Belize, once British Honduras, is a small country in Central America. It is a fantastic mix of cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a hidden gem with lush jungles, beautiful beaches, tempting reefs, unique cuisine, and the ruins of the legendary Mayan civilization.
Belize City is the former capital and largest city of the country. It was founded in 1638. The city has been repeatedly subjected to natural disasters. But despite this, Belize City remains the main attraction. It attracts with its colonial buildings, nightlife, and picturesque surroundings.
Belmopan is the modern capital of Belize, a great place to spend a calm and relaxed day. Guanacaste Park is located in the northwestern part of the city. It is famous for its wide variety of tropical trees and birds. If you are by car, take a ride on the Hummingbird Highway. It is considered the most picturesque in the country. The road passes through the Maya Mountains and connects the capital with the city of Dangriga on the Caribbean coast.
Punta Gorda is the number one tourist destination for exploring the southern attractions of Belize.
The most visited of them is the Mayan ruins of Lubaantun. Snake Islands and Sapodilla Case are popular kayaking, diving, and bird-watching places. Wildlife lovers have an interactive crocodile reserve at ACES or Rio Blanco National Park. You will enjoy a beautiful waterfall in the park and swim in one of the many natural pools.
To feel the flavor of local life, visit the grocery market and the neighboring village of Boom Creek. And then head to the Reef Bar to listen to live local music.
Placencia is a small fishing village.
It is also a beach resort on a narrow, elongated peninsula with stunning white sand beaches. This is a paradise for divers because it is where some of the most amazing marine coral caves are. Not far from Placencia is the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. This is a great place to go, kayaking and snorkeling. The neighboring Laughing Bird Cage National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And south of Placencia flows the Monkey River (Monkey River). Take advantage of the opportunity to get an unforgettable experience of mangrove forests and exotic fauna.
Ambergris Cay is the largest island in Belize. The popularity of Ambergris Cay has been increasing lately, With picturesque views, a relaxed atmosphere, and a lot of water and island entertainment. Coral reefs are found here in abundance. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Alley, and Coral Gardens near Kay Kolker Island are famous.
Cayo District
Several major Maya monuments are here: Karakol, Shunantunich, Cahal Pech, and El Pilar. Karakol is the largest and most crucial Mayan monument, consisting of temples and palaces. The Kaana, or heavenly palace, is the main pyramid in Karakol. This pyramid is 43 meters high and is the tallest building even in modern Belize. Shunantunich and Cajal Pec are located near the city of San Ignacio. El Pilar is the most extensive ruins in the Belize River Valley and a national cultural monument.
The Orange Walk district covers the northwestern part of Belize. Here, you will find the famous Maya monuments of Lamanai and La Milpa.
Lamanai is called the most persistent Mayan city. The original name of this place was Laman-Ayin, which meant “sunken crocodile .”There may have been many crocodiles in this region, as images of crocodiles have been found on many artifacts. It can be reached by boat on the New River from Orange Walk. La Milpa is the third largest Mayan ruins. An interesting fact is that in 1988, the Coca–Cola company bought a plot for a citrus plantation in this area. Do not miss the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of one of the most mysterious civilizations.
The Belize region.
The famous ruins of Altun Ha Maya are located here. The ruins are easily accessible from Belize City, which makes them very popular. Altun Ha is located near the village of Rockstone Pond. The Tomb of the Sun God is the most popular place in these ruins. The tomb is depicted on a bottle of the popular Belizean beer Belikin.
The city of San Ignacio
It is one of the main tourist points of the country. You will find a lot of exciting things in its surroundings. Actun Tunichil Muknal is a place of Maya sacrifice. It is noteworthy that this place is entirely located in a cave.
But to get there, you must walk almost up to your neck in water, and sometimes you must swim. The altar is about an hour’s drive from the city. The road to it is an exciting journey through the mountains and jungles, accompanied by an official guide, is mandatory.
Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve
It is designed to protect the local pine forests of Belize. This picturesque corner is a must-visit for all nature lovers. These are picturesque hills and gorges formed in one of the oldest rocks of Central America. The reserve is home to some exotic species of animals. On the account’s territory, there is an exciting place, Rio-on-Pools. It is called a natural water park. Take advantage of the Rio Frio Cave near the village of Douglas da Silva. This is a system of giant river caves where the Maya buried the dead. There are 2 waterfalls in Central America in the reserve — Hidden Valley and Big Rock.
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains in the Stann Creek area. It was founded in 1990 and is one of the first jaguar protection reserves in the world. Besides them, many exotic animals are living here. In addition, it is a natural paradise for bird lovers. It is best to explore this place along several well-marked trails.
If you are a lover of outdoor activities, then try the Ben’s Bluff Hiking Trail. She has a rather complex route, fully compensated by the stunning views.
The Barrier Reef of Belize
About half a million tourists come here every year. It is the second-longest barrier reef in the world. It starts from Cancun in Mexico and stretches to Honduras. The Belize Barrier Reef is almost a third of that length. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a unique and picturesque place full of colorful marine life. The highlight of the reef is the Big Blue Hole, a perfectly round, giant sinkhole. It is one of the ten most amazing places on Earth. This natural wonder is home to the brightest marine life and is extremely popular with divers.
Conclusion
The rarest species of flora and fauna have been preserved in the country. Among the natural attractions of Belize are numerous farms for breeding tropical butterflies. People from all over the planet want to visit this country to enjoy amazing views of nature. In Belize, there is an opportunity to rest well with your family or do extreme tourism.
Find out about traveling “to a neighboring country” here