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Americans are flocking south as temperatures drop across the United States.
There’s no place they’d rather be than the sunny regionwhere it is not only nice and warm, but where the locals are hospitable and the prices are more attractive.
While Mexico remains the most popular destination overall, attracting more than 30 million visitors in one year and dominating headlines, there is a lesser known destination posted a significant year-over-year increase, with a 25% increase in overnight stays since 2022.
The small English-speaking country Belize is calling on tourists to return after a few quiet years, and judging by the latest wave of popularity, it looks like they’re heeding that call:
The smallest country in Central America has a lot to offer
Belize is a postcolonial country bordering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, on the northern edge of the Central American isthmus, with a short coastline on the Caribbean Sea and a small area of only 8,867 square miles.
Populated by approximately 441,000 peopleIt’s officially the smallest and least densely populated country in Central America, and compared to its neighbors it can feel quite unspoiled or even rural, but that doesn’t mean it suffers from a shortage of beautiful natural or man-made sights.
The history of Belize, at least the recorded one, begins with the Mayan civilization, which roamed and settled in the area the country would eventually occupy, until the period of Spanish raids and subsequent colonization in the 16th century.
From the arrival of the first fleet of Europeans, Belize would undergo dramatic changes, especially after the decline of Mayan culture and the Spanish transfer to the British two centuries later: since then it has a Commonwealth State.
If you’re not familiar with the term, it mainly refers to the families of former British colonies that still have the British monarch as head of state. All this to say that Belize, unlike its immediate neighbors, is English-speak.
English is widely spoken in Belize
From a socio-cultural perspective, this makes it a particularly intriguing destination, as it is the only Central American state where English is an official language. Needless to say, it also appeals to Americans who may feel some excitement about visiting one abroad where they don’t speak the language.
Granted, most Belizeans will speak a ‘Creole’ form of English, with imported vernacular from Spanish and native Mayan words, but most of it remains understandable. Of course, that’s not the only fascinating thing about Belize:
King Charles may hold the crown on paper, but here nature is in charge de facto reigning queen.
Belize’s wildlife is a force to be reckoned with
Because it is so sparsely populated, much of the national territory is forested, hiding towering waterfalls, other geological formations and deep sinkholes of the shiniest blue. In fact, the most famous sinkhole in the world belongs to Belize.
If you’re passionate about travel and nature, you’ve probably seen it making the rounds on social media: a deep azure, ring-shaped sea inlet surrounded by turquoise waters, usually photographed from above.
Helicopter flights over the Great Blue Hole can be quite pricey, from about $200, but it’s a unique experience you won’t want to miss. Luckily, that’s probably the most expensive tourist attraction in Belize, as much of the wildlife is plentiful free to gain access.
Imagine relaxed beach towns sprawling across the pristine sands and embraced by the warm waters of the Caribbean, colorful barrier reefs – the second largest, after Australia’s Great Barrier – and a roaring ‘Mayan King’ waterfall nestled in in the heart of the Belizean jungle.
The trendiest destination in Belize is Ambergris Caye, the largest island in the country and a popular spot for water sports. It is the most common gateway for excursions to Great Blue Hole, and it is also home to the charming colonial settlement of San Pedro.
Other unusual gems include the relaxed fishing village Placenciaon the mainland coast, with palm-lined beaches and an emerging resort life, with room rates at local resorts from $192 per night this winter, Belize Citythe largest and best developed city and national capital Belmopan.
Belmopan is the smallest capital of the Americas, with fewer than 17,000 inhabitants and a surprisingly high concentration of museums. It doesn’t end there: remember the Mayans we mentioned earlier?
One of the best countries to see Mayan ruins
Like Mexico and every other country that once belonged to the Mayan world, it is chock full of Mesoamerican cities. From tourist-friendly archaeological zones to overgrown ruins that have yet to be fully excavated and catalogued, the list of ancient historical sites goes on.
However, it is the largest and most important thing ever excavated Caracolwhich is among the largest Mayan cities ever discovered, alongside Chichen Itza on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tikal in Guatemala and the incredibly vast Copan in Honduras.
In the Mayan ruins category, Caracol is already quite off-path, but if you really want to embody the spirit of discovery, Xunantunich should be at the top of your bucket list: the pyramid there is the second tallest structure in all of Belizeand the site has been left essentially undisturbed for nature to reclaim.
Belize is relatively safe to visit
And last but not least: Belize safer than people might think.
We know that Central America has a reputation as a no man’s land due to widespread gang activity in some countries and incessant political unrest, but Belize has proven remarkably stable in recent years and violent crime against tourists is largely under control.
According to the U.S. Department of State, it is about as safe as Mexico, meaning you don’t have to worry too much about safety when traveling to resorts and tourist towns in Belize, but maintain a higher level of situational awareness and watching out for pickpockets is important. best advised.
Recently, low-cost carrier Jetblue added Belize as its newest destination in Central America, with flights from New York-JFK for as cheap as $114 one way this winter, as seen on company officials Best fare finder.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
