Introduction
Our tours will take you to Belize, a tiny English-speaking tropical Central American nation with a democratic tradition. It is only 8,996 square miles (roughly the size of the states of New Hampshire or Vermont in the USA) or 23,300 square kilometers (about the size of Wales in the UK), but it comprises a rich mixture of peoples and cultures.
Out of its 397,621 inhabitants Black Creoles (22%) make up the second largest ethnic group following the mestizo, Spanish/ Latino descendants (49%), 12% of the population are Maya Indians. Belize's cultural diversity includes British Anglo Celtics and German-Swiss Mennonite farmers (4.8%) and Garifuna (4%), mostly fishermen living on the coast. It is not uncommon to find expatriates from a number of different Western countries who have settled in Belize and merchants of Chineese, Lebaneese and Indian origin (1%).
Traditionally, the region was a logging area of little interest for its Spanish conquerors. During the XVII century it became a haven for English pirates whose business flourished behind the protection of the barrier reef and the absence of effective colonial administration on the part of Spain.
However, as the English Crown became more interested in gaining new territories overseas its activities in the Caribbean became more important. Although on maps the territory appeared as part of a Spanish Colony, this didn’t stop His Majesty George III’s forces from defeating the Spanish Armada in 1798 off the Belize Cayes. The Belizeans celebrated their freedom from Spanish Rule. The territory was later declared a British Colony and continued to be officially known as British Honduras until its independence on September 21st, 1981, when the independent nation of Belize was formally declared as a constitutional monarchy. It remains a part of the Commonwealth of Nations under the leadership of His Majesty Charles III, since September 2022...
Belize is a tropical lowland. Its climate is humid and hot. However, the biological diversity you may experience in Belize is not easy to find elsewhere, not to mention the country's 103 protected areas, which include 18 national parks, 15 bird and wildlife sanctuaries, 21 forest and nature reserves and no less than 12 Maya archaeological sites.
Its swamps and jungles, full of amazing biodiversity, the largest number of caves per square kilometer anywhere in the world, its unique underwater systems are all delightful stops for adventurers in this land! Its rivers, which sometime turn into pristine waterfalls and its mountains are dotted with archaeological sites that reveal a long-term occupation by the ancient Maya civilization. Belize is known mostly for the beauty of its Caribbean cayes or islands, which are a part of the second longest Barrier Reef in the world, with an amazing underwater park to delight in for snorkellers and scuba divers alike.
Its national parks and protected areas are very well kept and preserved. These are considered valuable resources for their ecotourism-based economy. Be prepared to pay BZ$ 30 (US$ 15) as you leave the country: a protected areas tax, but rest assured PACT (Protective Area Conservation Trust) are putting their money where their mouths are regarding conservation of land and marine ecosystems.
Belize is being discovered by post pandemic ecotourists and adventurers as a wonderful and diverse destination: filled with lively, colorful and uniquely rich experiences to be enjoyed with family, friends or special interest groups. sales@mayaworld.org