Belize   Belize City   San Pedro Town   Cayo District   Tikal Maya Ruins   Ambergris Caye   The Maya   People   Travel Tips   Temperature/Weather   Reading List

Belize English speaking and Creole dominated, Belize has more in common with its Caribbean island neighbors than its bordering Spanish-speaking countries. With a laid back ambiance of swinging hammocks, large swaths of impenetrable jungle, and an underwater world of twisted corals, neon fish, and gentle manatees, Belize is a tropical treasure. Mayan ruin. (Belize) Located in the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize is bordered by Mexico to the North and Guatemala to the West. Even though small in size (9,087 square miles), it arguably offers the best diving in the world. It is also one of the best places in the Americas to see the elusive Jaguar and other large jungle animals. In a single day, visitors can snorkel in the morning and visit ancient Mayan ruins deeper in the interior. Inhabited by the Maya for centuries and Colonized by English buccaneers and escaped African slaves later, Belizean food offers spicy Creole creations, standard English corned beef, and the Mayan delicacy of the fried paca (a small jungle rodent). A unique aspect of Belize is the fact that it is undeveloped in a way that has allowed for nature to live on in a way that biologists and environmentalists fall in love with. The entire country only contains two paved roads, which can make getting around difficult, but an experience on its own. Prices for food, hotels, and souvenirs are higher as in most out of the way places, but it's worth it! The best idea is to just relax and let yourself fall into the slow rhythm that is Belize.  Back to Top Belize City Belize City is Belize's former capital and commercial center. Few people come to Belize City for a holiday, but it is where the international airport is located. The city can also be dangerous, particularly after dark. We recommend flying in and out of Belize City, but not spending much if any time there.  Back to Top Jaguar (Belize) San Pedro Town Imagine a sleepy little Caribbean fishing village with sandy streets, gently swaying palm trees and brilliant blue waters, where time passes relatively unnoticed. This would be San Pedro, and even though most of the fishermen have adopted the tourism industry for their livelihood, the ambience remains the same. San Pedro is the main city on Ambergris Caye, located 35 miles north of Belize City. The area was first discovered by tourists about 30 years ago but, to its credit, has resisted the exploitation and development of massive tourist complexes. The lodging facilities, as in the rest of Belize, range from budget to luxury--something for everyone. Even though this is one of Belize's most popular tourist destinations, it never feels crowded. The native population of about 1500 will make you feel most welcome. While it is true that many of the tourist facilities have been built by Americans and Canadians, the Belizeans are holding their own as some of the best hotel and restaurant owners on the caye. Scuba class. (Glovers Reef, Belize) The main reason for visiting here, if there has to be one, would be a love of water-related activities. San Pedro will cater to your every whim, whether it be swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing, windsurfing or sport fishing. You can even take day trips to the mainland, to see Maya ruins, go bird watching, or look for manatees. None of these activities are required, however, and there are plenty of beaches and hammocks beckoning you to relax with a cold drink. We personally recommend anything made with one of the many varieties of Belizean rum. From your hammock, you can view the barrier reef and all of its related activities, just a half-mile offshore. Note of Warning: Beware of falling coconuts!  Back to Top Cayo District After spending a few days in Belize, most people will agree that although each district has its own charms, one stands out above all the others. With an area of over 2,000 square miles, Cayo is the largest and the most diverse. The land begins with green, rolling hills and farmland in the north, and gradually builds up to the crest of the Maya Mountains along its southern border. Our jungle lodge(Belize) Among the assets of the Cayo are the fabulous Maya ruins of Caracol, Cahal Pech, Xunantunich, El Pilar, Buena Vista and Pacbitun, just to name a few. Presently, over 600 ancient Maya sites have been identified in Belize, with a major portion in the Cayo District. If you like to kick old rocks, this is your "cup o' tea." Belizean caves, some newly discovered, provide real "Indiana Jones" adventure. Most of the Cayo sits atop vast limestone deposits, which have produced quite a collection of caves. Some are dry caves in the hills, others have rivers flowing through them.  Back to Top Tikal Maya Ruins of Guatemala Tikal is one of the most famous ruined cities of the Classic Period of the Maya. It is located in north central Petén, Guatemala, about 50 miles northwest of the border with Belize. Tikal is the largest and possibly the oldest of the Maya cities. Set in a high canopy jungle, the site encompasses at least 3,000 buildings, including a handful of impressively tall temples that loom above the forest. It consists of nine groups of courts and plazas built on hilly land above surrounding swamps (which may have been lakes in former times) and interconnected by bridges and causeways. The main civic and religious center of the city covers about 500 acres (200 hectares). The design of the buildings is for the most part monumental and static and were built with harmonious combinations of solid masses. The great ruins of Tikal. (Tikal, Guatemala) At its peak some 1,500 years ago, Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 Maya. In addition to it's numerous well excavated temples and pyramids, Tikal presents an excellent opportunity for animal and bird watching. Along the paths, spider and howler monkeys, gray foxes and red coatis are visible to the visitor. Between 600 AD and 800 AD, for what may prove to be a multitude of reasons, the great Maya centers of the southern lowlands fell into ruin - abandoned and left to be adopted by the surrounding rainforest. Many theories have tried to explain this disruption - including over-population, extensive warfare, revolt of the farmer/laborer class, or any number of devastating natural disasters. Whatever the reason, its most devastating effect was limited to the central regions and therefore the northern lowlands continued to prosper during what is called the Late Classic period.  Back to Top Ambergris Caye Scarlet macaw (Belize) Imagine a small, palm-shaded island, its sugar-white sands awash in some of the warmest, clearest water to be found anywhere. Offshore, is world-class snorkeling, diving, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing in the turquoise Western Caribbean. On land, you're immersed in a friendly, laid back atmosphere that offers hotels, restaurants, and services to suit every whim and pocketbook. Your range of nightlife options includes bars, dance clubs, and a good-humored local oddity called "the chicken drop," in which bets are placed on where your chosen fowl will relieve herself! Welcome to Belize's Ambergris Caye (pronounced "key"), a 20-mile-long, two-mile-wide tropical spit of sand covered with coconut and mangrove trees, cooled by trade winds, and protected by one of the world's longest barrier reefs. Golf carts, bicycles, and your own two feet are the main modes of transportation on the sand-covered streets of tiny San Pedro, the island's only town. But don't let the slow pace fool you. The locals, uncorrupted by the mass tourism and chain resorts that have invaded much of the region, are ready to welcome you with plenty of places to eat, drink, and be merry. Many San Pedranos are also experienced guides and recreation outfitters eager to make your daytrips picture perfect. English is the official language of this former British colony, independent since 1981. Kayaks on the beach. (Glovers Reef, Belize) For those who really want to get away from it all, north and south of San Pedro, the waving palm fronds shelter secluded resorts that specialize in diving, fishing, boating, or simply stretching out in a hammock with a cold drink and a hot bestseller. Parts of Ambergris are even more remote, comprising government-protected reserves where you can see endangered sea turtles swim ashore to lay their eggs, ospreys dive for fish in backwater lagoons, and archaeologists hunt for artifacts among ruins left by the ancient Maya civilization a thousand years ago. Ambergris Caye is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize for good reason. Besides its ample amenities and restful ambiance, the island is ideally located for daytime excursions to the many offshore attractions for which this country is famous. Dozens of fishing, diving, and snorkeling sites are less than an hour away, including Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley. The latter are underwater national parks that teem with tropical fish of every size, color, and description, along with exotic corals, sponges, and sea fans. Non-snorkelers can view this amazing panorama on a glass-bottom boat ride. The more adventurous traveler, particularly those with a serious interest in diving or fishing, will want to spend some extra time visiting the Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef, and the Blue Hole, a 412-foot collapsed underwater cave made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Visitor services on Ambergris include gift shops, banks, grocery stores, museums, and even a small casino. Surprisingly, a range of cosmopolitan cuisines are available at San Pedro restaurants, including the Jade Garden (Chinese), Fido's (Belizean, home of the chicken drop), Celi's (seafood), Elvi's (Belizean/seafood), and Little Italy (Italian). Memorable gourmet meals in elegant surroundings are served north of the village at Capricorn, Rendezvous, Mata Chica, and Mambo, south at Victoria House. For beyond-the-hotel nightlife, try the convivial music and dance scenes along the shoreline at Big Daddy's, Tarzan's, and Fido's. Movies and karaoke are also sometimes available at various locations.  Back to Top The Maya The ancient Maya were not empire builders, like many other Indian populations. Instead, they formed independent commonwealths. Their common culture, calendar, mythology and spiritual view of the world united them as Maya - True People. The ancient Maya had a complexity of deities whom they worshipped and offered human sacrifices. Maya rulers were believed to be descendants of the gods and their royal blood was the ideal sacrifice. The Maya vision of the universe was divided into multiple levels, above and below earth, positioned within the four directions of north, south, east and west. Caving. (Belize) Limestone structures, faced with lime clay, were the labels of ancient Maya architecture. The Maya developed several unique building innovations. Tombs were often encased within or beneath Maya structures. Frequently new temples were built over existing structures. In addition to temples, most Maya sites had multi-roomed structures that probably served as royal palaces as well as centers for government affairs. The Maya culture flourished and continues to exist in a region of Mexico and Central America often referred to as Mesoamerica. This includes the Yucatan peninsula and Tabasco and Chiapas of present day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and the western parts of Honduras and El Salvador. To say that the Maya civilization disappeared is not only an inaccuracy, but a great disservice to more than 6 million Maya living today in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize. While the city-states of the Classic period lowlands may have been abandoned in the tenth century, the Maya people did not disappear any more than the Italians when the Roman Empire fell. Modern Maya religion is a colorful hybrid of Catholicism and ancient Maya beliefs and rituals. Today, religious Maya worship at mountain and cave shrines, making offerings of chickens, candles and incense with a ritual alcoholic drink.  Back to Top People The majority of Belizeans are Roman Catholic, however due to the heavy British influence, Belize has a larger Protestant population than any other country in Central America. The Maya and Garifuna practice their own fascinating mixture of shamanism and Christianity. Beach cabana. (Glovers Reef, Belize) The official language of Belize is English, but many other languages are also used. Along the coast, you're most likely to hear Creole spoken. A colorful variation of English, if you listen carefully, you might notice a familiar word or two - maybe! Spanish is the main language in towns that border Guatemala to the west and Mexico to the north, and it's possible to run into several other languages such as Mayan, German, Chinese, Lebanese, and Arabic. Belize has never really developed a national cuisine. Like many of its neighbors, rice and beans are a staple product. Much of the local dishes have a Caribbean flavor. Coconut milk, plantains, and hot peppers help spice things up a bit. Sitting down to a tradition Mayan meal can be a treat for the adventurous. Suckling pig roasted underground is a delicious favorite in the countryside!  Back to Top Travel Tips Belize City can be dangerous at night so take good care of your valuables while in the city!  Back to Top Temperature/Weather Belize is a sub- tropical region with two main seasons - wet and dry. The specific weather, however, varies greatly from region to region. On the coast, travelers can expect heat and humidity year round, while inland temperatures cool and the humidity eases as you gain elevation. Snorkeling above the coral. (Glovers Reef, Belize) The wet season in Belize usually runs from about June through October. The amount of rain that actually falls can and does change from year to year, and depends on the location in the country. This is also hurricane season, so travelers need to beware of the possibility of cutting your stay short or holing up much longer than anticipated if the weather turns foul. The beginning of the dry season begins in November and runs through May. During this season, much less rain falls and temperatures cool making wonderful balmy days. The average annual temperature in Belize is 79°F , but the temperature has been known to drop to 50°F. In the coolest months there is not much variation for the average day time high, which is 75°F on the coast and 72°F in the mountains. These temperatures make the entire country a perfect place to enjoy this wonderful Caribbean paradise, but bring a light sweater to experience those cool, pleasurable nights.  Back to Top Reading List In order to make the most of your trip to Belize, the following reading lists will help you gain a better understanding of the landscape, culture and people. Here you can also purchase any books you might need for your Global Adrenaline trip! Belize Yucatan  Back to Top   Africa | Asia | Australia New Zealand | Latin America | Polar Home | Contact Us | Back to Top Global Adrenaline, Inc. 1640 North Wells Street, Suite 207 Chicago, Illinois 60614 USA Tel: +1-866-884-5622 (toll free in USA) Tel: +1-312-863-6300 (outside USA) Fax: +1-312-873-4440 Email: info@GlobalAdrenaline.com CST 2074630-40 © 2001-2010 Global Adrenaline, Inc. All rights reserved. Global Adrenaline and the Global Adrenaline logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.