Belize: Beyond Beguiling
My first visit to Belize was framed by a two-week archaeological excavation of an ancient Mayan settlement called Blue Creek, located a bit inland in the northwestern part of the country. I went as a volunteer and was assigned to a graduate student excavating a medium-sized temple with a secret passageway and a large midden hole. My home for the duration consisted of a private tent with a cot and two outhouses. Our hearty group of volunteers shared camp duties (cooking, cleaning, washing) and we worked in the field every day for eight hours. It was hot, it was sweaty, it was dirty, but unlike anything I’ve ever done since. While nothing too exciting was uncovered during my short tenure, the site has since morphed into a substantial trove of artifacts and important historical knowledge.
On another visit, I took my family. A highlight included an all-day excursion navigating a “wet cave”. After a two-mile hike through the muddy jungle, we proceeded to hike three miles into the bowels of a bat-infested cave, sometimes swimming under boulders and climbing up waterfalls. On the return journey, we jumped off said waterfalls, usually into a black void. Probably one of the most challenging excursions I’ve ever been on. But the kids loved it, of course.
Over the years, I have returned to Belize, drawn to its natural beauty conceived in jungle and water. An easy country to get to, and it’s often overlooked for its more famous neighbors, Mexico and Guatemala. It truly is a hidden gem with so much to offer. English is widely spoken (as it was part of the British Empire until 1981), and the dollar is widely accepted. The hardest part about visiting Belize is deciding what to do. Dive on the second largest barrier reef in the world? Explore ancient Mayan temples? Uncover hidden mountain waterfalls and caves? Zipline over the jungle canopy? Laze on a pristine island beach? Of course, why not do it all if possible?
Belize is a destination where the choice is yours; you can choose luxury and comfort, or adrenaline and adventure. Live-aboard dive boats can offer the best of both worlds (even if you don’t dive), as do comfy beach bungalows situated on hidden island beaches. Each adventure is capped with delicious Caribbean fusion food and very danceable calypso vibes.
Written By: Kim Helland