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 nonymity
is part of Belize's charm. It has always been there but nobody noticed
it. For the most part, only a small portion of the world's tourist population
has been to Belize; that has kept Belize's Maya ruins, pristine rain forest
and especially the Belize Barrier Reef "unspoiled" for all to enjoy. |
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For much of its history,
Belize has been a wild place, attractive to the adventurous and the hardy,
so it was only a matter of time until new ecotravelers found this part
of Central America.
Today, Belize is a rising
star with those seeking active eco-holidays. |
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expanses of rain forest, rich collection of birds and animals, long stretch
of coral reef and plentiful Maya ruins. Belize's growing popularity has
made it less wild than it used to be - especially if you find yourself
in a well-appointed jungle lodge or seaside resort. The coral cayes and
atolls have attracted development of many resorts to serve fishermen, scuba
divers and marine naturalists. As part of the second largest barrier
reef in the world, they are also an important habitat for birds and turtles. |
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Ambergris Caye is the most
visited area of Belize. Its resident population of 5,000 nearly doubles
with tourists. It's a very informal island where even shoes are optional
everywhere. One must certainly take an excursion to one of the Maya sites.
"Lamanai" is accessible by a boat ride and serves as a wonderful introduction
to the area's numerous bird species. At the ruins, one impressive feature
is the carving of the Sun God. |
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Further afield is "Xunantunich"
where the El Castillo temple reaches a height of 135 ft. Decorated with
abundant Mayan glyphs and an ornate stucco frieze, it is the pride of Belize's
archeological conservation department. |
