Fun in the Sun

Tucked away between Mexico and Guatemala in Central America is Belize; although only 8,866 square miles this little jewel has a lot to offer. The following are five of the many magnificent places you can visit on a Belize Vacation. Each destination is easily accessible and is in close range of several Belize Hotels and Belize Resorts ran by friendly locals.

CAYE CAULKER

Located 21 miles northeast of Belize City and only 15 minutes from neighboring San Pedro, Caye Caulker is known for its cool, laid-back island life. The island appeals to visitors looking for a comfortable place to sleep, a white sandy beach, clear aquamarine waters, delicious seafood and friendly people. In contrast to bustling San Pedro just minutes away, Caye Caulker has maintained its cozy island appeal. A little over one mile away is the magnificent Barrier Reef where visitors can enjoy the many dive sites. A few other aquatic fun that can be had include: sea kayaking, windsurfing, sailing or sport fishing.

HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE & SHARK/RAY ALLEY

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve was established in 1987 as Belize's first Marine Park. The word Hol Chan in Mayan means, “little channel” and the reserve is on the cut, which is a break or quebrada in the reef. The reserve is located approximately 4 miles southeast of San Pedro, and about 9 miles northeast of Caye Caulker. It was formed to control the fishing and diving in the area. The channel of Hol Chan is well known for large schools of fish including parrotfish, grouper and snapper, as well as green moray eels. The reserve is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers interested in seeing the colorful coral formations and large schools of fish.

The popular Shark/Ray Alley, was recently added to the reserve by the Government of Belize, and is an area where visitors can snorkel and swim with docile nurse sharks, and stingrays. The idea of swimming with these seemingly intimidating creatures can be a daunting thought for many people, but visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the ease with which these graceful creatures interact with them.

HOPKINS

Hopkins is a small Garifuna village located on the coast, eight miles south of Dangriga town. Hopkins is an excellent place to experience Garifuna culture, and the people of the village are more than willing to share their traditions with you. The beach sand is golden brown, and swimming is good almost anywhere offshore. It’s possible to sit on the beach without sharing too much of the sun, as there are few people in sight. Pelicans and seagulls share the mood of peace and tranquility, yet action and adventure can be found nearby. The barrier reef is just thirty minutes away by boat, with even closer spots for snorkeling, fishing and diving. Glover’s Atoll is directly east of Hopkins. Thirty minutes in the opposite direction are options of moderate to strenuous hikes on jungle trails, waterfalls, and the largest Jaguar Preserve in the world. Hopkins Day is also celebrated annually in August, with lots of food and entertainment.

PLACENCIA

Stretching 16 miles between the calm lagoons of Big Creek and the blue, choppy seas of south Stann Creek, the picturesque Placencia Peninsula is quickly becoming a premiere tourist destination in Belize. Located 100 miles south of Belize City, Placencia boasts the longest sand beach in the entire country. Dotted with quaint seaside resorts, guesthouses, hotels and restaurants, this once sleepy fishing village is now being recognized for its laid-back ambiance, breathtaking location, lush ecosystems and abundance of adventure-packed activities to experience.

Visitors to Placencia have the opportunity to experience both sea and inland jungle adventures because of the village’s ideal location. The village comes alive in the summer months when the annual Lobster Fest is held. This seafood extravaganza is a celebration of the opening of the lobster season in Belize. Visitors can drift from booth to booth sampling the variety of delicious lobster dishes while listening to the live beats of Garifuna drums reverberating through the cool salty air.

SAN PEDRO

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, also known as "La Isla Bonita" is the largest and most visited island in Belize. Located 36 miles northeast of Belize City, the island is easily accessible by either water taxi or airplane. Once a sleepy fishing village, this town has grown dramatically over the years with the fast progression of the tourism industry. The white sandy streets in San Pedro Town accommodate barefooted pedestrians as well as bicycles and golf carts. There are only three main streets in the town, so it is virtually impossible to get lost.

With the Barrier Reef only 1.5 miles away, Ambergris Caye offers a wide array of water activities. Kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and swimming can all be enjoyed in the shallow waters in front of the island, while scuba diving trips can be taken to the nearby barrier reef and famous dive sites of the northern atolls.