It’s a country of freedom-seekers. The pirates came to ply their pirate trading out of view. The Mennonites came from Germany and the Netherlands so they could be Mennonites without anyone bothering them. The British came to do their banking in private. And the folks from the surrounding countries have made their way across Belize’s borders over the decades in search of safety.

Many North Americans have this misconception that Belize is a distant and forgotten land deep in the rainforests of Central America. It is, in fact, only a two hour flight from Florida or a just a few hour drive from Mexico. This tiny country with an area of 8,867 square miles is unique because it was the only British colony in the region where English is the official language and Elizabeth II is still the queen.

Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. It is a country filled with natural beauty, miles of white sandy beaches, and mystique ancient Mayan culture and owns the second largest barrier reef in the world.

A truly paradise nation, Belize is seriously worth consideration if you’re after a bit of adventure tempered with a laid back lifestyle, and if you like to combine beachcombing with mountain climbing! In other words, there really is something for everyone in Belize and because the US dollar is pegged to the Belizean dollar, Americans will not find it expensive and British and European visitors will find it positively cheap!

Belize features predominantly in global, pop culture this year, like no other. In case you have been able to avoid the 2012 meme over recent years, what makes this year so special for Central American countries, like Belize and neighboring Mexico, is a cosmic prophecy foretold by the ancient Mayans.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Ixora Coccinea or Ixora Nora Grant flowering shrub. This popular hybrid is native to all tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world and its specimen dominates over 500 of its close relatives.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Teeth of the American Mostodon whose scientific name is Mammut americanum. The American Mostodon first appeared during the early Miocene period and persisted in the fossil record until the end of the Pleistocene era and were widespread throughout North and Central America.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Sapodilla Fruit and its scientific name is Marnilkara zapota. The Sapodilla fruit is native to Southern Mexico, Northeastern Guatemala, Belize and throughout Central America, and it is believed that the Spaniards introduced it long ago in tropical America and the West Indies.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Ruddy Ground Dove and is scientifically known as Columbina talpacoti. The Ruddy Ground Dove is a resident breeder from Mexico, Central and South America, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. In Belize, it is a fairly common resident on the Northern Cayes, along the coast and in the Southern, Western and Central Belize.

Belize Honeymoon Vacation Sweepstakes
I want to spend time with my best friend and companion in a lovely, relaxing, natural environment where we can be free to enjoy our surroundings and one another.  We love to learn about our world together.  He and I spend hours watching nature programs and history programs on television.  How fun it would be for us to explore the ruins of an ancient Mayan civilization together!  We would talk …

The Lodge at Chaa Creek in Belize Central America is my ultimate dream vacation!  I’ve always wanted to travel to Central America in order to experience the beautiful scenery, fabulous weather, and exciting traditions, and now here’s my chance!  While I’ve been to several continents across the world, including Asia , Australia, and Europe, never have I had the opportunity to experience the wonders that Central America holds.  From the Rainforest Reserve, to the …

Once upon a time quite long ago, the majestic and powerful Harpy Eagle was the alpha predator in many parts of Central America. Through habitat loss, the Harpy was on the verge of extinction, but through a programme by the Peregrine Fund with partnership of the Belize Zoo, the largest Eagle of the Americas is making a comeback. And they are doing particularly well in Belize.
While the first one, named Panama, came to the Belize Zoo in 2003 the idea …

I was made to feel at home whether participating in a Garifuna Drum festival or eating fantastic street food (miss the meat pies the most) offered up at the Bus depot in Belmopan. Being an artist I was also enthralled by the high art that is to be seen while exploring the myriad of Mayan ruins including Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Caracol. At a time Europe was a complete wreck “the dark ages” Mayan culture was flourishing. There is evidence of trade as far as the American southwest, Architectural advances such as the corbelled arch, an incredible volume of public monument building and an advanced understanding of the night sky and an ingenious calendar system.

            I have never been very familiar with eco-tourism, but have always yearned to know more of what it is. What would be the best representation of this newfound eco-friendly concept of tourism? My curiosity finally got answered after a visit to the Belize booth, during the Adventures in Travel Expo that happened recently at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Their highlight on The Lodge at Chaa Creek is the epitome of eco-tourism. It is nestled …

Cayo District
The Cayo District is the largest district in Belize with a population of approximately 70,000. The district is one of the most important industries in ecotourism and can be reached via two highways: the western highway which runs from Belize City to the Guatemalan border, and the southern highway which starts in Belmopan and ends in the Stan Creek District.
Both English and Spanish are widely spoken in Cayo, which is home to Belize’s largest populations of Lebanese, Chinese, …

 DISCOVER THE AVIAN DIVERSITY OF BELIZE
With Miguel Choco, experienced birder.

“Ever seen the illusive Keel-billed Motmot?”  I have!  Join me on one of my birding expeditions and you’ll get to see that and much, much more.  I’ll take you on a seven-day expedition to six exotic locations, where we’ll do some serious birding. Whether you know anything about birds matters not, we host the novice, intermediate or professional birder. You will learn to identify birds both visual and vocal also listen …

 By Barbara Penny Angelakis
Eco Luxury At The Lodge At Chaa Creek
The Lodge at Chaa Creek in the Cayo District of the tiny Central American country of Belize mixes Eco-tourism with luxury accommodations. (www.chaacreek.com) Initially a farm, the Chaa Creek hospitality complex grew, literally one-step-at-a-time, into the beautifully designed and unique property it is today.
In 1977 Mick and Lucy Fleming, a young couple looking to put down roots and raise a family, serendipitously acquired an overgrown farm in the foothills of …

by Dan Koeppel
Imagine bunking down in a fully equipped tree house or a cozy lodge, surrounded by miles of wilderness. Join the many couples today who are seeking adventure-and luxury-in nature-filled Central America.

Wild and lush Belize could be the best bet for adventure seekers who also love champagne. Belize is Central America’s only English-speaking country, and it offers the area’s most sophisticated infrastructure. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find solitude: Belize is so lightly populated the entire country has …

Chaa Creek was our first stop on our visit to Belize. We stayed three nights and were very impressed. We were treated like royalty from the time we were picked up at the Airport to the time we were returned. The staff is awesome and everyone was very helpful no matter what we asked. The food was so fresh and tasty for every meal. We asked to take a tour of the organic garden and had the guide all to …

Maya Civilization
Archaeologists estimate that at their peak, 1 to 2 million Mayans lived within the borders of present day Belize. Mighty Maya cities such as Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai dotted the landscape, with small agricultural communities farming the land between. The Maya civilization is divided into the Pre-Classic (1000 BC to AD 300), the Classic (AD 300 to 900) when the civilization reached its height of development, and the Post-Classic (AD 1000 to 1500) when the civilization fell apart and …