Wildlife is also abundant is culturally rich Belize
If you’re looking for a far-flung destination less traveled then look no further than the home of this week’s photo of the week Belize which, according to the UK Office of National Statistics, is the 27th Least Visited Country for the British with a measly 2,874 visits in 2016.
Sitting wedged between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize, although largely off of the radar of most Brits (which is particularly weird considering it’s English speaking!), is fast becoming one of the most popular eco-tourism destinations in Central America alongside Costa Rica. Together with its pristine white-sand beaches and tropical jungles it offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities in the world; largely thanks to it being the home of longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Throw in a whole host of Mayan archeological sites and Belize has a fascinating allure for anyone with a sense for adventure. So what does the country have to offer?
Archeological Sites: For budding Indiana Jones’ Belize has an abundance of Mayan archeological sites including Lamanai archeological Reserve, San Ignacio, Altun Ha and Caracol Natural Monument Reservation. Belize’s Mayan culture was at its height from 300 to 900 AD and despite that age a number of large Mayan temples remain largely intact and ready to explore in their jungle setting.
Ocean Habitats: Where to start?! Belize is one of the best spots on earth to be a scuba diver or snorkeling fanatic and with sites such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Blue Hole and Turneffe Islands Atoll it’s no wonder that divers from around the world visit Belize. The Belize Barrier Reef spans an incredible 185 miles of the country’s coastline and the world famous Blue Hole is visible from space and home to remarkable levels of marine biodiversity.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve: Recognized as the World’s first jaguar preserve the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) is a stunning place for a day of hiking amongst crystal-clear waterfalls, mountain rainforests and an abundance of wildlife. Although the jaguars are predictably difficult to spot (they’re nocturnal after all) you’ll also stand a chance of spotting puma, margay, jaguarundi, ocelot, wildcats, tapir and deer.
