Belize Travel

Belize is one of the smallest countries in Central America, and has one of the smallest populations in the world (294 000), so it is very sparsely populated. Much of its natural environment remains unspoilt and untouched by human activity. It is a low-lying and mainly forested country. Its main tourist resource is the 185km long coral barrier reef that runs parallel to its coast just offshore in the shallow Caribbean Sea. It is the second biggest coral barrier reef in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef). The country's other main attractions are the wildlife and the impressive ancient ruined cities of the Mayan civilization. Tourism is one of the main industry and growth rate of about 19 per cent per annum.

Coastal Tourism

The coast of Belize is mainly swampy with mangroves, but there are some good sandy beaches amongst the lagoons and marshy areas. However, most sun and sea holidays are based on the coral islands (Cayes) offshore, where there is excellent sub aqua diving, snorkeling, fishing, yachting and other water sports. Sixty per cent of Belize's tourists visit Ambergris Caye and 33 per cent to Caye Caulker, where the underwater caves are a particular attraction for divers. A third of all Belize's hotel bed spaces are located in hotels and resorts on these two islands and 76 per cent of all Belize's hotels are located on the coast and cayes.

The English heritage of the predominantly black population is evidenced in language and Protestant religion. The city of Belize (about 35,000) is the principal urban center. Belize is English speaking, officially. But the black Creoles, its largest ethnic group (over half of the population) speak their own dialect as well as standard English. Spanish is a popular second language, and you may also hear Maya, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese Arabic, Hindi and Garifuna, the language of the Garinagu people of the southern townships. Over half of Belize's population is black Creole, descendants of the African slaves and British pirates who first settled here to exploit the country's forest riches. The government has attempted to limit the impact of tourism on the reef by designating some parts as marine and wildlife reserves and placing restrictions on the removal of coral and on fishing in some areas.

Wildlife Tourism

A survey by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 1988 suggested that for 52 per cent of Belize's tourists natural history was one of their reasons for visiting the country, although only 8 per cent said it was their main reason. Obviously the marine wildlife of the reef is a major attraction, but the country also has a good system of inland National Parks and wildlife reserves that cover 40 per cent of its territory. The government has a strong commitment to environmental protection and to promoting only balanced and environmentally sound tourism, and the practical implementation of these policies is improving. The main wildlife attractions of the National Parks are jaguars, howler monkeys, orchids and butterflies.

Historical Attractions

The most important Mayan sites are near the Guatemalan border, at Xunantunich, Cahal Pech and Caracol, although the latter is still being excavated and is as yet rather inaccessible. Belize is cooperating with Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico and Honduras to promote tourism based on the range of Mayan sites in the region. Tourists will be able to follow a circuit of sites (to be known as La Ruta Maya) through the five countries.

Belize's main tourist markets are North American. In 2006, just over a third of its tourists were fairly high spending visitors from the USA, and 3.6 per cent from Canada. However, it is thought that up to half its visitors are cross border trippers from Mexico. The country's colonial history is reflected in the fact that as many as 5 per cent of its tourists are from the UK.

The nature of the resources and environment of Belize clearly indicate that it would not be suited to mass tourism, but does have great potential for small scale environmentally based tourism. The government has opted for a high value, low volume type of tourism in its development policy and is cautious in its approach to new resort development.