For travelers interested in the environment, Belize's rich geography includes rugged mountain ranges, dense tropical rainforests, lush interior jungles, and natural beaches. Fabled jaguars, playful howler monkeys and hundreds of species of exotic birds and butterflies make their home here, too. No matter where you stay in this colorful country, you'll enjoy a warm-hearted welcome from the accommodating locals. Belize City makes an excellent base for discovering both inland areas and outer cayes. If your idea of a perfect vacation means taking it slow and easy, Ambergris Caye offers sunny palm-fringed beaches, plus great diving, fishing, and bird-watching.

There are many reasons for U.S. travelers to visit Belize, one being the Belizeans themselves, a gentle people with a keen sense of humor and a casual style of living. Half the population is Creole, the descendants of African slaves that deeply identify with the English-speaking Caribbean. There is also a generous amount of mixed-ancestry Mestizos, followed by the Garifuna, Mennonites and Maya. There are also a growing population of Chinese and Middle Easterners as well as Hindu people. Only a few pure-blooded descendants of the original English settlers (Belize was an English colony until 1981) remain in the country. Adding to the mix are many U.S. expatriates who have chosen to live in Belize.

The Barrier Reef

Belize fronts the second largest barrier reef in the world, a gigantic living wall of corals that runs the length of the country (it actually runs 185 miles from the tip of the Yucatan peninsula to the Bay Islands in Honduras). Gardens of coral and sponges sway in the current, creating a kaleidoscope of colors under the surface of the Caribbean Sea. It shelters a significant amount of marine life, including 400 species of fish, three spectacular atolls, seven marine parks that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, 200 off-shore cayes and an endless array of choice diving sites, including the famous Blue Hole. Shallow, sandy waters dotted with the idyllic palm-fringed cayes extend between the reef and the mainland.

Ambergris Caye

The largest of all the cayes, Ambergris is a 20-mile-long and 2-mile-wide tropical island that is cooled by the trade winds. Golf carts, bicycles or just walking are the preferred mode of transportation in the town of San Pedro, where motorcars are a rarity. San Pedro, the only town in the island, has one small airport, and one street covered with hard sand. It exudes the quaint atmosphere of a laid-back Caribbean town with several accommodation options, restaurants, bars, shops and friendly people. To the north and south of town the island stretches under waving palm trees sheltering secluded resorts that specialize in fishing and diving. The more remote lands of Ambergris are protected reserves that shelter endangered species such the sea turtles that swim ashore from far-off places to lay their eggs in the sand. Estuaries are a haven for hundreds of birds, including ospreys that dive for fish in the water. Sportfishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and manatee watching are among the most popular activities here. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley, a short distance away from the caye by boat, are fantastic sites for diving, snorkeling or swimming with the marine life, including the harmless nurse sharks. San Pedro is accessible by boat from Belize City. Direct air on small aircraft is also available.

Caye Caulker

Just south of Ambergris, slow-paced Caye Caulker—offering budget-type accommodations—is a great place to relax on the beach while getting acquainted with Belize’s Creole and Mestizo cultures, customs and traditions.

Tours to different parts of the island are available, including to The Split, a channel created by Hurricane Hattie in 1961 that divides the caye in half and has become a popular spot for sunbathers and swimmers. Diving, snorkeling, fishing, island trekking, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, bird watching, manatee watching and eco-tours are popular activities here.

Northern Belize

Bordering Mexico, this part of Belize extends over the districts of Orange Walk and Corozal. Impressive Lamanai (literally translated into "submerged crocodile"), the only Mayan ceremonial center that was still inhabited when the Spaniards "discovered" the New World, rises over the New River Lagoon. One can only imagine the awe this sight inspired on the group of Spanish explorers as they gazed on this Mayan city from their ships after sailing on the New River from the Caribbean. The Mayan and Spanish cultures predominate in this part of the country, which is also populated by families of Mennonite farmers that adhere to a simple 19th century way of life. The lovely landscape extends through rainforests, coastal lagoons and rivers that are partly covered by blankets of water lilies. Manatees also thrive in this habitat.

Belize District

Belize City, fronting the Caribbean Sea, is the heart of this district, which harbors several wildlife sanctuaries: the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the jabiru stork, the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere; the Belize Zoo, which displays endemic species including ocelots, jaguars, red macaws and more; and the Community Baboon Sanctuary, home to black howler monkeys. About 31 miles from Belize City on the old Northern Highway, Altun-Ha (meaning "water on the rock") was probably a trading center more than a ceremonial site. About eight miles from the coast, Altun-Ha is also home to a variety of tropical birds. The site was inhabited from 1,000 B.C. to A.D. 900. A huge jade head, found in one of the royal tombs, is probably the site’s most noted find. It can be seen by appointment at the Department of Archaeology in Belmopan, the capital. Belize City offers several first-rate accommodations and attractions, including the Government House, arts and crafts shops, and the Swing Bridge, a historic colonial bridge that is manually operated twice a day.

Cayo District

Located in the western interior of Belize, the Cayo District of Belize extends over an ecologically rich terrain of lovely rivers and waterfalls, as well as caves that hide many Mayan artifacts left there by the ancients centuries ago. Many of Belize’s most spectacular Mayan sites, such as Xunantunich, Cal Pech and Caracol, are located in this area. There is an array of accommodation options, from luxury to budget including jungle lodges and small hotels. Some lodgings offer a distinct style of rustic elegance, featuring tasteful decor and spa facilities. Belmopan is located on the east side of Cayo, while to the west, near the border with Guatemala, the quaint town of San Ignacio sits on the banks of the Macal River. Seven miles from town, on the banks of the same river, the Ix Chel farm (the name refers to the Mayan goddess of healing) offers a display of medicinal plants along the Rainforest Medicinal Trail that winds through a living garden of natural remedies.

Stann Creek

This district in southern Belize is ideal for travelers who want to discover lesser-known destinations both inland and offshore. Traveling towards the coast from Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway to the town of Dangriga, travelers will encounter breathtaking vistas of lush rainforest and the Maya Mountains beyond. Enveloped in rich tradition, Dangriga is the historic home of the Garifuna people. Coral reefs, cayes and coastal towns invite visitors to snorkel, fish or just interact with the locals and learn more about their rich Afro-Antillean culture, cuisine and music. Twenty miles southwest from town, under the rugged peaks of the Maya Mountains, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Jaguar Reserve extends over 100,000 acres in one of the most beautiful tropical rainforests in the world. A maze of trails, creeks and tributaries crisscross the reserve, which is a protected habitat for the jaguar. With about 500 of these felines, Cockscomb brags the highest density of jaguars recorded anywhere in the world. A varied ecosystem also protects other species such as the ocelot and the puma. In addition, about 290 species of birds have been recorded here. More than 12 miles of trails allow visitors to hike, take a dip in a clear-water creek, or maybe catch a glimpse of the elusive jaguar. Basic dormitory-style accommodations are available inside the reserve. A permit required to visit the reserve can be obtained at the site headquarters or through the Belize Audubon Society.

Placencia

Three miles of remote beaches and sparkling blue waters are among Placencia’s coastal treasures. The waters are deep around this lovely peninsula and dolphins can sometimes be seen frolicking close to shore. Accommodations here range from luxurious to basic, and dive shops and fishing charters abound. While diving, fishing, snorkeling or just sunbathing and relaxing are ideal ways to spend the days, the nights offer an opportunity to explore the local entertainment options and sample the local cuisine.

Toledo District

Extending for about 1,700 sq. miles of land in southern Belize, Toledo offers an astounding variety of wild life and flora and fauna. The Mopan and Ketchi Maya mostly influence the district’s culture. Near the towns of San Antonio and Punta Gorda, the ancient Mayan cities of Labaantun and Nim Li Punit are a testament to this past, which is shared by Guatemala just across the border. Intricate cave systems and pristine rainforests headline a long list of attractions, including lagoons, rivers, creeks and cayes.

Fast Facts

Capital city: Belmopan

Population: 250,000

Cities of interest: Belize City, Placencia, Orange Walk Town

Currency: Belize dollar

Entry requirements: U.S. tourists need a valid passport for a 30-day visit

Taxes: $35 departure tax, including a security tax and Conservation Trust fee

International airport: Philip S.W. Goldson (Belize City)

Domestic airlines: Tropic Air, Maya Island Air

Country telephone code: 501

Tourism information: Belize Tourism Board (BTB), (800) 624-0686; www.travelbelize.org

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