 Discover Belize
Laughing Bird Caye, Belize
Author: Victoria Reay's (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Belize is a small country in Central America. Formerly known as British Honduras, it covers 22,966 sq km (8,867 sq mi) land facing the Caribbean Sea. Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico and to the south and west by Guatemala. It is the only Central American country not to have a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. It is also the only one with English as its official language.
Guide to Belize Hotels
Here's a list of hotels in Belize that you can book online, listed by city, with full description, star rating, address, location map, evaluation, and prices as offered by different booking sites. This helps you to make your room booking with the site that offers the best price.
More on Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State. The country has a population of 333,200 (2011 estimate). Its capital and largest city is Belize City. In 2009, the country has a nominal GDP of $1.352 billion, which works to a nominal GDP per capita of $4,115. The per capital GDP at purchasing power parity is $7,841.
Belize Caye
Author: anoldent (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Belize is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. Cars drive on the right side of the road, unlike the United Kingdom. The phone IDD code is +501. Official currency of Belize is the Belize dollar.
Belize has a tropical climate with temperatures influenced by proximity to coast and elevation. 60% of the country is still covered in rainforest, savannah, scrubland and wetlands.
Belize was part of the Maya civilization from 1500 BC until AD 800. The most important Maya site in Belize is Caracol. When the first Europeans arrive in Belize in the 16th century, the Maya civilization was long past its prime, though there are still some lowland Maya. The Spanish attempting to settle were attacked by the Mayas and pushed back.
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Author: US Geological Survey (public domain)
English and Scottish buccaneers somehow managed to settle on the coast of Belize in 1638, and used the place as base for attacking passing Spanish ships. To end the pirate menace, the Spanish granted these British settlers the right to occupy the land.
In 1798, the British government took over the coast of Belize following the Battle of St George's Caye. The Spanish tried a few times to get back Belize, but failed. In 1862 it was made a British Crown Colony reporting to Jamaica, and named British Honduras. Belize finally attained full independence on 21 September, 1981.
Maya ruins of Altun Ha, Belize
Author: Michael Lazarev (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Visiting Belize
Visitors who do not need a visa to visit Belize include the citizens of America, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Malaysia and EU passport holders.
The Philip SW Goldson International Airport (BZE) is the main gateway to Belize. It is located in Ladyville, to the northwest of Belize City. The airport gets regular scheduled flights from major cities in the Caribbean, Central America and the United States.
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