Belize has a rich cultural and historical heritage. There is an abundance of natural beauty to see. Get up close to nature at the incredible cave tubing, zip lines and rivers of Belize. Explore Mayan ruins and other historic sites. You can enjoy Belize’s beaches, wildlife and history on your next vacation.
Belize has a rich cultural and historical heritage
Belize is a former British colony, and its cultural heritage reflects this. The country has both British and Spanish influences, with English spoken as the main language.
Belize was known as British Honduras until 1981, when it gained independence from Britain and became known simply as Belize. It has a rich cultural heritage thanks to its Maya ruins which date back thousands of years; one of the most famous examples being Caracol Archaeological Park near modern day San Ignacio Town on Ambergris Caye Island in northern Belize City. Belize has a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is home to an abundance of natural beauty, including rainforests, caves and rivers.
Get up close to nature at the incredible cave tubing, zip lines and rivers of Belize
In Belize, it’s easy to get up close to nature. Cave tubing is a must-do activity that will take you down river through underground caves and tunnels in the rainforest. Zip lining over rainforests is another fun way to see the country from above and there are many rivers to choose from – including Rio On Pools!
Explore Mayan ruins and other historic sites
If you’re interested in Mayan ruins, there are plenty of places to visit. The largest site is Chichen Itza, which can be accessed from Cancun or Merida by bus or taxi and is about an hour away from each city. Other notable sites include Coba (near Tulum), Naranjo and Xelha (both near Playa del Carmen), Labna Ha (near Chetumal) and El Meco (near San Ignacio).
For those who prefer other historic sites over ancient ones, Belize has plenty of those too! Here you are our recommendation:
Lamanai
Lamanai is a Mayan ruin located in the Toledo District of Belize. Lamanai was one of the largest ancient Maya cities, with over 2,000 structures and many carved stone monuments still standing today.
The site was first settled around 100 BC and remained occupied until about 1200 AD when it was abandoned due to environmental factors such as deforestation and soil erosion. It’s estimated that there are over 1 million people buried at Lamanai (this includes both Mayans and Europeans), making it one of the largest burial sites in all of Central America!
Caracol
Caracol is an ancient Maya city located in Belize. The site is one of the most important Maya cities in Belize, and it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was occupied from 600BC to 900AD and discovered in 1930 by American archaeologist J. Eric S. Thompson, who named it after his wife Caroline (Caro).
Caracol means “snail” in Spanish; this name comes from how its layout resembles that of a snail’s shell with three concentric walls surrounding an urban core area with several structures such as temples and palaces.
You can enjoy Belize’s beaches, wildlife and history on your next vacation.
Belize is a country where you can enjoy beaches, wildlife and history all in one trip. The beaches are great for swimming, there’s plenty of opportunity for birdwatching and hiking and if you like exploring ancient Mayan ruins, Belize has some of the best around.
Belize also has some interesting history that goes back thousands of years. People have been living there since at least 2500 BC when their ancestors migrated from South America during an Ice Age period called “The Great Drying.” These early people were known as Olmecs because they carved giant stone heads called “Olmec Heads”.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular dive sites in Belize and it has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s also a great place for snorkeling and diving, with its variety of wildlife including rays, dolphins and turtles.
The reef contains over 70 species of fish including parrotfish, yellowtail snapper and grouper. The reserve covers 14 square kilometres (5 square miles) along the southern coast between Caye Caulker island to Placencia Village on mainland Belize.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is a cave in Belize that the Maya used as an offering site and for burial. The cave is located near the border with Guatemala, about 20 miles from Tikal.
ATM is part of a larger system of caves called Actun Halal, which means “cave of blood” in Maya language. The name refers to its red-colored stalactites and stalagmites caused by iron oxide deposits in groundwater seeping through limestone rock formations over thousands of years.
The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is a large sinkhole that was formed during the last ice age. It’s about 300 meters (984 feet) wide and 125 meters (410 feet) deep, making it one of the world’s deepest blue holes.
The water in this sinkhole is quite clear and has an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes it ideal for scuba diving or snorkeling but not swimming due to strong currents that can carry you away from your boat if you’re not careful!
There are several popular dive sites around The Blue Hole: Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Wall and South Water Caye Marine Reserve are all accessible from here by boat trip only – so don’t forget your mask and fins!
Belize is an amazing country with so much to offer. We hope that this article has inspired you to visit and explore Belize. It’s a beautiful place that has so much history and culture, as well as natural beauty that will leave you breathless!