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THINGS TO DO

There is no shortage of things to do in Belize; aside from the beautiful beaches and spectacular natural surroundings, there are numerous activities, for both the adventure-inclined and the less daring.

SCUBA Diving

Belize is often referred to as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. The world's second largest barrier reef runs parallel to its coast, at distances ranging from a few hundred feet at the northern tip of Ambergris Caye, to nearly forty miles at the southern-most tip of the country. However, the barrier reef is not the only factor that makes Belize one of the world's most popular destinations for scuba divers and snorklers. Many of the small islands, known as “cayes,” that lie off the coast of the Belizean mainland have their own coral reefs, with spectacular underwater gardens teeming with sea life of all types.

The clear turquoise waters (which average 79-84 degrees) and the proximity of the barrier reef make Ambergris Caye a favorite destination for divers and snorkelers. The most popular destination is Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located 4 miles southeast of San Pedro. The ocean floor ranges from 5 to 35 feet, so both divers and snorkelers have the opportunity to swim in what seems like an underwater aquarium, teeming with colorful tropical fish of all sizes and types and beautiful coral formations. The "cut" (channel) leading out to sea functions as a sort of "fish freeway" for many large fish, including giant groupers, barracuda and nurse sharks, a timid and non-aggressive shark species. Divers and snorkelers may enjoy a close encounter with a sea turtle.

The rocks are home to many moray eels, who sometimes venture out in search of a meal. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at underwater photography, Hol Chan is the place! Even with just a snorkel you can get great underwater pictures. Other nearby dive/snorkel locations include Mexico Rocks, Palmetto Reef, Sandy Point Reef, San Pedro Cut and Coral Gardens.

A special favorite of both scuba divers and snorkelers is the Sand Bar, sometimes referred to as Shark and Ray Alley. Hundreds of sting rays of all sizes congregate here, often accompanied by families of nurse sharks. With a depth of only 8 feet, the Sand Bar offers great photo opportunities to aspiring underwater photographers and beginners learning to snorkel or scuba dive. The Sand Bar is not far from Hol Chan, and only a few minutes by boat from San Pedro.

Whale Watching

Known locally as “Sapodilla Tom” for the fisherman who first saw them near the Sapodilla Cayes on the southern end of the Belize Barrier Reef, whale sharks congregate at Gladden Spit every March to June. Shaped like an elbow pointing out to the Caribbean Sea, Gladden Spit is also a very important place for over 25 species of reef fish that come together at specific times of the year, usually right around the full moon, to reproduce. Although some reef fish species reproduce in pairs or in small groups, dog and cubera snappers aggregate in the hundreds or even thousands to reproduce, known as spawning aggregations. During a spawning event, female and male fish rise in the water as groups, releasing millions of eggs and sperm. The fertilized eggs float and are carried by currents until the larvae hatch. A healthy aggregation can produce hundreds of billions of eggs. And like the eggs on our breakfast table, they contain a lot of energy which makes this caviar very attractive to whale sharks. However, the eggs need to be in dense clumps for them to be attractive to the whale sharks and spawned eggs disperse very quickly. So the whale shark and many other species of fish that feed on the eggs are only able to capture some of the fertilized eggs before it is no longer worth their while to target this food.

Bird watching

With over 540 different, colorful species of birds in the country, Belize is a must for the professional or amateur bird-watcher. In the Orange Walk District alone, over 400 species of birds have been recorded. More so than anywhere else in the country, the Orange Walk District is the country's leader as a birder's paradise. With its unusually diverse habitats, the famous Maya Ruin area of Lamanai is a must for professional ornithologists or casual bird watchers. 366 bird species have been recorded at Lamanai, and this figure is expected to reach 409 shortly. The uncommon nocturnal Yucatan nightjars, as well as the long-tailed hermit hummingbird, have been spotted at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. Cruising the New River by boat to the Lamanai ruins is also a birder's paradise. The waterway teems with bird life. Rare birds abound, like the roseate spoonbills, sun grebes and long-necked anhinga. Near the mouth of the lagoon is a large ceiba tree with a huge nest, home to a five-foot jabiru stork, the largest bird in the country which has a wingspan of approximately eight feet.

Mayan Culture

Recent discoveries and expanded analyses have led many archeologists and cultural anthropologists studying Mayan history to conclude that the center of Mayan civilization was, in fact, Belize! Belize is a treasure trove of ancient Mayan temples, towns and cities, only a few of which have been uncovered. The Maya are probably the best-known of the classical civilizations of Mesoamerica . Originating in the Yucatán around 2600 B.C., they rose to prominence around A.D. 250 in present-day southern Mexico , Guatemala , northern Belize and western Honduras. Building on the inherited inventions and ideas of earlier civilizations such as the Olmec , the Maya developed astronomy, calendar systems and hieroglyphic writing. The Maya were noted as well for elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial architecture, including temple-pyramids, palaces and observatories, all built without metal tools. They were also skilled farmers, clearing large sections of tropical rain forest and, where groundwater was scarce, building sizeable underground reservoirs for the storage of rainwater. The Maya were equally skilled as weavers and potters, and cleared routes through jungles and swamps to foster extensive trade networks with distant peoples.

Casinos

For the casino lover Belize has limited facilities - but they can be a welcome break from too much sea and sand. The biggest is at the Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City - it's the nearest you will get to a Las Vegas style casino in this part of Central America. The Princess is located on the waterfront just off Barracks Road. The casino is on the right as you enter the lobby. It's glitzy, well decorated and laid out with faux marble floors.

Ambergris Caye has had several mini-casinos, mostly with a couple dozen slot machines and sometimes games of poker.