BELIZE LEBAWIT LILY GIRMA Contents Index List of Maps Discover Belize Belize City The Northern Cayes Belmopan and Cayo Southern Coast and Cayes Punta Gorda and the Deep South Northern Belize Background Essentials Resources Copyright Barton Creek Cave Sit N’ Dip Beach Bar in Caye Caulker DISCOVER Belize 10 TOP EXPERIENCES Planning Your Trip IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR . . . The Best of Belize FLIP-FLOP ZONES UNDERWATER BLISS WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS For Adventure Junkies A Cultural Mix RHYTHMS OF BELIZE THE MUNDO MAYA Garifuna women on Hopkins Beach. My first 10-day trip to Belize ended up lasting three weeks, courtesy of an extension and a stiff airline change fee. But I felt no remorse: This small country had surprised me with its mind-boggling diversity in both nature and culture. “The Jewel,” as Belizeans affectionately call their home, has a spectacular living reef—the second-largest in the world—with premier diving and living reef—the second-largest in the world—with premier diving and snorkeling. A handful of its 200 offshore islands offer the kind of seclusion and dreamlike surroundings that continue to provide both luxury and romance. For those willing to explore deeper, the rewards are even richer. Virgin rainforests with more than 30 percent protected land. The largest cave system and the tallest waterfall in Central America. Riverbanks home to singing birds, giant iguanas, and roaming jaguars. Miles of turquoise Caribbean water and golden sand, and a dazzling array of marinelife—from whale sharks to the rare seahorse. Beyond its natural wonders, Belize is an unexpected cultural and sensory feast. This is a Caribbean country at heart, with splashes of ancient Mayan, African, and European influences. That mélange underpins every aspect of life, from a cuisine of coconut rice and beans, tacos, and mashed plantains to annual celebrations of both Caribbean and Latin Carnivals. cabin at Pelican Beach Resort on South Water view of San Ignacio Caye
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