Belize Offers Unexpected Delights for Winter Travelers

Short, grim days with lots of cold and snow make many travelers seek a sunny escape. And few destinations have as much to offer as tropical Belize. Located at the western edge of the Caribbean just south of Mexico, Belize is a former British colony where English is the official language. Renowned for its friendly inhabitants, Belize has a lot to offer for visitors looking to enjoy a tropical vacation.

All flights into the country land at the international airport in Belize City (code: BZE). Still the largest city but no longer the capital, Belize City’s historic downtown area is a great place to start. St. John’s Cathedral is not only the oldest Anglican house of worship in the New World but also the only church outside of England which has crowned several heads of state. And be sure to visit the Belize House of Culture, formerly a royal prison but now home to exhibitions that document more than 3,000 years of the country’s history.

Belize is famous for its more than 400 offshore islands, some of which are just a few miles offshore from Belize City. The entire area is one huge coral reef system, second only in size to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and an incredibly diverse eco-system where fish, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees thrive. Popular activities on the reef include scuba diving and snorkeling. There’s also a lot to see and do on the mainland, including visiting one of the 600 ancient Maya sites that still dot the landscape, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, rappelling and rock climbing, spelunking, and cave tubing.

Belize is also famous for its delicious food, including fresh-caught fish, lobster, and conch. The fertile soil of Belize also produces a bevy of organic crops like citrus fruits, mangos, papayas, pineapples, and cacao, the key ingredient in chocolate. And definitely don’t miss out trying a rum cocktail (or two!) while lounging on the beach.

Lately, it seems like it is officially Belize’s time in the limelight. The New York Times’ travel section and Lonely Planet both recommended visiting Belize in 2019, and National Geographic recently included Belize on its “must go” destinations for 2019. And following a historic live broadcast by the Discovery Channel on December 2, 2018, it’s likely that Belize’s profile will rise even further.

If you’d like to visit this extraordinary country yourself, be sure to book your travels with Adventures in Belize (AIB). AIB specializes in crafting bespoke vacation experiences for travelers who want to explore all of the finest attractions in the country.