BELIZE
FACT FILE
Belize is a country in the northeastern part of Central America bordering the Caribbean Sea.
One of the smallest and least populated countries in Central America, Belize was ruled by Britain for almost two centuries and until 1973 was known as British Honduras.
Once part of the Maya civilization, which began to develop around 2000 BC and lasted to about AD 1550, Belize still has the ruins of Maya cities which attracts a lot of tourists, as do the country’s scenery, wildlife, and beaches.
A land of great ethnic and cultural diversity Belize has various cultural, language and ethnic groups.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
To the north and northwest of Belize lies Mexico, Caribbean Sea in its east and to its south and west lies Guatemala. The total area of Belize is 22,965 sq. km (8,867 sq. mi), and a large barrier reef lying about 30 km (20 mi) offshore, within which are many low-lying islands, or cays.
The country has distinct wet and dry seasons and a tropical climate, though there are some variations. The summers are hot and humid, with temperatures going over 38 degrees C. The rainy season is very long, extending from May to December. The best time to visit the country would be during the dry spell from December to April.
CURRENCY AND ECONOMY
The economy of Belize is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising and is a private enterprise economy. The tourist and construction sectors have in the recent years given a good boost to the economy of this developing nation. The country has employed the Belize Dollar (BZD) as its currency.
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND LANGUAGES
Almost half of the population in Belize consists of black or of mixed African and European ancestry. Maya Indians and mestizos—people of mixed European and Indian ancestry, form the largest minority communities. There are a large number of minority communities in the country like Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese and East Indian heritage and racial harmony, religious tolerance and a relatively non-violent political culture, all of these different elements have mixed and blended successfully.
Being a former British colony, English is the official language of the country and a large majority of the population use English as their means of communication. However Kriole, which is an English-based Creole of words and syntax from various African languages, is considered to be the primary language of the country.
CAPITAL AND MAJOR CITIES
Following the massive damage that occurred, when Hurricane Hattie struck the former capital of Belize, Belize City in 1961, Belmopan was established as the new capital. Having an inland location and being nearer the geographic center of the country, it was considered a safer city.
A great place to visit in the capital is the art gallery called The Art Box and the best way to explore the city is to walk around the neighborhoods and market plazas.
The other major cities are: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozal, Crooked Tree, Dangriga, Orange Walk, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio and San Pedro.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air
From Miami and Dallas one can get to Belize via the American Airlines, from Houston via the Continental Airlines, from Atlanta via Delta air (only on Saturdays) and from Charlottesville, North Carolina via US Airways. The main airport of the country is the Philip S W Goldson International Airport (BZE), which is.
Water
The main ports of the country include: Belize City, Corozal, Dangriga, Punta Gorda and San Pedro.
By road
Road links exist between Chetumal on the Mexican border and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala and regular bus services operate on these routes, leaving every half hour or hour for Belize City. Additionally one can enter Belize by bus from US border cities via Cancun, Mexico City and Chetumal. One can enter Belize by car from Mexico or Guatemala but will need to obtain a temporary importation permit at the border, valid for one month.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Adventure
Belize has one of the best diving sites in the world- the Blue Hole, which is startlingly vivid blue and measures 300m (1,000ft) across and over 120m (400ft) deep.
The barrier reef in Belize covers 296km (185 miles), including a nearly continuous wall of coral stretching almost 224km (140 miles) from Mexico to the Sapodilla Cayes, making it the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and one of the greatest places in the world for snorkeling.
The crystal-clear waters of Hol Chan Marine Reserve provide an opportunity to swim with the nurse sharks and stingrays. Another popular swimming spot is the St Herman's Blue Hole National Park, a deep collapsed sinkhole, are a popular swimming spot and also is home to an abundance of birds, animals, flora and St Herman's Cave, an ancient Mayan cave.
The gentle winds at the beautiful bay at Placencia, make sailing a great adventure there.
In the interior of Belize there are thousands of hidden caves, the most accessible is Rio Frio Cave in the Mountain Pine Ridge area, which provides great opportunity for caving and spelunking.
Hiking is possible along the Macal River in Cayo district to the Hidden Valley Falls, which is one of the largest waterfalls in Central America.
Destinations
At Altun Ha an extraordinary head of the sun god, ornately carved in jade, was found here and is now a national symbol of Belize. Explore Altun Ha, which a major Mayan ceremonial center and trading center in the Classic period (AD 250-900).
A spectacular Mayan citadel ruin sits in its own archaeological reserve and contains a museum, the remains of two 16th-century Spanish churches and a 19th-century sugar mill; this can be reached by taking a motorboat up the New River from Orange Walk to Lamanai.
Visit the San Ignacio Botanical Gardens and discover the healing herbs of Belize at the Chaa Creek Medicine Trail nearby.
The exquisitely carved Xunantunich ruins, considered some of the most beautiful and intricate in the Maya world are a must see.
Visit the 40,500 hectares (100,000 acres) Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and see its animal population of jaguarundis, howler monkeys and toucans.
SHOPPING
Shop for attractive Maya baskets, slate carvings and some nice carvings from zircote, mahogany and other local woods. And also take back some souvenirs like Marie Sharp's hot sauce (in a dozen different fiery-hot versions), recordings of Punta music (an electrified Caribbean sound native to southern Belize) and Belizean One Barrel rum.
EATING OUT
There are no gourmet restaurants and cuisines in Belize but quality restaurants can be found throughout the country.
Try the national favorite- stewed chicken served with rice and beans and perhaps fried plantain or coleslaw, with a Red Fanta or Belikin beer to wash it down with.
Another national delicacy is the cow foot soup.
Seafood, the fried chicken and all the rice-and-bean dishes are popular in the country and mangoes and other tropical fruit are inexpensive and delicious.
In case you are wary of the local flavors international fine-dining options abound on Ambergris Caye.
HOW TO GO AROUND
Air
The main towns and cayes are connected by the local airlines to the Belize City and there are flights from both, the international airport as well as the municipal airstrip. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are the two domestic carriers but you must be pre-warned that the Belizean airlines have been classified as category two, meaning they do not meet the ICAO safety standards.
Water
From Belize City to Ambergris Caye, Caye Chapel and Caye Caulker, there is a scheduled boat service and there are boats also from Placencia to Honduras and from Punta Gorda to Guatemala.
Road
The roads in Belize are unpaved single- or double-lane highways that get washed out during torrential rains, making local driving standards are extremely poor and road traffic accidents are a common occurrence. However, the country has several highways which are in reasonably good condition.
Buses services to most towns and villages and to the Mexican and Guatemalan borders are cheap and frequent, but the buses are overcrowded. Alternatively one can opt for car hire as many international and local firms operate in Belize City as well as in Ladyville (Belize Airport), Dangriga and San Ignacio.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotels
Hotels in Belize are high-end and exclusive establishments and in remote locations lodges and resorts are almost always comfortable.
Self catering apartments
For those who are going to the country for a longer stay, apartments for rent on a monthly basis are available.
Camping
There are budget campsite facilities in most districts and even a few hotels and guesthouses in the cayes offer camping on their private beaches or yards.
Click to Hide