Every country has its fair share of idiosyncrasies – strange, out-of-date laws; local legends; unique traditions, a rich history, and more. Belize is no exception and there are quite a few interesting (and surprising) factoids lying beneath the country’s crystal clear ocean waters.

Home to the Great Blue Hole

This fact isn’t exactly obscure, but it is fascinating. The Great Blue Hole is what its name suggests – a huge sinkhole in the ocean off the coast of Belize. It measures 318 m across and 124 m deep and has been around for hundreds of thousands of years. It was formed in a period when that part of the landscape was above water and has been endorsed by Discovery Channel as number one on the list of “10 Most Amazing Places on Earth”.

It’s bad luck to swim on Good Friday

Many countries have beliefs about what brings good or bad luck, and in Belize, it’s said that swimming on Good Friday will bring you bad luck and transform you into a mermaid. It’s unclear what the origin of this belief is but it does a good job of keeping would-be swimmers on land.

Belize has its own Bigfoot

Just like Bigfoot or Sasquatch, Belize’s El Sisimito is a huge creature similar to a man but with fur. Other features of this being include an ape-like face, absence of thumbs, no knees and backwards-facing feet. In Belize it is believed that looking El Sisimito in the eyes can bring either death or longevity – that is, if you survive (it’s also thought he devours humans).

Home of the world’s only jaguar nature preserve

There are a number of big cat species that are indigenous in Belize and its surrounds. Belize is ahead of the curve in terms of protecting these animals, as they have the only jaguar-specific nature sanctuary in the world. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary covers around 400 square km and was established over 30 years ago to preserve jaguars.

No American fast food

Belize has managed to save itself from the “invasion” of fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King. It hasn’t gone as far as to ban McDonald’s like Bermuda or Iceland, but most people are very happy to preserve local food culture and avoid the “Americanisation” that comes with those franchises. If you feel like fast fun, visit this website instead!

Full of Mayan ruins

There are dozens of archaeological sites in Belize dating back to 2000 BC and showing the path of the Mayan civilization through the centuries. The locations include Caracol, the center of one of Maya’s kingdoms, and Cerros, one of the earliest sites discovered. Incidentally, Belize’s tallest building is actually a Mayan temple.

Belize served Queen Elizabeth II a rat for dinner

To be fair, the rodent eaten by the British Queen when she visited Belize in 1985 was not a rat as such but a gibnut – a larger nocturnal rodent considered as bush meat.

There are many more interesting nuggets of information about this nation and it’s definitely worth taking the time to read up on them all.

A beach holiday is always a good idea, especially when it offers the opportunity to discover an ancient world that has been preserved. Another perk? It’s part of the Caribbean islands. While this may seem unattainable and expensive, there are travel options to suit every need and every budget.

The affordable option: Caye Caulker

This destination is a tourist favourite and is a lot more affordable than Ambergris Caye. It’s a more relaxed environment that caters to budget-conscious tourists. Booking a stay here is a great way to save money while still taking in the beauty of the country. The island is only five miles long, which means that you don’t need to worry about transport costs while enjoying activities such as snorkelling, fishing, swimming or adventure days on the mainland.

The popular option: Ambergris Caye

If your budget isn’t an area of concern, this is the option to look into. San Pedro is the main attraction and offers a wide range of accommodation options. It is one of the most visited islands, but it hasn’t lost that laid back feeling. It’s close to the Belize Barrier Reef which means that you can take a boat to see the natural wonder or even take snorkelling or diving gear to discover it up close. Depending on when you travel, you may be able to experience some of the island’s festivals.

Explore history and traditions: Cayo

Cayo is located on the mainland and is often regarded as the cultural heart of the country. You can discover the rich history of the country and even visited smaller towns in the area. Hiking in the forests or discovering the waterfalls are all adventure activities that you can experience on the mainland. If you head to the more rural areas, you’ll even be able to find some wildlife.

Peace and tranquillity: Placencia

If you’re looking for something low-key, quiet and undisturbed, the sleepy island of Placencia offers coastal views and picturesque landscapes without the hustle and bustle. While the nightlife is not as active as the other islands, it does offer a serene location for pampering and relaxation.

Discover the culture: Hopkins

This seaside area stands out for its dedication to the country’s culture. You can learn all about the Garifuna culture while experiencing the customs and foods first-hand. It’s a true reflection of Belize without being over-commercialised, just like when you win playing online. As with all of the other islands, water sport is also available here.

So, where are you headed?

To help you narrow down your search, try to create a list of what you would like to do and the budget available. This will then help you to choose a destination which will make the planning process a lot easier. There are so many islands to choose from, so what are you waiting for?

Discover The Mayan World In Belize: Part 2

In case you missed out on our previous article, we took a look at five Mayan ruins that you need to visit while in Belize. We listed Xunantunich, Altun Ha, Caracol, Cahal Pech and Santa Rita as part of the ultimate historical and cultural experience.

To add to this, we’ll be taking a look at the second half of our “10 Mayan ruins worth visiting” list.

1. Mayan ruins worth visiting – continued

6.  Lamanai

The area one of the largest Maya ceremonial centres. This city has been occupied for over 2000 years making it one of the longest-occupied cities. It is home to over 719 structures that related to different periods of time. For example, two 16th century churches and a 19th-century sugar mill.

7. Cerro Maya

This coastal trade centre is located in the Bay of Chetmal. It’s believed that the city fell as a result of changing trade routes. The area is partially underwater, but that doesn’t take anything away from the beauty of the stunning designs and structures and the picturesque views. A Dallas-based company acquired the site a few years ago with the intent of excavating the ceremonial centre to become a major tourist attraction. Unfortunately – for them – the company went bankrupt, and the development never took place.

8. Barton Creek Cave

This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cayo. Not only is it a natural beauty, but it also contains all of the cultural remains left in caves by the ancient Mayans. The remains and artefacts discovered along the river’s ledges reveal that the cave formed an important part of ancient ruins.

9. Nim Li Punit

Nim Li Punit received its name from one of the site’s 26 stelae that resembles a figure wearing a headdress. Nim Li Punit means big hat, in honour of the stela. This site is smaller than the others but is nonetheless breathtaking. It is believed to have served as a royal place of worship.

10. Lubaantun

Lubaantun, or the place of fallen stones, is a ceremonial center with an unusual cultural construction style. The structures are made of stone blocks with no mortar or agent to bind them. The buildings built on top of the pyramids were made using perishable remains and therefore didn’t survive.

It’s Time To Travel Back In Time

Belize is home to hundreds of famous sites and ancient Mayan ruins as well as beautiful waterfalls, volcanoes, lush jungles and, of course, its impressive barrier reef.

When it comes to visiting the country, you’re spoilt for choice, just like when you visit this website. The recent announcement by the Belizean government to allow vaccinated travelers to enter the borders without having to be tested for COVID-19 makes this one of the few global destinations that you can explore during this confusing time.

Belize Announces That COVID-19 Tests Are No Longer Required If You’re Vaccinated

Travel restrictions have become a reality for many countries as the pandemic forces them to close their borders or block off potential visitors from high-risk countries. As a result, the tourism industry is taking a knock. To help travelers enter Belize, the Belize government has updated its COVID-19 protocols to allow vaccinated travelers to enter the country without needing to present a negative COVID-19 test.

How will this be controlled?

To ensure the safety of the citizens of Belize as well as its visitors, all travelers need to provide proof of vaccination, in a similar way as they would a COVID-19 test. The vaccine needs to have been administered at least two weeks before their arrival in Belize. In the event that they’re unable to prove their claims, they’ll need to undergo a COVID-19 test as a safety precaution.

What does this mean for unvaccinated travellers?

If you are travelling to Belize and have not yet been vaccinated, you will need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result four days before your flight or a negative rapid Antigen test result two days before your flight.

In the event that you do not have the medical certificates to support your claim, you’ll need to go for a COVID-19 test at the airport at your own expense, which is $50.

The bottom line is that to ensure the safety of all people travelling and the country that you’re entering, you’ll need to do your part in stopping the spread of the virus and building immunity.

What implication does this have on people travelling from Belize to other countries?

This will depend on your destination; however, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has put measures in place to test travellers departing from Belize and headed for countries that require a negative COVID-19 test for entry.

These updated COVID-19 protocols and travel requirements have come about as a result of the drop of daily cases within Belize. It proves that the government’s efforts in slowing down the spread of the disease have been successful and that future efforts to maintain control of the spread should follow the same trend. All that staying at home and having the kind of fun you can enjoy when you check this site has worked.

What does this mean moving forward?

All tourism officials and other travel stakeholders that are on the frontline will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine to ensure their safety when dealing with travellers from multiple countries. Existing health and safety protocols will remain in place and need to be adhered to at all times.

We need to remember that we are still living in a the time of a global pandemic and while restrictions have been adjusted, this does not mean that the virus is any less of a threat.

Belize is trying to position itself as a safe tourism destination and has even received the official World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels that confirms the validity of their claim.