Belize the Beautiful

If you ever do research on Belize City, you will find that a lot of people call it the most dangerous city in Central America. Tourists tend to avoid it like the plague and if they must stop in there they quickly book at trip out to the Cayes.

If you take the time to actually walk around the town and explore it a little, you will find that it is a fun place to be with friendly and welcoming people. Travel books advise people to skip Belize City if you can, but after all it is the countries largest urban hub, and by avoiding it you will miss a large part of what Belize is all about.

Belize is steadily growing as a popular stop for Cruise liners. The terminal is one of the nicest buildings in the city filled with shops and eateries. Passengers rarely leave here unless they are running off on a tour to see the sites. It is too bad for Cruisers, they never really see the real Caribbean cities that they visit. Each Terminal looks and feels like the last and yet to walk around the downtown area, you will find a unique energy and vibe.

Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel's Jerk Pit or Big Daddy's Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.

After soaking up the culture and cuisine in the country's largest city, catch a water taxi to head out to Caye Caulker. For $10, you will be transported to paradise. Far less crowded than its overdeveloped neighbor Ambergris Caye, this little island is a gem of a destination.

The relaxed Caye Caulker is a popular place for the backpacker crowd. Far less touristy and quieter than Ambergris Caye, it feels as if you are relaxing in Jamaica. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island keeping noise and pollution to a minimum. You will see the odd golf cart or you can rent a bike to check things out. Rooms are cheaper and you won't find any enormous resorts desecrating the land.

It has all of the same access to the Belize Barrier Reef has as Ambergris Caye as well. The Reef is a must for anyone visiting Belize. One of the most pristine in the world, but it is famous for its Shark Ray Alley. Groups of nurse sharks and manta rays inhabit the reef and if you hire a guide, you will have the chance to swim with them. It has been a protected reef for 12 years and the wildlife and coral is abundant.

Many divers in the world travel to Belize for one reason only, and that is to dive the famous Blue Hole. Jaques Cousteau introduced it to the world and it is an awesome site. A collapsed cave in the middle of the sea attracts divers that want to go deep. Drop down to 150 feet and dive under overhangs as hammerhead and reef sharks swim in the chummed waters above. This dive is not for new divers.

Diving isn't for everyone and you may just want to see the sights. Walk down Caye Caulkers main drag and you will find your choice of tour companies waiting to take you out to see the islands. Hire a sail boat to take you around and explore the surrounding area.

After your day exploring, you will be needing some great food and drinks and Caye Caulker has its fair share of restaurants. From fresh catches of the day to Italian or Jamaican Jerk, you will find something to satisfy your pallette. After dinner, head down to the beach and enjoy a cocktail as you listen to a band and find yourself content to just be.

Belize is certainly full of many more sights. It boasts rainforest's and islands, and the largest cave system in Central America. It is teeming with wildlife from Howler Monkeys to Jaguars. Like its surrounding neighbors, it has Mayan Ruins scattered throughout the country for you to enjoy and beautiful beaches can be found everywhere, the best being in Placencia on the mainland.

Belize is not a country that most people think of when they decide to take off to a warm Caribbean destination, but it is growing in popularity every year. Book your trip soon to experience this untouched paradise. It won't be long until the rest of the world follows and it will never be the same.

Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill are an adventure travel couple from Canada. Together they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to around 30 countries all around the planet. Visit their website theplanetd.com for more tips, advice and information on travel and adventure locations. To view their photo gallery from their world travels click on picturetheplanet.com