Only its own country for the past 18 years, Belize was known as British Honduras until 1990. Its located just south of the Mexican Yucatan, and though tourism is one its most profitable businesses, travelers aren't as quick to go here as they are to go to better known resorts just north, around Cancun and Tulum.
Here are a couple highlights in and around Belize.
Caye Caulker is one of the most popular islands off the coast of mainland Belize, yet its still extremely easy to get some time to yourself in or around the beautiful coral reefs.
Caye Ambergris is another popular island in Belize, located just north of Caye Caulker. Here you'll find some of the best island nightlife in the country. That is, if you like dancing, live music on sand beaches, and cold cervezas.
For more of an offbeat experience, head up to Orange Walk in Northern Belize or to San Ignacio in Western Belize. Both offer small hotels located in the middle of the Central American jungles. From San Ignacio, you can catch a bus to the Guatemalan towns of Flores and Tikal. You can go to both in a day, or, for a more leisurely trip, reserve three days for this excursion.
Flores is colonial town in the middle of a lake. Tikal has arguably the most impressive Mayan ruins in the region.
If you're into Mayan ruins, also check out the ruins at Xunantunich, located just inside the Belize border with Guatemala.
Picture of Caye Caulker
Picture of Xunantunich
Picture of the Streets in Flores Guatemala, a city located just West of Belize
Picture of a Howler Monkey
