Belize

One of the most beautiful places in Central America is Belize. This Creole-dominated country is primarily English speaking and has a very, laid back approach to life. The majority of roads are still unpaved, which makes travel somewhat of a challenge but even so, you will see some amazing scenery. There is little infrastructure and prices are high but you will find dramatic Mayan ruins and untouched jungle area that make Belize a wonderful place for adventure.

Although there is really no bad time to visit Belize, it does have a hotter, dry season from November to May. However, keep in mind that this is also the season when there are masses of tourists, which help jack up hotel prices. Therefore, if you are on a stricter budget, visit Belize during their summer months, which are July to November. For example, you would expect to pay around $30 US per day for room and two to three meals.

The good news is that this price does not go up much for staying at the nicer hotels. While this may not sound much when compared to prices in the United States, when compared to other locations in Central America, these prices are extremely high. Keep in mind that haggling in Belize is quite common so if you do not like the price of a hotel room, see if you can get the owner to reduce it for you. The only disadvantage is that this is the hurricane season so expect rain and storms.

There are some wonderful activities and events held in Belize such as the Baron Bliss Day in March, which is a festival that honors the philanthropic British noblemen who fell madly in love with this country. After his death, all of his vast fortune was left to the people. Then in September, there is the Belize National Day, a commemoration of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Other festivals are held throughout the year, some of which include Garifuna Settlement Day, Independence Day, and Columbus Day.

If you travel into Belize City, the former capital, you will not find much other than some rundown buildings that have been damaged from tropical storms. Sadly, this area has open drainage canals and a serious problem with foul odor. During the hot months, Belize City is sweltering and most people say visiting there, especially after dark, is a danger proposition. Another city, Lamanai is very different, featuring some impressive Mayan ruins. In all, there are 60 structures, one that is a 112-foot structure, along with a ball court and temple.

The name, Lamanai, translates to “submerged crocodile”, which was at one-time occupied in the early 16^th century. During that era, it was a major ceremonial center well before the Mayan structures were built. The Mayan civilization lived there until the Spanish arrived, which is evident by two Indian churches that now lie in ruins. While in this area, you should consider taking a 90-minute boat trip to the New River. Along the way, you will pass the Mennonite community of Shipyard, which is an interesting site that is home to lots of crocodiles and bird life.

If you prefer getting away from things, then the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Placencia would be nice destinations. For the Baboon Sanctuary, you will discover more than 20 miles of rainforest, featuring the Belize River that runs right through the middle. Here, approximately 1,200 rare Black Howler monkeys call home, which are the local baboons. If you like, you can hike through the rainforest to get a better view or simply enjoy the trip y canoe.

For Placencia, this is very different in that it is a sandy peninsula in the southern region of Belize. This beach town is very quiet and peaceful and the village features a main street made from nothing more than a narrow footpath built out of concrete. However, you can enjoy fishing, swimming, sun tanning, and a number of water sports here. In fact, Belize is a haven for water sports enthusiasts with fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving, windsurfing, tubing, and much more.

History tells us that Belize was first inhabited by the Maya and Carib Indians. Considered a major part of the Mayan empire, Belize once stretched from Guatemala and areas of Honduras to El Salvador. The history in this part of Central America can be dated to around 4,000 years ago during the Classic Period. While the population reached its peak around the 7^th to 8^th centuries, it was in serious decline by the 14^th century. Then when the Spanish came in the 16^th century, the Mayan cities were deserted.

Interesting, the Spanish settlers thought of Belize as only being good for cutting logwood that was used for dye. With the safety provided by the reef, many Englishmen and Scottish pirates were attracted to this area in the 17^th century and when piracy started to fade out, they got involved with the logging industry. By the 20^th century, Belize went through a tough period of unrest, fighting hard for independency, which would not come until 1981 when British Honduras officially became Belize. Through wars, Belize stood her ground and when General Noriega fell from grace, it became a major trans-shipment point for cocaine going into the United States from South America. However, for the past two decades, the people of Belize have been working hard to regain control of their beloved country and to rebuild tourism.

When visiting Belize, you will see amazing things. Again, the Maya complexes are breathtaking and considering the lack of modern technology and tools, simply amazing due to their sophistication in design and structure. Although Belize does not have its own national food, you will notice a blend of Mexican, Caribbean, American, and UK flavors. Typically, dishes include beans and rice, which are often cooked with or served alongside chicken, beef, fish, pork, and vegetables. Other local favorites include fried plantain and coconut milk. However, there are other traditional foods that include venison, armadillo, and the brown-spotted rodent. No matter what you eat, you will find Belize to be a country with dense jungle, swap, and farmland. Because of the diversity of the land, there is an abundant and variety of wildlife and birds. For a place of adventure and relaxation, Belize would make a nice destination.