Nestled between Guatemala and Mexico on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize remains one of the few unspoilt sites on our planet. This country offers pristine jungles, tropical rain forests populated by numerous species of birds and tropical fauna and plant life, hundreds of ancient Mayan sites as well as the longest barrier reef of the western hemisphere, rendering it a paradise for scuba-diving.
More than forty percent of Belize’s land is protected area offering uncountable hiking trails, rivers, waterfalls and lush vegetation. Under the pristine forest canopy you can follow the tracks of jaguars, iguanas amongst some of the animals that populate the jungle, while admiring the beauty of the exotic flora. Expeditions can also be made on the rivers of Macal, Moho, Moho to name a few, or one may stop to explore the caves, which are part of the largest cave system in all Central America rendering Belize geologically a unique site.
Belize is also renowned for its rich archaeological heritage, as it was the center of the Mayan civilization during the classic period, with the majestic temples of Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol amongst others. There are estimated to be hundreds of Mayan temples scattered throughout the country, although most are buried in the rich vegetation of the tropical jungle.
The capital of Belize is Belmopan City, a melting pot of numerous religions and ethnic groups, bustles with trade activity and can be quite dangerous at night time. The official language is English, though Spanish is widespread and Maya and Creole are also spoken.
The climate is subtropical with high temperatures and humidity. The rainy season goes from mid-May to November, while the hurricane season is from June to the end of November. The hottest month is in May and the coldest in January.
