Any Travels

Belize is located at the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico City and Antigua guatemala and offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic 3,675 foot mountains, Maya temples, and interesting diving and fishing possibilities. In a single day you can go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. And the people are known to be very friendly. Belize is also known for its marine environment. The country has the second longest barrier reef in the world, as well as three major offshore atolls. You can find also mangrove systems both offshore and along the coast, thus creating a tremendous wetlands environment in which birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles can propagate. With such a significant marine ecosystem, scuba divers, marine biologists, and sport fishermen have long recognized the importance of Belize, and it has become a favorite destination for them.

Dabbling its toes in the Caribbean Sea, Belize has more in common with its island neighbours than with the fiery volatility of Central America. English-speaking, Creole-dominated and with a thoroughly coup-free history, this tiny country has an atmosphere so laid-back it's almost comatose.

Unpaved roads, high prices and a lack of infrastructure can make it a difficult place to travel, but it compensates with some of the best diving in the world, dramatic Mayan ruins looming out of untouched jungle and secluded eco-lodges catering to the most sedentary adventurers.

The Maya built breathtaking temple complexes aligned to the movement of celestial bodies. Although they remained technically a Stone Age culture, they also developed sophisticated mathematics, astronomy and calendars. The Spanish constructed some plain stone churches, but the modern architecture is predominantly British Caribbean in style.

Belize is officially English-speaking, but the creoles (the largest ethnic group) speak their own colorful dialect as well as standard English. Spanish is the main language in the north and some towns in the west. You may also hear Mayan, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese, Arabic, Hindi and Garifuna (the language of the Garinagu people of Stann Creek district) being spoken.

The majority of Belize's population are Roman Catholics, but British influence has created a sizable and varied protestant congregation, including German Swiss Mennonites. The Mayan practice of Catholicism is a fascinating fusion of shamanist-animist and Christian ritual.

Belize has never really developed a national cuisine. Its cooking borrows elements from the UK, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean. The traditional staples are rice and beans. These are often eaten with chicken, pork, beef, fish or vegetables. Coconut milk and fried plaintain add a tropical flavor. Exotic traditional foods include armadillo, venison and fried gibnut (also called paca), a controversial brown-spotted rodent (similar to a guinea pig) that conservationist-gourmets won't touch with a ten foot cassava.