For many of us, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since that long awaited event, and each year the celebrations seem to get bigger as Belizeans from all over the country (and a fair few overseas) take the time out to acknowledge and vigorously celebrate just what a special, unique Caribbean paradise the Jewel has become.

“We are trying to make transportation to Mexico easy for Belizeans and also to provide international tourists the easiest and most comfortable way to travel to Belize,” stated the ADO press release. “We foresee that the new routes will increase the number of tourists entering Belize and to contribute to the tourism industry. Tickets to Merida or Cancun from Belize City are $79 one way.”

Years ago most vacationers literally had to pick up the phone or leave a message on the reservations requesting for a certain seat. Even so, there were no guarantees that you will get what you have requested.

However, internet has changed it all. Now you can get seat information in minutes and know exactly which seat you want. For example, for an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Belize City, enter the flight AA2193 that you have reserved and your departure and arrival destinations.

We eventually arrived at Chaa Creek, where we parted ways with Joe Awe and our fellow tourists. We were shown to our room. For lack of a better word, it was incredible. The bathroom was huge, with a double shower. We had a second shower that was outside, with large stone walls for privacy. Our bed was massive, with more than enough room for the both of us, and placed casually in the middle of the foot of the bed was an elephant. It was designed from several small hand-towels. We set down our bags, for we had finally arrived.

For the next two years, the Belize Tourism Board will be following the blueprint’s outline to balance growth of a vibrant tourism market with the need for conservation and sustainability of the nation’s precious resources. Working with partners including ecotourism consultant Megan Epler Wood, the Planeterra Foundation, of which Wood is executive director, and the tour company, Gap Adventures, a founding partner of the foundation, the board is hoping to successfully sell investors and tourists the very same treasured assets it is duty-bound to protect and conserve.

The Caribbean Vacation Sweepstakes offered free eco-holidays inclusive of: Round trip transfers from International Airport or Belize City, A visit to the Belize Zoo with transfer on arrival or departure, four nights Cottage accommodation, full breakfast, lunch and dinner, guided visits to the Natural History Museum, Butterfly Farm, and Belize Rainforest Medicinal Trail, canoeing on the Macal River, guided early morning bird watching, one full & half day tour to Belize’s Maya Temple Sites, Sacred Caves, or Nature Reserves.

It is now clear that Maya traders paddled huge dugout canoes filled with cacao, jade, obsidian, cotton and other trade items up and down the coasts of Mexico, the Yucatan, Belize and Central America. In 1502, Ferdinand Columbus, the son of Christopher, reported coming across a huge Maya canoe with 25 paddlers carrying cargo and passengers.

When I first heard that my friend was going to visit Belize, I thought that she was referring to a small and unknown local restaurant. I had never heard of this tiny country before, which is located in the heart of Central America. Due to a family emergency, my friend was unable to go on her journey as originally scheduled; however, she was smart enough to purchase travel insurance.

Take advantage of our low fares and create lasting memories with loved ones.

Head south for an adventure in Latin America. Find low fares to exciting destinations with American Airlines. Purchase your tickets by June 23 2010, on AA.com and travel through June 24, 2010, to save.