New York City 6 hrs

Boston 6.5 hrs

Miami 2.25 hrs

Los Angeles 6 hrs

Chicago 6.75 hrs

Dallas/Forth Worth 3 hrs

Belize City: The former capital of this Western Caribbean country will soon feature a beautiful waterfront walkway, and impressive colonial buildings, such as the Government House, and many hotels, making it a great perfect "home base" for excursions to the wild. Belize City is also home to the Belize Zoo and the Community Baboon Sanctuary.

Ambergris Caye: About 35 miles northeast of Belize City is Ambergris Caye, often considered the queen of the cayes. In addition to the sunny beaches and bird-watching spots, there are also several restaurants, hotels, and museums. The caye is reachable by a puddle jumper plane.

Cayo District: This popular area on the Guatemalan border is Belize's largest district - and the least populated. Wildlife, restaurants, and water sports abound. This area is also home to the country's most dramatic ancient Mayan site - Caracol - with 5 plazas and 32 large structures.

San Ignacio: Nestled between the Macal and Mopan rivers, this city and its sister Santa Elena make up the second largest urban area in Belize. The wooden shops that line the narrow streets create a wild-west fronteir feeling that combines with the tropical climate and Mayan history for a unique atmosphere.

Tikal: Located just across the Guatemalan border, Tikal is home to the area's most famous ancient Mayan site. Several well-restored structures, the tallest pyramid in the western hemisphere and two museums create the perfect place to explore. Visitors here have their choce of dining and lodging.

Placencia: The beautiful 16-mile long Placencia Peninsula is home to Maya Beach, Seine Bight, and the tiny Creole fishing town Placencia Village, which is one of the oldest establishments in the country. Besides the sporting activities and beaches that are available here, Placencia is great doorway to the Monkey River or the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Located at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula in Central America, Belize borders Mexico and Guatemala, with the Caribbean Sea to the east. Off the coast are numerous small islands that straddle a coral reef second only in size to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The coastal strip - crossed by many rivers - is low and swampy, with mangroves, salt and freshwater lagoons, and sandy beaches. To the south and west is the forested Maya mountain range, with the Cockscomb range to the east and the Mountain Pine Ridge in the west.

Temperatures are warm year-round in Belize, with slightly chillier evenings. During the rainy summer season, showers are usually brief and are followed by sunshine. Hurricane season lasts from late August to early November, though strikes are rare and then only last an average of two days, with plenty of advance notice to prepare.

Spring 75° - 85°

Summer 80° - 90°

Fall 75° - 85°

Winter 65° - 80°

Belize is a year-round destination, though most travelers visit during March, April, and May. Those who vacation toward the end of the summer will find smaller crowds.

Visitors come to Belize for a variety of attractions: ancient Mayan archeological sites, excellent scuba diving at the Barrier Reef, dense rainforests, mighty mountain ranges, to name just a few. Add to that the wide variety of restaurants, and you'll find something to please most everyone.

Scuba Diving: Most reef diving is done off Ambergris Caye, where the reef is just a few hundred feet from shore. But don't ignore the atolls, which offer truly dramatic sights. Dive shops and guides are plentiful. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a break in the reef about 100 feet wide and 30 feet deep. It's rich with marine life and corals, as well as fairy basslets and moray eels. You'll also have a chance of spotting eagle rays, squirrel fish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, and octopus. The recently discovered Shark Ray Alley has been named one of the "seven best animal dives" in the Carribean by Skin Diver magazine, with loads of Nurse Sharks and Southern Sting Rays.

Beaches: Mainland Belize has more mangrove swamps than beaches, but the beaches on the cayes are spectacular. What they lack in size, they make up for in white-coral sand, palm trees, and mint-green water.

Shopping: In Belize City, visit the National Handicraft Center for all sorts of native Belizean products. Belize's beautiful stamps can be bought at Philatelic Society. In Ambergris Caye, head to Belizean Arts and Arts and Crafts of Central America for artwork, jewelry and crafts by local artists. In the Cayo District, check out the Magana Zaac-tunich Art Gallery, which specializes in hardwood carvings. In Seine Bight, near Placencia, step into Lola's Art for cheerful paintings of local scenes, inexpensive crafts, and wood carvings.

Ambergris Museum & Cultural Center: This air-conditioned building has displays that explain how Ambergris Caye was formed and settled by Maya, pirates, missionaries, and fishermen. Among the displays are Maya posts, a 17th-century ebony cross, and deer horn tools.

Belize Zoo: This is the best place to learn about the country's conservation efforts and see the native species you may not spot elsewhere. Though small, the natural settings for the animals are amazing. The zoo is home to jaguars, Baird's tapir, howler monkeys, and other species.

Community Baboon Sanctuary: This is one of the country's most interesting conservation projects. The "baboons" are actually black howler monkeys that have an exceptional roar. The sanctuary's 20-mile stretch along the Belize River is home to more than 1,000 of them and many other species.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: A chain of swamps, lagoons and inland waterways cover some 3,000 acres in this sanctuary, which was founded by the Belize Audobon Society. Bird-watchers will be delighted by the snowy egrets, ospreys, black-collared hawks, snail kites, and jabiru storks. Canoe tours are offered, and you're likely to see iguanas, turtles and crocodiles, as well.

Altun Ha: These ancient Mayan ruins are the most accessible in the area. The natives lived here from 945BC until 900AD. Explore more than 250 structures spread across more than 1,000 square yards.

Lamanai: Archeologists have found evidence that people occupied this ancient Mayan site from 1500 BC through the 16th century. Some 60 structures are spread across the 950-acre Archeological Reserve, including an enormous stepped temple built into the hillside.

Caracol: This is the most spectacular ancient Mayan site in Belize. Once home to 200,000 people, 5 plazas and 32 large structures remain. See the great pyramid of Canaa, which is still the tallest structure in the country.

Tikal: Right across the border in Guatemala are the most impressive Mayan ruins in all of Central America. People lived here from 600BC through at least 900AD, when Tikal was an important religious and administrative center. Today, great temples still tower above the jungle and ruins and museums are spread across 225 square miles.

Xunantich: Overlooking the Belize River, this ancient Mayan ceremonial center has a commanding view of the Belize Valley and is home to a 130-foot high pyramid, El Castillo. For over 100 years, archaeologists have been studying the magnificent ruins and perplexing wall friezes around the temples. A museum has just opened on-site.

Cave Tubing at Jaguar Reef: An all-day excursion complete with jungle hikes and flora exploration, cave tubing is a surreal experience. You and the inner tube float through underground river caves, peering up at enormous stalactites and stalagmites, and ancient Mayan artifacts.

The most common dish in Belize may be rice and beans, but fresh lobster, conch, and tropical reef fish abound. Belize also offers an exotic range of tropical fruits.

Gourmet: Mata Chica can only be accessed by water taxi from Ambergris Caye. Colored stucco walls sparkle against the white sand and the charming décor includes seashells used as salt-and-pepper shakers. The creative menu offers something for everyone. Diners can choose from tortellini, which is made fresh daily, bruschetta, or stone crab with homemade mayonnaise. 5 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

Highly Recommended: The Smoky Mermaid Restaurant & Bar is housed in the inner courtyard of a beautiful colonial bed and breakfast. A fountain and an abundance of tropical plants create a refreshing atmosphere. While the breakfast and lunch menus are generous, the real treats come out at night. Diners can choose from meat dishes such as rosemary lamb chops, or fish delicacies, like crusted fresh snapper. Finish with the chocolate walnut amaretto cake or the piña colada pie. 13 Cork Street, Belize City

Local Flair: BJ's is the perfect place to go for traditional Belizean fare. Inside the thatched cabana the chef whips up the best local dishes in the area, including serre, which is made with lobster, cassava and coconut cream. Diners can also get fresh juices made from fruit that grows right on the property. South of the football field, Placencia

Romantic: Fort Street Restaurant is set in a 1920s house with white trim, green-and-white striped awnings. Dine on the lovely wraparound porch, or inside the air-conditioned dining room. The inventive and ever-changing menu focuses mainly on Belize's fresh seafood. Lobster, shrimp, crab and conch always make an appearance. House specialties include steamed reef crab claws with parsley-lime butter and grouper del rey, served with sautéed spinach and cheddar cheese. Leave room for the luscious lime pie! 4 Fort Street, Belize City

The nightlife in Belize is considerably tamer than that of other tropical destinations. But almost every town has a handful of bars, many with live music and dancing on the weekend. Keep in mind that the bars and dances don't normally get going until midnight.

Bayman's Tavern: A large central bar and giant television help make this one of Belize City's most popular nightspots.

Harbor Room: This bar, with its pastel décor and wicker chairs, is where the city's expatriates go for live music in Belize City.

Calypso: Bands get the crowd jumping on the high-ceilinged dance floor at this Belize City club. There is a bar at one end and a restaurant at the other.

Princess Belize Hotel and Casino: The first Las Vegas-style casino opened in Belize recently, with a sparkling marble lobby and enormous game room. A big bar, free drinks, and buffet for players make this a great gaming location.

Fido's Courtyard: When in Ambergris Caye, head to this San Pedro hotspot for live music, even on weeknights.

Celi's: Also in San Pedro, Celi's has a great beach barbecue, and a local band often plays on the beach.

Cahal Pech Tavern: Situated near the ruins above the town of San Ignacio, this tavern is actually a giant hut where guests dance until dawn to some of Belize's best bands.

Baron Bliss Day: This holiday celebrates Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, a British sportsman who gave Belize an enormous estate in exchange for a holiday devoted to sailing and fishing. March 19

San Pedro Sea & Air Festival: This multicultural party takes place in Ambergris Caye. Entertainers come for 4 days from around Belize, as well as from other Central American and Caribbean countries. August

Battle of St George's Caye: A week of carnivals and parties mark the anniversary of the victory by British settlers over the Spanish navy. September

National Independence Day: This festive affair celebrates the country's independence from Great Britain in 1981. September 21

Garifuna Settlement Day: Dancing and processions take place in memory of the day the Black Carib settlers (known as Garifuna) arrived from the West Indes in 1823. November 19

Casual dress is the norm, and T-shirts and shorts are fine near the beach and in tourist areas. In the smaller towns, people wear casual but more modest attire, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants or a mid-calf skirt. A hat will come in handy to block the sun from your face, and a lightweight raincoat is sometimes needed for periods of brief rain.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

English is the official and primary language of Belize.

The electrical current in Belize is 110 volts, 60 cycles AC, with electrical outlets that are the same as in the US. Visitors will not need adapters or converters to use their American-made appliances.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Entry: US residents need a valid passport to enter Belize, and may stay up to 30 days

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directly from a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Belize Customs: Visitors can bring in 3 liters of liquor and 1 carton of cigarettes duty-free. All electronic and electrical appliances, cameras and jewelry must be declared at entry. Visitors can bring in the equivalent of $250 in foreign currency per day of their stay. Any amount above that must be declared.

US Customs: Residents who have been out of the country for 48 hours or longer can bring home $600 of goods duty-free, as well as 200 cigarettes and 100 non-Cuban cigars. Residents 21 and older can bring back one liter of alcohol duty-free.

The Belize Tourism Board: New Central Bank Building, Level 2, Gabourel Lane, PO Box 325, Belize City, Belize, phone: 1-800-624-0686 toll-free in USA, fax: 501-2-31943, email: btbb@btl.net

Washington DC: Belize Embassy, 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, phone 202-332-9636