VACATION DETAILS

Belmopan is the capital city of Belize, and is known as the ‘Garden City.’ Although still a relatively quiet city, Belmopan has an array of activities to interest visitors and a lively night life. Blue Hole National Park and cave tubing at Herman’s Cave are popular tourist destinations when visiting the Belmopan area. The many rivers surrounding Belmopan supply endless opportunities for outdoor fun, relaxation and spectacular views.

Belize's Placencia Peninsula, like Hopkins, appeals to those who want to combine a mainland vacation with seaside activities. Lying 114 mi/180 km by road south of Belize City, it offers a sleepy, almost South Pacific atmosphere, though a number of housing and condo developments are changing the peninsula, and not necessarily for the better.

You'll find a mix of budget and upscale lodges, some of Belize's best mainland beaches and several good restaurants and bars—hang out there for five days or so. Visitors can enjoy diving and snorkeling, although the reef is 15-20 mi/25-30 km offshore, requiring a long boat trip. Fishing is available, too, primarily for tarpon and bonefish. The area is known for its Creole seafood cuisine.

The peninsula community of Seine Bight is a Garifuna fishing village that experienced some culture shock because of the tourism development in this once-isolated area. After years of hoping, residents got their fondest wish when paving finally began on the 25-mi/40-km road from the Southern Highway to Placencia village.

An international airport just north of the peninsula serves inter-island air traffic as well as private planes.

Most visitors spend their days taking a series of day tours, which can be arranged locally. You can go by boat to Laughing Bird Caye National Park (excellent snorkeling there and at other sites on typical daylong snorkel tours), Monkey River (home of crocodiles, howler monkeys, boas and iguanas) or Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Red Bank, southwest of Placencia, is a mostly Maya village famous among birders as the January-March home of the endangered and beautiful scarlet macaw. Other options include renting kayaks to search for manatees in the local lagoon or renting bikes to visit other parts of the peninsula.

Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It offers the visitor an unusual combination of rustic, old-fashioned Caribbean charm and bustling modernity. The Belize River meanders through the middle of the city; and twice a day, the city's swing bridge closes to allow sail boats to pass. There are many traditional street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts in the city's public squares, especially in the colonial marketplace on Saturday mornings. Visitors can purchase handmade wood furniture made by the Mennonite community and many kinds of craft items from the National Handicraft center, as well as from vendors who congregate near the Belize Commercial Center. Belize City is an excellent starting off point for visitors wishing to explore the country by car (or 4-wheel drive). There are several major tourist attractions an hour's drive or less from Belize City, such as the Belize Zoo, Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, the Bermudian Landing Community Baboon Sanctuary, and the Mayan ruin site at Altun Ha.