Belize: The country of natural wonders
Lush tropical rainforests, crystal clear waters, and a variety of adventures await travelers looking for something a little different than all-inclusive hotels and nightclubs. If you’re searching to experience nature at its finest, or maybe check out some ancient Mayan ruins, then look no further than Belize.
Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is an independent country on the eastern coast of Central America. It’s bordered on the north by Mexico, on the south and west by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. Its variety of terrestrial and marine wildlife; its diversity of ecosystems makes it a breathtaking place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
Your first stop should be “Lamanai”, the longest-occupied Mayan site in the world, and a great place to visit if you’re interested in walking amongst ancient ruins. It’s is situated on the New River Lagoon and can be reached by water taxi. The name itself comes from the Yucatec Mayan language meaning “submerged crocodile” because of its spiritual ties to the animal and its importance to the culture.
Also, visiting the Green Hills Butterfly Ranch will let you experience, first hand, 50-plus exquisite native species in flight. On the other hand, if you want to know more about the native animals of the area, the Belize zoo you will get up close and personal with orphaned, rescued, or rehabilitated native animals.
At the Lost World Crystal Cave, you can hike through the jungle, explore stunning caves, as well as see ceremonial sites of the ancient Mayans. Fire pits, pottery, bowls, relics, alters, wall carvings, glyph writings, and actual skeletons of sacrificial victims, all of which are more than 2,000 years old, are just of the few things that you will find.
Last but not least, you can’t leave Belize without diving in the Great Blue Hole. Located next to Lighthouse Reef, about 70 kilometers off the coast of the Central American country, this natural anomaly is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System that was declared a World Heritage Site, by the UNESCO, in 1996.
The near perfect circle is easily visible from up in the air. The drop is about 400 feet deep and this depth contributes to its rich, indigo hue which contrasts so dramatically with the surrounding turquoise waters. If diving is your thing, then this is the perfect place for you.
Look for no more options and go to Belize to live a cultural and adventurous experience that seem out of this world.
Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto
Prepared by
LatinAmerican Post | Luisa Fernanda Báez
