Belize

Mayan Ruins in Belize

Xunantunich

Close to Guatemala you can stay in the Cayo district and do this Mayan site. For more detail visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xunantunich

Caracol

, again in the Cayo region the largest and still not fully uncovered of Mayan ruins in Belize. The main largest temple or structure is Canna at 143 feet high and that after the site being on a plateu.

Tikal (Guatemala)

One of the more famous Mayan ruins not in Belize but accesible via Belize is Tikal. You can get overnight trips from the jungle lodges in Cayo. It was one of the more important Mayan cities and it takes a full day to appreciate it's excavations.

Lamanai

Located in the north of Belize in Orange Walk is Lamanai meaning submerged Crocodile. It has a spectacular location on a lagoon. You can get access and stay at Lamanai Outpost Lodge.

Lubaantun - Nim Li Punit

Acces via Punta Gorda or Placencia if you may be in the South of Belize - Toledo district. The largest recovered stelae in Belize was found here in this thought to be ceremonial ancient city. Ball courts and Plazas and the ever present howler monkeys too !

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The Complete Belize Travel Guide

Antigua & Barbuda FlagBelize is well Known for its scuba diving due to it hosting the worlds second largest barrier reef but also lesser known is that it has three out of the four coral atolls in the western hemisphere ! One of these is most famously known as the Blue Hole. It also has Mayan ruins and jungles and rivers that can be toured from Belize city. The offshore Cays , Ambergris and Caulker allow access to over 100 dive sites in addition to the Atols. You might not find any central american country to really host the best caribbean resorts but you can sure find luxury resorts in Belize.

Diving is usually done from resorts on the Cays or liveaboards. There are walls wrecks, caves, pinnacles coral gardens and faroes. Visibility is generally very good exceeding 100 ft.

The Blue Hole: At over 1000ft across and more than 400 feet deep has a cavern with stalagmites and stlactites - this is an advanced dive.

FYI the fourth Atoll in the western hemisphere is off Mexico's Yucatan peninsular south east called Chinchorro Banks.

When to Go April to June has the most predictable weather, waters are warm year round but can get choppy with swells in winter. The Barrier Reefis calm year round mostly.


Related Belize travel sites you might like.

http://belizeadventure.com/

http://www.naturallybelize.co.uk/


Overheard:

"I didn't think the reef was comparable to that of Roatan" - Bob - USA Cruise Shipper.

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Belize Resorts Map

Click on the Icons scattered around the map of Belize to learn more about what's available to do in Belize !

Submit your resort, dive site, or caribbean related business with a location and it will appear on this map which also means that it will go into the Caribbean Islands facebook application or check it out directly here http://apps.facebook.com/caribbeanislands/.

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Belze Tours Attractions and Things To Do

The following activities are available as attractions in Belize


Scuba Diving

See our diving shops in Belize or our detailed Belize scuba diving guide.

Golf A guide to the courses in Belize


Weddings ! Get Married in Belize ! 


Deep sea fishing

From 700 USD per day you can go out fishing for tuna wahoo, dolphin fish (mahe mahe not dolphins) swordfish and marlin to name a few.


Sailing


Para-sailing, Windsurfing, Water-skiing


Sightseeing


Hiking / Walking


Birdwatching

Swimming With the Dolphins

Belize Special Events

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Belize-Travel Ask A Local

Travel to The Hidden World of Belize

Most people have heard of Belize , but most consider Belize to be a small third world country in Central America. And no one would consider Belize to be a major tourist destination for those seeking the ultimate tropical experience. Maybe a closer look at Belize will reveal a hidden gem in the maze of all the various tropical opportunities available.

Most people looking for a tropical experience think first of the Caribbean Islands from the Virgin Islands to Argentina, the Hawaiian islands, the other Pacific islands, or the other more notable islands catered to by the main stream tropical adventurers. The locals of Belize would have you know their tropical paradise is second to none.

If you are looking to enjoy a tropical experience, and want to save quite a bit from the cost that a typical tropical adventure would cost, consider Belize. This is not to say that Belize is a second class destination, but Belize is a location much overlooked. If you travel to Belize you will have a host of travel options and surely you will not be disappointed if you decide to go there, and you may be truly amazed.

Belize is a tropical country situated on the eastern coast of Central America. You will find Belize right below Mexico facing the Caribbean Sea. Belize has the second longest barrier reef in the world. Belize's reef is second only to Australia's Great barrier reef. Belize's amazing barrier reef creates some of the best deep-sea fishing, skin diving and snorkeling in the world. It's mainlands consist of tropical rivers and exotic jungles.

One of the great attractions of Belize is that the local language is English, even though the country is located in Spanish Central America. Once a British Colony, Belize was granted its independence in 1964 from Great Britain. Belize is also relatively close for most Americans, compared to other tropical destinations . Belize is roughly a two hour flight out of Houston, and Belize City is serviced by several major international carriers. Belize is also a relatively short boat ride to southern Mexico and Cancun, Mexico. Many of the locals of Belize actually travel by boat or car to southern Mexico on a regular basis to shop and trade.

Belize has far more territory for the average tourist to cover on a short vacation than what you will find on most tropical islands. The mainland has the capital, Belize City, an international seaport. Belize City is actually about the size of a mid-size city in the United States, with considerable poverty and crime. Belize City doesn't have much to offer for a traveler. Most travelers will have to travel to Belize City first, as Belize City is the entry point to Belize. South of Belize City is the mainland consisting of small tropical villages, and along the eastern caribbean coast you will find quaint coastal villages and gentle beaches. The interior offers the tropical jungles and the pre-historic Mayan ruins, and adventurers can find many caves, tropical rivers, exotic animals and quaint villages to explore throughout the mainland.

For the typical tropical island experience most travelers head directly out of Belize City to one of the cays (small islands) just off Belize's eastern borders in the Caribbean Sea. You can arrive at these small cays by boat or plane. The trip is a one hour boat ride out of Belize City or a twenty minute plane ride on a small plane. These small cays are the base for most travelers coming to Belize to either skin dive or enjoy the great deep sea fishing, as the barrier reef is just within sight of the shores of these small island cays.

The two main cays along the barrier reef are Caye Caulker, a small quaint island with modest accommodations and modest cafes. The main cay that most tourist end up settling is called Ambergris Cay. San Pedro is the main and only town on Ambergris Cay, and actually San Pedro is the biggest part of the island. On Ambergris Cay you can find all range of accommodations, from a small very inexpensive hotel right on the ocean, to luxury resorts and condos, and likewise with restaurants and cafes. Being somewhat different than most tropical islands, most accommodations on the cays are right on the ocean. The beaches are scattered with quaint bars and nice cafes that offer very good food at reasonable prices. There is always a live local band close by every night. Everything is very close and very easy to reach. The locals and tourist actually travel for the most part by golf carts on the sandy narrow roads.

If you set up base in one of the two cays mentioned, you are probably planning on spending some time fishing, snorkeling or skin diving. To go to Belize and not spend some time exploring Belize's maginificent barrier reef would truly be a great opportunity missed.The aquatic life along this reef is amazing and beyond words. In the town of San Pedro you will find a number of charter operations to take you to the barrier reef to skin dive, snorkel or deep sea fish. Depending on your budget, the prices are more than reasonable even for the top class charters and unbelievable low for the lower end charters, who may just pick you up in only a twelve foot boat.

Belize has much to offer to a tropical adventurer. Whether you just want to relax and enjoy the sun and surf, or whether you traveled there to conquer the magnificent barrier reef and catch the big marlin, Belize is inexpensive, the locals speak English and they are friendly. Belize is just a short flight from the mainland, and the life is easy. If you go, just remember to ask a local travel guide first.

D. Burlison,JD, Belize traveler. for free local travel advice ,just go to: http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

About the Author

Attorney 25 years. Author and World Traveler..Former Resident US Virgin Islands.

Belize articles and information

 
 

Best Belize

Size : 23,300 square miles
Population : 288,000
Main City : Belize City
Language : English, Belizian Creole and Spanish
Currency : Belize Dollar 1 USD = 2 BZD at current rates, though wikipedia state its pegged to the us dollar.

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