Traveling through Belize you will see the sign, "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem!" nearly everywhere you go. This relaxed approach to life is only part of what is attracting more and more visitors to Belize each year.
Geographically Belize has a lot for travelers to take in as well. The Caribbean coast is lined with a coral reef and some 450 islets and islands known locally as Cayes. In total they comprise about 270 square miles of land and form the 200 mile long Belize Barrier Reef, the second longest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. Three of the four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere are also located off the coast of Belize.
And, because much of Belize is a protected national park, wildlife sanctuary or marine reserve, there is no shortage of wildlife. Sharks, coral fish, dolphins and turtles troll the waters, and over 570 species of birds, including toucans, fly the skies.
They have fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, bird watching, caving on the mainland, and on the lagoon side of Ambergris Caye, take a trip to Secret Beach. Belize is a wonderful place to enjoy fun in the warm, turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean. Rent a jet ski and explore the coastline, ride the wake behind a wakeboarding boat, or take a parasail ride.
After you've conquered Belize by land, venture seaward and see Belize's
Hol Chan and the Great Blue Hole. Hol Chan, also known as "
Shark-Ray Alley", is a split in the reef where nurse sharks and sting rays among other marine life, make their home. Besides being a prime destination for dive excursions, Hol Chan is also a marine reserve.
First made famous by Jacques Cousteau, the Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole that can be seen from space! The world's largest feature of its kind, the Hole attracts divers looking to catch a glimpse of the nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and Blacktip sharks that live in the area. Dive trips to the Great Blue Hole are usually full-day trips, including a dive in the Blue Hole and two other dives in nearby reefs.
Whatever attracts you to Belize, the warmth of the local culture will make you feel you've found a second home. Actually, many visitors have made it their second home, and when the owners are away, why not take advantage of the great deals to be had by renting a vacation house rather than paying a nightly rate for a hotel?
