Of the some 200 cayes that dot the coast of Belize, Ambergris Caye is the largest. Ambergris is 25mi/40km long and a little over 1mi/1.6km wide in some places, and is located in the clear shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea just off the tip of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Most of the island's 4,500 residents live in the town of San Pedro, near the southern tip of the island. The people of the island are called "Sanpedranos" and speak English, Spanish, Creole, and Maya all at the same time, creating their own island dialect.

Since Ambergris Caye's coastline is protected by the Barrier Reef, the island is good for all water sports. Several nearby snorkeling and scuba sites offer excellent opportunities for coral and marine life viewing. Ambergris Caye was once a part of Mexico and therefore its wildlife is vastly similar to that found in northern Belize and southern Mexico. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded on Ambergris Caye, and other wildlife includes peccaries, raccoons and white-tailed deer. Ambergris enjoys life at a relaxed pace and is one of Belize's top destinations.

Following the Maya came European whalers and buccaneers, followed by the ancestors of present day residents who were fishermen and workers in British-owned coconut plantations. The island became significantly populated when the Yucatán's War of the Castes forced Mestizos and Mayans onto Ambergris. Eventually, lobster fishing became the island's main industry, which has been replaced by tourism in the present day.

The history of the island goes back to the days of the Maya, European pirates and Mexican refugees who fled during the Caste War. Originally, Ambergris Caye was a Mayan trading post and was part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Around 1,500 years ago, Mayans dug a narrow channel separating Ambergris from Mexico in order to create a better trade route to mainland Belize. Archaeological sites on Ambergris reveal a former Mayan population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants.

Hol Chan (Mayan for "little cut") Marine Reserve is Belize's most popular snorkeling and dive site. The park encompasses 5sq.mi/8sq.km of protected area made up of coral formations, sea grass beds and mangroves. The main attraction is the cut in the reef, which is a 30ft/9.5m deep and has steep, coral-lined walls. Another main feature of Hol Chan is a crescent-shaped sinkhole known as the Cat's Eye.

Numerous species of fish, crustaceans and corals can be viewed at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. These species include black groupers, eels, spadefish, spiny lobster, finger and brain coral. Visitors will not be disappointed since several schools of colorful fish are always present, however the reserve is often crowded.

Altun Ha, Mayan for "Rockstone Pond" or "Water of the Rock", is northern Belize's most famous Mayan ruin. The community at Altun Ha existed between c600 BC (perhaps even earlier) until the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization c900 AD. The population at Altun Ha was estimated at around 3,000 people, and the town was an important trading post as well as an agricultural and ceremonial center.

Altun Ha is famous for the discovery of the Jade Head, which is the largest carved jade object found in the entire Mayan area. The carving represents the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, and is one of Belize's national symbols. The archaeological site features two main plazas and some 13 temples in a park-like atmosphere.

Many tombs were discovered during excavations and restoration that took place between 1964 and 1978. Artifacts found in the burial sites include hundreds of jade and green obsidian blades. Altun Ha is unusual because of the absence of a stela, a column or pillar monument.

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll and is a protected area including 15sq.mi/39sq.km of the surrounding waters. The caye is a bird sanctuary protecting a colony of about 4,000 of the rare, red-footed booby and is the most visited caye of the atoll. One of only two such colonies in the Caribbean, Half Moon Caye is Belize's oldest national park, created by the Belize Audubon Society in 1982. Cruise ships occasionally moor at Half Moon Caye for day visits.

Apart from the boobies, some 98 other species of birds have been recorded on the caye, including warblers, ospreys and white-crowned pigeons and the magnificent frigate bird. The caye has a lighthouse and excellent beaches, as well as a submerged wall just offshore that is teeming with marine flora and fauna. Half Moon Caye measures 45ac/18ha and holds two distinct ecosystems. The west side has lush vegetation while the east side has less vegetation but more coconut palms.

Half Moon Caye is popular with both birders and divers. The natural setting of the caye provides good hiking, and wildlife enthusiasts should note that both of the endangered loggerhead and hawksbill turtles lay their eggs on the southern beaches of the caye. A number of shipwrecks in the caye's vicinity present opportunities for interesting dives. Half Moon Caye Natural Monument was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1996.

The Blue Hole Natural monument is found in the center of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll and is one of the most astounding dive sites to be found anywhere on earth. It is a circular limestone sinkhole of vivid blue water measuring 412ft/126m deep and 1,000ft/305m across. The water appears to be such a deep blue color because of the hole's depth and is the reason such structures throughout the world are known as "blue holes".

The most popular dive site in all of Belize, the Great Blue Hole offers divers interesting observation of bizarre limestone formations that mold its walls. These formations are stalactites, calcium carbonate "dripping rocks" which resemble icicles and become more intricate as the depth increases. A school of reef sharks can also be seen when diving in the Blue Hole. In 1996, UNESCO designated the Great Blue Hole as a World Heritage Site and Natural Monument.

Lamanai, Mayan for "Submerged Crocodile", is one of Belize's largest ceremonial centers and the most impressive archaeological site in northern Belize. The ruins are located on the banks of the New River and are set in secondary tropical forest. Inhabited from 1500 BC to the 19th C, Lamanai has the longest occupation span of any Mayan site and the ruins also include the remains of two Christian churches and a sugar mill.

Lamanai flourished in Late Pre-Classic times and was a major ceremonial center long before most other Mayan sites. The site features large temples and excavations at Lamanai have revealed representations of crocodiles on buildings, figurines and pottery; indicating that the crocodile was an important figure.

Unlike other Mayan sites, the Maya inhabited Lamanai until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th C. The Spanish found a thriving community at Lamanai and the site's ruined churches reveal the Spanish friar's attempts in converting the Maya. Conversion efforts were successful, however by 1640 the Maya had rebelled against Christianity and reverted to their ancient customs.

The archaeological site features a museum and is situated in an attractive natural setting. The dense jungle surroundings are comprised of giant guanacaste and breadnut trees, allspice, strangler figs and Belize's national flower, the black orchid. Excavations of Lamanai began as early as 1917, and Canadian archaeologist David Pendergast led major excavations of the site beginning in 1974. Over 800 structures are found at Lamanai, and major excavation efforts continue presently.

One of Altun Ha's important structures, excavation of the Temple of the Green Tomb uncovered a tomb of a Mayan priest-king. The tomb, dating from c600 AD, was found deep within the structure. Nevertheless, the tropical climate had destroyed the king's garments and a Mayan book buried with him.

Many artifacts also buried with the king remained in tact. Among the riches were pottery, pearls, shell necklaces, ceremonial flints and jade pendants and beads. Stingray spines that were used in Mayan bloodletting rites were also discovered in the tomb.

The Temple of the Masonry Altars is the largest and most important structure at Altun Ha. The structure dates from the first half of the 7th C and has since been restored. The temple is named for the altars on which jade objects were smashed and copal was burned during ceremonial sacrifices.

The burial sites of important Mayan officials were uncovered during an excavation of the temple in 1968. Only two of the burial sites were in tact, others had been desecrated. Numerous jade objects were discovered at this temple, including the Jade Head, a unique mask sculpture of the Mayan Sun God. An illustration of the Jade Head is found on all Belizean bank notes.

The Bacalar Chico National Park is found at the northern tip of Ambergris Caye and is comprised of a littoral forest, mangrove, reef and sea grass habitat. It is the site of the channel dug by Mayan traders 1,500 years ago, separating Ambergris Caye from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. A nature trail runs through the park, offering sightings of manatees, turtles, crocodiles and several bird species.

Also within the boundaries of Bacalar Chico is Rocky Point, one of the only places in the world where land meets reef. Rocky Point has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Good snorkeling in the reserve offers sightings of marine life and coral formations.

Several island tour operators offer excursions to numerous snorkeling and scuba diving sites within close proximity to Ambergris Caye. Many sites feature canyons or cuts; large grooves cut into the coral reef by the surf, as well as caverns and tunnels that form when corals on either side of the canyon grow together.

Marine life that can be spotted on such excursions includes large schools of fish, several varieties of coral, turtles, as well as nurse and reef sharks. Another popular site is Amigos Wreck, a 60ft/18m tug boat intentionally sunk to provide a marine habitat.

Anglers are drawn to Belize's tarpon flats, covering 200sq.mi/324sq.km. Fishing on a catch and release basis offers a chance at species such as wahoo, snailfish, snook, grouper, snapper, barracuda and bonefish.

La Diosa Day Spa offers a variety of treatments in a peaceful environment. Apart from salt scrubs and facials, acupressure, Swedish, and other types of massage are available. Also featured is an aroma bar and soap deli, where custom-blended items are sold based on mood and skin type.

Found on the southern end of Ambergris Caye, this Mayan site dates from the Pre-Classic era and was a sea-trading center. Dr Elizabeth Graham and Dr David Pendergast first recorded the site in 1984 and named it after their local guide, Marco Gonzales. Graham and Pendergast excavated the site, which is surrounded by dense jungle, from 1984 to1994 and excavations are still underway.

At least 49 structures and walls have been mapped to date and the site is littered with enormous amounts of broken pottery and conch shells. Unlike other Mayan sites, the structures seem to be low platforms or building foundations rather than pyramids. Some artifacts discovered here include jade and obsidian blades as well as grinding tools and pottery.

The owners of the Caribbean Villas Hotel, Wil and Susan Lala, have built a large multi-leveled birding tower called the People Perch. The three-story high observation tower rises above the surrounding jungle and offers various vantage points for viewing birds.

Rum Punch II is a wooden sailboat offering sunset cruises and snorkeling trips to Caye Caulker.

The ruins found in Bacalar Chico, in Bacalar Chico National Park & Marine Reserve, are of a Mayan residential and sea-trading post. More information on the site has yet to be discovered, as excavations of Chac-Balam continue.

The Belize Zoo features native Belizean wildlife in natural surroundings covering 29ac/12ha of tropical savannah. More than 125 species are found at the zoo, including jaguars, black howler monkeys, vultures, storks, tapirs, crocodiles, ocelots and peccaries.

The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who had previously been taking care of 17 animals during the making of a film in Belize. After filming, the animals had become semi-tame and Matola feared they would not survive in the wild. Matola created the zoo in response to the situation and continues to educate visitors on the importance of supporting native Belizean wildlife.

The Community Baboon Sanctuary is a unique grassroots conservation effort run entirely by volunteer co-operation. Baboons are the local name for howler monkeys in Belize (actual baboons are not found in the country), and the endangered black howler is found nowhere else in the world. In 1985, Creole farmers and American zoologist Robert Horwich signed an agreement protecting the howler's habitat in the vicinity of their privately owned land.

The sanctuary covers 20sq.mi/52sq.km and 160 landowners from the surrounding villages have pledged to protect the forest around their farms to support the monkey habitat, which consists of broadleaf forest. The vegetarian black howlers can be seen in the canopy treetops (often howling) in groups of four to eight. A small museum at the sanctuary provides information on other wildlife (200 species) found in the reserve.

The Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on 1,070ac/433ha of land bordered by the Sibun River. Across the Sibun, the Monkey Bay National Park covers a more remote 2,250ac/911ha. Visitor's services are located in the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a non-profit organization.

The combined conserved areas create a large wetlands corridor in the Sibun River Valley. The sanctuary offers several ecological education field courses as well as a variety of excursions, including a 14-day canoe trip along the Belize and Sibun Rivers.

Popular activities include canoeing and swimming in the river, exploring the grounds and visiting the sanctuary's library. The sanctuary is entirely environmentally friendly featuring solar power, organic composting, and a natural rainwater source.

Managed by the Belize Zoo, the Tropical Education Center is situated on 84ac/34ha of pine savannah habitat in the Sibun River watershed. The purpose of the center is to provide environmental education about the area, and the center generally hosts visits from scientists and school groups. The grounds feature a nature trail and wildlife viewing treetop platforms. Canoeing on the Sibun River is a popular activity.

The nation's capital since 1971, Belmopan is located in the geographical center of Belize nestled in the western hills. The capital was moved to Belmopan after Belize City was reduced to rubble after Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Still a young town, Belmopan's population is of diverse ethnic origin including Mestizos, Garifuna, Creoles and Mayans.

Most citizens are city servants and civil workers, and several other government workers commute daily from surrounding areas. Belmopan has a small-town atmosphere characterized by modest homes with manicured yards. The city is a common transportation hub and is often called the "springboard to adventure". The somewhat sleepy town offers a few attractions, including government buildings and historical records attracting students and researchers.

Since its inception in 1965, the Belize Archives Department has collected a large amount of data from a variety of government and private sources. The archives offer a collection of books, magazines, newspapers, manuscripts, private and government records for research purposes.

Several market stalls offer cheap meals around Market Square in Belmopan. This is also an area where you will find a variety of stores, banks and other city services.

Taking place annually in May, the Agriculture & Trade Show in Belmopan features agricultural products, farming equipment, floral botanical displays and a rodeo. This is a three day event which also includes entertainment.

The National Assembly buildings were designed to resemble a Mayan temple and plaza. Inside is the Department of Archaeology, a government office maintaining the Belmopan Vault which safeguards several archaeological artifacts uncovered throughout Belize. Closed to the public, the contents of the vault are being stored until the inauguration of national museum. The office offers a small display of artifacts and information on Belize's archaeological sites.

The Valentine's Cycle Race (February 14) begins in Belmopan and ends in Belize City with other events schedule in coordination with the race.

Situated on a bluff overlooking the Belize River, the Banana Bank Lodge features an equestrian center and several jungle riding trails.

About 279 Mopan and Kekchi Maya live in Blue Creek, which receives many day visitors en route to the adjacent Blue Creek Rain Forest Preserve.

The Blue Creek Rain Forest Preserve & Cave offers hiking and exploration of the Blue Creek Cave and pools and channels of the creek system. Guided nature hikes including a canopy walk are offered, and there is an on-site observation deck. There is also a lodge / field station in the area offering some interesting options.

Lying15mi/24km south of Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker has earned a reputation as a haven for budget travelers. The small island is about 4mi/6.5km long and measures approximately 650yd/600m in width at its widest point. About 750 people of the Creole, Mestizo and Garifuna cultures inhabit Caye Caulker, and coconut palms and mangroves are found along most of the island's shores. Iguanas and several bird species are commonly spotted.

In 1961, Hurricane Hattie actually split the island in two, creating an area called the Split. Most of the land north of the Split is largely undeveloped. Caye Caulker has a relaxing atmosphere with white sand streets and golf carts for transportation. Guesthouses are rather basic, but the pleasant climate and numerous water sports opportunities continue to draw several visitors each year.

In the 1700s, British buccaneers (Baymen) frequented Caye Caulker as a place to repair their boats and restock their fresh water supply. The island's population grew when Mexico's War of the Castes forced Mestizos onto Caye Caulker, and Mestizos still represent the largest bulk of Caulker's population. Luciano Reyes purchased the island in 1870 and then divided the land among several families. Caye Caulker has always been a fishing settlement and remains one today, however tourism is a rapidly growing industry.

The Caye Caulker Forest Reserve was declared in 1998 and covers the northernmost 100ac/40ha of the island. Development is continuing on a trail system throughout the reserve habitat of littoral forest and mangrove lagoons. Wetland creatures such as the iguana and American crocodile are protected, and numerous species of birds and small lizards can be spotted.

The Caye Caulker Mini-Reserve & Resource Center features nature trails with labeled flora and fauna. Guided tours are available.

Several island tour operators offer excursions to numerous snorkeling and scuba diving sites within close proximity to Caye Caulker. Many sites feature canyons or cuts; large grooves cut into the coral reef by the surf, as well as caverns and tunnels that form when corals on either side of the canyon grow together. Marine life that can be spotted on such excursions include large schools of fish, several varieties of coral, turtles, as well as nurse and reef sharks.

A handful of sailboats offer daily tours to various sites from Caye Caulker, offering a relaxing day at sea. Guests bring their own food and drinks.

The Split is a watery passage created by Hurricane Hattie in 1961 that splits the north and south ends of Caye Caulker. Now the island's small public beach, the Split is a good place to meet local residents.

The very small island of Caye Chapel, half of which is comsumed by an airstrip, is home to a golf course and a deluxe corporate retreat center. While the island has long been privately owned by a single owner, some areas have been put up for sale.

Deep in the jungles of the Chiquibul National Park lie the ruins of the Mayan city Caracol, the largest archaeological site in Belize. Situated on the Vaca Plateau 500ft/152m above sea level, the vast site reveals 37mi/60km of internal roadways and transportation routes, and was once home to an estimated 150,000 people. Approximately 36,000 structures comprise the entire city. Trails lead throughout Caracol, which has acropolises and several plazas and temples. First discovered in 1938, Caracol has been excavated several times between 1950 to the present.

The Maya inhabited Caracol as early as 300 BC, but the city flourished after a series of wars with other Mayan centers in the Late Classic period (550AD - 700 AD). The warriors of Caracol were known for their military victories, defeating both the powerful cities of Tikal and Naranjo. A carved alter stone discovered in 1986 depicts these victories. At the height of it power Caracol was larger than Belize City and supported twice its population. Plazas A and B around the Central Acropolis are the most excavated, revealing the complexity of Caracol.

Hieroglyphics found at Caracol reveal that more than a dozen rulers reigned between 495 AD and 895 AD. Evidence also shows that residents of Caracol came from all classes and levels of society, while a large "middle-class" dominated the city. The ruins of Caracol are surrounded by a rich variety of flora and fauna, including felines, howler monkeys and several bird species. In fact, the keel-billed toucan has taken to inhabiting the pyramids. Caracol is still teeming with life although it was deserted centuries ago.

Corozal Town is the largest settlement in the Corozal District. Refugees fleeing the Caste War in Mexico founded Corozal in 1849, and Spanish is the town's predominant language, although residents also speak English and Creole. 1955's Hurricane Janet destroyed most of Corozal's original thatched and adobe buildings, and the town has since been rebuilt in the classic Mestizo style; a grid pattern around a central plaza. Much of the town's wood and cinderblock architecture dates from the late 1950s.

Corozal is a prosperous farming town since the area's fertile land and climate create favorable agricultural conditions. Sugarcane is the leading crop cultivated in the area. The town offers many amenities including hotels and restaurants and is a popular stop with travelers en route to Mexico. Corozal is situated on the Bay of Corozal and water sports such as sailing and windsurfing are popular activities.

Corozal Town has been built on the foundations of a Mayan ceremonial center once called Chetumal, and now called Santa Rita. Ruins can be seen on the northern outskirts of town, however most of Santa Rita's structures were not elevated, and excavations in the 1980s revealed that more than 50% of the site's structures lie under the Corozal Town. Mayans had been living in the area since 1500 BC. The Caste War refugees named modern Corozal after the Spanish word for cohune palm, a strong symbol of fertility.

Corozal's Town Hall features a large, colorful mural depicting the history of the Belizean town.

The Corozal Town Library began as a small scale operation in the 1930's and with the help of locals and the National Library Service has grown to become a respectable size library. The original building was expanded in the 1990s to accommodate the growing collection.

Taking place annually on New Year's Day, the Krem New Year's Cycling Classic bike race begins in Corozal and ends in Belize City.

The Old Town Market was built in 1886 and is one of only 11 buildings to survive 1955's devastating Hurricane Janet. The building did hold a small museum but it has since closed it's doors.

Each year on October 12, Corozal Town celebrates Mestizo culture with Pan America Day (Columbus Day) festivities that include beauty contests and horse and cycle races.

The Santa Rita archaeological site was an important coastal city called Chetumal by the Maya, dating to c2000 BC. Santa Rita is located under the modern Corozal Town, and only one structure exists above ground for viewing. The restored Mayan Temple dates from the Classic period and contains a complex series of rooms, including a ceremonial center room and two burial chambers.

Santa Rita is situated on an ancient trade route from the coast of the Bay of Chetumal to two major rivers; Belize's New River and Mexico's Río Hondo. Due its position on these two river mouths, the city was an important site, gaining wealth from trade items including honey, vanilla and cocoa. Santa Rita's was at its most prominent during the Post-Classic period, still occupied when Spanish explorers reached the area.

At least 50% of Santa Rita's structures remain underground. Excavations in the 1900s uncovered jade and pottery artifacts that were dispersed to various museums. A lot of structures where destroyed during the expansion of Corozal Town, when many stones from ancient temples were used as building foundations.

The farming and fishing village of Crooked Tree has a was settled by logwood cutters c1750, who came to the area via the Belize River. The area's logwood forests were used to produce colored dyes for export to Europe, and Crooked Tree may have been the earliest inland European settlement in Belize.

Situated by a large lagoon, legend claims Crooked Tree was named for a tree on the lagoon that seemed to grow in every direction. These "crooked trees" still grow around the lagoon. There is excellent birding in and around the village, and there are a few options for accommodation and dining.

The Cashew Festival takes place annually during the first weekend of May. The festival celebrates the beginning of the cashew nut harvest in Crooked Tree Village. During the festival, cashews are used to make cashew jelly, cake and juice. Apart from sampling the cashews and cashew foods, the festival also features storytelling and live music.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary covers 5sq.mi/12sq.km around the Crooked Tree Village. The reserve was created in 1984 due to insistence from the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) and is presently managed by the organization. The BAS proposed the idea for the sanctuary because of the area's wealth of resident and migrant bird species.

The habitat of the sanctuary consists of fresh water lagoons, rivers, marsh forest, swamplands, pine and oak savannah as well as broadleaf forest. Throughout the dry season (December to May), many migrating birds flock to the area. In total, 275 species of birds have been recorded in the sanctuary.

Egrets, herons, ducks and hawks are very common. Occasionally, the endangered jabiru stork can be spotted. With a wingspan up to 8ft/2.5m, the jabiru is the largest flying bird in the Western Hemisphere. Other wildlife found in the sanctuary includes howler monkeys, crocodiles, coatis, iguanas and turtles.

Dangriga is the largest town in the Stann Creek District as well as all of Southern Belize. Originally called Stann Creek Town, in 1975 its name was changed to Dangriga by the Garifuna cultural majority. The name is taken from a phrase in the local Garifuna language meaning "here, the sweet water is close at hand". Dangriga lies along the banks of the North Stann Creek Rivera and offers the atmosphere of a quiet seaside fishing town.

Dangriga began as an English trading station but was settled by a large group of Garifuna in the early 19th C. Also known as Black Caribs or Garinagu, the Garifuna are of mixed African and Caribbean Indian heritage originating on St Vincent in the 17th C. Today, many Garifuna reside throughout Belize, representing 6.2% of the nation's population. Dangriga is the center of Garifuna culture in Belize, and a jumping off-point to visit several offshore cayes.

The Garifuna of Dangriga are noted for their crafts, and for several years Belizean native Austin Rodriguez has hollowed logs of mahogany and cedar and cured his own deer and cow hides to make Garifuna drums. The hides are cured with lime, salt and then dried in the sun before stretched over the head of the drums, which can reach up to 2ft/.6m in diameter. The workshop can also arrange drum performances and lessons.

Benjamin Nicholas is Belize's most famous painter and a native of Dangriga. Nicholas welcomes visitors to his studio to look at his work and progress and is often available for discussion. Working with oil paints, many of Nicholas' paintings are representations of Garifuna culture. His paintings are displayed in public buildings throughout Belize.

GB Novelties sells the crafts and artwork of Belizean artists and is especially known for its selection of Garifuna drums and art. Owner Isabel Hernandez' late husband Gilbert wrote a book on Garifuna culture titled "The Garinagu in the Caribbean Basin Black Caribs", and the shop is a good place for visitors interested in learning more about the Garifuna.

Celebrated annually November 19, Garifuna Settlement Day commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna in Belize. Dangriga comes alive with various forms of entertainment, including Garifuna drumming performances.

Marie Sharp's Factory is the source of Belize's famous hot sauces, created by Dangrigan native Marie Sharp. Casual tours of the factory reveal how the hot sauces are made from ingredients including habanero peppers and carrots, lime juice and onions. Other products produced by Marie Sharp's company are several jams and chutneys made from fruits such as mangoes and papayas. The full line of products is on sale at the factory.

Dangriga's daily open-air market offers fresh produce and fish and other non-food items.

The 6ft/1.3m Tropical Aquarium in Dangriga displays a tropical reef comprised of live coral and anemones, and surrounded by brightly colored fish.

The small village of Gales Point is located on 2.5mi/4km of a narrow peninsula that juts into the Southern Lagoon. The Gales Point area is famous for its manatee population, having the highest concentration of Western Manatees in the Caribbean. As well, the Southern Lagoon is the primary breeding ground for 60% of Belize's hawksbill turtles. There are a few options for accommodations, and a few excursions are offered from Gales Point.

Nest protection is the main crusade of Leroy and Teri Hogan Andrewin, who have created the Gales Point Turtle Project. Hawksbill turtles nest from May to November annually, and the project has released as many as 15,000 hatchlings into the sea in past seasons. The tour leads participants to the turtle's nesting areas, where they aid in the protection of their nests. Participant can choose to take the tour via motorboat or canoe.

Manatees are attracted to a fresh water spring near Gales Point, and can often be observed in the sea grass growing in the Southern Lagoon.

Belizean businessman Barry Bowen, a distributor of Coca-Cola, essentially fabricated this small village in 1986. Gallon Jug covers 130,000ac/52,000ha of tropical rainforest, 3,000ac/1,214ha of which has been set aside for experimental farming. Bowen's farming company, Gallon Jug Agro-Industries, has undertaken many projects including the cultivation of corn, soybean, sugarcane, cacao and organic coffee beans. Visitors are able to tour the manicured and intensely controlled fields.

This observation platform offers visitors a chance to be at birds-eye level with nesting boobies and frigate birds. The platform is reached by a seashell-littered nature trail leading through the southern part of Half Moon Caye.

Shark Ray Alley offers close encounters with gentle nurse sharks and southern sting rays, the latter having a great tolerance for divers and seem to enjoy human interaction. The rays have a "wing-span" between 2ft/.61m and 4ft/1m, while nurse sharks average 5ft/1.5m. Both divers and snorkelers will enjoy the 6.5ft/2m deep Shark Ray Alley, and boat operators create a spectacle by feeding the fish.

The fishing village was settled by people of the Garifuna culture in 1942 after their previous settlement of Newton was destroyed by a hurricane. The new settlement was first known as Yugada, a Garifuna phrase meaning "village by the sea". The name of the village was eventually changed to Hopkins, named after a Catholic priest who drowned offshore of the village site in 1923. The village was rebuilt after 1961's Hurricane Hattie destroyed Hopkins.

Hopkins stretches along 2mi/3.2km of a road running parallel to the sea and has a low-key atmosphere. Several travelers visit Hopkins for its proximity to several offshore dive sites and natural attractions. Other popular activities in Hopkins include cycling and sailing, and there are several options for accommodation in the village. Excursions offered from Hopkins include fishing, kayaking and river running, as well as nature tours of the Cockscomb Basin. Manatees and dolphins are often spotted off the beaches of Hopkins.

Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities in the fresh water lagoon, north of Hopkins

Located west of Punta Gorda, Laguna is a small village home to a few hundred Kekchi Mayans. The town is quite primitive and named for the nearby lagoon.

Aguas Calientes Wildlife Sanctuary is a birding sanctuary featuring hot springs and other natural pools, along with hiking trails.

The Lighthouse Reef Atoll is made up of six cayes surrounding a lagoon and is the farthest reef atoll from the shore of mainland Belize. Lighthouse Reef Atoll is 20mi/32km long and 4mi/6.4km wide and is characterized by white beaches, swaying palms and interesting coral formations found in the surrounding turquoise waters. Lighthouse Reef is the atoll nearest the Great Blue Hole, a giant sinkhole and Belize's most distinct and unusual underwater feature.

Several dive sites are found in the waters surrounding Lighthouse Reef, which are exceptionally good for wall diving. The shallows around the sites offer snorkeling opportunities as well, and a variety of marine life can be spotted. Apart from diving at the Great Blue Hole, the Lighthouse Reef cayes most often visited are Northern Caye and Half Moon Caye. The remaining four cayes; Long Caye, Hat Caye, Sandbore and White Pelican are usually admired from afar, as they are popular with crocodiles and mosquitoes.

The Little Iguana Caye is a mangrove island reserve managed by a non-profit organization called Green Reef. The caye is great for birding and offers sightings of blue herons, roseate spoonbills, great frigate birds, reddish egrets and other coastal zone birds.

The highland area known as the Mountain Pine Ridge lies between Belmopan and the Guatemalan border. The crest of the Maya Mountains forms a natural border separating the Stann Creek District to the east and the Toledo District to the south. Rather than describing a topographical feature, the word "ridge" describes a type of forest found in the area identified by its most prominent tree, the mountain pine. The massive area is mostly uninhabited except for a few small settlements.

Situated in the more remote interior of Belize's Maya Mountains, Chiquibul National Park lies next to the Guatemalan border. Lying beyond the Macal River valley, the forest abruptly changes from the coniferous pine found in most of the Mountain Pine Ridge area to a broadleaf habitat. Covering about 200,000ac/81,000ha, Chiquibul National Park has very few visitors' facilities.

Most travelers drive through the park en route to the Caracol Mayan ruins. Beyond Caracol there is a series of limestone karst caves only noted by modern researchers in the 1970s. The intricate cave system is believed to be the largest series of karst caves in the Western Hemisphere, however the cave system remain largely unexplored because of its remote location.

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve was established in 1944 and is one of Belize's most visited forests. Covering 300sq.mi/777sq.km, the reserve has many rivers, waterfalls, pools and caves among the pine forest. The higher elevation results in a cooler climate and relief from mosquitoes.

Ancient rock formations dominate the reserve, and geologists theorize that when the entire Central American land mass was covered by the sea, only the Mountain Pine Ridge region lay exposed as an island. Several interesting natural attractions lie within the boundaries of the reserve.

Five Sister Falls are five waterfalls cascading over a short drop-off and gathering in a pool. The falls are accessible by an outdoor elevator at the Five Sisters Lodge.

Historically used by the Maya as burial grounds, the Río Frio cave is one of the reserve's most popular attractions. Cooled by a river running through it, interesting formations can be seen in the cave. A nature trail leads through the forest offering some good vistas of the surrounding area.

Small waterfalls connect a series of pools carved out of granite boulders. Swimming is popular in the refreshing pools and the slabs of granite are good for sunbathing.

Also called Hidden Falls, Thousand Foot Falls are surrounded by hiking trails and features an observation platform offering attractive vistas of the area. The long, thin streaming cascade reaches 1,600ft/488m.

The Chan Chich Lodge is very well known in Belize because of its attractive setting. Lodgings are in cabanas found sharing the space of partially excavated ruins in the central plaza of a Mayan archaeological site. The grounds are never crowded since only 32 guests can be accommodated at the lodge at one time.

The Chan Chich Lodge offers 9mi/15km of hiking trails and several activities throughout the day. More than 350 bird species have been identified on the grounds, and other wildlife that can be spotted includes coatis, warries, deer, howler and spider monkeys.

The Río Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA) is the largest protected area in Belize, covering 260,000ac/105,000ha. Comprised of various tropical habitats such as broadleaf and marsh forest, the protected area covers 4.6% of Belize's total land. The RBCMA supports a high level of biodiversity, including 392 species of birds, 380 tree species, and 70 species of mammals and 50 species of bats. The RBCMA is said to have the largest concentration of jaguars in all of Central America.

The cultural heritage of the area is extremely rich, and over 60 Mayan sites have been discovered on the land. Today, Río Bravo is private land being held in trust for the people of Belize and is managed by the Programme for Belize, a non-profit organization. Apart from conservation, other goals of the RBCMA include the production of commercial scale hardwood lumber, chicle and other forest products on a sustainable basis, as well as tourism and forest and archaeological research.

Mayan people lived on the land that is now the RBCMA as early as 800 BC and remained until the arrival of the Spanish in the 1600s, although their numbers had significantly depleted. Like the Mayans before them, the British moved in to log the area in the 18th C. The logging of mahogany and Mexican cedar by large companies continued throughout the 20th C. Extensive portions of the forest were logged and the river system was used to float the logs out to the coast.

In addition to logging, the RBCMA has seen extensive tapping for chicle, the gum-like sap of the sapodilla tree used to make chewing gum. Large gashes were cut in a V shape along the tree's trunk, and although the practice has declined, slash scars can be seen on many trees throughout the RBCMA. The reserve was created in the mid-1980s when Barry Bowen purchased the land and then sold some to Coca-Cola Foods. The large corporation then donated a large portion of it to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, which eventually formed the Programme for Belize.

Northern Caye is a small, attractive island featuring an upscale resort catering to fishing and diving enthusiasts.

Las Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk is a small, hexagonal shaped museum along the New River. There are a variety of tools and ceramics dating back to the Mayas.

Orange Walk Town is the agricultural and social center of northern Belize. One of the nation's first settlements, Orange Walk began as a logging center. Today, the entire area is involved in seasonal harvesting of sugar cane and its byproducts of sugar, rum and molasses. Both the modern and traditional are represented in Orange Walk, as the mechanized sugar industry mixes with traditional Mexican customs as well as the Mennonite presence found in the town.

While British mahogany farmers first settled Orange Walk, the town saw a major rise in population resulting from an influx of Mestizo refugees fleeing the Yucatán during the 1850s War of the Castes. In 1872, Orange Walk Town was attacked by a huge army of Icaiche Mayans led by Marcus Canul, who was killed by Orange Walk's British settlers. Little remains of the town's two British forts that were built in defense of the Caste War's raiding Mayan armies. This battle marks the armed resistance of the Maya in Belize.

Today, most of Orange Walk's residents are Spanish-speaking Mestizos, and their culture is reflected in the tacos and tamales sold on the streets of Orange Walk. The town is not highly developed for tourism, but options for lodging, dining and shopping are available.

Central park is a shady park marking the center of Orange Walk Town.

Fiestarama in Orange Walk Town features carnival rides, agricultural and horse shows, as well as foods from different cultures.

The slow-moving New River passes through Orange Walk Town and offers opportunities for rafting, canoeing and paddle boating.

Each year on October 12, Orange Walk Town celebrates Mestizo culture with Pan America Day (Columbus Day) festivities that include beauty contests and horse and cycle races.

A good collection of local magazines and books are found at the Sandy Hunter Library in Orange Walk Town.

Fort Cairns was once found on the site of Orange Walk's present Town Hall. Today, all that remains of the fort is the original flagpole outside of the Town Hall building.

The village of Placencia is located on the southern tip of a 16mi/26km peninsula. Placencia's attractive location offers some of Belize's best beaches and a rich marine habitat perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving and sportfishing. Kayaking along the mangroves has also become a popular activity. Clapboard houses built on stilts are clustered around the main street, actually a single concrete sidewalk running through the village. The narrowest street in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records), the sidewalk was built as a means of wheel-barrowing fish around without fighting the sand.

Most of the fisher folk now provide tourist services, and a variety of excursions are offered in Placencia. A few offshore cayes are easily accessed from the village, and the diving near Placencia is interesting because there is a distinct change between the northern and southern structure of the Barrier Reef. There is good snorkeling in the meadows of sea grass dotted along the coastline. Placencia offers enjoyable nightlife, but generally has a relaxed atmosphere.

Canoeing and kayaking in Placencia Lagoon offer observation of wildlife species in a mangrove habitat. Manatees inhabit the area and can sometimes be seen.

Along the shores of Progresso Lagoon is the village of Progresso. In recent years this area has begun to develop as a tourist spot in Belize. The village is very quiet and low key, offering a glimpse of traditional living.

Pueblo Viejo, Spanish for "Old Town", is a small village home to several hundred Mopan Mayas. This village was the first settlement of the Mopan Mayas who fled Guatemala in the mid-1800s and settled in the Toledo District of Belize. An attractive waterfall is nearby.

Known locally as "PG", Punta Gorda is the southernmost town of size in Belize. Much of Punta Gorda lies only 20ft/6m above sea level on a limestone escarpment, with the coastline on both sides of the town sloping down to pebbly, dark sand beaches. The town is situated in the humid, lush jungles of the Toledo District and has an attractive overgrown atmosphere.

Punta Gorda's streets are lined with large mango trees and the yards of clapboard homes are adorned with flowering bushes. While there are few attractions in town, adventurous travelers use Punta Gorda as a base for exploration of the surrounding rainforest and nearby Mayan villages and archaeological sites.

Punta Gorda was founded for the Garifuna, people of mixed African and Carib Indian heritage, who emigrated from Honduras in 1832. For a short period beginning in1866, the British government founded a settlement for Confederate veterans of the U.S. Civil War, but it did not endure. Punta Gorda is still predominantly Garifuna, however like other diverse towns in Belize, other citizens include Creole, Chinese, East Indian and Kekchi and Mopan Mayans. For almost two centuries, fishing has been the town's major livelihood, however tourism and agriculture are also important industries.

The Fajina Craft Center offers locally made Mayan crafts, such as slate carvings, embroidered wall hangings, shirts and dresses as well as "jippy jappa" baskets.

Punta Gorda's colorful open-air market offers fresh produce and other merchandise. Trades-people from the surrounding villages come to Punta Gorda's market to buy and sell, and several barbeque vendors can be found on Saturdays.

Constructed from cypress, this house is an English home that was brought to Belize as ballast on a sugarcane trading ship. Erected in 1895, this structure is Punta Gorda's oldest house.

A seasonal population of the rare scarlet macaw nests in the forests surrounding the small Mayan village of Red Bank. The area is often toured on birding excursions offered from nearby towns and villages.

Rosario Caye is a mangrove island reserve managed by a non-profit organization called Green Reef. The caye is great for birding and offers sightings of blue herons, roseate spoonbills, great frigate birds, reddish egrets and other coastal zone birds.

The La Milpa archaeological site is the third-largest Mayan site in Belize and dates to the Late Pre-Classic period. Mayan for "cornfield", La Milpa was once an important ceremonial center and experts believe the present surrounding forest was once completely cleared for agricultural use. The large site, which contains about 24 courtyards and 85 major structures, hosted a large population that is believed to have put a strain on the surrounding environment. The city grew until its collapse in the 9th C, however the remains of a Yucatec long house indicate that a different Mayan culture occupied the site shortly after.

The ruins of La Milpa rise out of the surrounding forest. La Milpa's main plaza is one of the largest in the Mayan world, and its tallest buildings reach 66ft/20m above the plaza floor. A three-court acropolis dominates the southern part of the site, and large and small dwellings are everywhere. La Milpa was first recorded in the 1930s, but was heavily looted until a large excavation in 1988. Due to the looting, significant details of La Milpa's history remain unknown. Excavations continue and the site is presently managed and protected by the non-profit organization Programme for Belize.

Most travelers visiting the Río Bravo Conservation and Management Area lodge at the La Milpa Field Station. The station offers an education center, access to hiking trails and the La Milpa archaeological site, as well as an on-site medicinal trail.

San Antonio is the Toledo District's second largest town and the most developed of the Mayan villages in the district, with running water, electricity and a village telephone. Arranged on winding roads throughout the foothills of the Maya Mountains, San Antonio is a quintessential Mayan village; complete with thatch-roof structures, brightly dressed villagers and roaming livestock.

San Antonio's Mopan Maya are descended from the settlers of San Luis Peten; a Guatemalan village, who fled during oppression in the mid-1800s. San Antonio is the most visited of the Mayan villages of Toledo.

Held annually in August, the St Luis Festival celebrates the harvest and features the famous Deer Dance. Taking place over several days, the dance uses colorful costumes and masks to reenact historical moments and celebrate Mayan culture.

Pacbitun (Mayan for "Stones Set in Earth") is one of the oldest Mayan sites in Belize and seems to have been occupied throughout most of Mayan history, between 900 BC and AD 900. The site is small, covering only 74ac/30ha, and features 25 temples and pyramids. Eight stela (pillar monuments), a ball court and an unusual raised irrigation system are also present.

Archaeological work did not begin at Pacbitun until 1971, although local farmers knew of its existence for generations. In 1987 some of the site's structures were reconstructed. The graves of female Mayan nobility were discovered, which included rare musical instruments. Other artifacts discovered in Pacbitun include green obsidian, which suggests that Pacbitun was involved in trade with other Mayan centers.

San Antonio's church dominates the village center, and was built from limestone stones salvaged from Mayan ruins. The church's attractive stained-glass windows were taken from a church in St Louis, Missouri.

Established by well-known Belizean artists, the Garcia sisters, the Tanah Mayan Art Museum displays interesting slate carvings and Mayan artifacts including household and agricultural tools. The Garcia sisters also collect their own slabs of slate and meticulously carve figures of Mayan rulers and elders. Carvings from the museum have been displayed in the USA, Germany, England, Costa Rica and several other places. The on-site handicraft shop sells carvings, baskets and other crafts.

San Ignacio sits in a valley of seven hills on the west bank of the Macal River. Also called "Cayo", San Ignacio is the administrative center for the Cayo District, relying on cattle ranching, tourism and small businesses. San Ignacio offers a relaxing atmosphere and lively nightlife, and is a good base for exploring the Cayo District's outdoor attractions and Mayan ruins.

Sandwiched between the confluence of the Mopal and Macal Rivers, San Ignacio was first known as El Cayo, Spanish for "The Island". During the time when river transportation was the norm, San Ignacio was a major collecting point for mahogany logs and chicle, a gum-like substance tapped from sapodilla trees. Boats carrying the mahogany and chicle would pass through the town, down the rivers en route to the coast.

After the decline in logging and chicle tapping, San Ignacio's industrial focus shifted to agriculture and cattle farming. Today, the town has a diverse cultural makeup including Creoles, Mestizos, Mopans, Maya, Garifuna, Guatemalans and Sri Lankans. Spanish is widely spoken. Ecotourism is becoming one of San Ignacio's main industries, and several tour operators offering a variety of excursions are based in San Ignacio.

Held during the Easter weekend, the Easter Fair in San Ignacio features live music, family entertainment and sporting events.

Green Iguana Conservation Project is found on the grounds of the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, which is situated on a hilltop surrounded by 14mi/22km of rainforest. The grounds are home to 150 species of birds, various wildlife and 70 species of trees and plant life, earning the resort the nickname of the "only jungle in town". A 1mi/1.6km nature hike featuring labeled plants leads to the iguana hatchery, which features nurturing and breeding enclosures, incubators and a display of several iguanas. A few resting stops along the trail offer attractive vistas of the area.

Beginning in San Ignacio, the four-day La Ruta Maya Canoe River Challenge race retraces the river route of the ancient Maya and ends in Belize City. The race is held in early March.

Held every Saturday morning, San Ignacio's market features farmers from all over the Cayo District offering fresh fruit, vegetables, jams and dairy products.

Situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains near the Guatemalan border, San Jose is a Mopan Mayan village surrounded by rainforest. The villagers earn their livelihood through agriculture, and San Jose is known for practicing organic farming techniques.

Held annually in April, the San Jose Succotz Festival is a local fair celebrating the patron saint of the village.

The small village of San Miguel is home to about 400 Kekchi Maya. Life here is centered around the Rio Grande river which runs through the village.

Founded in 1848, San Pedro is the only inhabited area on Ambergris Caye and is found near the southern tip of the island. The town has an atmosphere of a bustling fishing village and is clustered with wooden houses built in both the Mexican and Caribbean style. In some cases, English colonial architecture remains along the narrow, white sandy streets that accommodate barefoot pedestrians as well as bicycles and golf carts.

Once a fishing village, San Pedro has become Belize's major tourist destination. The economy of San Pedro originally depended on logwood and the coconut industry. By the 1920s, lobster became the most valuable export, and by the 1950s the coconut business had declined due to a series of hurricanes that hit the island. Ambergris Caye's earliest tourists began arriving in San Pedro in the 1920s and the first real hotel was established in 1965.

Today, San Pedro offers several bars, restaurants, cafés, boutiques and gift shops. San Pedro's port is becoming more frequented by cruise ships moored for day visits. More than half of Belize's visitors fly directly to San Pedro and use it as a base for their excursions elsewhere. San Pedro was named for Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishing.

The Ambergris Museum and Cultural Center offers the history of Ambergris Caye from the time of ancient Mayan traders to the present. Exhibits include Mayan artifacts, including tools and pottery as well as coins and other treasure from the time of pirates and buccaneers.

Occurring annually in August, the Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro features music, arts, food and dance from Belize, Mexico and neighboring countries. It claims to be the biggest festival in Belize although this may be debatable. The festival takes place over a long weekend in early August.

This San Pedro Lagoon is the largest on Ambergris Caye and is accessible by boat ride or kayak. The mangrove habitat offers sightings of wildlife such as crocodiles and raccoons as wells as several bird species.

The Toledo District's largest Kekchi Maya village, San Pedro Columbia is home to about 700 villagers. The village is situated on the banks of the Columbia River, which offers canoeing opportunities. San Pedro Columbia is close to other Mayan villages and only an hour's hike away from the Lubaantun Mayan ruins.

These small villages have a combined population of 500 Mopan Mayans. Mayan ruins and waterfalls are nearby, the most well known being Rio Blanco Falls.

Located on the Sarteneja Peninsula, the community of Sarteneja is small traditional fishing village. The name Sarteneja is derived from a Mayan phrase meaning "water between the rocks", which describes fresh water sinkholes (cenotes) used by the Mayans as water wells. Somewhat difficult to reach, Sarteneja is perfect for travelers looking for seclusion and an authentic Belizean experience.

Yucatán refugees founded Sarteneja the 19th C, and evidence shows that the village was built over an archaeological site. In 1955, Sarteneja was completely destroyed by Hurricane Janet, leaving only the school and health department buildings. The shallow coastline is lined by mangrove forest and manatees are very common in Sarteneja's waters. The village residents are mainly boat builders, fishermen and farmers and the primary language spoken is Spanish. The small, picturesque village offers a few amenities such as restaurants and hotels.

Owned by the International Tropical Conservation Foundation, Shipstern Nature Reserve covers about 22,000ac/9,000ha of saline lagoons, hardwood forest, wetlands and mangrove swamps. Several species of wildlife can be seen in the reserve (with the exception of monkeys), including tamanduas, coatis and peccaries as well as 60 species of reptiles and amphibians. At least 250 bird species have been recorded within the boundaries of the reserve.

Visitors to the reserve will first visit the site's small museum and then embark on a guided nature walk. There is an on-site butterfly breeding farm displaying the colors and varieties of the 200 species of butterflies in the region. Shipstern is comprised of dense unmarked trails, so guided are needed to explore farther in the reserve. Other options for excursions are offered, such as overnight trips and birding and hiking tours.

Established December 1986, Blue Hole National Park covers 575ac/858ha of forest home to several bird species, three species of wildcats, howler monkeys and several other mammals. Nature trails offer opportunities for hiking. The Blue Hole is a limestone sinkhole, also called a cenote, filled with water headed to the Sibun River.

The cenote is 108ft/33m deep and 328ft/98.4m in diameter and also features a nearby pool that is 25ft/7.6m deep and a brilliant shade of blue. Stairs lead into pool for swimming. This is an inland park, unassociated with Blue Hole Natural Monument.

Ian Anderson offers a variety of adventure expeditions operating on the Caves Branch Estate, which extends over 58,000ac/23,200ha of tropical jungle. Situated along side the waters of the Caves Branch River, the estate's grounds present caverns and underground river caves, Mayan ruins and ceremonial centers, as well as indigenous wildlife to explore.

Ian Anderson pioneered cave-tubing in Belize, a popular activity where participants float along the river through caves and jungle surroundings. Apart from cave-tubing, other popular excursions include rappelling down a 300ft/91m sinkhole, candlelit overnight stays in a cave, bird watching, jungle waterfall treks, tours of Mayan sacred caves and several other options. Tours are offered in varying degrees of difficulty.

St George's Caye was the site of the Belize settlement's first capital as well as a historic battle between British settlers and invading Spanish forces. The British prevailed at the Battle of St George on September 10, 1798 and Belizeans annually commemorate the day. Today, the attractive, small island holds vacation homes for the Belizean elite, one diving resort and a rest and relaxation complex for the British Army. The island is often visited on diving and snorkeling excursions and features a beach that offers good swimming.

The local Blue Water Fishing Tournament is held annually in May.

St Margaret's Village and the surrounding areas are comprised of diverse ethnic groups including Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, Mennonites and North Americans. Community members of St Margaret's are responsible for the adjacent Five Blues National Park, the only national park in Belize operated by a community-based organization. There are very few visitor's facilities in the village, but a few options for dining and accommodation are available.

Five Blues National Park is Belize's only national park operated by a community-based organization, located in the adjacent St Margaret's Village. The park covers 4,292ac/1,738ha of limestone terrain and broadleaf forest. Five Blues Lake is a large water-filled sinkhole reputed to reflect five different shades of blue depending on the time of day. The lake spreads over 10ac/4ha and reaches a depth of an estimated 200ft/61m. Within the boundaries of the park flows Indian Creek, and along its course a series of seven small caves can be found.

Over 217 species of birds and several mammals including five species of wildcats reside in the park. In the center of Five Blues Lake is the forested Orchid Island, named for the profusion of wild orchids growing on it. Popular activities at the park include canoeing, swimming, mountain biking and hiking along a series of nature walks.

The Toledo District offers visitors a chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Maya, in both the past and present. Several Mayan villages and archaeological sites can be explored, as well as some interesting natural attractions in the area.

Run by the Toledo Ecotourism Association (TEA), the Village Guesthouse Program places travelers in 13 traditional Mopan Maya, Kekchi Maya, Garifuna and Creole villages in the area. The guesthouse program includes village tours, tours of the jungle and nearby caves, ruins and waterfalls, as well as accommodation in guesthouses built specifically for the program.

Guests are invited into local homes for meals, and craft lessons and performances can be arranged. This unique program promotes sustainable tourism, with more than 80% of the profits of the tour fee staying in the village.

Accommodations are very basic.

Set on a hilltop with panoramic views of the Maya Mountains and virgin rainforest, Hickatee Cottages with Fallen Stones Butterfly Farm is one of Southern Belize's notable lodges. There is excellent hiking in the area, and apart from the butterflies, several bird species can be spotted in the on the grounds. Fallen Stones Butterfly Farm has been closed to the general public for several years now, and tours are available only to guests of Hickatee Cottages in Punta Gorda Town.

The Lubaantun (Place of Fallen Stones) Mayan ruins cover 1sq.mi/3sq.km and consist of several jungle-covered temples. Only partly excavated, evidence suggests Lubaantun flourished until the 8th C AD. The people of Lubaantun are believed to have been merchants who traded with Maya on the offshore cayes, Mexico and Guatemala. Lubaantun was one of the last major sites to be inhabited before the collapse of the Mayan civilization.

A few impressive structures can be seen on the site, and the architecture of Lubaantun is distinct because the temples and pyramids are built without the mortar that holds together most other Mayan buildings. Also, Lubaantun is one of the ruins in Belize that features curved stone corners. The site was first reported in the 1800s but was not formally investigated until 1903. Excavations of Lubaantun took place in 1915, 1926 and 1970. An on-site visitor's center exhibits Mayan artifacts.

The Nim Li Punit Mayan site was important during the Late Classic period and is notable for its large collection of stelae, which are pillar monuments. Nim Li Punit (Big Hat) is named for the large headdress on an etched figure on Stela 14. At 33ft/10m, Stela 14 is the longest Mayan stela yet discovered. Oil workers discovered Nim Li Punit in 1976 and excavation of the site began in 1983.

Situated on a ridge along the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Nim Li Punit's city center consists of three groups of structures; the ceremonial centers as well as two civic and one elite residential area. Some of the plazas have been cleared, but most structures remain unrestored. The ceremonial center (South Group) is of the most interest, and contains a ball court and 25 stelae. Stela 15 is also of note, Nim Li Punit's oldest work dating from 721 AD.

Uxbenka (Old Place) is a small Mayan ceremonial site consisting of one main plaza and six smaller ones. Six structures line the main plaza, the tallest one reaching 26ft/8m. While the site is not extensive, 21 stelae (pillar monuments) have been discovered at Uxbenka, which also features terrace cut stones that have never been found outside of the Toledo District.

Although Uxbenka was known about for years by the local Maya, archaeologists did not learn of the site's existence until Belmopan received reports of looting in 1984. Attractive vistas of the foothills of the Maya Mountains can be enjoyed from Uxbenka.

More than 200 small mangrove cayes comprise the Turneffe Islands Atoll, which is a cluster of coral islands surrounding a lagoon. The Turneffe Atoll is 30mi/49km long and 10mi/16km wide, and is one of three atoll reefs in Belize's waters. The Turneffe Islands are described as a myriad of different dive destinations bundled into one, and the eastern side of the atoll is lined with flats ideal for snorkeling and saltwater fly-fishing.

The atoll's varied terrain consists of a network of flats, creeks and lagoons and the protected shallow areas are abundant with different species of corals. Different sites along the atoll offer wall and current diving, while the shallow areas are perfect for snorkeling and novice divers. The atoll is a natural nursery for a wide variety of exotic fish including the white spotted toadfish, grouper, giant jewfish, snapper, bonefish and trunkfish. Saltwater anglers have long been attracted to the Turneffe Islands.

Other types of tropical marine life commonly viewed include eagle rays, nurse and reef sharks, crabs, shrimp, dolphins and turtles. The mangrove cayes are home to a substantial population of the American crocodile. The atoll is easily accessed from Belize City, Hopkins, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, so the islands are usually visited during a day excursion. However, there are a few resorts on the Turneffe Atoll catering to diving and fishing enthusiasts.

The adventurous excursion to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave is one of Belize's top attractions. Visitors hike to the wide cave opening and begin their tour of the cave by jumping into a 20ft/6m chilly pool. Once inside, participants hike and climb through the cave surrounded by giant flowstone rock formations, which drip from the ceiling and grow up from the cave floor. A large cave opening reveals skeletal remains and several vessels and shards of pottery. The cave is named for a female skeleton encrusted in calcite, meaning "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher".

The cave was "discovered" in the 1970s, but Belizean archaeologist Jaime Awe was the first to fully investigate it in the early 1990s. Excavations between 1996 and 2000 revealed that the cave was a significant Mayan site, and about 200 pottery pieces and 14 skeletons were discovered. Actun Tunichil Muknal is considered somewhat of a natural living museum since only a few of the artifacts have been removed. This cave was featured in a video production and later in print by "National Geographic".

Barranco is a small coastal village, populated by people of mixed African and Carib Indian heritage. In the past, the area was heavily farmed, but today the village is sustained by fishing. The village of Barranco offers a glimpse of a rare, disappearing lifestyle, and is often visited while touring the southern region of Belize.

Declared a protected area in 1992, the Sarstoon-Temash National Park covers 41,000ac/16,599ha of land situated between the Temash and Sarstoon Rivers. Situated in the southernmost region of Belize, the park is one of the most remote reserves in the country and hosts a wide variety of wildlife. Warries, ocelots, tapirs and jaguars make the park their home, while rare birds and animals such as the scarlet macaw and white-faced capuchin monkey have been spotted.

The Sarstoon River forms the country's southern border with Guatemala and nourishes the only comfrey palm forest found in Belize. Large snook and tarpon commonly swim the Temash River. Both fishing and hiking are common in the Sarstoon-Temash National Park.

Belize's smallest protected nature reserve, Guanacaste National Park covers 52ac/21ha of land around the confluence of the Belize River and Roaring Creek. The park is named for a giant guanacaste (or tubroos) tree growing near the southwest edge of the protected area.

Guanacaste National Park offers 2mi/3.2km of hiking trails on which an abundance of local plant life and colorful birds can be observed. A deep swimming hole is also found within the park's boundaries. The Belize Audubon Society manages the park.

The Maya used the light wood of the guanacaste tree to make dugout canoes and the tree is identifiable by its wide, straight trunk and broad pods that resemble a monkey's ear. However, the national park's guanacaste, instead of growing straight as most guanacaste do, split very near its base so the tree has three trunks instead of one. The widespread tree hosts its own ecosystem with a variety of plants including bromeliads and cacti.

Pook's Hill Lodge is situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains on a 300ac/121ha estate owned by Ray and Vicky Snaddon. The main lodge surrounds a small Mayan plaza and the grounds feature hiking trails and swimming in the Roaring River. The lodge offers several excursions, and popular activities include horseback riding, river tubing and mountain biking.

One of Belize's Mennonite communities is found in the settlement of Blue Creek, 30mi/48km outside of Orange Walk Town. Mennonites began arriving in Belize in 1958 and became very productive farmers after settling on uninhabited lands. Belize's Mennonite farms produce much of the fruits, vegetables, milk and cheese in the country. Furniture making is also a Mennonite specialty.

On approaching Blue Creek, visitors will notice the sugar cane fields often seen in other parts of Belize are replaced with sorghum and cornfields. Blue Creek's Mennonites have chosen to use modern equipment, unlike other Mennonite communities in Belize. Blue Creek's settlers have implicated damming projects, built a hydroelectric plant, and several furniture-making operations.

The Mennonites are easily detected by their way of dress; the men wear denim overalls and straw hats while women often dress in print dresses and wide brimmed bonnets. The Mennonites are known as the "unobtrusive ones" and speak Plattdeutsch, a low German dialect. The Mennonites refuse to become involved in government and military; refuse to take oaths and stress adult baptism.

Covering 2.2mi/3.5km, the Antelope Loop hiking trail leads through low and high terrain and offers a good example of the geological features of Cockscomb basin.

Ben's Bluff Hiking Trail (2.5mi/4km) is Cockscomb's most strenuous trail but offers an attractive vista of the entire basin.

Jaguar tracks are often spotted on the Gibnut Loop hiking trail, which covers 0.9mi/1.5km.

The Wari Loop (.9mi/1.5km) and River Path (.3mi/.5km) are good for birding, which is best in the early morning.

This hiking trail loops together two shorter trails and offers observation of evidence of the remains of Mayan settlement abandoned in 1983. Trees along the path include ironwood, bromeliads, palms, strangler figs and a sacred ceiba tree.

Covering 1.9mi/3km of terrain that is steep in some places, the Waterfall Trail is the reserve's most popular. Leading to a waterfall and swimming hole, many visitors enjoy inner-tubing at this spot.

The Cerros Maya Archaeological Reserve is situated on a peninsula overlooking Chetumal Bay. Cerros Maya ("Maya Hills") was an important Mayan trading center founded c400 BC. The city flourished during the Late Pre-Classic period because of its proximity to the New River and acted as a gateway into other Mayan settlements.

Cerros is dominated by three acropolises, though the site is mostly a mass of grass-covered mounds. Cerros sits on top of a hill and offers an attractive panoramic view of the surrounding areas. Cerros' tallest structure is a 65ft/20m-high temple (Structure 4) that can be climbed by visitors. Another interesting feature of the site are the canals around Cerros that have remained clear of vegetation.

Riches such as jade and obsidian were traded through Cerros, so the city became very prosperous. However, c100 AD the trade routes that supported Cerros were re-routed, and the city was subsequently abandoned. Cerros Maya was first recorded as an archaeological site in1969, and excavations of the site took place between 1973 and 1983.

Consejo Shores is a retirement development established in the 1970s by Canadian Bill Wildman. The small expatriate community is home to mainly North American and Europeans who enjoy the beach, sunny weather and relaxing atmosphere.

The small settlement of Forest Home has an interesting history. After the U.S. Civil War, eight Confederate families relocated to this site from Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. Forest Home was settled with the intentions of farming sugarcane, but the settlement only lasted for about a generation. Visitors usually visit Forest Home on a day excursion from Punta Gorda.

The Confederate Cemetery is the remaining evidence of the Confederate community that founded Forest Home.

Sea kayaking around the lovely coral gardens in the waters around French Louie Caye is a popular excursion.

Glover's Reef Marine Reserve is one of Belize's four atolls (ring-like formation of coral islands surrounding a lagoon) and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is the most remote of the atolls, 70mi/113km southeast of Belize City, surrounding as 80sq.mi/211sq.km lagoon. Several shipwrecks are found on along the eastern edge of the atoll. The most popular activities with visitors are diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, kayaking and camping.

A handful of resorts are found on Southwest Cayes and Northeast Caye in the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, catering to fishing and diving enthusiasts. All resorts offer fishing trips and excursions to nearby diving sites. Middle Caye is in the center of the marine reserve and is the site when research on the atoll is conducted. The cayes and dive sites of Glover's Reef are often visited on day excursions from the mainland.

The Mayflower Reserve encompasses jungle-covered Mayan ruins, hiking trails and waterfalls. The Mayan Post-Classic sites within the reserve are Maintznun (hummingbird) and T'au Witz (dwelling of a local god on a hill), and although they are partially excavated little is known about them.

The park's hiking trails are graded for distance and difficulty, and are the highlight of the reserve. Of the trails, the most popular are two waterfall hikes. A two to three hour hike leads to the 100ft/30m Antelope Falls, while a much less strenuous walk leads to Three Sisters Falls.

Several travelers enjoy canoeing and kayaking excursions offered on the Sittee River, which flows through the jungle canopy. The tributaries near the mouth of the river are ideal spots for birding, offering observation of parrots, toucans, egrets, motmots and herons.

Part of the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, Hunting Caye is known for its attractive beach. Located on the eastern shore of the caye, the crescent-shaped beach has coral sand and is also a turtle nesting site.

Laughing Bird Caye has been traditionally used for recreational purposes and was designated a national park to protect the caye and surrounding reefs. Swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking and diving are the most popular activities, and a hiking trail leads through the center of the caye. An abundant variety of coral is found in the Laughing Bird Caye reefs, comprising several types of habitat. In 1996, UNESCO designated Laughing Bird Caye as one of Belize's World Heritage Sites.

Laughing Bird Caye is included in some cruise itineraries, bringing in 45 to 70 passengers a week. A day visit to the caye is a popular excursion, and private yachts and charters moor at the caye regularly. The caye is named for the Laughing Gull, which used to breed on the site but moved to another coastal area because of disturbance.

Pelicans, brown boobies and the magnificent frigate bird nest on Man of War Caye, a bird sanctuary featuring three types of mangrove forest. Trips depart for the caye regularly from Dangriga.

Maya Beach is a small village located on the Placencia Peninsula. High-end accommodations are found in the village, which is in close proximity to several beaches. The most popular activities in the area are water sports, and the village is within easy access to several scuba diving sites.

Maya Center is a small Mayan village at the entrance to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. When the protected area was established in 1984, Mayans living in the reserve were relocated to this village. Today, there are a few options for accommodation in the village, and Mayan crafts are sold in the village craft shop. The friendly Maya of this village offer tours of Cockscomb, an interesting option as not only are the guides knowledgeable of the area's flora and fauna, they can also show travelers where they used to live.

Covering 98,000ac/39,000ha of lush tropical forest, Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary is Belize's prime spot for wildlife observation. Cockscomb first became a protected area in 1984, and was then classified as a jaguar preserve in 1986. While up to eight jaguars have been recorded in the reserve, visitors have a very slim chance of spotting one. However, several other species of birds and wildlife are commonly spotted, including ocelots, pumas, jaguarundis, otters, tapirs, anteaters, monkeys and snakes. The 290 recorded species of birds include toucans, parrots and the rare scarlet macaw.

The most important feature about Cockscomb is its trail network, the most extensive of any reserve in Belize. The trail network covers 12mi/20km mostly along the bottom of the basin, and varies in terrain, length and difficulty. Historically, loggers lived in the area and the remains of some logging camps are noted on maps of the sanctuary. Some travelers opt to take a guided tour of the sanctuary, the most interesting ones led by Mayans who formerly lived in the area but were relocated when the reserve was established.

The Hmen Herbal Center Medicinal Trail outlines medicinal plants used in Mayan traditional healing practices. The trail is maintained Aurora Saqui, who is a relative of the famous late Mayan healer, Don Elijio Panti of the Cayo District.

The Bladden River Reserve offers river cruises on the Monkey River through a mangrove habitat where several species of birds can be spotted. A network of jungle hiking trails is reached after cruising 5mi/8km up the river.

This small Creole village of Monkey River lies at the mouth of the Monkey River. The village offers a few hotels, bars and restaurants and offers nearby canoeing, fishing and snorkeling. The Monkey River is home to a number of wildlife species, including birds, howler monkeys and crocodiles.

The Cuello archaeological site has a 3,000-year history and is the earliest known settled community in the Maya world. Structure 350, a nine-tiered stepped pyramid, is the site's point of interest. While several artifacts have been uncovered at Cuello, little remains apart from the pyramid. The Maya of Cuello (pronounced kway-yo) were productive farmers and excellent pottery makers. The occupation of Cuello began around 2500 BC and continued until 500 AD when it was deserted for unknown reasons.

Godoy's Orchid Garden features over 75 species of orchids as well as bromeliads and mini-orchids.

The Honey Camp Lagoon is a fresh water swimming hole offering a sandy beach. This is a relatively undeveloped area with palm trees scattered along the shoreline of what looks like a lake.

Nohmul (Mayan for "Great Mound") is a vast archaeological site covering 7sq.mi/18sq.km, although most of it is overgrown by grass and sugarcane. The important ceremonial site was first occupied in the Pre-Classic period from c350 BC to 250 AD, and then declined in the Early Classic period when Nohmul became nothing more than a ghost town. Around the Late Classic period Nohmul's population rose, and at the height of its powers was the seat of government for the surrounding 8mi/13km.

Nohmul's tallest building is Structure 2, a large acropolis offering excellent vistas of the Orange Walk District over endless fields of cane. Thomas Gann first discovered Nohmul in 1897 and returned to excavate several times between 1908 and 1936. Many of the artifacts discovered were given to the British Museum. Norman Hammond led other excavations were led by between 1973 and 1982.

The Shark Hole is a popular dive site, entered at a depth of 42ft/12.6m. The formation resulted from the collapse of an underwater cave and several species of marine life including nurse sharks can be observed. Many of the dive companies offer trips here from Placencia.

Joe Taylor Creek and the Deep River are popular spots for kayaking near Punta Gorda.

Declared a protected area in 2000, the Port Honduras Marine Reserve lies just north of Punta Gorda and encompasses 322sq.mi/847sq.km of coastal Caribbean Sea. The reserve includes a river estuary at the coastline and 135 small mangrove islands, only 10% comprised of dry land. Snorkeling and sportfishing are popular activities in the reserve, and manatee and dolphin sightings are common in the area.

Alfredo and Yvonne Villoria own both the Toledo Botanical Arboretum and Dem Dats Doin Farm, the latter of which is an organic "ecofarm" using sustainable agricultural techniques. More than 55 varieties of fruit trees are grown on the property, including starfruit, guava, passion fruit, and apples. Jams, preserves and pickles are also produced.

The arboretum features over 1,000 species of exotic plants and trees, as well as examples of energy-sufficient farming, natural fertilizers and insect repellents. The grounds also include a small nursery selling ornamental plants and seeds to locals.

Medicinal tonics made at the Ix Chel Farm are sold at Rainforest Remedies and can treat several maladies ranging from colds, backaches and digestive problems. The store is run by the Ix Chel Tropical Research Foundation, which also supports rainforest conservation and traditional Mayan healers.

The waters around Ranguana Caye, a private island, offer good snorkeling and sea kayaking. The caye is locate near the barrier reef and can be reached by boat from Placencia.

There is a hiking trail around Aguacate Lagoon, offering opportunities for birding and crocodile sightings.

More than 150 native orchid species, palms, heliconias and other plant species are featured in the Belize Botanical Gardens near San Ignacio. The gardens offer several trails, one of which leads to a reconstructed Mayan home. The grounds also feature two ponds that attract several species of waterfowl. The Belize Botanical Garden was the country's first, registered in 1997.

Located on a hill overlooking San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is a medium sized archaeological site of an ancient Mayan center. Its Mayan name means "Tick City", a nickname earned in the 1950s because the cows in the surrounding pasture were bothered by ticks. Settled around 1000 BC, the site was an important city between 300 BC and 800 AD, when it was then abandoned. The site spreads over 6ac/2.4ha and includes 34 buildings arranged around seven plazas.

The tallest building at Cahal Pech is a pyramid temple rising 77ft/23m located off Plaza A. Other structures of interest include five stela (pillar monuments), an alter and two ball courts. A tomb revealed artifacts such as jade and obsidian blades, pottery and a mosaic mask made of jade and shell. The site was first recorded in the 1950s and heavily looted until the first major excavation led by Jaime Awe in 1988.

The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm at Chaa Creek Resort offers a small display on the early Maya and archaeology. In the butterfly farm, only the blue morpho (Morpho peleides) is bred for export to the United States.

The Chaa Creek Resort offers a variety of activities to guests including hiking, canoeing, and organized tours to Mayan ruins.

El Pilar (Spanish for "water basin") is a Mayan archaeological site and jungle preserve shared by Guatemala and Belize. Situated 900ft/275m above the Belize River, the total estimate of the site is around 100ac/40ha. Only recently discovered, El Pilar is one of the largest archaeological sites in Belize, but little of its history is known since not much of it has been explored. El Pilar was inhabited and constructed over 15 centuries, beginning in 450 BC until 1000 AD.

The large city was split into three districts and has 25 plazas and 70 major structures. Several structures remain underground and appear as jungle-covered mounds. Some of the largest buildings are centered around the 1.5ac/.6ha Plaza Copal, including 4 large pyramids and a ball court. Also a nature reserve, a variety of wildlife can be seen at El Pilar, including sloth, deer, tapir and armadillo. Birding is very good, recorded species including toucans, scarlet macaws and parrots.

Six hiking trail systems are found throughout the reserve, emphasizing both nature and archaeology. Jungle preservation is a key goal of the reserve, which is only slightly cleared to emphasize the ruins. El Pilar was only reported in 1972 after a looting of the site, and excavations did not begin until 1993. In 1997, El Pilar was listed on the World Monuments Fund's 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World.

The largest living butterfly exhibit in Belize, the Green Hills Butterfly House was established by biologists Tineke Boomsma and Jan Meerman. Guided tours through the farm explain the butterfly life cycle and point out the several species of butterflies that are raised and in some cases exported.

The Macal River winds through the towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and offers many opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and swimming. The Macal River was once a major throughway for lumber and chicle (a gum-like sap from trees) moving from western Belize to the coast. Several resorts and some of Belize's best jungle lodges lie along the Macal River.

Ix Chel Farm is an herbal-cure research center established by Dr Rosita Arvigo, who studied medicinal plants with a local healer named Don Elijio Panti. Panti used traditional Mayan healing methods in the village of San Antonio until his death in 1996 at the age of 103. Arvigo has pioneered several projects to spread the knowledge of Mayan healing traditions and rainforest conservation.

The Rainforest Medicinal Trail (formerly Panti Rainforest Trail) is a self-guided path outlining the jungle's natural cures. Ix Chel Farm also features a botanic display called Granny's Garden with labeled plants such as lemongrass, ginger and basil. Associated medicinal uses and myths are described.

The Tropical Wings Nature Center is situated on 22ac/9ha of second-growth tropical forest in the Cayo District. The grounds feature a small museum offering exhibits and videos on tropical ecology, a screened butterfly house and an outdoor butterfly breeding facility. Ornamental and medicinal botanical gardens attract several bird species to the grounds, which also feature signed nature trails leading to on-site Mayan ruins.

A system of limestone caves is found throughout western Belize that was used by the ancient Maya for ceremonies, rituals, burials and sacrificial offerings. Belize's caves are now being excavated and have revealed that the Maya believed the caves were a gateway to a nine-tiered underworld called Xibalbá. Findings in the caves include human remains and hundreds of pottery pieces. The caves are interesting geological structures featuring unusual stalactite and stalagmite rock formations. Several caves in the Cayo District are often visited on day excursions.

The Xunantunich archaeological site is situated on a limestone ridge overlooking the Mopan River. Built between 600 AD and 1000 AD, Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center. Archaeologists theorize that a possible earthquake in 900 may have badly damaged the city leading to its abandonment.

The site has been open to the public since 1954 and includes 6 main plazas and 25 temples and other structures. There is an on-site museum offering the history of Xunantunich and its excavation. Xunantunich is Mayan for "Maiden of the Rock".

The small Yalbac Mayan Ruins site is situated in the Yalbac Hills and is reached by hiking.

Situated on the southernmost tip of the Belize Barrier Reef, the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve includes 14 sand and mangrove cayes. Six of the cayes are arranged in a "J" formation, these are Sapodilla Cayes, which are known for excellent diving and snorkeling conditions. The reef system supports various types of coral and marine life such as dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and large schools of fish can be spotted. Kayaking is a popular method of exploring the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The traditional Garifuna village of Seine Bight is located on the Placencia Peninsula. Fairly isolated until the 1980s when a road was built to the peninsula, the Garifuna (mixed African and Indian heritage) culture of the village has survived and prospered. Seine Bight is beginning to build a tourist infrastructure in order to welcome the overflow of visitors wanting to visit the area. Generally, Seine Bight offers visitors high-end accommodations and a chance to experience Belize's unique Garifuna culture.

The protected waters around the Silk Cayes attract whale sharks up to 10 days after a full moon between April and June. Snorkeling and kayaking in the marine reserve are also popular activities, as well as exploring the cayes on land.

The area known as Gladden Cut offers frequent sightings of whale sharks. This site is commonly included on diving excursions.

This half-moon shaped island measures 15ac/6ha and is often referred to as Water Caye. South Water Caye is a coral island comprised of pine and palm trees that rests atop the barrier reef, presenting several nearby diving opportunities. South Water Caye hosts three resorts catering to diving and fishing enthusiasts, and several excursions are offered. The South Water Caye Marine Reserve protects the waters and reef around the island and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The Spanish Lookout village is a prosperous Mennonite community. Unlike other Mennonite communities that shun technology, the community at Spanish Lookout is mechanized, and specializes in auto parts. Mennonites began arriving in Belize in 1958 and became very productive farmers, also producing most of Belize's fine cheeses.

The Mennonites are easily detected by their way of dress; the men wear denim overalls and straw hats while women often dress in print dresses and wide brimmed bonnets. The Mennonites are known as the "unobtrusive ones" and speak Plattdeutsch, a low German dialect. The Mennonites refuse to become involved in government and military; refuse to take oaths and stress adult baptism.

Tobacco Caye is a small islet measuring 4ac/1.6ha. Popular activities on the caye are relaxing, fishing and snorkeling right offshore of the caye. Several dive sites are within a short boat ride and diving trips are offered from the caye, as well as fishing excursions.

Tobacco Caye caters to travelers on a low to medium budget and has a few options for accommodations, but does not offer any shops or services apart from what is available at the hotels. Tobacco Caye attracts travelers looking for a remote and secluded experience.

This program places travelers in villager's homes, offering an intense cultural experience of indigenous cultures of Belize. This program is popular with anthropological and cultural academics interested in the Mayan culture. The Indigenous Experience Program is run by Alfredo and Yvonne Villoria, owners of the Dem Dats Doin ecofarm.

Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve is a remote nature reserve covering 6,741ac/2,728ha of Belize's Cayo District and is used for scientific research, training and education. It is not open to the general public. The reserve is home to four of Belize's national symbols; the Baird's tapir, mahogany tree, black orchid and keel-billed toucan. The terrain of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve is comprised of tropical and subtropical moist forest, diverse wildlife, Mayan ruins and several caves and sinkholes (cenotes).

A day visit to Barton Creek Cave is a very popular excursion and involves a canoe or tube float through the cave for about 1mi/1.6km. About 28 human skeletons were found in the cave, and large potted jars and ledges built above the riverbank suggest the site was an important ritual center. Interesting cave formations are observed and some remaining artifacts can be seen.

Antonio Morales discovered the Che Chem Ha cave on his property in 1999. What appeared to be a rock wall was actually a mouth to an 820ft/250m long cave containing 96 Mayan artifacts. Excavation of the cave has revealed that the Maya used the cave for storing food and rituals.

Narrow passages lead past ceremonial pots to a stela (pillar monument) and the end of the tunnel. Tours are led by Antonio's son David Morales. The Morales family has owned this farmland since the 1940s. The lush surroundings feature several waterfalls and creeks to hike through. The nearby Vaca Falls offers river swimming.