Belize The Central American country of Belize in located
in the Western Caribbean. Belize shares it's borders with Mexico
to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and 174 miles of
coastline with the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize land mass encompasses
over 22,800 square kilometers/8,803 square with approximately 266
square miles of islands. Language Although English is the official language of Belize, while visiting you are likely to hear Creole, Spanish, as well Yucatec, Ketchi and Mopan dialects of the Belize Maya. You are also likely to encounter the Germanic based language spoken by the Mennonite as well as the Garifuna language of the coastal populations, the Garinagu. Currency The official currency is the Belize dollar, it has a fixed exchange rate to the US dollar. One US dollar is equivalent to two Belize dollars. Most restaurants, gift shops and tour operators will accept U.S. currency, traveler checks, or mayor credit cards. Please note that when using your credit cards in Belize, most businesses will add a 5% service charge to your bill. Be sure to ask when making purchases whether the price quoted is in US or Belize dollars. Weather The weather in Belize is subtropical. The annual mean temperature is 30 degrees Celcius/80 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches per year in the far northern Orange Walk District to as much as 165 inches in the far southern Toledo District. The rainy season usually runs from mid June through late August, with the dry season primarily from January until late May. During the rainy season it generally rains during the night, though at any time of the year an occasional refreshing rain can pop up at a moments notice. Getting To Belize
PLACENCIA Placencia Village lies on the southern tip of a 16 mile long peninsula. It is located about 100 miles south of Belize City and 51 miles from Dangriga Town. As the gateway to the longest sand beaches in Belize, the village is poised on the pinnacle of discovery. Less than ten years ago, it could only be reached by fishing boat. Now ten years later it has turned into a sleepy seaside resort. The dirt road running 26 miles along the peninsula's spine was only built in 1986, connecting Placencia to the Southern Highway. Placencia must be one of the most laid-back places in Belize. The main street is actually a single concrete sidewalk running through the village, built some 30 years ago as a means of wheel-barrowing fish around without fighting the sand. It still serves as the main artery of life in town. Clapboard houses on stilts are randomly clustered along the sidewalk. The north end of the sidewalk starts at the beach designated for camping. To the south, it ribbons its way past numerous local businesses. Along the sidewalk is one of Placencia's oldest structures, the octagonal Anglican Church. The name Placencia, shared by the village and its peninsula, was given by Huguenots. Members of this strict Protestant sect fled religious persecution in Europe, tried out Nova Scotia in Canada, then immigrated to Belize in 1740. They chose this remote point which the ancient Maya had once used as a fishing camp (as excavated pottery shards and house mounds indicate). The Huguenots were eventually beaten by the tropical heat and diseases from the nearby swamps, abandoning the settlement in 1820. But they did have occasional good times! Dozens of 17th century bottles and clay pipes have been dug up at the appropriately-named Rum Point, a couple of miles north of the village. It is thought that Huguenots went there to smoke and drink out of sight of their womenfolk and away from religious restrictions. Though little concrete evidence exists, local legend has it that buccaneers often used the excellent protection of the Placencia Peninsula as a harbor. Placencia was restarted as a fishing camp in the mid 1800's. With the wealth of marine life and proximity of the Barrier Reef, it prospered. Though many of the fishermen have given up their lines and spear guns for binoculars and dive gear, cashing in on their local knowledge to guide tourists, the village still celebrates June 29 as Fishermen's Day. A Catholic Mass, boat parade, and the blessing of the fishing fleet precedes a town-wide party where visitors are welcomed. Placencia is one of the few places in Belize where you can walk for miles along a sandy beach. It is possible to stroll seven miles north of the village without interruption reaching Seine Bight Village. Despite the many upscale resorts lining the coasts, there are still many secluded beaches. Swimming is best at points of the land where sand builds up. Snorkelers will find meadows of grass beds bordering the coastline, dotted by clusters of small coral patch reefs. Snorkeling can offer you more than a glimpse of the wonders of the Belize marine waters. Belizeans have always known that diving is better in the southern half of the country. What makes diving so interesting in Placencia is that here there is a distinct change between the northern and southern structure of the Barrier Reef. The rich varieties of marine habitats also make Placencia an excellent place for sport fishing. Grassy shallows around many of the cays are home to schools of bonefish, tarpon and permit. Trolling along drop-offs and channels nearly always land barracudas, jacks, and occasionally the mighty kingfish. The mangrove habitat is one of the most important ecosystems in Belize. Kayaking and canoeing in the Placencia Lagoon is one way of silently viewing the tremendous amount of wildlife. Though unpredictable, the manatee feed in the extensive grass beds and calves in the secluded bays and river emptying into the lagoon. Area Developments and Timelines Deep port for cruise ship dockings to be completed in the next year in the area – land and development investments are anticipated to rise rapidly thereafter. Upgrading and paving of road from Belize City to Placencia is due to be completed within 2005/2006. Recreational activities in the area
Belize is the choice destination for your fun-filled vacation. Choose among the following:
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