Travel Agent - June 23, 2008 - (Page 56) BELIZE mother nature’s BEST KEPT SECRET ust south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize is a land of mountainous tropical rainforests, where the pyramids of the ancient Maya are slowly being reclaimed from the jungle. Divers are drawn to its Caribbean coast, edged by white-sand beaches and offshore islands and cays that are protected by the Belize Barrier Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. With more than 40 percent of its land protected as sanctuaries, national parks or nature preserves, Belize is a leader in sustainable tourism — and a true paradise for eco-adventurers. Accommodations range from rustic guest houses to world-class eco-lodges with exotic spa treatments. Adventures might J include a horseback ride to sparkling waterfalls or diving through deep coral canyons amid sharks, turtles, seahorses and butterfly fish. On a jungle hike, local Maya guides may point out medicinal plants, barely-excavated Maya ruins, or rare birds and animals. A MUST FOR DIVERS The Belize Barrier Reef stretches along 185 miles of Belize’s coastline along with a chain of islands or cayes. The largest, Ambergris Caye, is dive central. Here, small guest houses and intimate upscale resorts dot the beaches, and the sandy streets of San Pedro Town are lined with brightly-colored build- ings that house boutiques and restaurants. Shallow sites ideal for snorkeling include SharkRay Alley, where adventurous visitors can swim with sharks and stingrays, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its amazing night snorkeling. Divers have access to nearby coral walls as well as sites up and down the Barrier Reef. Three of the Caribbean’s four atolls are in Belize. Round coral islands encircling a central lagoon, atolls form around ancient volcanoes and attract a rich variety of sea life to their distinctive underwater walls, channels and canyons. The most popular, Lighthouse Reef, features a Blue Hole, a 150-foot BELIZE GEOGRAPHY: Belize lies on the east coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is 174 miles long and 68 miles wide. Belize’s 8,867 square miles are dominated by mountains and waterfalls. About 15 miles offshore stretches the second largest coral reef in the world, 185 miles of crystal clear reefs forming a barrier and over cays along its eastern coastline. LANGUAGE: English is the official language. Spanish, Creole, Maya, Garifuna and other dialects are widely spoken. POPULATION: 301,300. CLIMATE: Temperatures vary from 70ºF to 94ºF 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 May. TIME: EST-2. Daylight Savings Time not observed. 56 www.caribbeantravel .c om http://www.caribbeantravel.com
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