A LUXURY VACATION TO BELIZE

Once calling only the most daring, Belize is quickly becoming one of Latin America’s rising stars. Just half of the territory comprises land, making the oceans a big part of the allure. The Belize Barrier Reef spans 300 kilometers from Cancún to Honduras and is the world’s second-largest coral reef system, making it a premier diving spot. In southern Belize, Placencia tempts with turtle and Whale Shark sightings close to the shore, while Hopkin’s waters, further north, teem with marine life and vivid corals.

Actun Tunichil Muknal, often dubbed the “Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre,” is a portal into the Maya’s mystic past. Inside, calcified remains of human sacrifices and intricate ceremonial altars reveal rituals and appeasements to the Maya gods. Trek jungle trails and wade through rivers, all before descending into the subterranean chambers that plunge down almost four miles.

The Belize Lobster Festival is an annual seafood celebration that marks the beginning of lobster season. A fusion of Belizean culture and culinary passion, the event is celebrated across the country, in places such as Caye Caulker, Placencia, and San Pedro, The festival sees locals and tourists indulge in lobster delights, while vibrant parades with live music, dance performances, and even lobster-themed competitions bring the streets to life.

Celebrated on September 21, Independence Day marks Belize’s official separation from British rule in 1981. This national holiday is met with a burst of patriotic fervor, with streets erupting with parades, colourful costumes, and rhythm. Belizeans proudly don their national colours, while flag-raising ceremonies, carnivals, and fireworks fill the skies. Folk dances, music, and traditional foods play a central role.

Take to the skies to explore the Great Blue Hole, one of the world’s largest marine sinkholes, reaching depths of 125m and widths of over 300m. The free-fall descent is regarded as one of the more extraordinary skydives in the world, providing a bird’s-eye view of the deep azure chasm. The Great Blue Hole sits within the expansive Belize Barrier Reef, 70 km offshore. The jump requires a water landing, but tandem jumps can be organised with no prior experience.

Nestled deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, this ancient city once rivaled the grandeur of Tikal in Guatemala. The site’s centrepiece, the “Sky Place” or Caana pyramid, dominates the landscape, offering panoramic jungle views from its peak. With its intricate ball courts, stone slabs detailing age-old victories, and plazas echoing rituals of the past, Caracol offers visitors a journey through the intricacies of Mayan politics, warfare, and cosmology.