Belize
Belize was once a part of the Maya kingdom before being colonised by the Spanish and the British. Today, it offers visitors the very best of the Central American and Caribbean worlds. Nature lovers can explore the wonders of the land and the sea. One of the country’s most stunning features is an un-named barrier reef, stretching 12-25 miles (19-40 km) offshore virtually uninterrupted along the coast. The largest Barrier Reef in the northern Hemisphere.
Ecotourists love Belize. Xunantich, ruins of a 1400 year old city from the Mayan empire, is a days drive inland. Artifacts from the country’s many archeological sites are displayed in Belmopan.
Capital: Belmopan
Currency: Belize dollar; US$1=BZ$2 US$ widely accepted
Population: 240,204
Area: 8,866 square miles (23,300 square kilometres).
Languages: English but Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are also spoken
Economy: Tourism
Religions: Mainly Catholic, with a large Protestant group, and Buddhists, Hindus, Muslim,
Mennonites and some Mayan rites.
Government: independent nation, member of the British Commonwealth.
Telephone Codes: 501
Airport Departure Tax: US$20.00
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports and no visas needed by citizens of Australia and New Zealand.
Health Certificates: None required. Contact health authorities for latest information.
Shopping Hours: Shops open 9am-5pm or later.
Banking Hours: Banks are open 8am-1pm, Monday to Thursday, and also 3-6pm on Fridays
Time Zone: 16 hours behind Sydney (EST).No Daylight Saving Time is observed.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.
Weather
Mild and subtropical like the rest of Central America, Belize has average temperatures of 75-85F in the summer and 70-80F in the winter. The most humid area is found on the coast; however, this area also gets cooling sea breezes. The average rainfall in southern Belize is 170 inches. Rainfall is most likely to fall between June or July and the end of November. Unfortunately, hurricanes do sometimes pass through here, with most likely season being late summer through fall
Transport:
Taxis are available in towns and resort areas and are recognizable by their green license plates. To strike out on your own, you'll need a rental car. There are also public buses into the country.
History:
Maya Indians inhabited the Belizean jungle from the fourth through the ninth centuries until their civilization inexplicably vanished. Whatever the cause, when Europeans arrived in the 17th century, only temples and tools remained of their once thriving culture.
Formerly British Honduras, Belize became a British colony in 1862. In 1981, Britain declared it independent. Diverse groups of immigrants have stirred the melting pot over the years, from Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Europe and Asia. Today they live in remarkable harmony.
Most of the travelers who make the trek to Belize come for one of four things: back-country exploring, deep-sea fishing, diving, or the Mayan ruins (Altun Ha, Caracol, Lamanai, Xunantunich). A few come to climb Victoria Peak's 3,680 feet. Another handful visit the wildlife sanctuaries filled with crocodiles, jaguars, howler monkeys, and iguanas. Some come to go caving in Belize's spectacular and extensive cave system. One or two just want to taste Belikin, the locally brewed beer. Conch, coconut and anything curried should also be tried out.
One would be remiss to leave the country without one of its hand-wrought mementos. Woodcarvings, straw work, ceramics and shell jewelry are all sold by local artisans.
Nightlife in Belize is mostly of the natural variety; bring along a good book instead.
Some organized touring of Belmopan, the capital since 1970, and Belize City, the former capital, is recommended, but don't spend too much time away from the more pristine sites.
In a world where it seems every acre has been conquered, divided, subdivided and developed, Belize is one place that is still truly wild. In Belize, the land of the Maya, there's something mystical waiting to be discovered behind every fern.
