Why go au Belize?
The good reasons to go au Belize
Heavenly beaches
Palm trees and coconut palms make for a dream setting.
Mayan archaeological treasures
As rich in Mayan sites as Yucatán, Belize offers a wide range of attractions.
Unspoilt nature
Almost half of its territory is protected by numerous nature reserves.
A wealth of ethnic and cultural diversity
From the Mayas and Mennonites to the mestizos and Garifunas, this is a multi-ethnic country.
Friendly locals
In Belize, everyone greets each other kindly on chance encounters.
Diving
All divers appreciate the number of pelagic species that frequent Belize.
The tropical forest
30% of Belize's territory is protected forest.
The Great Blue Hole
An absolute grail for many divers, it is even more beautiful from the air.
Exceptional wildlife
Home to numerous felines, jaguars, ocelots and pumas, the forest is spellbinding.
Countless caves
Many of the Mayan cult sites are underground, making them ideal for discovery.
Good to know when visiting le Belize
Timetable
Most tourist sites are open Monday to Sunday from 8.30am to 5pm, often closing earlier on Sundays.
Depending on the season, the majority of museums in Belize open between 8 and 10 am, and some stay open until 7 or 8 pm. Before your visit, we strongly advise you to check the official website for opening hours. Monday is often a day when most museums are closed. On the first and last Sundays of each month, a number of museums and art galleries offer free admission. If you want to go without breaking the bank, visit the official website to find out when admission is free. Bear in mind that some days can be very busy. Students, children, the elderly and the disabled often benefit from reduced-price admission.
To be booked
Many activities require the presence of a guide, which is why it's advisable to book your visits in advance. During festival periods, accommodation in the areas concerned fills up fast, so advance booking is essential to avoid surprises.
Divers are advised to book their day's diving at Great Blue Hole in advance, so that dive centers can organize themselves to fill the boats.
Main events
The most important event in Belize is probably Carnival, although it's mainly celebrated in the Spanish-speaking areas of Cayo, Punta Gorda, Corozal, Orange Walk and, of course, Belize City.
The Lobster Fest is also very popular with lovers of this renowned crustacean!
Guided tours
Every tourist site in Belize has a team of professional guides who can help you discover the many treasures that are hard to find on your own. Don't hesitate to contact their services, and your trip will be all the more interesting for it.
If you're a bird-lover, there's a little wooden hut at the entrance to Crooked Tree where you'll find professional guides, often affiliated with the Audubon Society, a worldwide bird protection association, who can take you on an unforgettable journey to discover the birdlife of Crooked Tree Lagoon. One of the few places in the world where you can get as close to the magnificent Jabirus as you would in a zoo.
Smokers
Anti-smoking laws are not very strict in Belize. Smoking is permitted in open, public spaces, but is prohibited in places such as government buildings, banks, hotel lobbies, schools, public transport and in undesignated smoking areas of restaurants.
What's very local
Belize is such a multicultural country that visiting it feels like changing countries several times a day. From a Mayan village to a Garifuna village, it's sometimes just a few kilometers, often passing through an area where everyone speaks Spanish!
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Discover le Belize
Belize is a small country harboring the riches of a continent where many ethnic groups meet, each with its own particularity. In order to help you discover all the nuggets of this beautiful country, we present you in the following pages the most important facets of each subject likely to interest you. The diversity of the flora and fauna, a summary of the country's history, an overview of religious beliefs and ancestral traditions and much more. Whether you're interested in diving, the wilderness or the country's ancient and modern civilizations, you'll find all the information you need to make sure you don't miss out on anything important during your trip, or to prepare for it before you leave. We wish you many wonderful discoveries in this country of shimmering colors and a population as varied as it is surprising.
