Belize for a family vacation is great, the beautiful Central American country on the Caribbean Sea, offers a wealth of travel adventures from snorkeling to exploring ancient Mayan sites to hiking in lush, tropical rainforests.
Belize Facts and Info
Weather and Climate
The weather in Belize is all that you could want out of your typical tropical island paradise. Daily high temperatures in Belize range from the low to high 80’s (F) all year round.
Two seasons to keep in mind when planning a trip to Belize are the rainy season and lobster season. Like many other tropical destinations, Belize experiences an annual period of frequent, usually short-lived rainfall, which runs from about June to November in Belize.
If you’re one of those who’s inclined to already be contemplating their first meal in Belize, the country’s very tasty, rather affordable lobsters are effectively off-limits for a portion of the year from February 15 to June 15, when the lobsters are busy making more lobsters.
Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world, behind only Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef runs a full 186 miles from Cancun, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras.
Lots of Nature, Few People
Roughly 40 percent of the territory of Belize falls under some form of official environmental protection. Despite having a land area just over 5 percent that of the state of California, Belize supports one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems. With a population of only about 333,000 people, Belize has the lowest population density in Central America and the third lowest in the Americas after Guyana and Suriname.
Attractions in Belize
Tropical Island Cayes
Belize for a Family Vacation will take you to Ambergis Caye and Caye Caulker northeast of Belize City are the most well-known and popular of the Belize cayes. The larger Ambergis Caye is home to San Pedro and also just happens to be the inspiration for the singer Madonna’s song La Isla Bonita. Caye Caulker takes a step back in time to a more laid back, tropical atmosphere less impacted by notoriety and commercialization.
Snorkeling and Diving
Belize’s long, Caribbean coastline offers an abundance of world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities in the clear, warm waters surrounding the stunning coral formations of the Belize Barrier Reef. Thanks to the reef’s fascinating biological diversity, snorkelers and divers can expect to get up close and personal with a wide variety of amazing marine life, including: multiple varieties of sharks, rays, sea turtles and whales as well as oodles of species of tropical fish decked out in all colors of the rainbow.
Some of Belize’s most well-known hotspots for snorkeling and diving adventures include: the Blue Hole, Glover’s Reef, Hol Chan, Lighthouse Atoll, Shark Ray Alley(s) (official and un-official), and endless other great local spots (just ask your friendly, licensed guide).
Mayan Ruins and Sites
Belize is also home to more than 900 Mayan sites and ruins. The country’s most popular and significant Mayan sites include Altun Ha, which can be seen on the label of Belize’s national beer, Belikin, Cahal Pech near San Ignacio, and Lamanai. Altun Ha, Caracol, Cerros, Cuello and Lamanai are all among the earliest known Mayan cities. Belize is also a popular point of departure for trips to Tikal in Guatemala.
Rainforest and Jungle
One of the highlights of Belize’s dense, tropical rainforests and environmental conservation programs is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in the Stann Creek District. Also commonly known as the Jaguar Preserve, Cockscomb became the world’s first jaguar sanctuary in 1984. In addition to sheltering jaguars, the 200 square mile swath of lush vegetation and wildlife habitat plays home to a wide variety of Belize’s fascinating, exotic animal and plant life, including: pumas, ocelots, armadillos, tapirs, howler monkeys, and keel-billed Toucans, Belize’s national bird.
A few miles north of Cockscomb, the Mayflower Bocawina National Park lets visitors experience the wonders of the tropical forest’s diverse, exotic vegetation while hiking trails that run alongside and lead to the tops of cascading waterfalls.
Environment, Organizations and Volunteering
A host of public and private organizations devote considerable time and energy to environmental conservation programs aimed at protecting Belize’s great biodiversity and rich natural ecosystems. The Belize Audobon Society, one of the most prominent NGO’s in the country, manages nine protected areas in Belize: Actun Tunichil Muknal, Blue Hole, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (Jaguar Preserve), Crooked Tree, Guanacaste, Half Moon Caye, St. Herman’s Blue Hole, Tapir Mountain, Victoria Peak.
Travel Logistics
Belize’s natural wonders are readily accessible to visitors to Belize for a Family Vacation from North and South America. While flight times are a bit longer from other parts of the world, the country’s international airport just north of Belize City also welcomes many visitors from Europe, Asia and other regions around the globe.
Once inside Belize, top attractions from Belize’s tropical island cayes to interior Mayan sites can be reached easily within a few hours travel time by boat, plane or rental car.
This article and set of facts about Belize comes from the site Global Sherpa, which publishes articles on current topics in world news, globalization, international development, cities and foreign policy.
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