Travel guide Belize

Mahogany is Belize's national tree. It is the central element of the national flag. This tree has left its mark on the country's history. Easy to work, and easily preserved in the European climate, it was exploited by settlers in the second half of the ^18th century and exported to Europe from the Belizean coast.

The Belize Barrier Reef is almost 300 kilometers long, making it the second largest barrier reef in the world, second only to the Australian Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and diving enthusiasts will be delighted.

"Caye", "cayo", "key", many pronunciations are possible to designate these paradise islands that abound in the country. The most famous are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. But there are more than a thousand of them scattered along Belize's 386 km coastline. Most of these cays are uninhabited.

Creole is a widespread language in Belize. Spoken by Mayans, Garifunas and Mestizos alike, almost half the population claims to be fluent. The language is closely related to various other derivatives of English spoken in the region, such as Jamaican patois, or Creole from the province of San Andrés in Colombia.

A large percentage of Belize's forest is primary, i.e. untouched, and has never been exploited or fragmented by man. The Belizean forest is home to an impressive number of animal and plant species, making these territories extraordinary observation points for Central America's biodiversity.

Descended from a mix of African slaves and Caribbean natives, the Garifunas were expelled from St. Vincent, where they lived, by the British at the end of the ^18th century. Today, the majority of Garifunas live in Belize, particularly in the Stan Creek district. The community numbers around 15,000.

With around a thousand jaguars recorded in Belize, the country boasts one of the largest populations in Central America. The Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary, near Placencia, created in 1986, is still a haven for many species of feline, including jaguars, ocelots and pumas, not to mention the inevitable howler monkeys.

Mayan culture is omnipresent in Belize. Temples and caves bear witness to the importance of this civilization. Established as early as 2600 BC in what is now Belize, Mayan civilization lasted until the end of the ^17th century. Today, 11% of the country's population is of Mayan descent.

Traditional Mennonites, easily recognizable by their old-fashioned clothing (overalls for men, headscarves for women), long beards for men and wooden-wheeled carriages, live in small wooden farms, without electricity or modern means of production or communication, by religious choice.

Garifunas, Mayas, Mennonites, immigrants (Chinese, Taiwanese, English, Americans, Canadians...), Belize is an impressive mix of populations and cultures. Many languages are spoken, and depending on who you talk to, you can practice your English, Spanish, German or Mandarin.

Belize's coral reef will satisfy all those who like to put their head under the water to discover the extremely rich underwater world here. Turtles, rays and sharks, even great whale sharks in the right season!

It's hard to miss punta music once you've arrived in Belize. Whether in clubs, cabs, bars or on TV, punta music is everywhere. This musical style is specific to the Garifuna culture, and there's a dance associated with it. It takes the form of a duet between a man and a woman in the middle of a circle formed by the audience.