back unassuming dreamscape destination, and the hotels are certainly places where you can relax to your heart's content. Perfect for both budget and luxury travelers, Belize hotels promise excellent amenities and facilities, authentic gourmet cuisine, spa activities, a plethora of fun activities to indulge in, warm welcoming hospitality and world-class service. The best thing about Belize luxury hotels is that they are usually close to historical and eco-adventure attractions and can organize tours for you. Belize hotels are ideal for business travelers (Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina), honeymooners seeking exceptional service (Hidden Valley Inn), families with kids (Villas at Banyan Bay) and all kind of holiday makers in search of authentic relaxation. Top places to find a Belize luxury hotel are Belize City, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and San Ignacio.Situated in the historic Fort George area of Belize City, the newly renovated Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina is a colonial-style hotel overlooking the Caribbean. The premier hotel of Belize City, Radisson Fort George Hotel boasts 102 deluxe air conditioned rooms with the utmost facilities and amenities. Some rooms have balconies with ocean view. The hotel is ideally located close to markets, restaurants and business areas. The hotel boasts excellent meeting facilities, including five conference rooms and one boardroom, with carefully selected menus and banqueting options.
The hotel also features fitness facility, on-site restaurant, two elegantly designed swimming pools, outdoor Jacuzzi, dive shop, bars and café, gambling facilities, kids programs, concierge services, baby sitting or Chile Care. The full service Marina provides all docking services with the unique opportunity to experience the barrier reef and its beautiful islands through a host of fabulous inland tours. Recreation activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, birding and fishing. The hotel's dedicated multilingual staff has done all to make your stay a comfortable experience.
Princes Hotel & Casino is another luxurious getaway ideal for business and leisure travelers, offering first-class accommodations and luxury service. Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, the hotel boasts 181 spacious rooms, a private marina, casino, cinema and entertainment centre, fitness facility, massage centre, game rooms, sport facilities, tour desk and arcade centre. All rooms are air conditioned with in-room safe, direct-dial telephones, ceiling fans, satellite/cable TV and internet access. Mexican, Indian, Belizean and Chinese food is served in the open buffet. The Princess Marina offers fine diving opportunities to explore the nearby coral walls while swimming beside turtles and other marine habitats. And if it's gambling you want, the hotel's Las Vegas-style casino offers 400 gambling machines, plus a variety of table games. Enjoy the old world charm of Belizean hospitality and return with unforgettable memories.
Located on North Beach, Ambergris Caye, the stunning Azul Hotel & Beach Resort is one of the newest and most talked about boutique resorts in Belize featuring a new level of relaxed luxury. This most exclusive lodging boasts a cluster of buildings with two dazzlingly white private villas on either side of a palm-shaded round infinity pool, designed with unique local hardwoods. The interiors are filled with light, space and the utmost amenities you can ever imagine to make your stay comfortable, including daily maid service, gourmet espresso machines, flat screen TVs, broadband Wi-Fi high speed internet connection, local cell phone and ibook for use throughout your stay, tea/coffee making facilities and luxury bathrooms. The resort is famous for its Rojo Lounge and Restaurant that attracts guests from all over the island who come to experience the island's best cuisine. A full range of ocean and inland activities are available, and if you want something more than adventurous you can charter a private helicopter and head to Belize's archeological sites and natural attractions.
Coco Plum Island Resort is an intimate private island getaway offering to enjoy the natural wonders of Belize at its best. Spread over 16 acres Coco Plum Island Resort features ten oceanfront cabanas where you will get a complete unique island experience. Each cabana a wide veranda, complete with a hammock, and a host of amenities like combo bath facility, ceiling fan, private bathrooms with tub-shower, hot water and air conditioning, as well as delicious American and Belizean style dishes. In this fabulous full service romantic setting you will have the unique opportunity to plan your wedding or honeymoon, as well as special anniversaries creating memories to remember forever. The waters around the island are crystal clear and absolutely breathtaking offering loads of water0based adventures, including diving, kayaking, swimming, fishing, surfing and snorkeling. And if quietude and tranquility you seek, simply relax on the beach listening to the sounds of the waves and enjoying the cool tropical breezes. Keep in mind that the resort was built with the guests' comfort in mind.
Other famous resorts worth a stay include Xanadu Island Resort, Mata Chica Beach Resort, Banana Beach Resort and others. Stay in one of the luxury resorts of Belize and discover the island paradise in an unbelievably beautiful atmosphere.