Belize The Ultimate Eco Friendly Destination

F or the ardent naturalist        the 1860’s, citizens of the        in search of rainforest         southern states moved to Belize    adventure or the traveler       to preserve their way of life and  seeking sun and surf, Belize          German Mennonites in Belize still  offers luxury and first-class         live life as their ancestors did   opportunities for a vacation set      centuries ago.                     in natural splendor. The people                                          of Belize are eager to share          The 20th century welcomed Asian    their magnificent landscape and       and Middle Eastern newcomers to    its opportunities with travelers      Belize. If mixing with people      from around the world.                from culturally diverse                                                  backgrounds is what you look for   Belize, a tiny spot on the map on     as part of your travel adventure,  the Atlantic coast of Central         Belize provides colorful           America, is a remarkable country      individuals and an example of      that is well-known as an              multi-cultural harmony. Upon       eco-friendly tourist destination.     gaining their independence the     Once a British colony called          population of merely 300,000       British Honduras, where English       people decided that their way of   remains the official language,        life could be preserved by         Belize became an independent          fostering eco-tourism based upon   country just a few decades ago in     the unique natural splendor of     1981. Native people originate         their small country, making it a   from the Mayan culture, while         premier destination for nature     descendents of colonial               lovers at all levels.              immigrants from England and                                              Scotland, plus their African          Bird watchers can catch a glimpse  slaves add a global mixture to        of unique multi-colored tropical   the country’s melting pot. At the     birds found nowhere else in the    time of the American Civil War in     world and view North American      birds that migrate to the forests     Ancient Mayan people left          for Belize in winter. Birders         glimpses of their civilization in  from around the globe flock to        the form of fantastic Mayan ruins  Belize for guided tours through       that are being restored by the     the rainforest canopy in search       government. Even though Belize is  of local birds, many of which are     a poor country compared to many    rare. Butterflies are another         other nations, the government has  grand attraction in Belize and        given priority to preserving the   visitors are enthralled by their      irreplaceable heritage of ancient  color and diversity.                  people that these ruins                                                  represent. Touring these restored  Discerning dive enthusiasts are       Mayan settlements is a marvelous   already aware that the reefs off      experience akin to visiting the    the coast of Belize are home to       treasures of Egypt, plus the       some of the best diving               admission fees contribute to the   opportunities on the planet.          preservation and restoration       Islands, called cayes, abound         efforts.                           that protect divers from the                                             vagaries of open waters. The          A stop at Belize is included in    north coast of Belize is home to      Caribbean cruises that originate   the premier snorkeling and diving     in the United States. But a        sites Hol Chan Marine Reserve and     one-day visit, while               Shark Ray Alley. Nearby coral         breathtaking, is certainly not     atolls provide the clearest water     enough to fully appreciate the     with ample opportunities to view      natural splendor of this           magnificent coral formations that     eco-friendly country, so           are home to exotic fish and a         welcoming to tourists. To          natural water phenomenon called       experience all that Belize has to  the Blue Hole.                        offer, stay at one of the many                                           fine resorts and lodges that       blend into the natural landscape      available in a tropical setting.   without pretension.                                                                                            The new luxury resorts are         Belize is the destination of          situated on the coast where sandy  choice for savvy travelers who        beaches provide added attraction.  seek to vacation in peace and         Travelers who wish to partake of   natural splendor. For luxury          all the natural splendor of        travel in complete privacy            Belize may prefer to stay at       consider renting a private island     eco-friendly inland resorts.       accommodation complete with           While not five-star resorts like   experienced staff. Another option     the ocean-front properties, these  is to visit one of the newly          resorts offer excellent            constructed villa resorts that        accommodations, meals and service  promise “luxury surrounded by         in complete harmony with the       adventure” in a lush tropical         natural surroundings. Guests at    environment. Belize represents an     these properties can enjoy an      emerging market for luxury            early morning bird watching        travel; upscale travelers to          expedition or an afternoon dip in  five-star resorts in Belize can       a private pool under the           expect new and modern                 rainforest canopy.                 accommodations. The local cuisine                                        represents a delightful mix of        No matter the preference, for an   cultures and, like luxury resorts     oceanfront luxury resort or a      around the globe, expect fine         first-class eco-friendly           dining at these resorts. An added     destination, Belize ranks high     bonus is that dishes are made         among the world's best-kept        from the finest of fresh products     travel secrets.                    About the Author Justine has been a journalist for 20 years and is a contributor to Just The Planet, the online luxury travel magazine for independent travellers. Published At: www.Isnare.com