BELIZE, "UNSPOILED"
BY CLAY LARROY
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you no good to hang onto those once you've already gone on your big vacation.
Even if you don't have enough miles to cover the whole trip, many airlines will
allow you to discount your rate using your miles. When you want to plan a vacation
contact me!
Travel Belize Like a Local
By David
Burlison | Submitted On February 14,
2010
Most
people have heard of Belize, a small third world country in Central America,
but to consider Belize as a major tourist destination is not common. Belize is
not a tourist destination that most people would place on their list of top
tropical choices. Maybe a closer look at Belize will reveal a hidden gem in the
maze of all the various tropical opportunities available.
Most
people looking for a tropical experience think first of the Caribbean Islands
from the Virgin Islands to Argentina, the Hawaiian islands, the other Pacific
islands, or the other more notable islands catered to by the main stream
tropical adventurers. The locals of Belize would have you know their tropical
paradise is second to none.
If you
are looking to enjoy a tropical experience, and want to save quite a bit from
the cost that a typical tropical adventure would cost, consider Belize. This is
not to say that Belize is a second class destination, but Belize is a location
much overlooked. If you travel to Belize you will have a host of travel options
and surely you will not be disappointed if you decide to go there, and you may
be truly amazed. However, if you do go, always consider asking a Belize local
and travel like a local.
Belize is
a tropical country situated on the eastern coast of Central America. You will
find Belize right below Mexico facing the Caribbean Sea. Belize has the second
longest barrier reef in the world. Belize's reef is second only to Australia's
Great barrier reef. Belize's magnificent barrier reef creates some of the best
deep-sea fishing, skin diving and snorkeling in the world. Its mainland’s
consist of tropical rivers and exotic jungles.
One of
the great attractions of Belize is that the local language is English, even
though the country is located in Spanish Central America. Once a British
Colony, Belize was granted its independence in 1964 from Great Britain. Belize
is also extremely close for most Americans, compared to other tropical
destinations. Belize is roughly a two hour flight out of Houston, and Belize
City is serviced by several major international carriers. Belize is also a
relatively short boat ride to southern Mexico and Cancun, Mexico. Many of the
locals of Belize actually travel by boat or car to southern Mexico on a regular
basis to shop and trade.
Belize
has far more territory for the average tourist to cover on a short vacation
than what you will find on most tropical islands. The mainland has the capital,
Belize City, an international seaport. Belize City is actually about the size
of a mid-size city in the United States, with considerable poverty and crime.
Belize City doesn't have much to offer for a traveler. Most travelers will have
to travel to Belize City first, as Belize City is the entry point to Belize.
South of Belize City is the mainland consisting of small tropical villages, and
along the eastern caribbean coast you will find quaint coastal villages and
gentle beaches. The interior offers the tropical jungles and the pre-historic
Mayan ruins, and adventurers can find many caves, tropical rivers, exotic
animals and quaint villages to explore throughout the mainland.
For the
typical tropical island experience most travelers head directly out of Belize
City to one of the cays (small islands) just off Belize's eastern borders in
the Caribbean Sea. You can arrive at these small cays by boat or plane. The
trip is a one hour boat ride out of Belize City or a twenty minute plane ride
on a small plane. These small cays are the base for most travelers coming to
Belize to either skin dive or enjoy the great deep sea fishing, as the barrier
reef is just within sight of the shores of these small island cays.
The two
main cays along the barrier reef are Caye Caulker, a small quaint island with
modest accommodations and modest cafes. The main cay that most tourist end up
settling is called Ambergris Cay. San Pedro is the main and only town on
Ambergris Cay, and actually San Pedro is the biggest part of the island. On
Ambergris Cay you can find all range of accommodations, from a small very inexpensive
hotel right on the ocean, to luxury resorts and condos, and likewise with
restaurants and cafes. Being somewhat different than most tropical islands,
most accommodations on the cays are right on the ocean. The beaches are
scattered with quaint bars and nice cafes that offer very good food at
reasonable prices. There is always a live local band close by every night.
Everything is very close and very easy to reach. The locals and tourist
actually travel for the most part by golf carts on the sandy narrow roads.
If you
set up base in one of the two cays mentioned, you are probably planning on
spending some time fishing, snorkeling or skin diving. To go to Belize and not
spend some time exploring Belize's magnificent barrier reef would truly be a
great opportunity missed. The aquatic life along this reef is amazing and
beyond words. In the town of San Pedro you will find a number of charter
operations to take you to the barrier reef to skin dive, snorkel or deep sea
fish. Depending on your budget, the prices are more than reasonable even for
the top class charters and unbelievable low for the lower end charters, who may
just pick you up in only a twelve foot boat.
Belize
has much to offer to a tropical adventurer. Whether you just want to relax and
enjoy the sun and surf, or whether you traveled there to conquer the
magnificent barrier reef and catch the big marlin, Belize is inexpensive, the
locals speak English and they are friendly. Belize is just a short flight from
the mainland, and the life is easy. If you go, just remember to ask a local
travel guide first.
If your
planning ant trip please be sure to check out this website, it can make the
trip the best you ever had. Just go to: http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com.
Smooth sailing. D. Burlison, JD, Belize traveler.
Just go
to this web site. http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com
Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Burlison/521650
“After a visit to the beach, it’s hard to believe that we live in a material world.” – Pam Shaw
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