Renowned publication National Geographic has highlighted Belize in a travel feature – shining a spotlight on the country’s eco-adventures and epic biodiversity with “5 Incredible Places to Visit in Belize. Here’s a snippet of that feature:
Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef: 5 Incredible Places to Visit in Belize
Located on Central America’s northeastern coast, Belize has a distinctly Caribbean feel which sets it apart from its neighbors, Guatemala and Mexico. A visit here reveals an astonishing diversity of attractions and experiences, including hiking through jungles to enigmatic Maya sites and visiting national parks teeming with wildlife. Here are five incredible places not to miss.
1. The Great Blue Hole
Photo by Leonardo Melendez
Home to over 500 species of fish and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, Belize is a world-class diving destination. It’s also the location of one of the most singular dive sites on Earth — the Great Blue Hole. Stretching 1,000ft wide and over 400ft deep, this giant sinkhole is filled with extraordinary marine life and looks like the opening to some oceanic netherworld. Diving here isn’t for the fainthearted, but nearby Ambergris Caye has several accredited schools teaching scuba diving and free-diving to all levels.
Similar: Leaning into Luxury Travel This Year? Find It On a 10-Day Tour of Belize
Diver or not, if you’re planning a trip to Belize, Ambergris Caye should be high on your agenda. The largest and perhaps most beautiful of the country’s 200-plus islands, this is the center for tourism in Belize, with some of Central America’s finest accommodations — from thatched-roof-style properties to private islets. There’s a big focus on water-based activities here, from diving and snorkeling to sailing and jet-skiing. The Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve is arguably the star of the show, with superb coral reefs and the chance to swim through a channel dug by the Maya civilization around 1,500 years ago.
This is an excerpt from National Geographic’s article “Where the rainforest meets the reef: 5 incredible places to visit in Belize” written by Jamie Lafferty. Read the entire article here.
