There was a project break in May/Jun such that I could go out for a tour.
As my BNO will be expired in Jan 2018 with my USA visa, I would like to take this last chance to travel westward to America.
My mom told me that her cousins migrated to Guatemala when I was young. This country was then a place full of my imagination. I longed to bring my mother to Guatemala City to meet her relatives.
Adjacent to Guatemala, Belize is the only country using English as her official language in Central and South America. It is a country no bigger than Israel, but as more I learned about the country, the more I wanted to visit the place. Belize together with Guatemala and Mexico cover most of the Maya ruins.
Belize has much to offer to visitors:
- Belize Barrier Reef is the 2nd largest in the world, after Australia, and with more than 100 types of coral and some 500 species of tropical fish. With more than 100 enticing isles and two amazing atolls including the world-renowned Blue Hole ...
- A vast network of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries offers a safe haven for wildlife, which ranges from the industrious parades of cutter ants to the national animal of Belize, Baird's tapir, and also some 570 species of birds.
- Belize is home to one of the world's most mysterious civilizations - the ancient Maya.
- Belize is a genuine adventure, including tube or canoe or even crawl through the ancient cave systems, zip-lining through the jungle canopy, horseback riding, multi-days hiking in national parks, etc.
- Belize's cultural mix with Black Creoles, K'ekchi Maya, German-speaking Mennonites, Garifunas with a mixed Carib and African culture - all get along and give the country a very special feel.
A place of nowhere
However, I needed to explain the place to people each time they asked where I was going. Even the flight attendant helped me check in at Hong Kong airport asked his colleaque where Belize was, ha!
Choice of stops
Taken out the flight time, I could have only 16 days touring around. It took me quite some time to sort out how to spend my days wisely and explore the most from the trip. Finally, it was a circular run with Caye Caulker the final stop such that I could take a flight to the international airport to continue my flight back home.
Top Things to See and Do in Belize [Nomadic Matt]
Just come across these links, after my adventurehttp://www.belizeadventure.ca/travel-tips/
https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/belize-travel-tips/
· Belize Zoo – One of the most popular attractions in Belize City is its zoo. With the tagline “the best little zoo in the world,” the 29-acre site is home to over 120 species of animal, all native to the country. You'll get to see jaguars, macaws, snakes, pumas, and crocodiles. Admission is 30 BZD and the zoo is open daily from 8:30am-5pm.
Yes, I visited the zoo in the midway to San Ignacio, early in the morning with only a few visitors
· See the wildlife – Much of Central
America is a wildlife observer's paradise, and this country is no exception.
Birdwatchers will enjoy Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary with its world-class
spotting opportunities, while those interested in big cats flock to the
country's most famous protected area Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for its
jaguars (you definitely want to hike around here. The landscape is lush and
beautiful!).
· Nature walks – Whether you go
early in the morning or in the middle of the night, going out with a naturalist
through the jungle is an awesome adventure.
The morning is the best time to check out birds, while the night is best to get near to insects and wildlife.
· Actun Tunichil Muknal – One of the most exhilarating, if not spooky, things to do is the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave tour. The cave is home to the remains of victims of Mayan sacrifices and after a brief hike and trek, you'll come face to face with their skeletons. The site was discovered in 1989 and has been a popular tour ever since then. Expect to pay around 150 BZD for an organized tour. It was one of my favorite activities in the country. Because it is so popular tours have become a lot more restrictive on where you can walk and when you can go!
· Caracol – Caracol is the largest Mayan
site and was once one of the most powerful cities in Mayan times.
Unlike Altun Ha, the ruins in Caracol are less restored and are in a jungle
setting, which adds to the ancient feeling of the site (which made them my
favorite because I felt like Indy). The site is full
of reservoirs, stellae, walls, and tombs, with the best attraction being the
Sky Place, a 141 feet tall building. Admission is 30 BZD.
Hours are from 8am-4pm.
Yes, thanks Bryan & Jeremiah for the self-drive visit
Yes, thanks Bryan & Jeremiah for the self-drive visit
· Xunantunich
– Xunantunich is one of Belize's most impressive and easily accessible Maya
sites. Although
strenuous with all the hills, it is well worth the sighting of birds and
butterflies, and the 7th-century temples and plazas offer some stunning views. Admission is 10 BZD.
· The Cayes – There are hundreds of small
islands off the coast, many of them picture perfect and uninhabited. Two of the most
visited Cayes are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
Ambergris is the largest of the Belizean Cayes and the most expensive tourist
destination in the country, popular with families on resort style holidays. Caye Caulker, on the other hand, is
not as touristy as Ambergris and has a more relaxed atmosphere which makes it
popular with backpackers.
· The Barrier Reef – The 2nd longest barrier reef in the world, the vibrant
coral, and magnificent marine life makes up the country's most popular tourist
attraction. Divers and
snorkelers can enjoy the reef within one of the many islands in the marine park
or take a boat tour out to the area itself. In 1996, the reef was designated as a World
Heritage Site.
· Hol Chan Marine
Reserve – Hol Chan is probably the most well-known
marine reserve in the country and is located close to Ambergris Caye. The
diving and snorkeling within the park is fantastic and includes caves, coral,
and plenty of tropical fish to keep you amused.
Head to nearby Shark Ray Alley for the chance to get up close and personal with
sharks and rays around feeding time. Activity prices start at 25 BZD.
· St. John's Cathedral – This cathedral is the oldest Anglican Church in South
America. Built from red bricks
that were brought aboard English sailing ships in the 1800s, this is an awesome
piece of history to check out.
- Sunrise tour to Tikal – Tikal rightfully gets all the attention, being one of the most extensive Mayan cities ever discovered, whether in Guatemala or elsewhere; the central plaza is surrounded by entirely intact ancient pyramids, with dozens of other massive structures hidden among the forest. You could discover one ancient monument after another, to the backdrop of toucans flying overhead and howler monkeys providing an ever-present musical backdrop.
- Cobblestone streets in Flores – Flores is a small island in Lake Peten Itza, is used as the main gateway to Tikal. Enjoy the serenity by staying for one night or two.
- Admire the natural wonders of Semuc Champey – Set deep in the jungle in what seems to be the middle of nowhere is a massive natural limestone formation covering an underground river, whose stepped swimming pools look like a giant tropical rice paddy
- Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce, and Livingston – take a boat ride along Rio Dulce to spectate a Spanish castle, vertical rock gorge, hot spring waterfalls, riverside eco-lodges
