BELIZE
Belize City | Barrier Reef | Mountain Pine Ridge Forest
 Belize is on the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala and offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic 3,675 foot mountains, mysterious Maya temples, and diving and fishing experiences beyond compare.In a single day you can go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast of Central America in 1502, and named the bay which borders the southern part of the barrier reef Bay of Honduras.
Belize is blessed with an outstanding archaeological heritage of Maya temples and palaces. It is known that the Maya occupation began as early as 1500 B.C., and although it began its decline in 900 A.D., some Maya cultural centres continued to be ccupied until contact with the Spanish in the 1500's. During the Classic Period (250 A.D. to 900 A.D.), the population of Belize exceeded well over one million people, and it is believed that Belize was the heart of the Maya civilization at that time. Although large Maya cultural centers no longer exist, there is still a significant Maya population residing within many small villages.
The first settlers in Belize were English Puritans, setting up trading post along the coast of Belize. Various bands of ship wrecked sailors, buccaneers and pirates established permanent bases in Belize, harrassing the Spanish galleons carrying gold, silver, and hardwoods from Central America to Europe. It wasn't long before logging became the dominant occupation.
 During the 1840's, Great Britian declared Belize to be the colony of British Honduras. Development of Belize became more organized and multiethnic through a series of cultural changes. The European settlers began to marry freed slaves forming the Creole majority that still is dominant in the population. Mexican citizens began cultivating small farms in northern Belize. In 1973, the colony's name was changed from British Honduras to Belize and on September 21, 1981, Belize's Independence was declared.
Climate:
The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes. Variations in weather features emphasize the interesting difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal life. A summer high temperature, usually never exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows are seldom below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
Belize City
 Belize City is located in the heart of the country. From there you will be able to make your connection to everywhere else you want to go; from taking a bus to go north and visiting the Community Baboon Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and other attractions to catching a boat to the Cayes to taking a bus to visit relaxing Placencia, the adventurous Cockscomb Basin, the only Jaguar Reserve in the world to the mysterious archaeological sites such as Caracol and Xunantunich and the interesting Mountain Pine Ridge area. Not only is Belize City your gateway to mystic Maya Sites (only found in Central America), adventurous caves, rivers, unique flora, fauna and relaxing breathtaking beaches, but it is also filled with history. Belize City has the only manual swing bridge in the world which is still being swung daily.
Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina - 4 Star
Location:
The Fort George in downtown Belize City is a welcome oasis for travellers in central America. Along Cork Street the busy waterfront hotel and marina stretches eastward with sunrise views to neighbouring cays and the Caribbean Sea. The Royal family have stayed here during previous trips to Belize.
Accomodation:
The hotel has 102 beautifully appointed rooms, all featuring air-conditioning, cable TV with over 60 channels of free cable, alarm clock/radio, direct dial telephones with dataports, fully stocked minibar, private bath, coffee maker, hair dryer, and iron/board.
Club Tower:
Deluxe rooms with a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. Elegant and spacious, featuring in-room safes, marble floors and fine dark wood furniture.
Colonial Wing Rooms:
Three floors of tastefully appointed rooms (first floor rooms feature balconies) with a beautiful view to the Radisson garden and/or the Caribbean Sea. Located near the main lobby.
Villa Wing Rooms:
These beautiful rooms, (most with balcony) are located at the Villa Wing, and offer a partial view of the Caribbean Sea or the swimming pool area. They feature handcrafted Belizean made furniture and rocking chairs. A covered walkway links this wing to the main reception area.
Facilities:
- Two swimming pools
- Full service marina
- Fitness room
- Business centre
- High speed internet access
- Dive shop
- Local tours
Dining:
- St George's Dining Room
- Baymen's Tavern
- Poolside bar
- Stonegrill restaurant
- Room service
- Le Petit Cafe
Barrier Reef
 The cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are one of the main attraction to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.
Although the mangrove cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they do provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the mangrove. On the other hand, the island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve the water sports enthusiasts and the marine naturalists. The cayes and atolls provide superior
opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sailboarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles.
Turtle Inn Placencia - 4 Star
Location:
Turtle Inn is located on Belize’s southern Caribbean Coast, about a kilometre away from the sleepy town of Placencia and a ten-minute walk from the local airstrip. From Belize City, you can reach Placencia by air. An 8- or 12-seater Cessna ride takes around 25 minutes over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. For those with more time, Turtle Inn is a 4-hour drive along the
spectacular "Hummingbird Highway".
Turtle Inn is the second of Francis Ford Coppola’s three hotel ventures in Central America (with Blancaneux Lodge in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Forest and La Lancha in Guatemala).
Accommodation:
 The cabins are dotted around a deep central swimming pool. It is in the individual cabins that Turtle Inn really excels; with large
high-ceilinged and untrimmed thatch, polished hardwood floors and a mosquito-netted verandah overlooking the Caribbean. They are decorated with immaculate taste and attention to detail; hand-carved hardwood furniture, huge ornate doors and grand beds. The wardrobe is an alcove concealed by heavy curtains and the subtle lighting complements the space perfectly. The opulent bathrooms have a spacious, powerful shower. In addition there is a secluded outside garden area with an outdoor shower with which to wash off the sand and salt. Each room has a very reasonably priced mini-bar (laundry service is also cheap) and a "shellphone" made out of a large conch, with which to contact reception.
Six of the villas are right on the seafront and having descended your cabins steps you are literally three paces from the Caribbean. The only indication of the hotel’s famous owner is a copy of Zoetrope, Coppola’s short-story magazine on a little stand in the bathroom.
Facilities:
- Swimming pool
- Kayaking
- Beach cruisers
- Scuba diving
- Local tours
- Hammocks
Dining:
- Italian restaurant
- Beach bar
Turneffe Island Lodge
Location:
This private island is situated 30 miles off the Belizean coast in the western Carribean. The Turneffe Atoll is only one of four atolls in the Carribean, and is home to over 200 mangrove islands and surrounded by an extraordinary marine eco-system. It is ideal for those who appreciate privacy, charm and lovely views (not to mention a diver's paradise!).
Accommodation:
 There are four lodge buildings with multiple rooms. Each rooms has a private bath and shower , air-conditioning, and ceiling fans. Twin bedded rooms are also available on request. All windows have screens so that guests can enjoy the ocean breeze. There is ample solar heated hot water, as the resorts central power planr was engineered to ensure all guests' comforts are met.
Along the southern coastline of the island the resort also has a further eight private cabanas that have been designed and constructed to maximise the Carribean experience. Each unit is located on the oceanfront, nestled between cocnut palms. The interior of each cabana is made from Belizean mahogany, and feature a private outdoor shower. Each cabana has a separate dressing area with an oversized closet.
Facilities:
- Swimming pool
- Sports fishing
- Fly fishing
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- HammocksDay trips
Dining:
- Oceanfront dining room
- Bar
Banyan Bay Villas - 4 Star
Location:
Banyan Bay is located on the island of Ambergris Caye. It is about a 15 minute walk south along the beach from the town of San Pedro. San Pedro is home to about 3,500 San Pedranos and has gift shops, restaurants, street vendors and the ever-present beach bars. The roads on the island are sand--except for a stone-paved section at the airport.
Accommodation:
The resort offers luxury spacious suites with air-conditioning and jacuzzi tub, telephone, cable TV, fully equipped kitchen, and views onto the ocean.
Facilities:
- Swimming pool
- Pristine beach
- Scuba diving
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Snorkelling
- Day trips
- Dive & gift shop
- 24hr security
Dining:
Victoria House Resort - 5 Star
Location:
Victoria House Resort is located on the outskirts of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Ambergris, at 40km long, is the largest of the 450 cayes that are sprinkled along Belize's barrier reef. Arrival is usually by air, via Belize City, which lies on the mainland, 56km away. The flight to San Pedro is by light plane and takes about 20 minutes, cruising low over the reef's glistening and transparent waters.
Accommodation:
Rooms are housed either in an elegant whitewashed mansion house, in one of several individual cabanas, or in two-storey villas (pictured), which are dotted around a garden of bougainvillaea, hibiscus and palms.
 All rooms have air-conditioning, king or a queen-size bed, private bathroom and a balcony or veranda. Plantation rooms and suites are situated in the main building and overlook the swimming pool area and Caribbean Sea. Detached palm-thatched cabanas or casitas, a honeymoon suite, and a one and two-storey villa are set within the gardens behind the beach.
Facilities:
- Swimming pool
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Dive shop
- Excursions
Dining:
- Restaurant
- Admiral Nelson Bar
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
 Offering a bit of a respite from the hotter lowlands, Mountain Pine Ridge is one of the most heavily visited reserves. It's a landscape of rolling pine forest spread over smooth granite hillsides, a slightly bizarre area with battalions of uniform pine sporadically dissected by fire breaks and broadleaf gallery forest. Established in 1944, the reserve has been logged on a carefully managed basis ever since. A huge fire in 1949 caused catastrophic damage, and the combination of this and the logging means nearly all the trees are the same age.
Not surprisingly, the reserves wildlife is very different from the lowlands. Certainly, birds can be quite hard to see secreted away in the scrub around the pines but there are exceptions. Acorn Woodpeckers are busy around D'Silva Forest Station causing great aggravation by hammering buildings, guttering and telegraph poles. Their habit of storing acorns in tree stumps will be familiar to visitors from North America, but for some reason, the Belizean ones do it as well, even though there's no harsh winter to survive. Other reserve specialities include the Rufous-capped Warbler, Crossbill, Pine Siskin, Stigeon Owl and Eastern Bluebird.
Blancaneaux Lodge Pine Ridge Forest
Location:
Blancaneaux Lodge is a tranquil luxury hideaway located within the beautiful Mountain Pine Forest Reserve of Western Belize. The lodge provides a perfect base from which to enjoy its forested surroundings, outstanding river scenery, numerous waterfalls and caves.
Owned by Francis Ford Coppola, the American film director's influence is evident, from his highly regarded own Napa Valley Californian wines served in the restaurant, to the ceiling fan in the bar used in the opening sequence of Apocalypse Now.
Blancaneaux Lodge lies beside the gentle rapids and waterfalls of the Privassion Creek set within the 770km² Mountain Pine Forest Reserve. It is a beautiful area of pristine pine forest, waterfalls, rivers and caves nestled within the north-eastern corner of the Maya Mountains in Western Belize. The nearest town is the Cayo District capital of San
Ignacio, a twenty-minute drive away. The lodge can be reached by road from Belize City via the paved Western Highway and takes approximately two and a half hours. Blancaneaux Lodge also has its own airstrip and light aircraft can be chartered to and from Belize City.
Accommodation:
Its thirteen thatched cabañas and villas are idyllically set on a steep forested hillock that runs down to Privassion Creek, a narrow river broken by cascades and granite pools and linked by small wooden bridges.
Blancaneaux Lodge consists of seven cabañas on stilts that are either in the garden below the main building or overlooking Privassion Creek. All have thatched roofs and hardwood furniture and are equipped with private bathroom, mosquito meshing and viewing deck. The Honeymoon Cabaña has its own small private terrace and garden that looks over the river below.
The six villas that lie beside the riverbank are majestic. Each has two spacious bedrooms, separated by a tiled kitchen and open-plan living area with a hammock that looks over the creek. Each bedroom includes a Japanese-style bathroom and a small screened viewing area. Rooms are decorated with textiles and artifacts collected from Mexico and Central America.
Facilities:
- Horse stables
- Butterfly farm
- Horseriding
- Mountain biking
- Canoe trips
- Mayan ruins trips
Dining:
- Restaurant
- Jaguar Bar
- Lookout Terrace
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