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A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO BELIZE |
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A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO BELIZE |
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Belize is blessed in that you can have the best of both worlds. You can visit the mainland cities, towns, and interior and meet friendly people, see historic sights, ancient Maya cities, or go to the cayes, thus enjoying the sea, beaches, and coral reef. The wonders of Belize are yours to choose.
We invited you to visit this quick summary of Belize. We have purposely left out graphics and photos so that you may quickly get an overview of Belize. Most of the information found here is covered in greater depth throughout the Belize by Naturalight website, including liberal use of graphics and photos.
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- Maps of Belize (this link loads a new page) |
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- What You Should Know (this link is on this page) |
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- Marvels of the Sea (this link is on this page) |
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- Rainforest Ecotourism (this link loads a new page) |
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- Mayan Mystique (this link loads a new page) |
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW What You Need to Know | Marvels of the Sea Rainforest Ecotourism | Mayan Mystique |
The cayes(pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attraction to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands and/or mangroves, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.
Although the mangrove cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they do provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the mangrove.
On the other hand, the island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve the water sports enthusiasts and the marine naturalists. The cayes and atolls provide superior opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sailboarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles.
The northern half of the mainland of Belize is a plain that was once the bed of a sea. The land is covered with a thin layer of soil, that supports scrub vegetation and dense hardwood tropical forest. The coastal area is neither land nor sea, but a sodden, swampy transition between the two. It consists of mangrove and grasses, and it is bordered by tussock grasses, cypress, and sycamore where the land separates the water.
The central part of Belize consists of sandy soil that supports large savannas. Approximately thirty miles southwest of Belize City, the land begins to rise dramatically to between 1,500 and 3,680 feet above sea level in the enchanting Mountain Pine Ridge District and the Maya Mountains. Abundant rainfall runs off the northwest from the highlands in a number of streams which flow into the Macal River. Ultimately, the Macal River and the Mopan River converge to provide the headwaters of the Belize River.
The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes.
Variation in weather features, emphasizes the interesting difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal life. A summer high temperature, usually never exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows are seldom below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
Banks: Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Friday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
There is a well staffed hospital and several private doctors in Belize City. Also the District Towns and larger Villages have hospitals or clinics.
Potable water is available in most areas of Belize, but it is advisable to ask, and if in doubt, to drink boiled or bottled water.
Taxis are available in towns and resort areas, and they are easily recognized by their green license plates. Unless specific arrangements are made prior to your arrival at Belize International Airport (P.S.W. Goldson), taxis are available at the entrance to the main terminal.
Belize is a very informal country, with a very casual life-style. Unless you are invited to a Government function, please leave your "After Five" attire at home.
Leave your jewelry and expensive watches at home because you will not need them. If you must have a watch, bring an inexpensive watch that is suitable for diving and hiking.
If you are visiting the Cayes and/or the Barrier Reef, bring your shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits, as well as some comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes. As the sun is probably more intense than what you are used to at home, bring a cap to protect your head from the tropical sun when you are boating and/or fishing. In addition to protecting your eyes from both the sun and the reflective glare off of the water, a pair of "polarized" sunglasses will enhance the variable colors of the coastal waters of Belize.
Loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and camping shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots are appropriate for exploring the Mainland or trekking through the rain forest. When visiting the Maya Ruins or traipsing through the jungle, a hat with a wide brim will provide shade from the tropical sun, as well as provide protection from a tropical shower.
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MARVELS OF THE SEA What You Need to Know | Marvels of the Sea Rainforest Ecotourism | Mayan Mystique |
Known for its marine environment, Belize is well publicized for possessing the second longest barrier reef in the world, as well as three major offshore atolls. In addition to the aforementioned, Belize possesses numerous 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.
The "Blue Hole" is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is about fifty miles due east of Belize City. Originally a cave, the roof fell in some 10,000 years ago, as the land receded into the sea. Almost a perfectly circular hole, it is 1,000 feet in diameter, and it is 412 feet deep.
Popularized by a Jacques Cousteau television special, this has become the most famous dive site in all Belize. If you are interested in diving this site, numerous dive operators can provide day and/or overnight dive trips from Ambergris Caye, Belize City or various other offshore Cayes and Atolls.Half Moon Caye, located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, was the first reserve to be established by the Natural Parks System Act of 1981. One of the main reasons that the natural monument was created was to protect the Red-footed Booby bird and its rookery. The Magnificent Frigatebird shares the rookery with the Red-footed Booby, and both species coexist in apparent harmony. Some ninety-eight species of birds have been recorded on the Caye, of which some seventy-seven are migrants. Regular winter migrants include Ospreys, Mangrove Warblers, and White-crowned Pigeons.
The Iguana, the Wish Willy, and the Lizard are permanent residents on the island, while the Loggerhead Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle come ashore annually to lay their eggs.
The waters surrounding Half Moon Caye are abundant with life, and snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are excellent.The Hol Chan Marine Reserve focuses on the Hol Chan (Mayan for "little channel") Cut which is in the barrier reef, some four miles southeast of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Established in 1987, the reserve-the first of its kind in Central America - includes a five square mile area of three distinctive zones.
Zone A includes the reef, both inside and outside, Zone B includes the seagrass beds inside the reef, and Zone C includes the mangroves of southern Ambergris Caye. All three zones are closely linked, and they are interdependent.
Buoys have been installed to mark the boundaries of the Reserve and to provide anchoring points for dive operators' boats. Since it is illegal to fish and/or collect coral within the reserve, the marine life is flourishing once again.One of the newest National Parks in Belize, Laughing Bird Caye is located thirteen miles southeast of Placencia Village in the Stann Creek District. Although the caye was named for the original large number of laughing gulls, the birds have virtually abandoned their rookery because of excessive human encroachment. In an effort to assist the birds in reestablishing their presence, the government is taking steps to minimize the disruption of the caye.
Since, Laughing Bird caye is a shelf atoll with deep channels, the scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities are outstanding. Fortunately, these activities can be enjoyed without bothering the birdlife on the caye. Meanwhile, the concerned ecotourist has the opportunity to observe the birdlife from offshore, during and after diving.
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