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Surrounded by alpine ridge mountains, cascading waterfalls and jagged towering cliffs, Belize is a rich natural wonderland that was once the heart of the Mayan Civilization. This tiny Central American nation stretches just 260 km/165 miles and boasts the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. But this is not only a destination for water sports enthusiasts, Belize has the largest undisturbed area of rainforest in all of Central America. It is a lush paradise that is home to howler monkeys, jaguars and pumas and hundreds of species of birds and mammals. Belize is amazingly rich in culture and has over 600 Mayan ruins, many of which are only now being excavated.
Official Name: Belize
Population: 200,000
Capital City: Belmopan, pop. 5000
People: 50% Creole, 30% mextizo, 10% Maya, 10% Garifuna
Languages: English, Creole, Spanish, Maya, and Garifuna
Religion: 62% Roman Catholic, 25% Protestant, 13% other
Currency: Belizean dollar
Time: GMT minus 6 hours
Electricity: 110V 60Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Sugar cane, fish, timber, tourism
Airport Departure Tax: $35 USD (subject to change)
A valid passport is required for Canadian and American citizens for travel in Belize. For citizens of other countries you should contact the embassy or consulate for entry requirements. We suggest that you carry a photocopy of your passport separately and leave a copy with friends or family at home. There are no visas required for people traveling with Canadian or US passports. (Note: please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Belize).
The climate of Belize is sub-tropical. Temperatures can range from 20 C to 30 C (70-90 F) during the day. And although you will be traveling during the dry season there can be the occasional "Northern" which blows in from the Gulf of Mexico. The "Northern" brings cooler temperatures and rain squalls, but they rarely last more than a few days. While on the water, it is important to have protection from the sun - a sun hat, bandanna, waterproof sunscreen and sunglasses should be carried close at hand. Our " What to Bring" list has been compiled with these weather extremes in mind. Our traveling philosophy is "all weather is good weather" (since we can't do anything to change it!) and each day's schedule can be modified accordingly.
Belizeans eat widely from among the food groups. Some of the staples include bread for breakfast, tamales, panades, and meat pies for lunch and beans and rice with meat and salad for dinner. Fruits are quite common while raw vegetables are not.
We do not recommend that you drink the tap water, but check with your guide or host first before consuming. Bottled water is recommended when traveling in the country and is easily purchased at stores. If you are susceptible to changes in the water, you will find that fresh juices, soft drinks and beer are readily available.
There are no vaccinations that are mandatory, although some are definitely recommended. These are tetanus (and polio), typhoid, and an anti-hepatitis shot. Certain areas in Belize are affected by malaria, and choloroquine is recommended for travellers staying longer than 3 weeks. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for information on health requirements, as this information can and does change frequently. A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel/.
Fodor’s Belize 2008 – by Fodor’s
Adventure in Belize, Robert Stroughan, A.S. Barnes, 1975 Belize The Awakening Land – by National Geographic
Belize: Reefs, Rain Forests, and Mayan Ruins – by Dick Lutz
Time Among the Maya – by Ronald Wright
The Baymen’s Legacy: A History of Belize City – by Byron Foster Time Among the Maya – by Ronald Wright
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE |
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| 1 | The Belize Blast by Mountain Bike, Kayak, Inner Tube, Rope & Foot (9 Days) |
| 2 | Paddler's Paradise by Sea Kayak and Snorkel (6 Days) |