ABOUT BELIZE
AND AMBERGRIS CAYE
Belize is a former British colony located on the caribbean coast of Central America nestled between Guatemala and Mexico. It is accessible, safe and english speaking although you will hear a mixture of spanish creole and mayan depending on what part of the country you visit. The currency is the Belize dollar which is a fixed rate of $2BZ to 1 US$. US$ and travellers checks are accepted everywhere.
Belize’s best known feature is its coral reef which stretches the length of the entire country and is 2nd in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Mainland Belize is approx. 9,000 square miles. The North and coastal regions are fairly swampy with mangroves but as you move inland, the flora, fauna,bird and wildlife are spectacular. You will find tropical pine forests, rainforest jungles, pristine waterfalls, caves with stalactites and stalagmites, jaguar reserves and butterfly farms to name but a few. If you don’t have time for a few days on the mainland, we would definitely recommend at least a day trip to one of the Mayan ruins to experience the jungle.
Ambergris Caye is the largest of the islands(cayes) which run along the coast of Belize. The main “town” on the island is San Pedro, with sandy streets, (most locals still wear no shoes.) Golf carts and bicycles are the most popular mode of transport, although as the island gets more developed,the number of cars is increasing. Fortunately none of the buildings on the island are allowed to be above 3 stories which contributes to the relaxed feeling of the whole place.
Fruit and seafood are plentiful on the island and there is a wide selection of restaurants. The most popular food amongst the locals is the delicious chicken rice and beans washed down with a Belikin beer.