Belize Information
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Although Belize
is best known for the Barrier Reef, clear turquoise
water, snorkeling, scuba diving and palm trees, there are a number of
other attractions.
Belize's jungle, Maya ruins and wildlife may not be as pristine or
abundant as the
northern Guatemala Petén area, but they are worth visiting.
Below are both popular and off-the beaten path places near
the Western
border and San Ignacio area, just a short
distance away from Guatemala. Rio Frio, & the 1000 ft Falls Area Near the Mountain Pine Ridge, San Ignacio, Belize. The Mountain Pine Ridge forest is unique. It is at a higher elevation and therefore cooler. It makes for a nice side trip. The falls are spectacular and the rapids at Rio Frio are beautiful, with giant chutes of water cascading over large basalt and granite rock formations. The water is cool and there are several nice pools for swimming or just cooling off. At the Hidden Valley Falls, better known as the Thousand Foot Falls, a significant stream falls over 1,400 feet into a lush, pine tree lined gorge. It is a great place to watch for wildlife and experience yet another of Belize's attributes. From San Ignacio it is about a 20 minute drive and the visit will take most of the day, especially if you enjoy swimming and hiking. _______________________________________________________ Caracol Maya Ruins Caracol is the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize. During the Classic period it was one of Tikal's great rivals. In recent years, several universities have been excavating and developing the ruins. Caracol was discovered in the 1930's by a log hunter, Rosa Mai, but it was not explored until the 1950's by Linton Satherwaite of the University of Pennsylvania. Due to its difficult accessibility, excavations didn't start until 1985, when Doctors Arlen and Diane Chase of University of Central Florida started working on Caracol. Caana (sky palace) is a massive structure at its base and towers above the jungle at over 145 feet high. Caracol was at its peak about the same time as Tikal and there were several battles between the two cities. To visit Caracol, make arrangements with tour operators in San Ignacio. The trip can be done by horseback or 4-wheel drive except during some of the rainy season. The road is just a trail in parts, but you travel through lush jungle and through several mountain passes. The views are great. After exploring the main area of Caracol, a stop at Rio Frio can be arranged (see above) to cool off. ______________________________________________________________ The Belize Zoo This is located at mile post 31 on the Western Highway. As far as typical zoos go, this one is a real treat. It is obvious that the curator took a very dense jungle area and left it intact, carving small pathways through the jungle and using minimal wire enclosures to create the most natural setting you will ever find, save on the plains of Kenya. Most of the indigenous animals of Belize are displayed. There are crocodiles, kinkajous, jabirus, pumas, scarlet macaws, tapirs, peccaries, sloths, small ocelots and margays, and two types of deer. It is a must see on any trip to Belize. They have several jaguars, including a black one that is alone worth the trip, a good group of howler and spider monkeys, and a long list of animals that are throughout Belize, but that are not likely to be seen by the average hiker. Cost is about $7.50 US. ____________________________________________________________ Xunantunich - From the Mayan village of San Jose Succotz located on the banks of the Mopan River just 2 miles outside of the border crossing Melchor, Guatemala you can board a small hand-cranked pontoon ferry to go across the river to Xunantunich (zoo-nan-too-nitch). There is a resident guide on site and a museum. Look for the Iguanas in the trees along the river in this area. _______________________________________________________________ Tropical Wings After exploring Xunantunich, be sure to visit the nearby Butterfly Research Center at the Trek Stop, about 1/2 mile east on the south side of the road. There is a small hostel there that offers clean cabins with shared baths and showers outside for $24-$35 double. See over a dozen different species of Belizean butterflies and herbs. Also there are orchids unique to the area. _______________________________________________________________ Cahal Pech Just outside of San Ignacio there are some of the most architecturally diverse Mayan Ruins in Belize, Cahal Pech (ka-hall petch). View examples of the "corbelled" arch (the Maya version of the Roman arch), walk into chambers where royalty slept, and see 2000 year old red plaster still intact on the walls. _______________________________________________________________ Panti Trail The "Panti Trail" is also an interesting place to visit. The herbalist who lives there is from Ohio, but she studied with one of Belize's greatest bush doctors, "Don Elijio Panti", before he died. She has created a well-marked medicinal plant path and her tours are very interesting. She has several medicinal products for sale and you can learn about plants used by the Maya and still in use today for healing the body and spirit. _______________________________________________________________
Blue Hole
Cristo Rey Canoe
Float and Rafting Belize
Weather Annual
rainfall
ranges from 50 inches in the North to almost 200 inches in the South.
Although
the rainy season is usually between June and October and the dry season
is between March and May, don't expect it. In recent years global
weather
conditions and changes are making traditional predictions somewhat
invalid.
In general the weather is good, but if you happen to be there during
any
small tropical hurricane it can rain for several days. If the islands
are
too bad take a trip to the San Ignacio area or Guatemala to get away
from
the coast. At the end of October, the weather does become cooler,
and from November to February, it is generally pleasant with only light
showers and cool fronts. Average humidity is 85%.
Getting
To and From Belize - El Remate/Tikal area
From
Belize City, the Mundo Maya/Linea Dorada to El
Remate and Flores departs at 9:30 am from the marine
terminal. The trip is approx. 4 hours, cost $23-25 USD and you can
purchase tickets right at the terminal. Be sure to ask
the driver to bring you
to the hotel entrance. From San Ignacio, there are no scheduled buses that go all the way to Flores or El Remate. You can take the 9 mile ride from San Ignacio to the Belize-Guatemala border by taxi or local bus. Once on the Guatemalan side, most people arrive by minibus, local bus or taxi to the Cruce Ixlu (crossroad) between Tikal and Flores. If you are dropped off here, you are still 2 km. from El Remate, and will need to catch a bus, taxi or walk the distance. It's best to talk to the driver first to make sure he will bring you all the way to El Remate. At
the border, you will
almost always find taxis and minibuses looking for passengers. Bargain
your price. Collective minibuses charge around $6. A private taxi or
minibus can cost from $50 for 4 persons or $70 up to 8 persons. Just
tell the driver you are going to La Casa De Don David in El Remate. Going to San Ignacio, Belize City and Chetumal, the Linea Dorada/Mundo Maya bus leaves Flores at 7:00 am daily and passes by La Casa De Don David around 7:30 am to pick up passengers. Buy your ticket at the hotel front desk. If you're just going to the Belize border cost is $6, to Belize City or Belize City marine terminal $25. Most visitors pay nothing to enter Belize. US dollars are accepted in Belize almost everywhere and usually for the stable exchange rate of 1 USD = 2 BZE dollars). Be sure to clarify if prices are in US dollars or Belize dollars, because many travelers have been known to pay double. If you're arriving from Belize and planning to return during your trip, verify immigration requirements for re-entry to Belize. We have had Swiss and Argentina visitors who had a one entry visa and were required to get a new visa for re-entry. If you bring the form we can make your photos (no charge if you are staying with us) and you will be prepared for re-entry. Cost varies depending on your country of origin. Also, save your Belize departure tax receipt as it may help with the fee if you plan to return to Belize within a month. |
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