About Belize!

Belize

Belize, previously known as British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America in the heart of the Caribbean Basin, which is bordered by Mexico on the North, Guatemala on the West and South, and is flanked by the Caribbean Sea on the East.

Topography

Belize is approximately 174 miles long and approximately 68 miles wide. The approximate area of Belize totals 22,923 km. Sq. or 8,867 sq. miles. Belize is the only Central American country that is also considered to be a Caribbean Paradise in the Heart of Central America. Belize has the second-largest barrier reef in the world (185 miles long) and three of the four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere fall within Belize's territory.

Geography

The cayes, the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attraction to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands, which are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.

Although the mangrove cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they do provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the mangrove. On the other hand, the island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve the water sports enthusiasts and the marine naturalists. The cayes and atolls provide superior opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sail boarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles.

The northern half of the mainland of Belize is a plain that was once the bed of a sea. The land is covered with a thin layer of soil, which supports scrub vegetation and dense hardwood tropical forest. The coastal area is neither land nor sea, but a sodden, swampy transition between the two. It consists of mangrove and grasses, and is bordered by tussock grasses, cypress, and sycamore where the land separates the water.

The central part of Belize consists of sandy soil that supports large savannas. Approximately thirty miles southwest of Belize City, the land begins to rise dramatically to between 1,500 and 3,680 feet above sea level into the enchanting Mountain Pine Ridge Area and the Maya Mountains. Abundant rainfall runs off the northwest from the highlands in a number of streams, which flow, into the Macal River. Ultimately, the Macal River and the Mopan River converge to provide the headwaters of the Belize River.

The southern part of Belize, with its watershed to the southeast from the Maya Mountains, consists of short rivers that rush through slopes combed with overhanging ledges and caves. The rivers, carrying sand, clay and silt, have enriched the coastal belt over the years, allowing Belize to develop significant agricultural products such as citrus and bananas. Along with an annual rainfall of some 170 inches, southern Belize has a true tropical rain forest that is rich with ferns, palms, lianas, and tropical hardwoods.

Language

English is the official language of Belize although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are widely spoken throughout the country.

Population

The population of Belize is approximately 265,200 comprising Creoles (African-European), Garinagus (Caribs), Mestizos (Spanish-Indian), Maya and Europeans. The population of approximately 250,000 people consists of a mixture of Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese and Eastern Indian. Due to racial harmony and religious tolerance, all of these different elements have mixed and blended successfully and Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly people.

Time Zone

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.

Climate

The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The annual temperature averages about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season is between July and September. 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.

Variation in weather features depending on elevations emphasizes the interesting differences in geology, plant and animal life. A summary high temperature seldom exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit while winter lows are seldom below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South. Although the rainy season is usually between June and August and the dry season is between February and May, global weather changes are making historical predictions somewhat invalid. At the end of October, the weather does become cooler and from November to February, it is pleasant with showers of rain and an average humidity of 85 percent.

The Ministry of Tourism and the Environment has performed a task that should set precedence for the rest of the world. They have set aside thousands of acres in Belize as natural reserves. They have protected Belize's rain forests and continue in their efforts to promote and preserve an ecological balance between fragile nature and man. Belize has the only Jaguar and Red Footed Booby Bird (Half Moon Cayes) preserves in the world.

Saltwater temperature varies between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Culture

Belize is a country of various culture, language and ethnic groups. Approximately 250,000 people in Belize consist of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, and East Indian.

One of the most prominent ethnic groups is the Creoles, which formed 30% of the population in 2001. Creoles are descendants of the intermingling of the early British settlers with African slaves. More than 40% of the population is Mestizos. They are descendants of mixed blood Mexicans and Yucatec Mayans who fled from Yucatan in the mid 1800's. Another 6.6% of Belize's population is the Garifuna. The Garifuna speak their own language and have their own culture. The Yucatec, Mopan and Kekchi are three Amerindians groups, which also make up Belize's population. The Chinese, with a population of 6,000 has made distinct communities, as well as the East Indians and the Mennonites.

English remains the most common language spoken followed closely by Creole, but Spanish is becoming more widely spoken. The Garifuna, Mayas and Mennonites speak their own language.

Government

Belize is an independent country with a democratically elected parliamentary government and is a British Commonwealth member.

Currency Exchange

Local currency is the Belize Dollar or BZ$. One US dollar is equivalent to BZ$2. ATM machines are located countrywide, but few accept debit cards from US banks.

The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed rate of exchange of BZ$2 to US$1. Most hotels, resorts, restaurant and tour operators will accept US currency, traveler's checks or credit cards. When using your credit cards in Belize, most establishments will add a 5% service charge to your bill. Always make sure that you understand which dollar rate is being quoted. Is it Belize Dollars or US Dollars?

Taxes

There is a 9% government/hotel tax. A sales tax of 10% has been implemented and is applicable to goods and services.

· Hotel Room Tax 9%

· Service Charge (in lieu of tips) 10%

· Airport Departure Tax US $12.50

Airport Security Fee:

· International Airport to Domestic Airport US $.75

· International Airport to International Destination US $1.25

Airport Departure Tax

Total departure tax is $20, which is inclusive of $1.25 security tax and US$3.75 Protective Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) fee, used to promote, enhance and conserve Belize's protected areas.

Postal Rates

Postal Rates to the U.S. are BZ$.60 for letters, BZ$.30 for postcards. To Europe, BZ$.75 for letters, BZ$.40 for postcards.

Business Hours

Banks:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Commerce & Industry:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Some businesses are open on Sundays.

Tipping/Gratuity

Tipping is voluntary. Usually 10% is acceptable with 15% for exceptional service. In some cases a gratuity may be added to your check. This practice varies with each establishment. Be sure to ask before paying the bill.

Telephone

Belize Telecom, LTD provides telephone, direct dial and Internet connection services. All automatic systems: Direct dialing with major countries in the world, cellular, telexes and faxes. Internet access widely available

When in Belize, dial:

113 for directory assistance

114 for local and regional operator assisted calls

115 for international operator assisted calls

90 for fire and ambulance

911 for police

Smart a Speednet product also provides telephone, direct dial and Internet connection services. All automatic systems: Direct dialing with major countries in the world, cellular and telexes. Internet access widely available

When in Belize, dial:

*109 customer service

911 for fire and ambulance

911 for police

911 emergencies

999 search and rescue

Electricity

Belize Electricity Limited is Belize’s electricity company. Although most of the electricity is provided by diesel generator equipment, power is stable at 110 volts AC, which is the same as in the United States; Cost per Kilo Watt Hour (kwh) B$0.38.

Water

Belize Water Services is Belize’s water company. The drinking water in Belize is potable.

Principal Exports

Sugar, citrus, bananas, fish products, garment, and timbers are Belize’s principal exports.

Principal Imports

Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and beverages, construction materials, fuel, and lubricants are Belize’s principal imports.

Major Trading Partners

United States of America, United Kingdom, CARCICOM countries, Mexico, and Canada are Belize’s major trading partners.

Entry Requirements

A passport (the validity of which must extend beyond the duration of your stay) is required to enter, along with proof of return. No visas are required from citizens of the United States, United Kingdom and most Caribbean countries. Most other countries require visas. Check with your travel representative. Visitors are allowed a one-month visit after which time they will need to apply for an extension. Anyone traveling with an infant must provide proper documentation for the child including a valid passport. A valid passport and visa (if required) is necessary for entry into Belize. Visitors are permitted to stay in Belize for a period not to exceed thirty days. Extensions may be granted upon application to the Immigration Office, corner of Pickstock and North Front Streets, Belize City, at a cost of BZ $25.00. Travelers should exhibit that they have sufficient funds for their visit (US $50.00 per person per day) as well as a ticket to their onward destination.

United States citizens and Nationals of the European Economic Community member nations do not require visas. Visas are required for the Nationals of the following countries: China, Colombia, Cuba, India, Libya, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa and Taiwan.

To obtain a visitor's permit, an application must be submitted to the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize, Central America (Telephone: 501-8-22423 or FAX: 501-8-22662). Since visas requirements are subject to change, please contact the Belize Embassy for up to date information.

What to Wear

Belize is a very informal country with a very casual life style. Unless you are invited to a Government function, please leave your "After Five" attire at home.

Leave your expensive jewelry at home because you will not need. If you must have a watch, bring an inexpensive one that is suitable for diving and hiking.

If you are visiting the Cayes and the barrier reef, bring your shorts, T-shirts and bathing suites, as well as some comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes. As the sun is probably more intense than what you are used to at home, bring a cap to protect your head from the tropical sun when you are boating and or fishing. In addition to protecting your eyes from both the sun and the reflective glare off of the water, a pair of "polarized" sunglasses will also enhance the variable colors of the coastal waters of Belize.

Loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and campaign shirts along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots are appropriate for exploring the mainland or trekking through the rain forest. When visiting the Maya ruins or traipsing through the jungle, a hat with a wide brim will provide shade from the tropical sun as well as provide protection from a tropical shower.

Be aware that water, beverages and snacks are not always readily available while sightseeing - so a day pack to carry a water bottle, snacks, energy bars, camera, film, binoculars, poncho, hand towel, etc., is a welcomed accessory. A hiking staff can prove to be a valuable aid when climbing ruins, crossing streams or walking up or down steep trails.

What to Bring

Passport, visa (if applicable), prescription drugs, personal items, spare eye glasses, sun glasses, sun tan lotion, sun screen, sun burn cream, insect repellent, camera and film, batteries, cash, travelers' checks and credit cards.

Personal equipment such as scuba diving gear with certification card and dive log, snorkeling gear, binoculars, fishing tackle, etc is recommended.

Information and Maps

There is an abundance of information about Belize from several easily accessible sources. Apart from the Internet, The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) offices in Belize can provide brochures and other information. The Destination Belize is an informative and attractive magazine produced annually by the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), which provides visitor information.

Vaccinations

There are no vaccination requirements before traveling to Belize because there are no endemic diseases. Some vaccinations are recommended by some doctors if you are planning to spend extended periods in the remote rural areas.

Taxi

Taxis are available in towns and resort areas and they are easily recognized by their green license plates. Unless specific arrangements are made prior to your arrival at Belize International (P.S.W. Goldson), taxis are available at the entrance to the main terminal.

Although there are no meters on the taxis, drivers do charge somewhat standard fares but it is always important to understand what your fare will be prior to hiring a taxi.

Clothing

Light, informal clothing is recommended, except for the jungle excursions where thick forest growth and insects should be taken into account. A sweater or jacket for cool inland mornings and evenings is advisable.

Health Services

There is a well-staffed hospital and several private doctors in Belize City. Towns and larger villages throughout the country also have hospitals or clinics and in addition to standard modern medical services there are also alternative services available such as herbal and holistic.

In addition to a clinic and doctors' office in San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, there is also a Hyperbaric Chamber available for persons who experience a decompression accident while scuba diving.

Portable water is available in most areas of Belize but it is advisable to ask. If in doubt, drink boiled or bottled water.

There are no serious epidemic diseases in Belize. No inoculations are required for entry, however anti - malarial tablets are recommended for extended stays in the jungle.

Holidays

New Years Day - January 1
Baron Bliss Day - March 9
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Easter Monday
Labor Day - May 1
Commonwealth Day - May 24
St. George's Caye Day - September 10
Independence Day - September 21
Columbus Day - October 12
Garifuna Settlement Day - November 19
Christmas Day - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26

Events of the Year

JANUARY

Horseracing in Burrell Boom – New Year's Day. Race starts at the entrance of the track and the horses run one mile round.

Krem New Year's Cycling Classic – New Year's Day. Starts in Corozal and ends in Belize City

FEBRUARY

International Billfish Tournament – Enticing cash prizes. Radisson Fort George Hotel. Sponsored by Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina and Esso Oil. Organized by the Belize Game Fishing Association.

Fiesta de Carnival – Exciting yearly event celebrated nationwide. Groups compete in comparsas (special dances). Held one week before Lent.

Valentine Cycle Race – Starts in Belmopan, then to Benque Viejo, back to Belize City and ends at Constitution Park.

MARCH

Agricultural Show – Held annually at Chan Pine Ridge (near Orange Walk Town). Livestock, crops, primary-school competitions. Horse races.

Baron Bliss Day – Celebrations held nationwide to honor this great benefactor of Belize. Harbor regatta held in front of the lighthouse where he was buried. A cycle race and kite contest is also held in Belize City.

La Ruta Maya Canoe River Challenge – San Ignacio to Belize City. Four-day canoe race retracing the route of the ancient Maya.

San Cas Belmopan Cycling Classic – From Belize City to Belmopan and back.

San Jose Succotz Festival – Local fair held in San Jose Village, Cayo District, celebrating the patron saint.

APRIL

Burrell Boom Cycle & Horse Races – Annual cycling event, held on Easter Monday, featuring national and international cyclists. Race starts in Belize City, ends at the Sylvestre Stadium in Burrell Boom. Followed by all-day celebrations. Horse races, food and music.

Easter Fair – Held during the holiday weekend in San Ignacio. Features entertainment, live music, sport activities and family games.

Holy Saturday Cycling Classic – Bicycle race in Belize City, continues on Western Highway, circles around park in San Ignacio and returns to Belize City. International participation.

MAY

Blue Water Fishing Tournament – Local tournament held annually at St. George's Caye.

Cashew Festival – Crooked Tree Village. Celebrating cashew harvest season. Live Punta music, cashew wine, and Caribbean-style foods. Cayo Expo – San Ignacio. Displays of local crafts and products. Sample local foods.

Commonwealth Day – Celebrated nationwide as the Queen's birthday. National Sports Council holds horse races in Burrell Boom and in Orange Walk District. Cycle races are held between Cayo and Belmopan.

Labor Day – Address by Minister of Labour or representative in Belize City. Followed by parades and rallies throughout the country. Kite contest, BWU Labour Cycling Classic, harbor regatta, horse racing in Burrell Boom and Orange Walk.

Mother's Day Cycling Classic – Race starts in Cayo to the border and back to Belize City.

National Agriculture & Trade Show – Held in the capital city of Belmopan at the National Agricultural Show grounds every year.

JUNE

Dia de San Pedro – Three-day festival honoring St. Peter, the patron saint of San Pedro. Early morning boat parade. Boats and fishermen are blessed. Fiesta and ìjump-upî follows.

Lobster Festival – Held annually in Placencia Village. Celebrates ìFisherman's Dayî and the opening of the lobster season.

Placencia Cycle Classic – Annual international biking competition starts in Belize City, ends in Placencia Village.

JULY

Benque Viejo del Carmen Fiesta – Local fair. Celebrates patron saint with cultural shows, marimba bands, food and games.

Lobster Festival – Held annually in Caye Caulker. Celebrates lobster season (June-February) with a variety of lobster dishes.

AUGUST

Costa Maya Festival – San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. A festival of music, arts/crafts, cultural dances and foods from Belize, Mexico and neighboring countries.

Deer Dance Festival – San Antonio, Toledo District. Weeklong celebrations of traditional Maya culture and religion. Historical reenactments, costumes and masks.

San Joaquin Festival – Corozal. Honors patron saint. Mass, fiesta, food, music and family entertainment.

SEPTEMBER

Carnival – Colorful pageantry, costumed bands, parades, street ìjump-upsî, music, dance, food. Takes place annually.

Fiestarama – Orange Walk. Agricultural show, horse races, rides such as Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. Foods from different cultures.

Independence Day – Numerous cultural, religious and sporting activities. Flag-raising ceremonies, parades, street ìjump-upsî, music, dance and foods. Crowning of Miss San Pedro.

St. George's Caye Day – Commemorates a battle in 1798 when the Spanish were defeated by slaves, Bay men and British soldiers. Carnival sporting activities, fire engine parade, concerts.

OCTOBER

Belikin Spectacular – Billfish tournament on Ambergris Caye organized by the Belize Game Fishing Association.

Pan American Day (Columbus Day) – Orange Walk and Corozal. Fiestas and beauty contest to celebrate Mestizo culture. Horse and cycle races in Belize City.

NOVEMBER

Garifuna Settlement Day – Festival held from Belize City to Toledo Districts marking the first arrival of the Garinagu in the early 1800s to Dangriga, Stann Creek District. Parade, religious and cultural activities.

DECEMBER

Christmas Day – Families and friends get together to celebrate the holiday.

Boxing Day – Parties, dances, horse races, cycle race and some Garinagu dances are performed. Cycle race starts at Palotti High School in Belize City and ends in Burrell Boom.

Why Invest in Belize

Not only is Belize a growing tourism destination, but the country also has a government that is fully committed to the ongoing development of economic programs and policies that will ensure an atmosphere conducive for local and foreign investment.

Various incentives are available to investors who are committed to the development of the tourism sector. In recent years, various levels of investments have produced significant growth in tourism.

International investors find that Belize provides stability (fixed exchange rate and democratic system) and profitability (flexible fiscal incentives and concessions).

The tourism industry is currently the single largest employer and contributor to economic growth, accounting for approximately 18% of the total GDP. Its actual contribution to the economy is greater, particularly when its indirect impacts are taken into account.

The Government of Belize is keen on developing new partnerships and alliances with both local and foreign investors in various sectors of the tourism industry.

How to Obtain a Work Permit in Belize

To obtain a work permit in Belize, the employer and the prospective employee must fill out an application form at the Department of Labor. Three passport pictures and a valid passport are required along with the application. If self-employed you can apply in person.

A tourist entry permit, which is usually 30 days, is given upon arrival to an individual with a valid passport and visa. (People arriving from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom only need a valid passport.) If a person wishes to stay longer than the time allotted on his permit, he needs to renew his permit at the Immigration Department before it expires.

In order to obtain residential status in Belize, an individual will need to apply for residency. To do so he must demonstrate that he has been residing in Belize legally. To qualify for residency an individual must reside in Belize for a year and can leave the country for no longer than two weeks. An immigration deposit might be required to leave the country, while applying for residency.

Other requirements include:

A police report from the police department where an individual has resided for more than six months.

Health certificates including an AIDS test, which can be obtained from any of the local doctors.

3 passport pictures.

A statement from your bank or financial institution, if you are not employed or retired.

Birth certificates for minor children, marriage certificate/declaration of support etc.

A work permit or Trade License, where applicable.

An individual must renew his tourist permit at the Immigration Department every 30 days while applying for residency. It is also necessary to demonstrate adequate funds during this time, usually $100.00BZ per day, $3000.00 BZ per month. When residency is granted the individual is required to register at the Income Tax Department.

An individual can apply for citizenship if he has been a resident of Belize for five years or after one year if he is married to a Belizean. Applications for citizenship require the same information as those for residency.

Ambergris Caye

A delightful little island in the north of Belize just inside the barrier reef, Ambergris Caye is where the water is tempting, the breeze is seductive and the motto is no shoes, no shirt, and no problem.

Only a stone's throw away from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Ambergris Caye is closer to its northern neighbor than any other part of Belize. It is the largest, best known and most visited of all the 200 or so cayes (pronounced keys) in Belize.

Sun-drenched and fringed with coconut palms, Ambergris stretches north to south just one-half mile inside and parallel to Belize's magnificent barrier reef. The long, slender landmass extends southward from the Yucatan split for more than 25 miles. The island's eastern side is fringed with beaches, and faces the nearby reef. The western shore is laced with healthy patches of mangrove, and is rich with wildlife. Gentle breezes whisper through swaying palms. The air is always fresh, and carries the unmistakable scent of salt from the Caribbean Sea caressing the shoreline. Warm sunshine soothes the soul. Waters invigorate the body. And, the nearby reef opens the door to a fascinating underwater world. This is Ambergris Caye, and it is pleasantly different – unlike other places on earth.

Ambergris is located about 36 miles north of Belize City. Getting there is a fascinating adventure either by boat, about a 90-minute ride from Belize City on numerous daily trips, or by plane, only a 15-minute flight from the city's municipal airport. Nearly two-dozen daily flights aboard either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air touch down in Ambergris Caye. Additional flights arrive from the international airport to the island in less than 20 minutes. Views are worth the price of the ticket. From above, the see-through water is so clear you see the sandy seabed below. The pure white line of the reef crest that separates the deep blues of the open sea from dramatic turquoise inside the reef is an amazing sight.

Belize

Caye Caulker

Corozal

A beautiful haven of tranquility, serene Corozal blends a dose of Spanish flavor and Old World charm. Away from the tourist hustle and bustle, it's a scenic and peaceful little town resting on the shores of the pale blue, windswept waters of Corozal Bay.

Separated from Mexico by the Rio Hondo River, Corozal is the northern gateway to Belize, only about eight miles or 20 minutes away by vehicle from the border. It is located 85 miles north of Belize City, about two hours away, and is an easy reach along the Northern Highway. Additional visitors arrive on daily commuter flights and a 1-1/2 hour powerboat trip from San Pedro Ambergris Caye.

Traveling north from Belize City, the drive offers vistas of wide-open pastures and fields swelled with sugar cane. As you pass the town of Orange Walk traveling through villages and towns like San Jose, San Pablo and San Roman, Maya Mestizo influence becomes more evident. Purple and violet bougainvillea dress up telephone poles and mingle with brilliant orange Poinciana trees at the entrance to Corozal Town. Friendly townspeople swim in the shallows of the refreshing bay. Others ride bicycles along the soft, curving shoreline dotted with palm trees.

Corozal derives its name from the Maya word for the Cohune Palm, once abundant in the area, and considered a sign of fertility by the Maya. The town is an architectural combination of English, Caribbean and Mexican styles. It also includes a logical grid street pattern and many parks

Dangriga and Hopskin

Primal yet civilized; Stann Creek is unlike any other part of Belize. Home to the capital town of Dangriga and the quaint, seaside village of Hopkins, this district is truly the most exotic.

Encompassing a vast range of pristine land, the Stann Creek District is a place where wildlife rules. Jaguars, margays and armadillos roam free only miles from neighboring Garinagu and Maya villages. Lush foliage camouflages crystalline waterfalls and subterranean caves. Manatees frolic in iridescent lagoons and lush forest reserves dot the landscape to the north. At the southern end of the district, the ferocious jaguar shares his jungle habitat with pumas, ocelots and other felines.

Along the southern shoreline, Hopkins Village boasts magnificent stretches of beach randomly broken by pristine jungle rivers flowing down from the hills. To the east are the barrier reef and dozens of unspoiled cayes with names such as Man-o-War, Tobacco, Coco Plum and South Water resting atop Caribbean waters. To the west lie verdant rainforests and the Maya Mountains with 3,675-foot Victoria Peak soaring through the clouds. In the midst of all this natural phenomena lies Dangriga, the cultural center of Garinagu (also known as Garifuna and Caribs) people.

Just follow the Southern Highway, turn west at the sign and proceed until you dead-end at a magnificent stretch of beach to get to the Hopkins and Sittee River area. The beach parallels the coastline for miles until interrupted by the Sittee River to the south. Don't be fooled by the area's sleepy appearance. You'll find plenty of exciting inland and offshore adventures nearby.

Mountain Pine Ridge and Belmopan

Hundreds of forest-green pine trees kiss the sky, towering over nearly 300 square miles of breathtaking woodland creased with clear, cool rivers and sheltering unusual flora, fauna, awe-inspiring waterfalls and caves.

Fantasy writers weave tall tales of dense, enchanted woods sheltering creatures like giants, dwarves and gnomes. Straight out of a fairytale, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Central America's only pine forest and the largest and oldest of Belize's parklands, is filled with sights to behold. Instead of imaginary creatures, you'll find exotic birds and wildlife, spectacular natural attractions and lofty pine trees.

Getting to the Mountain Pine Ridge in western Belize in the Cayo District is an adventure in itself. The most common route is to turn off along the Western Highway at Georgeville (mile marker 61), after about a one-hour drive from Belize City. From there it's another 45 minutes or so along Chiquibul Road (also called Pine Ridge Road) to a ranger station at the entrance to the reserve. There is no fee to enter.

Within the reserve, your vehicle alternates between bumpety-bump and extended washboard vibrations while on a hare-packed, red-dirt road that leads to eye-catching scenery. Hundreds of square miles of unspoiled nature are yours to explore. During the rainy season, sections of interior roads, including the reserve may be closed off due to weather conditions. It is best to check beforehand.

Nearby Belmopan has a quiet, suburban atmosphere, not what you'd expect to find in the capital city. In fact, with a population of only about 7,000, it is reportedly the world's smallest capital. Visitors quickly learn this is where most government business is conducted and everything is close at hand.

The country's capital is located approximately 48 miles southwest of Belize City, nearly a one-hour drive along the Western Highway, near a juncture where a paved road turns toward the nation's capital.

Hurricane Hattie founded Belmopan following the devastation of Belize City in 1961. By 1970 most government offices had moved to the new location.

Stroll through the center of Belmopan for a look at its many different cultures, which are reflected in the town's architecture and populace.

Orange Walk

With sugar being the major foreign exchange earner, Orange Walk, the breadbasket of Belize, has long been considered a sweet place. It is the pacesetter and trailblazer in the country's development.

Orange Walk is located in northern Belize, a little more than a one-hour drive from Belize City, about 55 miles north along the Northern Highway. Near the New River, drivers stop at the country's only tollbooth to pay a small fee (a little more than US35 cents). When you detect the sweet smell of molasses in the air from the nearby sugar factory you know you're near Orange Walk Town, the capital of this very progressive district. The town is situated on the western bank of the historic New River (called Dzuihuinicob, or River of Strange People by the ancient Maya), which linked the trade between the highlands and lowlands of the Maya world.

Orange Walk is a land of interest with a glorious past, and its industrious people stand proud and strong. Belize's second largest district, Orange Walk is home to about 20,000 inhabitants. All of Belize's ethnic groups are well represented. The people of Orange Walk are well known for their entrepreneurial spirit. Visitors who enjoy people watching are encouraged to visit the town, which with its friendly blend of cultures, sense of history and proximity to nearby activities and sites, is an ideal visitor location.

Placencia

Sugar white beaches that stretch for miles - the best slice of sand and surf in all of Belize – are a welcome mat for visitors seeking relaxation, fun-in-the-sun water sports and intriguing inland adventures. Once a sleepy fishing outpost, today spectacular Placencia sometimes called Placentia, is a unique tropical oasis.

Placencia is perched at the southern tip of a slender, serpentine-like peninsula. Paralleling the southern coastline for nearly 16 miles, it is separated from the mainland by the Placencia Lagoon. From top to bottom, the eastern shoreline is embraced by some of the nicest beaches in Belize. The western shore borders the vibrant lagoon and all its wildlife. Unique to the country, Placencia has two different horizons. One unveils a world of magnificent beaches, captivating resorts, crystal clear waters, spectacular diving and pristine cayes. The other reveals intriguing wildlife like crocodiles and manatees, exciting inland adventures and the panoramic skyline of Maya Mountains.

Breathtaking scenery unfolds either in flight or on the road to Placencia, situated 100 miles south of Belize City. The daily commuter flights from Belize City, beginning as early as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. carry visitors over shimmering turquoise waters dotted with tiny cayes. The fascinating 30-minute flight unveils rivers emptying into the sea, patches of shrimp farms, hundreds of rows of symmetrical citrus trees and great views of the villages of Hopkins and Sittee River.

Toledo/ Punta Gorda

Southern Belize, steeped in thousands of years of Maya tradition, is the most sparsely populated and pristine area of the country. Cradled by mountains, jungle and sea, its Garden of Eden mystique piques your curiosity, encourages your spirit of wanderlust and rolls out the welcome mat to high adventure.

Home to Punta Gorda and its environs in the Toledo District, this rough-and-tumble last outpost are to Belize what the outback is to Australia. Lush green valleys blanket the landscape, beneath the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Untouched, verdant rainforest frames the outskirts of P.G. (as the locals call it), harboring clusters of more than 30 Maya villages to the west. Tradewinds caress the eastern coastline that clings to the Bay of Honduras.

Located about 210 miles south of Belize City and just before the Guatemalan border is P.G., the southernmost town in the country and capital of the Toledo District. A few decades ago, this outpost was reachable only by boat. Today it is reachable by commuter flights, vehicles and public buses. Breathtaking scenery unfolds while in flight or on the road to P.G.

San Ignacio

Cayo is nature's call of the wild, offering visitors a window to the world of jagged mountain peaks that paint the sky, thick-forested jungle and immense temples shrouded in mystery.

Extending south to Mountain Pine Ridge into the Chiquibul wilderness and Maya Mountains, and west to the border with Guatemala, the Cayo District spreads across 2,000 square miles of verdant landscape. Captivating Cayo is the most fertile district in the country.

Sensational topography and endless opportunities for adventure make the region a cure for wanderlust. Remarkably unlike any other natural domain, the area is a modern day, ìWild Westî boasting remnants of an ancient past. Thousands of years ago, Maya settled the Belize River Valley, building cities and ceremonial centers. Today Cayo is the largest governmental district in Belize with sizeable areas devoted to citrus and cattle farming.

Cradled in a picturesque valley and sandwiched between the Macal and Mopan rivers, San Ignacio, often called Cayo by locals, is the principal town in the district, 72 miles west of Belize City. As you approach the town of Santa Elena, quaint houses come into view on the San Ignacio hillside in the distance. Comprising the country's second-largest metropolitan area, the two sister towns serve as a springboard to the rest of the district.

About Other Cayes

Basking in the shimmering blue hues of see-through Caribbean waters are dazzling islands found both inside and outside the second largest barrier reef system in the world. Hundreds of idyllic cayes (pronounced keys) are why many visitors end up in Belize, for here can arguably be found the best diving, snorkeling and fishing anywhere.

Beyond the barrier reef are three of the Western Hemisphere's four atolls. Like dazzling necklaces adorning the Caribbean Sea, the atolls look like exotic faraway isles. Studded with swaying coconut palms, these coral rings hold some of the countries greatest diving, snorkeling and fishing sites, a Garden of Eden underwater.

GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL

White sand beaches predominate at the palm-fringed paradise, also known as Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, a World Heritage site. Once the base of pirate John Glover, now boaters, divers and anglers steal away to this atoll. The most southerly and remote of the atolls, it's about 70 miles southeast of Belize City (five hours by boat and is 15 miles long by four miles wide).

Its far-out location makes Glover's Reef Atoll one of the most pristine areas found anywhere in Belize. Brilliant blue waters in the 80-square-mile lagoon are punctuated with some 700 coral patches and surrounded by 50 miles of sheer drop-offs from 40 to 2,600 feet. Along the eastern edge of the atoll are many shipwrecks that have accumulated over four centuries. In addition to excellent scuba diving, snorkeling and fly-fishing, kayaking and camping are favorite visitor pursuits.

LIGHTHOUSE REEF ATOLL

Some 50 miles southeast of Belize City is Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the most eastern of the atolls and the only one with an airstrip (on an island at the northern end). Swaying palms, powdery white beaches, striking coral formations and turquoise waters await you on this 20-mile long by four-mile wide slice of heaven.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is the atoll nearest to the Blue Hole, Belize's most celebrated and unusual underwater feature. This almost perfectly circular natural wonder measures 1,000 feet in diameter and 400 feet deep, and was made famous by Jacques Cousteau. The Blue Hole contains a cavern with 35-foot-long dripstones, the largest underwater dripstones ever found. Recently, Caribbean reef sharks have taken up residency in the Blue Hole, creating more excitement for divers.

TURNEFFE ISLANDS ATOLL

The Turneffe Islands Atoll is the largest of Belize's three atolls and the closest in distance from Belize City, located about 25 miles east of the city (2-1/2 hours by boat). Turneffe Islands Atoll, 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, is home to pristine cayes cloaked in palms, which encircle the crystal-clear lagoon waters. Spider-like mangrove limbs accented with brilliant red-and-yellow orchids abound in the lagoons, creating a rich environment for marine life. Inky-blue waters descend thousands of feet not far outside the atoll. Only a few hundred yards from the reef, Turneffe offers world-class fishing (both flats and off-shore), diving and snorkeling. Although the atoll is best known for wall diving, many shallow sea gardens are excellent for snorkeling and diving inside the reef. A highlight of diving at Turneffe Islands Atoll is ëThe Elbow', located on the extreme southern tip, where marine life is awesome. Expect to see huge schools of grunts, groupers, snappers, jacks and other species. More than 70 named dive sites surround Turneffe Islands Atoll.

SOUTH WATER CAYE

Perhaps Belize's most idyllic inhabited caye is South Water, less than an hour by boat from Dangriga. This amazing 15-acre coral island rests atop the barrier reef. Drop-off diving is practically within swimming distance. Rarely visited by large groups of divers are Black Beauty and Silverside, two standout wall sites near South Water Caye. At night the stars look three-dimensional. It's heavenly. Visitors are lulled to sleep by waves crashing onto the sugar-white beaches at their doorstep.