LOCATION

Belize, previously British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America and in the heart of the Caribbean Basin. It is bordered by Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and South, and the Caribbean Sea to the East. Geographically Belize is located between 15° 52' 9" and 18° 29' 55" North Latitude, and 87° 28" and 89° 13' 67" West Longitude with an area of 8,866 sq. miles including 266 sq. miles of islands.

The cayes or islands, the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attractions to Belize. The barrier reef, which is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, is 185 miles long. The cayes and atolls provide great opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, and kayaking, and also serve as a habitat for both nesting birds and turtles. In the central part of Belize the land is higher. It is between 1,500 and 3,680 feet above sea level in the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and the Maya Mountains. Breathtaking waterfalls, historic Mayan cities and majestic mountains are but a few of the attractions that can be enjoyed in this area.

CLIMATE

The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes. The variation in weather further emphasizes the interesting difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal life. Summer high temperatures, are normally around 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows have rarely gone below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.

RAINFALL Normally, the rainy season is usually between June and November and the dry season is between February and May. Usually, the weather becomes cooler at the end of October and this lasts up until February. Average humidity is 85 percent. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South.

PEOPLE

The population of approximately 250,000 people consists of a mixture of Creoles, Garifunas, Mestizos, Mayas, Caucasians, Mennonites, Lebanese, Chinese, and East Indians. Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly people.

LANGUAGE

English is the official language of Belize, Spanish is the second language and Creole is the commonly used dialect you will hear spoken throughout the country.

CURRENCY

The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed rate of exchange of BZ$2 to US$1. Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators will accept U.S. currency, traveler's checks, or credit cards.

TIME

Time observed year round is GMT-6, which is the same as United States Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Belize

ACTIVITIES

Belize is a great destination for active travelers offering a vast array of specific sport and adventure opportunities in a small area. Whatever your taste in recreation, Belize has something for you. The diving possibilities that Belize offers are hard too match and include the Blue Hole and second largest Barrier Reef in the world. Other activities include snorkeling, hiking, white water rafting, surfing, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, etc. Sports attract many people and in Belize they are accessible to pros and novices alike. There are few places on the globe where travelers can enjoy such a diversity of landscapes. From lowland jungles and mountainous forests to spectacular coral reefs and idyllic beaches, the region offers exciting places to practice an vide array of adventurous sports.

DIVING & SNORKELING

"Belize is one of the western Caribbean's premiere dive destinations..." Belize's barrier reef has been named one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. There are many places to dive and snorkel all along Belize’s territory and include the cayes, the atolls, various spots on the reef and the mainland. Water visibility generally reaches 100+ feet. The water temperature stays close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit all year long and the barrier reef makes for calm water almost year round. With all the diving resorts and hotels catering to divers, you will have no problem combining your dream diving/snorkeling spot with and the hotel of your choice.

WINDSURFING

Belize is a perfect place to enjoy the fabulous sport of windsurfing. The Cayes provide flat and quiet waters that are created by the protecting reef. The constant onshore/side shore winds provide an ideal location for beginners to have a first lesson. For the intermediate it is fantastic for speeding and chop hopping. Runs of 10 miles plus are possible both tack and it is also perfect for practicing water starts and carve gibes. The water below is so clear that you can see fish and stingrays and it is not unusual to see dolphins as you sail. For the more experienced surfer, there are several wave sites and of course access to the swells on the outer reef.

BIRDING

In Belize you have the opportunity to observe hundreds of different species of birds. It is possible to view over a 100 species in just a few days! Belize has recorded over 540 species of birds within its borders. Because of Belize's small population and lack of industry, much of Belize has remained virtually undisturbed. About 60% of the country is still forest therefore creating the perfect habitat for birds and wildlife. On various islands you will find reserves for birds such as the reserve for the black catbird on Caye Caulker and a bird sanctuary on Man-of-War Caye where you will find pelicans, frigate birds and brown bobbies. You will see more birds than what you bargained for!

CANOEING & KAYAKING

In a country with abundant water sources, canoeing and kayaking are a very common and rewarding activity. Whether inland on one of the many river systems, in and around a cave or out on the open sea near the reef and the cayes, you will have a chance to witness the unspoiled nature of Belize from a different point of view.

CAVING

Belize has unbelievable cave formations. With abundant limestone and a wet climate,there are a great number of caves throughout Belize. Although most caves have not been thoroughly explored yet and because of the isolation of them you will find natural splendors and archaeological significance such as ancient Mayan Pottery and abundant species of animals such as blind white crayfish and numerous arachnids. Rio Frió, St. Herman's and Barton Creek Cave are some of the caves that are accessible and inviting to be explored. Many caves are closed to public exploration because most have archaeological significance.

MAYAN RUINS IN BELIZE

An important part of Belize’ history are the Mayan ruins, a legacy of outstanding palaces and temples. The Mayan civilization began as early as 1500 B.C. and started to decline in 900 A.D., although some Maya cultural centers continued to be occupied until the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th century. Belize's population was thought to be over 1 million people during the classic period (250 A.D. to 900 A.D.) when Belize became the heart of the Mayan civilization. To this day, there is still a significant Mayan population living in small villages throughout the country.
The oldest Mayan Ruin appears to be Cuello in Orange Walk. Then came the pre-classic era in which the cities of Lamanai, home to the largest pre-classic structure in the Mayan world, and Cerros prospered. In the classic period, the crowning period for the Mayan Civilization, the enormous sites of Caracol and El Pilar rose out of the forest and ceremonial centres like Xunantunich built lovely temples and pyramids.
The ancient Mayan world centered on the Yucatan Peninsula, spilling over to the lowland rainforests of Mexico to the east and Belize in the west, finally climbing up to the highlands of Guatemala through to the Pacific coast of Guatemala. The eastern edges of Honduras and El Salvador were also part of the Mayan world. Today, most Mayan people now live in three areas: the Guatemalan highlands, the Yucatan Peninsula and the Chiapas state in Mexico. Today's Maya number between four and six million divided into many different ethnic groups who speak around 30 different languages.
Today, most of the sites are under excavation and preservation, but some sites like Cerros lack the funding needed to preserve it. It is important to preserve these sites as lasting monuments of the great Mayan civilization.