Explore Belize

A guide to Belize which details the country's political and economic history, along with information on the plant and animal life. The guide encourages the reader to sample the local cuisine, stay at family-run inns and visit sights on and off the tourist track.

Belize, a tiny Central American country nestled between Guatemala and Mexico, boasts a rich blend of cultures, history, and wildlife. Once occupied by the ancient Mayans, Belize was later colonized by the British and gained independence in 1981. The country now boasts a diverse population, including the descendants of the Mayans, Afro-Caribbeans, Mestizos, and Garifunas, contributing to its diverse cultural offerings. The country's geography ranges from sandy beaches along the Caribbean coastline to dense, tropical jungles nestled in the heartland. Belize is also known for its spectacular barrier reef, which runs along the coast and offers a world-class diving experience. Visitors can explore ancient Mayan ruins, hike in the lush jungles, float along rivers, or simply relax on the beach. With its mix of cultural heritage and natural beauty, Belize offers something for everyone.

Travel with award-winning author Harry S, Pariser around Barbados and delve into its culinary, cultural and historical treasures. Famed for its beaches and intimate, high quality hotels and inns, Barbados is the Southern Caribbean's crown jewel. This is the only complete guide for this very special Caribbean democracy. Visit plantation-era greathouses, stroll through the Flower Forest and exotic Andromeda Gardens, descend into the depths of Harrison's Cave, fly over the island's dramatic contours by helicopter, take a sunset cruise, descend into the oceanic depths via submarine, or just kick back on one of the island's many spectacular beaches. Local bus service, festivals and events, history and culture, live music spots. It's all covered! Maps, photographs, web sites, useful tips. Humourous, informative, educational, detailed. There is no other guide quite like it!

The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget is the definitive guide to making the most of this exotic region without breaking the bank. Backpackers, career-breakers, gap year travellers and those who want more bang for their buck, will find in depth budget information for all seven Central American countries and every aspect of travel. From accommodation and restaurants to special events, festivals and adrenalin-pumping outdoor activities, this guide is packed with the best budget information for night-life, shopping, markets and entertainment, as well as "Treat Yourself" boxes that highlight great places and things worth splashing out on. There is a full-colour introduction with highlights for every country. You'll also find useful words and phrases in every language and detailed maps for hundreds of locations. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget.

We travel to grow -- our Adventure Guides show you how. Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise -- sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. The only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is home to 500 species of birds, innumerable Maya ruins, as well as the world's second largest barrier reef. Over 80% of the land remains covered with primeval forest and 30% has been set aside as national parks/preserves. Encouraging eco-travel, Vivien Lougheed profiles many of the unique archeological sites, wildlife preserves, marine sanctuaries and conservation areas. Explore firsthand Belize's myriad attractions. This guide provides detailed information on travel to Belize as a whole, but it then goes on to cover the Shipstern Nature Reserve, with 22,000 acres of wildlife, the Santa Rita Ruins, dating to 2,000 BC, Altun Ha, with hundreds of ancient Maya monuments, the Lanai Ruins, with hundreds more, the Baboon Sanctuary. with many thousands of acres and abundant monkeys. That's only the start. "Belize holds three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean, hosts the world's only jaguar reserve, and has the highest waterfall in Central America. The author's updated book is a tour guide helping the adventure-oriented traveler take advantage of these rare visions as she tells how to make the most of Belize, from locating a local tour to visiting backroads and less traveled areas of the country. A must for any traveler who wants to experience the outdoors of the country."--Library Bookwatch. "As portable as they are helpful, and heavily illustrated as well, the volumes in this series remain very reliable in making certain that adventure is a major ingredient of your trip."--Booklist. "A perennial top seller, this book overflows with tips and recommendations for the first-time or veteran Belize traveler. An eco-traveler, Lougheed pays special attention to unique archeological sites, pristine wildlife preserves and marine sanctuaries."--Advance Magazine

We travel to grow - our Adventure Guides show you how. Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise - sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. The only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is home to 500 species of birds, innumerable Maya ruins, as well as the world's second largest barrier reef. Over 80% of the land remains covered with primeval forest and 30% has been set aside as national parks/preserves. All manner of tips and recommendations for the first-time or veteran Belize traveler. Encouraging eco-travel, Vivien Lougheed profiles many of the unique archeological sites, wildlife preserves, marine sanctuaries and conservation areas. Explore firsthand Belize s myriad attractions. This guide provides detailed information on travel to Belize as a whole, but it then goes on to cover the Cayes -- the many islands offshore. Diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, windsurfing and sea kayaking are what most people do in Belize. Other travelers may read, tan, drink and eat seafood. For all this we head for the cayes. The cayes of Belize have the second-largest coral reef on the planet and their two atolls include some of the most challenging dive sites in the world. The area is huge, with only three cayes being densely populated. Many are uninhabited. If you want a party scene after a day playing on or in the water, then Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker or Tobacco Caye are the places to go. If seclusion and quiet is what you seek, head to Glover's Reef or a resort on one of the privately-owned cayes. If you need adventure in the sun, go kayaking in the south. About 450 islands are bordered by 150 miles of reef that runs between 10 and 40 miles from the shoreline. The islands are of four types. There are the wet cayes that are mainly mangrove and are often partially under water. There are coral islands that are solid clumps of dead coral. The sand cayes are the most habitable. They are a combination of sand, coral and mangrove. Finally, there are three atolls - Glover's Reef, Lighthouse Reef and the Turneffe islands. "Belize holds three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean, hosts the world's only jaguar reserve, and has the highest waterfall in Central America. The author's updated book is a tour guide helping the adventure-oriented traveler take advantage of these rare visions as she tells how to make the most of Belize, from locating a local tour to visiting backroads and less traveled areas of the country. A must for any traveler who wants to experience the outdoors of the country." -- Library Bookwatch. "As portable as they are helpful, and heavily illustrated as well, the volumes in this series remain very reliable in making certain that adventure is a major ingredient of your trip." -- Booklist. "A perennial top seller, this book overflows with tips and recommendations for the first-time or veteran Belize traveler. An eco-traveler, Lougheed pays special attention to unique archeological sites, pristine wildlife preserves and marine sanctuaries." --Advance Magazine

We travel to grow — Adventure Guides show you how. Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise — sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people and joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping and sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes Adventure Guides unique. The only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is home to 500 species of birds, innumerable Maya ruins, as well as the world's second largest barrier reef. Over 80% of the land remains covered with primeval forest and 30% has been set aside as national parks/preserves. Encouraging eco-travel, Vivien Lougheed profiles many of the unique archeological sites, wildlife preserves, marine sanctuaries and conservation areas. Explore firsthand Belize's myriad attractions. This guide provides detailed information on travel to Belize as a whole, but it then goes on to cover the fascinating attractions of Western Belize in depth, and, just across the border in Guatemala, Tikal National Park, which occupies 226 square miles of ruins and jungle. Tikal is the most mystical place on the planet — according to many, more special than the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, the temples of Thailand, the monasteries of Tibet or Machu Picchu in Peru. Tikal not only has impressive restored pyramid temples in the main plaza, but also some wild jungle that clutches onto parts of the city. Birds and animals hide in these jungles. And the site is huge — it takes hours to walk around the main plazas. If you want to really explore, it takes days. In Belize, we guide explore Belmopan, the caves at Roaring Creek, the amazing and enormous Belize Zoo, the Cahal Pech, Xunantunich and Pacbitun ruins, Caracol and much more. "Belize holds three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean, hosts the world's only jaguar reserve, and has the highest waterfall in Central America. The author's updated book is a tour guide helping the adventure-oriented traveler take advantage of these rare visions as she tells how to make the most of Belize, from locating a local tour to visiting backroads and less traveled areas of the country. A must for any traveler who wants to experience the outdoors of the country." — Library Bookwatch "As portable as they are helpful, and heavily illustrated as well, the volumes in this series remain very reliable in making certain that adventure is a major ingredient of your trip." — Booklist "A perennial top seller, this book overflows with tips and recommendations for the first-time or veteran Belize traveler. An eco-traveler, Lougheed pays special attention to unique archeological sites, pristine wildlife preserves and marine sanctuaries." — Advance Magazine.

Annotation. A constant top seller, this book is overflowing with tips and recommendations for the first-time or veteran Belize traveler. Lougheed encourages eco-travel, profiling many unique archeological sites, wildlife preserves and marine sanctuaries and exploring firsthand Belize's myriad attractions. Visit Belize City, the Turneffe Islands, Belmopan, San Ignacio, Corozal and Punta Gorda. Crucial information on traveling solo or with a tour group, as well as the pros and cons of each.