Belize, a natural beauty located in the center of the Americas, is surrounded on three sides by the borders with Mexico and Guatemala. However, Belize gladly pours its heart out on the crystalline sea fronts on the east side, where the treasure of the Caribbean seas is part of its pride.
Fact file
Belize has a total of 8,867 square miles, offering a rich and diverse fertile land comprising pine forests, tropical rain forests, savanna and mangrove forests, sandy beaches, rivers, streams, and lagoons.
Offshore there are hundreds of white sand islands called Cays and reefs that divers love. All these treasures are swallowed and caressed by the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. Rare and exotic species of birds, mammals, and fish abound in the fertile ecosystems of Belize, and all thrive under the protection status provided by the Government of Belize.
People and life
Life is serene here as well as the surroundings. With only a small population of about 300,000 people, Belize is the only democratic English-speaking country in Central America. Belize’s economy is based on tourism and agriculture, with sugar cane, citrus fruits, bananas, and aquaculture as the main products. Even the manufacturing industry relies on agriculture and fills in the gaps.
Living expenses and services are comparatively cheaper than in other neighboring countries. You could live comfortably in Belize for less. $ 1,500 to $ 2,000 a month would help you easily. Good health care, insurance and cleaning services are offered at reasonable costs.
Belize Invitation
The government encourages foreign ownership here, especially if it creates job opportunities for Belizeans. Incentives are also offered for export-oriented projects. These include exemptions from income taxes and exemptions from import duties.
Work permits are also issued to non-nationals in accordance with the guidelines of the Belize Department of Labor. These last from 3 months to a year and are renewable. Anyone who has a permanent residence or who has been a legal resident for the past 5 years can apply for Belizean citizenship under the Belizean Nationality Act of 1981.
Tourism: a wonderland
Travel and tourism in Belize is being vigorously promoted and brings foreign exchange for Belize. The wildlife and boardwalk, along with Belize’s serene natural beauty, have contributed greatly to Belize’s tourism industry.
The list
There is so much in Belize that it is difficult to list each and every place. However, you can talk about some famous places:
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary – The World’s Only Jaguar Reserve
A unique sanctuary started by the efforts of one person is located in southern Belize and covers 150 square miles of tropical forest land. It was declared a Forest Reserve in 1984, and finally declared a Jaguar Reserve in 1986. It is home not only to Jaguars but also to a variety of wildlife, including birds, animals, fauna and flora. Rare species of birds such as the macaw, the curassow, and the keel-billed tucao are common sights.
Baboon Community Sanctuary
The Community Baboon Sanctuary is an innovative and grassroots project to protect a habitat for endangered black howler monkeys. You can easily become a member here by adopting a monkey, and the CBS authorities encourage you.
Ancient Mayan Sites
Ancient Mayan ruins are found throughout Belize. Said to be the place where the ancient Mayan civilization thrived, there are now more than 600 of these identified sites. This ancient civilization existed between the periods 300 BC. C. to 900 d. This culturally vibrant society was well known during its time for its magnificent art, imposing architecture, and highly developed mathematical and astronomical systems.
The Paseo Marítimo is unforgettable. Here are some places that will never leave our minds.
Diving spots
Nearly 40 of them, pristine, well-groomed dive sites with coral reefs, 20-foot stalactites, mangroves, and sublime inland lagoons. Mother Nature is in her prime here. You have black corals, orange sponges, and many more to choose from. If you love diving, you couldn’t ask for more.
The great blue hole
Imagine the Great Blue Hole, 1,000 feet wide and more than 400 feet deep. Aside from divers, many varieties of colorful fish regularly visit the Great Blue Hole. The Great Blue Hole is the largest ocean sink in the world, large enough to be visible from outer space. This marine vault stores red algae, hydroids and gorgonians that cover most of the corals. It is also home to shared shrubs, mermaid fan algae, elkhorn, equine finger, shallow-water star corals, giant green anemones, and various urchins.
Half moon key
Nature opens up in all its splendor in the southeast corner of the atoll. A densely populated bird sanctuary to the west and coconut trees to the east, home to 98 recorded species of birds, including frigates, red-footed boobies, pelicans, ospreys, egrets, gulls, storks, terns and many more. And don’t forget to visit the Half Moon Caye Lighthouse.
Wall
This is located south of Half Moon Caye. Divers can experience a depth of 30 feet and visibility of up to 100 feet. This natural aquarium on Half Moon Caye contains garden eels, snails, rays, flounder, star-eyed hermit crab, tilefish, manta rays, groupers, yellowtail snapper, razorfish, toadfish, spotted eagle rays, turtles and black groupers .
Long Caye Ridge
A perfect dive spot for beginners; with minimal currents, a depth of 40 feet and a visibility of 80 feet. Soft corals, vase and tube sponges, yellow pencil corals, coral niches for spotted crabs, lobsters, lime fish, and arrow blennies keep your sight. Check this out for underwater photography.
The aquarium
Northwest of Long Caye is the Aquarium, home to an abundance of flora and fauna that enchants visitors with myriad colors and perfect visibility. The richness and variety of marine life is perfectly demonstrated here, leaving all visitors simply mesmerized.
Lighthouse reef
A diving expedition to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll begins from its north shore. It is teardrop shaped and is one of the few pristine and unspoiled atoll reefs in the world. Sandbore Caye and The Northern Two Cayes welcome you at the entrance. These keys have an internal lagoon that acts as a gigantic natural cooler. At the southern end of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, you will find Long Caye, which is known to be the closest island to the best dive sites and fishing areas in all of Belize.
Belize I
There is so much packed in this small country. Belize is only 68 miles wide and 108 miles long. But then, the open and crystalline seas have blessed this land, imparting the vastness that the ocean contemplates.
You just have to be here for Belize.
Once, twice, and you will find that it is never enough.
Be here to find out.