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Geography
Belize is situated in Central America and is bordered by Mexico in the north, by Guatemala to the south and west and by the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is one of the smallest countries in Central America and is mainly forested with swampy coasts. Not only is it one of the smallest countries, it also has one of the smallest populations; in 2010, the population was estimated to be just over 300,000 people (Destination Belize, 2013). It boasts a range of various cultures, with ancestors being from the Mayan descent.
The coast is mainly swampy with mangrove swamps but there are some good sandy beaches (Burton, 1995). However, to the south there are hills and low lying mountains. In addition to this, Belize has many jungles and wildlife reserves that have a variety of flora and fauna as well as animals such as the jaguar (Travel Belize, 2013).
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Climate
Belize’s climate is tropical to subtropical and consists of a wet and dry season, with most rainfall occurring from June through to December. There is also a hurricane season during the months June – November (Destination Belize, 2013). The average temperature throughout the year is 29°C although the humidity in the summer months can make it feel slightly hotter. The temperature remains relatively warm even during the winter months (November-March), rarely falling below 16°C (Travel Belize, 2013).
Language
English is widely spoken throughout Belize with it being the only English-speaking country in Central America (Travel Belize, 2013). Despite this, Creole is the official language of Belize, which is an English derived dialect (Belize.com, 2013). In addition to this, Spanish is also prominently spoken throughout the country.
Tourism Resources
Although Belize is such a small country, it still boasts a wealth of tourism activities. One of the main tourist attractions is the 185km long coral reef barrier situated just off the coast. It is the second largest coral barrier reef in the world (Burton 1995). Other popular attractions include the wildlife and the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization. Below is a detailed list of all activities that can be experienced during a vacation to Belize.
Coastal Tourism:
Although Belize has many swamps, the coastline extends some 270 miles along the Caribbean Sea. Many of the best beaches are in the Cayes (offshore islands) where there is the opportunity to go diving, snorkeling, fishing and yachting (Burton, 1995).
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For those who want to fish, Turneffe Atoll is a good destination to catch bonefish, permit and tarpon. With such an abundance of fish, the destination is excellent for all year round fishing (Travel Belize, 2013).
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Snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea is also a popular activity. There are many snorkeling destinations along the Belizean coast and local guides are on hand to help explore the coral reefs, sponges and over 500 species of fish and marine life (Travel Belize, 2013).
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Scuba diving is probably the most popular tourist activity due to the coral barrier reef just off the coast. Caye Caulker is well-known for its underwater caves and is a particular attraction for divers.
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Wildlife Tourism:
There are many National Parks across Belize, with the main wildlife attractions being Jaguars, Howler Monkeys, Orchids and butterflies (Burton, 1995).
Another wildlife attraction is the Belize Zoo. It is locates 31 miles west of Belize City and is accessible by bus, car or taxi. The zoo exhibits over 150 native animals and the natural enclosures are large, airy and comfortable (Belize.com, 2013).
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Historic Attractions:
Belize’s Maya occupation began all the way back in 1500 BC (Travel Belize, 2013) and to this day, cultural sites are left behind for tourists to visit. The most popular Mayan sites are near to the Guatemalan border, at Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and Caracol (Burton, 1995). Tour operators give tourists the chance to visit the ruins but families from the Mayan decent are also happy to tell visitors of their culture and share stories that have been passed down through generations.
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Belize is a great tourist destination for people of all ages. It has a range of tourist attractions that ensure there is something for everyone to do. The warm tropical climate also means that tourism is feasible all year round. This tourism destination offers tourists something more than just a sun and sea holiday, with culture being a large part of the Belizean lifestyle.