Welcome to Belize!

Facing the Caribbean Sea, nestled snugly between Guatemala and Maexico, lies Belize. It's a narrow slice of land hugging the coast and rooted in the tropical rain forests, and it covers roughly the same area as the state of Massachusetts. Out in the seas there are over 400 islands that belong to this geologically diverse nation, and in the background stand the Maya Mountains, framing the expanse of jungle and tropical rain forests below. In the north, near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, the land flattens out to make way for acres and acres of sugarcane. Nowhere in Belize does it ever feel too crowded, for this is the least densely populated country in Central America. Visitors come to Belize for all these reasons, and they grow to love Belize for so many more reasons as well. For here lies some of the world's best diving, fishing, eco-travel adventures, hundreds of species of birds, perfect beaches, breathtaking wildlife, and majestic Maya ruins. You will want to come back to Belize after your first visit, because there's so much to do, so many new things to see, so many areas to explore, so many pathways to walk. Come to Belize and discover why this Central American nation is really the gem of the Caribbean.

Exploring Belize: the 6 main regions

Although Belize is just a strip of land on the coast, it has a surprising variety of geographical features and diverse zones. For example, the South is markedly more rainy, wet, hot, and jungle-ey than the Northern part of Belize. The coastal areas are low-lying with lagoons and rivers, and the interior region features mountain ranges. Each of the six main regions described here is distinctive not only in geography but also in local culture, indiginous wildlife, and plantlife as well. Check out these pages to help plan your itinerary in Belize:

• Placencia and Surrounding Area
• The Cayo
• Toledo and the South Part of Belize
• Northern & Central Belize
• The Cayes and Atolls
• Belize City