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Belize

Introduction | Weather | Events | Places to go

Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast of Central America in 1502, and named the Bay of Honduras which borders the southern part of the barrier reef. The first settlers in Belize were English Puritans, setting up trading posts along the coast of Belize . Various bands of ship-wrecked sailors, buccaneers, and pirates established permanent bases in Belize , harassing the Spanish galleons20carrying gold, silver, and hardwoods from Central America to Europe . It wasn't long before logging became the dominant occupation. This band of rugged individuals took to calling themselves "Baymen" after the Bay of Honduras . Spain continually attempted to expel these British buccaneers from then Spanish territory, but finally signed treaties in 1763 and 1786 allowing the British to continue to harvest timber in exchange for protection against pirates preying on the Spanish galleons.

During the 1840's, Great Britain declared Belize to be the colony of British Honduras . Development of Belize became more organized and multiethnic through a series of cultural changes. The European settlers began to marry freed slaves forming the Creole majority that still is dominant in the population. Mexican citizens began cultivating small farms in Northern Belize . In Southern Belize, the Kekchi and Mopan Maya sought refuge in the hills of the Maya Mountains . A small band of Confederate Civil War veterans settled in what is now Punta Gorda. And from the Bay Islands of Honduras , the Garifuna people migrated and settled along the coast of Belize .

With the country of Belize being divided into six (6) districts, you will find it easy to plan your visit by looking at the following nine (9) tourist destination sites which are broken down according to region. Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Cayo , Stann Creek, Placencia, Toledo. Most people visit attractions in at least two of these regions in Belize during their trip--often combining one inland destination and one marine destination.

For the special interest traveler, Belize offers a great diversity of attractions and activities. Whether traveling alone, with a group, or with family, the options are outstanding. The following specialty travel pages will help with trip planning while also providing insight into the many features of Belize . Below are some tips that hold true for your travels throughout Belize . All tour guides must be licensed. The Belize Tourism Board, with the assistance of educational institutions and other tourism groups, holds training and certification programs for tour guides several times a year throughout the co untry. Boat operators are required to have life jackets on board. Ground transportation vehicles are required to have seat belts.

Belize is located in the Northern Hemisphere, within Central America . Belize is bounded on the North by Mexico , South and West by Guatemala , and the beautiful Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the East. Geographically we're 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.

For the outdoor enthusiast and adventure traveler, Belize presents unlimited opportunities to participate in a wide range of sightseeing, cultural, and outdoor activities. You might say that Belize is the outdoors. Listed below are some popular20activities in Belize : Scuba/Snorkeling, Windsurfing & Water sports, Fishing, Sailing, Birding, Caving, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Golfing.

CLIMATE: Temperatures vary from 70 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit during the year. Annual rainfall averages 50 inches in the north and 170 inches in the south during the rainy season - June to August. The driest months are February through to May.
DINING: The Belizean cuisine is a mixture of diverse cultures with the signature dish being rice and beans; chicken and potato salad with fried ripe plantains. Tipping is at the discretion of the individual. Dress code is casual.
NIGHTLIFE: Local bars in the main towns have live entertainment most weekends; Las Vegas style casino at the Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City and San Ignacio.

ATTRACTOPNS/SIGHTSEEING: Belize ’s tourism regions have distinctive flair: Corozal:flavored with the Mestizo culture. Explore picturesque Corozal Bay with concealed inlets in hidden lagoons; centuries old Maya temples at Cerros, Santa Rita and Cayo Coco and see rare wood storks, parrots and monkeys in Shipstern Nature Reserve. Orange Walk: home to the riverside Maya site of Lamanai, sugar cane plantations,

the lush Rio Bravo tropical forest, an orchid farm, coffee plantation, the country’s largest rum distillery, a traditional Mennonite community and quaint Orange Walk Town. Ambergris Caye and San Pedro town is the most popular tourist destination in the country. The ample amenities and restful ambiance on this 20-mile-long, two-mile-wide tropical island is ideally located for daytime excursions to dozens of fishing, diving, and snorkeling sites including Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Caye Caulker: only a 20 mile boat ride from Belize City , this fishing village turned laid back tourist haven offers the charm of local culture and all the marine activities of nearby Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and the manatees at20Swallow Caye. Belize District: home to Belize City the commercial capital, with the national museum, historical sites of the colonial era and restaurant choices including gourmet and local cuisine. Interior Belize District offers the Community Baboon Sanctuary, local wineries, forest zip-lining, cave-tubing and the Maya temples of Altun Ha. Cayo: the heart of Belize offering the best of any Central American travel vacation: starting with the capital city, Belmopan , the ancient temples of Caracol, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, scenic Macal and Mopan rivers, the caves of Barton Creek and Actun Tunichil Muknal , miles of trails in the Chiquibuil National Park and the pine forests of Mountain Pine Ridge. Stann Creek: Dance to the rhythm of drums rooted in Africa in Dangriga, the largest community in Stann Creek. Explore more, welcome to Belize .