A Holiday in Belize

Belize is a country located in the Caribbean oceans between Mexico and Guatemala. The country is the only nation in Central America with English as its official language. However, there are a number of languages which continue to be recognized for official purposes, which include Maya, Spanish, Garifuna, and Kriol. The country’s capital is Belize City.

The country is spread over 8,867 sq. miles and is home to a population of 307,899 people. The country ranks the lowest in terms of population density in the Central America region, on the contrary, the nation’s population growth rate of 2.21% not only the highest in the C. American region but also one of the highest in the entire Western hemisphere region.

The country has a unique place in the region as it’s the only country to have been ruled by the British and hence is the only nation, which is part of the Commonwealth.

The present day economy of the country is centered on agriculture. Other main functions include merchandising along with the construction and tourism sectors. Besides, the country is expected to benefit hugely through the crude oil exploration processes, which kicked off in 2006.

As regards to tourism, this country offers spectacular diving and fishing opportunities along with tropical forests, temples, some huge mountains along with wildlife. The country has more than 1,000 small islands and the waters are considered to be safe. Besides fishing the other attractions of the place are boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, rafting and kayaking.

The country also has a number of jungles and wildlife spots and is rich in Flora and Fauna. Activities such as hiking, bird watching and helicopter touring are very common. Belize also boasts of the largest cave system in the entire Central American region. There are also the various Maya ruins to be visited. Overall the nation along with its tourism industry is developing. Currently the Americans are the biggest visitors to the country, take for instance in 2007, of the total 251,655 foreign visitors, 210,000 alone were from the US. It is estimated the annual earnings from tourists stands at $183.3 million.

Let’s go through some of the popular attractions of Belize.

Altun Ha:

These are the ruins of the ancient Maya City. Located some 30 miles from the capital Belize City, and some 6 miles west of the Caribbean ocean, the site is spread over an area of 5 sq. miles.  Archeological investigations have proved this site dates back to the year 200 BC. Hence, all you history freaks, you need to visit this place.

The Great Blue Hole:

This is a huge underwater sinkhole near the Belizean coast. It is spread over 300 m and goes up to 125 m in depth. It is believed the origin of this hole was a limestone cave during the previous glacial period when sea levels were low. With the rise in sea levels, the caves go flooded and as a result the roof collapsed resulting in the hole.  Today, the Great Blue Hole is a very popular site among scuba divers as it offers perfect conditions for them to dive into crystal clear waters and get up close and personal with the abundant marine life in the waters. The waters house various species of fish along with Nurse Sharks, Giant groupers and Blacktip shark.

The Museum of Belize:

This site was originally the Belize City Prison. The exhibition displays original Maya artifacts and covers some 3,000 years of history, including the prison’s history, cultural exhibits, and colonial life.

Besides, the entire country is full of historical and other important places to be visited. Some of the must visit places include La Isla Bonita Ambergris Caye, Fort Street Tourism Village, Swing Bridge, Numerous Cayes (islands), Caye Caulker and Crocland Eco-park.

Listed below are some questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach Belize?

Getting to Belize is no issue at all. You can reach there via Air, Road and even via a cruise ship. Besides, you can also reach the country by, can you believe it, sailing your own yacht to the coast of this wonderful country.

The Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City is the main airport here. There are regular flights to the US and other countries as well. Once in the nation you have a variety to options to proceed further.

Cruise ships are another mode of travel from the US. You can also drive your way to the country via the Mexico and Gautamala borders. Alternatively, buses also travel via Cancun in Mexico.

Last but not the least; you can be there via the adventurous way. You can sail your way into Belize via a yacht. However, you need to be very alert while yachting as you will have to follow certain rules and procedures in addition to passing through proper channels because it shouldn’t happen that you end up landing on the shores of some other county.

Where do I stay during my Belize trip?

Belize has a host of good accommodation facilities. Some of the popular landmarks are Ambergris Lake Villas in San Pedro, Banana Beach Resort in San Pedro, A Roseville Stay in Belize City, Belcove Hotel in Belize City, Anchorage Resort and many more.

Which is the best time to visit Belize?

The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season of December through April. The temperatures are fine during these months, even though rainfall cannot be ruled out. The temperatures steadily increase over the months and the June to early December period sees the temperatures reach unbearable highs. Hence, one should avoid traveling in this June-December period. The mid-December-May period is ideal for a visit.

In conclusion, Belize is the place to be. It has all the ideals for a wonderful holiday. So, without wasting any further time go and start planning your trip to this wonderful country.