United States
Belize Travel and Destination Guide
PLACES TO SEE
The Cayes
This 290km (180mi) stretch of Belizean barrier reef is the longest in the western hemisphere. To its west are numerous cayes basking in warm water - the two most popular are Caye Caulker, for the low-budget traveler, and Ambergris Caye, for those of the cashed-up, resort-oriented variety.
Belize City
Belize City's urban scenery is not just odorous old canals and grungy slums. There's also handsome colonial houses, seaside parks, bustling shopping areas and sailboats bobbing at the mouth of Haulover Creek. Walking the city's streets can be very hot, and occasionally threatening, but never dull.
Xunantunich
Xunantunich, aka 'Stone Maiden', set on a leveled hilltop near the Belize River, is the archaeological pride of Belize. The site once flourished as a ceremonial center and is thought to have been abandoned after an earthquake around AD 900. Its tallest building, El Castillo, rises an impressive 40m (131ft) above the jungle.
Community Baboon Sanctuary
The Community Baboon Sanctuary is spread over 32km (20mi) of tropical rainforest, with the Belize River winding through its middle. Home to around 2000 rare black howler monkeys, known locally as 'baboons', it also has an extraordinary variety of birds. You can hike through the park, or peruse the wildlife from a canoe.
Lamanai
This impressive Mayan site is located in its own archaeological reserve. It features 60 significant structures including a grand Pre-classic building, a small temple and a ball court. Lamanai (aka 'submerged crocodile' - the original Mayan name of the place) was occupied from 1500 BC and became a major ceremonial center long before most Mayan sites.
©2007 Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.
