An adventurer's paradise, Belize is a peaceful, English-speaking country just two hours away from 3 major U.S. Gateways. With a diversity of adventure opportunities unmatched by any other country, the Belizean people have protected over 40% of the country as parks and natural reserves.

Belize is on the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala and offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic mountains, mysterious Maya temples, and diving and fishing experiences beyond comparison. In a single day, one can go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Belize , formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Once part of the Mayan, and very briefly the Spanish Empire, it was most recently affiliated with the British Empire, prior to gaining its independence in 1981. The country is bordered to the south and west by Guatemala, to the north by Mexico, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.

The origin of the name Belize is unclear, but one idea is that the name is from the Maya word belix, meaning "muddy water," applied to the Belize River.

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It shares a border on the north with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the west with the Guatemalan department of Petén, and on the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal. To the east in the Caribbean Sea, the second-longest barrier reef in the world flanks much of the 386 kilometers of predominantly marshy coastline.

Ambergris Caye - The largest of all the cayes, Ambergris Caye is renowned for its beaches and proximity to the coral reef. From here you can indulge any wet adventure you can dream up; Sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and manatee watching are among the most popular. San Pedro, the caye's hub, offers any variety of accommodations, restaurants, bars and nightlife. For a change of pace and scenery, the bay side of the caye is a great place to get acquainted with Belizean bird life.

Caye Caulker - Just south of Ambergris is the relaxed and slow paced Caye Caulker where you can indulge your island fantasies on a quiet beach and get to know the Mestizo and Creole culture, customs and traditions. Offering budget accommodations and excursions with a full range of services, Caulker is also well known for its friendly, easygoing people who make it difficult for you to leave this sunny, sleepy little island.

Cayo - Located in the western interior of Belize, Cayo is a 1500 square mile district that encompasses a good portion of the Maya Mountains and has more than its fair share of ancient Maya sites to visit and explore. To the east is the capital city of Belmopan and to the far west, visitor friendly San Ignacio, the main city of the district. Between the two lie a world of forests teeming with wildlife and immaculately beautiful tropical watersheds catered to by a variety of jungle and river lodges to suit any style, budget and adventure.

Placencia - White sand beaches, brilliant blue waters and a hundred ways to enjoy the coastal treasures of Belize await you at Placencia. Spend your days in the water diving, fishing, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach, and your nights at the many interesting restaurants and watering holes that feature local food, culture and live music.

Blue Hole - The "Blue Hole" is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is about fifty miles due east of Belize City. Originally a cave, the roof fell in some 10,000 years ago as the land receded into the sea. Visible from outer space, the Blue Hole is nearly a perfectly circular hole 1,000 feet in diameter and 412 feet deep.

English is the only official language of Belize due to being a former British colony. It is the main language used in government and education.[1] Although only 5.6% of the population speaks it as the main language at home, 54% can speak it very well, and another 26% can speak some English. 37% of Belizeans consider their primary language to be Kriol, an English-based creole of words and syntax from various African languages (namely Akan, Igbo, and Twi), and other languages (Miskito, Caliche). It is also a second or third language for another 40% of the multilingual country.

To speak Kriol is synonymous with being Belizean. Kriol shares similarities with many Caribbean English Creoles as far as phonology and pronunciations are concerned. Also, many of its words and structures are both lexically and phonologically similar to English, its superstrate language. Due to the fact that it is English-based, all Kriol speakers can understand English. A number of linguists classify Belizean Kriol as a separate language, while others consider it to be a dialect of English.

It’s a cultural smorgasbord! It’s as varied and rich as the several cultures that together make up Belizean cuisine. Belizean food can be as peppery and fiery as the heat of the tropical sun, or as cool and refreshing as the crystal clear Caribbean waters that wash the Belizean shores. Or it can be as light and bright as the hundreds of birds that sing in Belizean jungles, or as savory and earthy as the dozens of wildlife that roam her acres of primary forest (many of them now protected species, so no eating of off-season game meat and the hawksbill turtle is always a no-no for turtle soup or any menu item!).

With the addition of immigrants from India, mainland China, Nigeria and neighboring Central American countries over the years, Belizean cuisine also now has an added international flavor. And, particularly with the gastronomic rise in tourism in the past five years, European cuisine, as well as American favorites, has become as readily available as the stalwart Kriol (Creole) rice-and-beans, Mestizo chimole, Mayan caldo, Garifuna hudut or East Indian curried favorites – all dishes which, incidentally, can today be considered pan-Belizean.