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Specialties:
Deep diving
in the Blue Hole, longest barrier reef on the hemisphere,
Ecotours to Mayan ruins and archaeological sites and tropical
rain forests.
Belize is
located on the Caribbean coast of Central America between
Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to the north and by Guatemala to the
west and south. It is a small country of approximately 9,000
square miles including its islands and a population of 230,000
people. Belize has inland mountain ranges with peaks over 3,600
feet, dense tropical jungles, a coastline of mangrove swamps,
and 266 square miles off offshore coral islands. The 185-mile
long barrier reef parallels the shore from10 to 30 miles out,
with prime diving locations around the out islands. Belize is a
preserve for the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere,
second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Early
inhabitants of Belize were the Maya and they left behind great
ceremonial centers, pyramids, and evidence of a dynamic people
with advancements in the arts, math and science. During the 17th
century, Belize was colonized by the British and the Spanish.
In 1862, the settlement became an English colony known as
British Honduras. Belize gained its independence in 1981.
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Ambergris Cay (pronounced Key) is at the heart of Belize’s
dive tourism, the largest of the out islands, and a bustling
resort and fishing community. Ambergris is just 20 minutes by
air from Belize City or an hour and 15 minutes by ferry. With
dirt roads, beachside cafes and dive shacks lining the shore,
Ambergris Cay is rustic and charming. There are several
restaurants and tourists shops in San Pedro, Ambergris’ largest
town. A few yards off the coast of San Pedro is the Hol Chan
Marine Preserve, the northernmost point of the Barrier Reef.
The dive sites are so near shore that
diving is just a matter of suiting-up. The only exceptions to
the rule are the day-long Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye trips
that several local dive shops operate.
The Blue
Hole, Belize’s most famous dive spot, is a spectacular sinkhole
near the center of Lighthouse Reef. The Blue Hole is best seen
from the air where you can see the almost perfect circle, 1000
feet in diameter, changing from the cobalt blue of the Caribbean
to a deep azure blue circle then to a deep indigo blue in the
center of the circle. At 140 feet you reach an awesome
underwater “cathedral” with alcoves, archways and columns. The
cathedral is a huge submerged cave with stalactites that are 12
feet wide suspended 20 to 60 feet from the cavern ceiling.
Best
Diving Months: March through May or August.
Water
Temperature: Water temperatures range from 74ºF to 84ºF.
Underwater
Visibility: The visibility often exceeds 100 feet. The
water is always clearest outside the barrier reef and off the
atolls.
Airport
Info: Belize City. Local airlines fly to the Cayes. Water
taxis are available to Ambergris Cay and Caye Caulker.
Documents
and Customs Regulations: U.S. citizens as well as British
subjects and citizens of Commonwealth countries will need a
valid passport and an onward or return ticket from Belize.
Language:
Primarily English, but Spanish and Caribe are also widely
spoken.
Climate:
The climate is sub-tropical, with constant brisk winds from the
Caribbean Sea. Summer highs are rarely above 95ºF and winter
lows seldom below 60ºF. Summer is hurricane season and heavy
rainfall is likely from September to January. August is
frequently dry.
Government:
Belize is an independent democratic nation and has a long
history of stable government.
Electrical
Current: 110/220 volts AC, 60 cycles and compatible with
American appliances. Surge protectors are recommended for
sensitive equipment.
Current Weather:
Get
current weather from Weather.com
Currency:
Belize Dollar (BZD). Get
current exchange rate from XE.com
Current Time:
Belize operates on
Central Standard Time all year (GMT -6)
Get
current time from WorldTimeServer.com
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