Types of Tourism in Belize
BEACH HOLIDAYS
Belize is located on the Caribbean coast. The length of the coastline of the country is 386 km. The beaches of Belize are made up of soft white coral sand. The coastal waters of Belize are protected from strong currents by the Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, so swimming here is absolutely safe. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 200 islands belonging to the country, where you can have a great rest. All Belize resorts are small, there are no roads, only small sandy paths. The only means of transportation are small cars, which are usually used to drive around golf courses. The most popular resorts in the country are the Ambergris Islands, Caulker and Chapel in the northern part of the sea, the groups of islands Glovers, Turniff and Lighthouse in the central part, as well as resort towns on the southern coast of the mainland – Dangriga and Placencia . Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Belize.
The most popular beach in Dangriga is Pelican Beach, 25 km from here in the sea lies Columbus Reef with Tobacco Cay resort .
The seaside resort of Placencia is located 75 km south of Dangriga on a small peninsula. The resort is known for its picturesque lagoon, along which stretches 5 km of sandy beaches. Promenade of Placencia was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the narrowest embankment in the world. Along it are numerous bars, restaurants and shops.
Ambergris is one of the most popular and largest islands in Belize. Its main beaches are concentrated in the area of the city of San Pedro . The resort has luxury hotels, many bars, restaurants and discos. All other islands of the country are small and perfect for a relaxing holiday.
DIVING
Along the coast of Belize stretches a coral reef with a length of about 320 km, it is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest in the world after the Australian Great Barrier Reef. About 400 species of fish and 70 species of corals live here.
Underwater visibility within the islands of the reef is excellent, it varies from 30 to 60 m. The depth of water between the mainland and the reef does not exceed 10 m.. Here you can go drift diving, that is, swim in the currents. Of the most interesting dive sites of Ambergris, Shark Ray Alley stands out, where you can swim with stingrays and nurse sharks, Coral Gardens, where at a depth of 3-4 m there are such inhabitants of the sea as minke whales, silverfish, parrot fish, moray eels, barracudas, red crabs and rays, and of course Hol-Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is the main attraction of Ambergris Island. It is located in the southern part of the island. This underwater park was the very first of the marine reserves established in Central America. The diving depth here is small, but in some places it can reach 30 m. Under water, there are whole coral mountains with ferns and anemones.
The group of islands of Belize is also world famous – Lighthouse Reef, which is the furthest from the coast of the country. Near this atoll is one of the most fascinating places on Earth – Big Blue Hole. It is believed that thousands of years ago this place was an ordinary cave, the roof of which collapsed under the influence of water advancing on the mainland. Now it is one of the largest depressions of this origin in the world. Its diameter is 300 m, and its depth is 124 m. When diving on the surface of the Blue Hole, you can see corals and various fish, but already at a depth of 38 m they disappear, only huge caves remain in the walls with stalactites up to 10 m high. Reef Glovers. It is known for the underwater “forests” of the Emerland. The corals of these forests are truly huge – these are “trees” 3-5 m high, with a “crown” 5-7 m in diameter and with flat “branches”.
Also, divers will be interested in Tucklebox places. (west of the Big Blue Hole), where a huge number of turtles appear in March-April, and Turniff Atoll, where the best underwater visibility is noted. It is worth noting that almost every island of Belize has excellent diving opportunities, in every village there is equipment rental.
WINDSURFING
On the islands of Belize, windsurfing is possible from February to June. At this time, the average wind speed almost every day is 6-10 m/s.
FISHING
On the east side of Belize’s reefsthere are shallows that are warmed by the sun and full of plankton, which attracts a wide variety of fish. Therefore, the outer sides of the reefs are the best places for fishing. Here you can catch sharks, wahoo, marlin, sailfish, groupers, king mackerel, tuna, tarpon, jack and barracuda. For fishing, you need to buy a tour or apply for a permit yourself.
HIKING
In the southwest of the country in the Mayan mountains there are many hiking trails. Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve and Blue Hole National Park trails are especially popular.
RAFTING
In the Mayan mountains, there are several small, rapid rivers, along which you can go on a trip on a canoe. During the trip, you will see the main natural attractions, and you can also stop at the ruins of the main cities of the Mayan Indians. The most popular are rafting on the Makal and Mopan rivers.
EXCURSIONS
The main tourist program of Belize is trips to the monuments of the ancient Mayan culture – the numerous ruins of the main cities of the Mayan empire. Belize, together with Mexico and Guatemala, is a member of the international Maya World project, the purpose of which is to study and protect Mayan cultural sites on the Yucatan Peninsula within these three countries. In addition, tourists in Belize excursions are offered to the country’s protected areas, the main colonial cities and trips to the islands of the Barrier Reef.
