Wedged in between Mexico and Guatemala, English-speaking Belize is one of Latin America’s smallest countries.
After many years as a well-kept secret, it is now starting to appear more and more on travel writers’ hot destinations lists. The reason? It may have something to do with its hidden Mayan temples peeking evocatively through the jungle canopy. Or its astonishing wildlife. Or its spectacular coral islands strung out like beads along the world’s second-longest barrier. But when we close our eyes and think of Belize, it’s the warmth and laid-back nature of its people that most stays with us. In fact, we can’t think of anywhere better to take things slow.
"From Bond-style private islands to the swishest of jungle retreats, Belize offers a dizzying array of luxury launchpads for outdoor adventure activities."
As an emerging yachting destination, Belize’s Caribbean coast is a great place to begin exploring. We can arrange a private yacht for you and your group, dropping anchor anywhere along the barrier reef to dive amongst undulating rays and schools of iridescent fish. In contrast to Australia, for example, this reef is pretty much yours alone to enjoy, save the company of a team of diving guides, a marine biologist and an award-winning personal chef. Or we can take you out to tidal flats with an expert local angler to cast a line for bonefish – there’s simply no better place on earth to do so.
Inland, Belize’s tiny size, and relatively inexpensive air connections mean that you can explore the furthest corners of the country with ease. Rather than flying straight from A to B, we often like to use helicopters as a way to explore. Touching down in a Mayan ceremonial plaza for lunch atop an ancient pyramid surrounded by howler monkeys makes, in our view, a far more exciting and rewarding way to travel.
The Belizean government’s commitment to conservation is impressive, with 40% of its land being protected in some way. Its wildlife is correspondingly diverse, and a trip to Belize can produce thrilling encounters with anything from manakins to manatees, wahoo to whale shark. In the north, exemplary conservation projects such as Rio Bravo and Gallon Jug protect the Mayan Rainforest—a large area of tropical forest that harbours Central America’s densest jaguar populations. Further south, the pine ridges, rainforest-swathed valleys and plateaux of the Maya Mountains enclose spectacular waterfalls, cave systems and some of the last stands of pure wild cacao on the planet.
From Bond-style private islands to the swishest of jungle retreats, Belize offers a dizzying array of luxury launchpads for outdoor adventure activities. We can bring in archaeologists, ornithologists, conservationists and other experts to enrich your time and provide a deeper and broader context to your area of interest. While the northern winter and spring are usually considered the ideal time to visit, Belize experiences very few hurricanes, meaning that you can safely visit for much of the year. Whatever your passion, and however you’d like to explore Belize, travelling with Explorations adds an extra dimension to your travels in this gloriously unspoiled land.
