Belize was a British colony until 1964 called British Honduras. For this reason, the national language is English. Belize is the only country in Central America where just about everyone still speaks English (and Spanish). In 1964, British Honduras became a self-governing colony. On June 1, 1973, British Honduras officially became Belize. And on September 21, 1981, Belize achieved independence.

The capital of Belize is Belmopan, an inland city. The major airport, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, is in the coastal port of Belize City. Cruise ships dock in Belize City. Some other big cities include San Ignacio, near the border of Guatemala and the Xunantunich Mayan ruins; Placencia, a beautiful tourist city in the south of Belize; San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, an island about an hour and a half boat ride from Belize City; and Corozal, just 9 miles south of the Mexican border and historically famous for sugar cane plantations.

Belize borders the Caribbean Sea on the east and Guatemala on the west. In between, you can find natural wonders like thick jungle, Mayan ruins, vast caverns, green fields, and tall mountains.

Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world and the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. You can find abundant marine life in the reef. Also just off the coast before the barrier reef are hundreds of low-lying islands, called cayes (pronounced keys).

North American winter is the best time to visit Belize, from mid-November until mid-April. This is the country’s dry season. Summer is the rainy season, although “rainy” usually means a light shower late in the day to remove humidity. However, any time is good to go to Belize. You’re almost guaranteed blue skies, warm breezes, cool dips, and exciting excursions on any trip to Belize!