About Belize - Mother Natures best kept secret!

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	General Overview of Belize		About Cayo
	Caves, Jungles and Mayan Ruins		About Placencia
	Diving, Snorkeling and Fishing		About Toledo
	About Ambergris Caye		About the Outer Cayes & Atolls
	About Hopkins Village

General Overview of Belize

Belize is a relatively small country with a total population of approximately 239,000. Bordered on the north by Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west and south by Guatemala. Belize is the only country in the world able to boast that in a single day it’s possible to go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef (185 miles) in the western hemisphere.

Belize enjoys a balmy subtropical climate. The humidity, averaging 85%, is nicely tempered by the prevailing breezes from the Caribbean Sea. With an annual mean temperature of 79°F, ranging from a low of 60°F in winter to 96°F in the summer, Belize welcomes you to a land with a practically perfect clime year round. The ocean temperature ranges from 75°F to 84°F. Belize enters its rainy season at the end of June, and anywhere from light rain showers to heavy storms can be expected through the middle of February.  Annual rainfall ranges from a low of 50 inches in the northern sections to a high of 170 inches in the rainforests of the south.

Belize is steeped in Caribbean culture and the lifestyle here is very casual (play video clip). The Belizean people are a unique cultural combination of Maya, Creole, British, Spanish, Garifuna, and Mennonites. All share the rich lands that make up Belize. These myriad cultural and racial backgrounds have succeeded in maintaining their distinct heritages, while managing to live harmoniously. The influence of all these cultures has made Belize a remarkably integrated society.

The barrier reef is comprised of more than 170 cayes and atolls as well as numerous mangrove systems both offshore and along the coast. A tremendous wetlands environment exists here offering homes and refuge to many birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and other marine life. Whether your interest is exploring the depths of the sea, or relaxing in a beachfront hammock, this area offers something for all fans of salt water and beach.

The mainland of Belize combines a great variety of landscapes, terrains and vistas. From the soil rich costal belt of the south, and the coastal plains of the north, to the majestic heights of the Maya Mountains and the Mountain Pine Ridge in the west, exploration and adventure abound.

More than 500 Mayan ruins dot the country, so wherever you are, exploring one of these sites is just a short trip away.

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Belize is an adventurers paradise, with the majority of the country made up of pristine jungles, vast caving systems and untold Mayan ruins. Bird watching and flora excursions are some of the best in the world. Our Caving, River Cave Tubing and Rappelling adventures will leave you spell bound, while some of our jungle excursions will satisfy even the hardiest adventurer.

Our adventures offers something for every level, from the beginner looking to get their feet wet to the more experienced traveler looking for that high adventure expedition that will exceed all their expectations.

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Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world, comprised of more than 170 cayes and atolls as well as numerous mangrove systems both offshore and along the coast. A tremendous wetlands environment exists here offering homes and refuge to many birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and other marine life.

While diving in Belize you will discover the amazing diversity of the pristine reefs and marine life recently declared a World Heritage site. Huge brain corals, soft barrel sponges and purple sea fans are everywhere. You'll encounter spotted eagle rays, giant grouper and nurse sharks. Sea turtles, dolphins and Manta Rays are regularly sighted and with over 250 varieties of tropical fish you can be sure that each dive will be memorable.

Belize is also a Mecca for those interested in fishing. All kinds of fishing spin, fly, trolling - can be experienced all year long, and the abundance of game fish guarantees excellent sport. The estuaries, inlets and mouths to the many rivers are known for their tarpon, snook and jacks. The lagoons and grass flats are known for the bonefish, permit and barracuda. The coral reefs support grouper, snapper, jacks and barracuda while the deeper waters off the drop off are home to sailfish, marlin, bonito and pompano.

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About Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, Central America. This narrow caye (only 3 miles wide and 25 miles long) was once part of the Yucatan peninsula. It is believed to have been separated by the Maya from Mexico over 1,500 years ago with a man made channel to facilitate trade and transportation.

Located in the northern Caribbean waters of Belize, Ambergris Caye is the perfect vacation destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing and many other water sports. Enjoy the hospitality of the town of San Pedro with its friendly population of about 7,000. This town makes a great base from which to explore the island and its surrounding waters Ambergris Caye provides access to amazing snorkeling and diving areas such as the Belize Barrier Reef just half a mile off the east coast which is the second largest coral reef system in the world.

The island also boasts mangrove forests, tropical savannahs, lagoons, and sparkling white beaches. With this much natural beauty, it is no wonder that Ambergris Caye has become the most popular tourist destination in Belize and Central America.

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About Hopkins Village

Hopkins is a new destination in southern Belize.  This small village is inhabited by the Garinagu people who are descended from escaped Nigeran slaves and the natives of the Caribbean. Their rich Garifuna culture is especially noted for its music, which is very different from the music of the rest of Central America.

The most famous form of Garifuna music is known as "punta", traditionally played with drums and rattles. In 2001, Garifuna music was proclaimed one of the "masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity" by UNESCO. In Hopkins Village, the Garifuna culture thrives and visitors enjoy the drumming, dancing, and doll making activities of the area. The Garinagu villagers still speak an African style dialect, as well as English. This area has wide white sand beaches and plenty of open space. There are only a handful of resorts located outside while the village itself has a few small guest houses. It can easily be reached by bicycle or kayak from the resorts.

One of the best things about Hopkins Village is its easy access to both inland and water tours. From this area you can visit the Sittee River, Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, Mayflower ruins and waterfalls, go jungle and beach horseback riding, diving, snorkeling, fly or river fishing and even take a trip to the Glover’s Reef atoll.

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About Cayo

The Cayo District is located inland in the western part of Belize and includes the towns of Benque Viejo del Carmen and San Ignacio Cayo, the villages of Spanish Lookout, San Antonio Cayo, Roaring Creek, and Albaina as well as the capital city of Belize, Belmopan. The district has a strong agricultural community that crows citrus crops (oranges, grapefruit, and tangerine) and bananas.

For your vacation, Cayo District also has many resorts and jungle lodges that provide access to the pristine subtropical rainforest.  Most of these are near the town of San Ignacio or off of the Western and Hummingbird Highways. They tend to be located along the vast river system and offer inland tours, horseback riding, trips to the Maya ruins, and caving tours into the Mayan underworld. Cayo is home to the very significant Maya ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and Caracol. There are also waterfalls, butterfly farms, a wide variety of birds, and many other adventure tours in this district.

Most guests that are visiting Belize spend a few days in the Cayo District prior to visiting the beach so they combine both the beautiful rainforest and the Caribbean sea on their vacation. This makes for a trip full of variety in both culture and natural environment.

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About Placencia

Placencia is a 17 mile peninsula in the Stann Creek District of Belize that has developed into a vacation destination over the last decade.  The largest community on the peninsula is the Village of Placencia which has a Creole heritage. Before tourism became so important, the main occupations were lobster fishing and diving for black coral.

Despite recent growth, this village remains small and quaint with a handful of gift shops and restaurants, spas, internet cafes, and an art gallery featuring local talent. About 4 miles from Placencia Village there is also a Garifuna village called Seine Bight, which means "fishing net". Most of the resorts on the peninsula are located on the beach between these two villages. The resorts are beautifully landscaped with lots of trees and gardens and plenty of beach space making it easy to find private and relaxing spots.

Placencia has miles of lovely beach, many trees with a wide variety of bird life, and lots of beautiful islands between the reef and the shore. The annual migration of whale sharks comes to this area every spring making this a popular diving and snorkeling area.

There are taxis and regularly scheduled flights available in Placencia or you can bike along the road or stroll the beach and sidewalk to get to the towns. Vacations in this area can include snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, a jungle tour on the Monkey River, the Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, and tours to the Maya ruins of southern Belize.

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About Toledo

Toledo, the southernmost district of Belize, is a largely undiscovered area of rainforest, mountains, rivers, and Maya Villages. While formerly referred to as "the forgotten land", for it's growing number of visitors it is "simply unforgettable".

As the most sparsely populated and least developed region in the country, Toledo is for the visitor with imagination and a sense of adventure, the urge to explore and the spirit of a pioneer. Kayak along the green waters of jungle clad rivers teeming with birds and wildlife, or swim in a pool beneath one of the waterfalls in a romantic and secluded jungle setting. Meet modern Maya who preserve their traditional ways of life even as they adopt to the approach of the modern world. Some of the best fly-fishing in the country is done in the nearby rivers. The Sapodilla Cayes offer great snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and diving.

Five major protected areas have been declared wildlife reserves. These natural treasures abound with wildlife and over 2000 species of flowering plants.

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About the Outer Cayes and Atolls

The outer Cayes or islands along the Belize Barrier Reef are too numerous to name. They include three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean: Lighthouse Reef (location of the famous diving site the Great Blue Hole), Turneffe Island, and Glover's Reef.

Many of these islands have private hotels and make a great base for an all inclusive Caribbean island vacation. This part of the Caribbean Sea has much to offer all water enthusiasts. Whether you are interested in sea kayaking, scuba diving, fishing or snorkeling, these islands have it all including easy access to the amazing Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world after Australia's Barrier Reef.

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