If you ever do research on Belize City, you will find that a lot of people call it the most dangerous city in Central America. Tourists tend to avoid it like the plague and if they must stop in there they quickly book at trip out to the Cayes.
If you take the time to actually walk around the town and explore it a little, you will find that it is a fun place to be with friendly and welcoming people. Travel books advise people to skip Belize City if you can, but after all it is the countries largest urban hub, and by avoiding it you will miss a large part of what Belize is all about.
Belize is steadily growing as a popular stop for Cruise liners. The terminal is one of the nicest buildings in the city filled with shops and eateries. Passengers rarely leave here unless they are running off on a tour to see the sites. It is too bad for Cruisers, they never really see the real Caribbean cities that they visit. Each Terminal looks and feels like the last and yet to walk around the downtown area, you will find a unique energy and vibe.
Belize has an eclectic mix of architecture. In the 16th century it was settled by the English and the buildings reflect that era. There is your typical colonial architecture, you will see churches and modern buildings are starting to crop up. There is a wide variety in Language as well. The official language is English, but if you listen to conversations, people speak with a mix of Creole. They also speak Spanish, Mayan and German.
After soaking up the culture and cuisine in the country’s largest city, catch a water taxi to head out to Caye Caulker. For $10, you will be transported to paradise. Far less crowded than its overdeveloped neighbor Ambergris Caye, this little island is a gem of a destination.
The relaxed Caye Caulker is a popular place for the backpacker crowd. Far less touristy and quieter than Ambergris Caye, it feels as if you are relaxing in Jamaica. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island keeping noise and pollution to a minimum. You will see the odd golf cart or you can rent a bike to check things out. Rooms are cheaper and you won’t find any enormous resorts desecrating the land.
Located just 1 mile from the Belize Barrier Reef, it offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Hire a boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley and you will swim with the sharks as manta rays brush up against you. A marine preserve for the past 12 years, the coral and marine life is second to none in the world. Dolphin sightings are commonplace and you will be sure to spot barracuda’s, octopus, stingrays, eels and lobsters.
Many divers in the world travel to Belize for one reason only, and that is to dive the famous Blue Hole. Jaques Cousteau introduced it to the world and it is an awesome site. A collapsed cave in the middle of the sea attracts divers that want to go deep. Drop down to 150 feet and dive under overhangs as hammerhead and reef sharks swim in the chummed waters above. This dive is not for new divers.
If getting into the water with natural predators isn’t your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye. You can find a company to go with by simply walking down the main sandy street where operations line the path.
After your day exploring, you will be needing some great food and drinks and Caye Caulker has its fair share of restaurants. From fresh catches of the day to Italian or Jamaican Jerk, you will find something to satisfy your pallette. After dinner, head down to the beach and enjoy a cocktail as you listen to a band and find yourself content to just be.
To name everything that there is to do in Belize would take a book. Explore its jungles by foot, enjoy an inland kayaking trip and explore Central America’s largest Cave system. If you are a history buff visit one of the many Mayan ruins and for animal lovers, you can stop by the jaguar sanctuary. Beach life can even be found on the mainland and Placencia boasts the best beaches in the country.
It isn’t Mexico, The Dominican or Jamaica yet, but it won’t be long until everyone starts thinking of Belize as their vacation destination. So what are you waiting for, book your trip today and discover Belize.
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