Vacation Time: Belize!
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Where adventure awaits
REPORTING BY Inka Virrett
LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST COAST of Central America, bordering Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, Belize is a treasure trove of natural beauty and rich cultural experiences. If you can tear yourself away from the glittering Caribbean coast, there are wildlife-filled jungles, rolling mountain ranges and fascinating Mayan ruins to explore.
THE MAYA CIVILIZATION EMERGED in Belize at least three millennia ago and flourished until about 1000 AD. You can explore Mayan ruins throughout the country, but the best, based on scale and accessibility, are Lamanai, known for its 38m High Temple; Altun Ha, with its grand, open plazas; and Caracol, which homes an early astronomical observatory.
THE INFLUENCE OF MESTIZO AND CREOLE cultures is evident in the rich, diverse flavours that define Belizean cuisine and, unsurprisingly, the catch of the day is often prepared with a Caribbean twist. Be sure to order ‘fry jacks’ – a popular Belizean breakfast dish – puffed-up slices of tortilla dough filled with everything from jam and honey to beans and cheese.
IN THE JUNGLES OF SOUTHERN BELIZE, you find 128,000-acre Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to one of the highest concentrations of jaguars in the world. Here you can also hook up with birding guides to spot more than 500 kaleidoscopic avian species, such as keel-billed toucans, scarlet macaws and indigo buntings.
THE COUNTRY’S DIVERSE TOPOGRAPHY – forests, mountains, grassland and jungles – provides numerous opportunities for adventure. Openwater rafting is a fantastic way to explore Belize’s wild side, and you can go tubing through mysterious underground cave networks. The lush rainforests are perfect for zip-lining, or horse-back riding.
