What does it take to inspire you to pack up, book a flight and travel to a place where the weather is warm and the people are warmer? If the words of others are enough to inspire your travel and you’ve been longing to visit Belize, these quotes may compel you to visit this seductive nation where some 60-percent of the land remains untouched.
The charming streets of Dangriga Town in Southern Belize. Image via Pelican Beach Resort – Dangriga
1. Aaron Lauritsen’s words tell you all you need to know about Belizeans: “It’s in those quiet little towns, at the edge of the world, that you will find the salt of the earth people who make you feel right at home.”
Hopkins Village offers some of the finest sand beaches in the country. Image via The Lodge at Jaguar Reef/Monica Gallardo Photography
2. World-renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour said, “Traveling and meeting people with different and opposing ideas is as important as finding the most inviting beaches, visiting the best restaurants, and seeing the sights.” Happily, Belize offers all of these experiences and more.
3. Belize’s culinary heritage is unique among nations, made up of African, Caribbean and Spanish roots. Renowned chef Marcus Samuelson, born in Ethiopia, shares his wise philosophy: “Travel unlocks a world of flavor,” from Marie Sharp’s hot sauces to the excitement of Belize’s open lobster season.
Rio Blanco Falls in Toledo, Belize. Photo via IG @tahneealanawilson
4. While the author is unknown, beholding Belize’s legendary waterfalls and roaming the shoreline inspired this beautiful thought: “I love the sounds and the power of pounding water, whether it is the waves or a waterfall.”
Feed tapirs at The Belize Zoo! Photo by Duarte Dellarole
5. Says Kim Shotola, “Animals are a window to your soul and a doorway to your spiritual destiny. If you let them into your life and allow them to teach you, you will be better for it.” Belize’s wildlife diversity is truly inspiring.
Relax on the beach in Placencia. Image courtesy Itz’ana Resort & Residencies
6. Lord Byron’s words will stay with you when visiting Belize: “There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, there is a rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the sea and music in its roar.“
Photo by Duarte Dellarole
7. Exploring Maya ceremonial caves brings to mind words written by Novalis: “To romanticize the world is to make us aware of the magic, mystery and wonder of the world; it is to educate the senses to see the ordinary as extraordinary, the familiar as strange, the mundane as sacred.”
Xunantunich Maya Site. Image courtesy Duarte Dellarole
8. Carl Sagan paid tribute to ancient Maya civilizations when he noted, “A millennium before Europeans were willing to divest themselves of the idea that the world was a few thousand years old, the Mayas were thinking in millions [of years].”
Two’s company. © Takuto Kurosawa, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Jungles, say Ashlan Gorse Cousteau, are sanctuaries: “There is nothing like the thrill of walking through the jungle looking for a [jaguar] and knowing they could be watching you.” Belize is home to the first jaguar preserve on earth.
Image courtesy Duarte Dellarole
10. Because the Belize Barrier Reef is visible from outer space, Chris Hadfield’s quote is especially meaningful: “When you’re on one of the Caribbean islands, sometimes it’s hard to picture how they fit with the rest, but when you see them all joined together like a necklace from space, you see the natural geographic connectedness of them all.”
11. Belize is so laid-back, it inspires this anonymous quote: “Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Eat nothing but fry jacks!”
Feeling inspired? We hope so! Belize is filled with inspiring places, experiences, and people and you won’t find a more welcoming populace. Keep these sentiments in mind as you journey to this modern-day Eden.
Header image courtesy of Umaya Resort. This article was published on July 2, 2021.
