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Belize Zoom Map
 Geographically
this country is small in size (8,866 square miles), but, it's
gigantic in attractions and diversity. The mainland and coastal
cayes are remarkable wonders. The topography changes rapidly
as do compass points. Travelers see estuaries, rivers, jungle,
mountains, coral reefs, expansive underground caves, glorious
waterfalls and an incredible collection of wildlife.
Every year more and more visitors are discovering Belize.
Most come to dive, fish, enjoy the wildlife and explore ancient
ruins. Some come to relax, some for the education, and many
for the diving.
Belize offers all ranges of diving - from shore diving in
shallow water to the Great Blue Hole at over 200 feet (61m)
deep.
The Belize Barrier Reef spans 185 miles (297 km) of coast
with the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere. Dive
sites are located inside and outside of the reef. Outside
the reef, look for spur and groove formations - narrow canyons
of corals. Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds
of brightly colored fish and coral species.
 Belize
boasts three offshore atolls: Turneffe, Glover's Reef and
Lighthouse Reef. Together they easily provide more than a
hundred dive and snorkeling sites. Lighthouse atoll is where
you will find the famous Blue Hole, with a depth of 480 feet
and stalagtites at 130 feet.
Great diving can be found from the mainland or from a number
of resorts on the tiny islands offshore.
Most of the Belize marine ecosystem is protected under World
Heritage Sites and because of this, the diving remains pristine.
Climate Annual Mean - Temp 79F 26C
Water Temps 75 - 84F 24 - 29C
U/W Visibility Often 100+ ft 30+ m
on the atolls, a little lower inside the reef
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Dive
Services / Accommodations
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Anchorage Resort
P.O Box 25, Caye Caulker
Belize, Central America.
Tel.: 501-226-0304
Fax.: 501-226-0391
anchorageresort@yahoo.com
www.anchorageresort.com
2 acres of white sandy beach and you relax under the cocunut
palms, lie on the hammocks, the beachchairs, the pier or the
sundeck. We offer scuba diving, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking,
mainland tours and much more.
Blue
Marlin Lodge
15 Mahogany Street, Box 21
Dangriga, Belize
Central America
Tel.: +11-501-520-5104 / 522-2243
Fax.: +11-501-520-2296
E-Mail: reservations@bluemarlinlodge.com
Web: http://www.bluemarlinlodge.com
The Blue Marlin Lodge offers vacationers simple pleasures
to help them relax. It's no secret that truly phenomenal dive
and fish locations are few and far between. The southern atolls,
the barrier reef, and the cayes off the lower Belizean coastline
offer an untainted mecca for divers and fishermen to explore
and preserve.
Chaa Creek Rainforest Reserve, Adventure
Centre and Spa
P.O. Box 53,
San Ignacio Town,
Cayo District,
Belize
Tel.: 501-824-2037
Fax.: 501-824-2501
reservations@chaacreek.com
www.chaacreek.com
Chaa Creek Cottages are set in lush tropical gardens along
the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya
Mountains of Cayo, Western Belize. The cottage compound, within
the Chaa Creek Nature Reserve, provides a perfect compromise
between comfort and a true wilderness experience.
St.
Georges Caye Resort
Box
1880
Belize City, Belize
Central America
Tel: Toll Free: 1-877-517-9365
E-Mail: info@gooddiving.com
Web: http://www.gooddiving.com
St. Georges Caye Resort is a tropical paradise island only
a short boat ride from Belize City. St. Georges Caye Resort
is the only dedicated dive and fishing resort on the island,
with private cabanas built over the sea facing a lagoon as
well as beachfront cabanas with spectacular views of the Caribbean.
This all inclusive resort is truly a diver's dream and a fisherman's
fantasy.
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Getting
There
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Travelling
By Air
International flights to Belize go through Charlotte,
Dallas, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Flights arrive in Belize City, then if you are heading
to the offshore cays and atolls, you will travel from
here either by boat or small private charter plane, depending
on location.
The major airlines servicing Belize are:
Air
Jamaica
American
Airlines
Continental
TACA
US
Airways
Entry Requirements
With the exception of cruise ship passengers, all visitors
to Belize must present a valid passport before entering
the country. Passports must be valid up until time of
departure.
VISAS
United States and Canadian citizens, nationals of Caricom
countries and of the European Community member nations
(Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Denmark, Ireland, UK, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria,
Finland, Sweden) do not require visas.
Visas are required for nationals of the following countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh,
Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Central African Republic, Chad,
China, Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras,
India, Japan, Korea (North and South), Libya, Monaco,
Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama,
Peru, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, and Zaire.
Helpful Tips
If you are visiting the Cayes and/or the Barrier Reef,
bring your shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits, as well
as some comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes. As the
sun is probably more intense than what you are used to
at home, bring a cap to protect your head from the tropical
sun when you are boating and/or fishing and use sunscreen
protection.
Loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and camping
shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes
or boots are appropriate for exploring the Mainland or
trekking through the rain forest. When visiting the Maya
Ruins or traipsing through the jungle, a hat with a wide
brim will provide shade from the tropical sun, as well
as provide protection from a tropical shower.
Getting Around
Ambergris Caye, the largest of about 1000 cayes (islands)
located in the northern most waters of Belize, Central
America. This narrow strip of paradise surrounded by the
azure Caribbean, is approximately 25 miles long and was
once a part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Get there by small
plane or water taxi.
Taxi service is available to and from destinations in
San Pedro Town, as far north as the river and as far south
as Victoria House, the hotel furthest to the south of
Ambergris Caye. Most hotels and resorts provide transportation
for guests to and from the airstrip and boat docks. Taxi
fare is charged according to the number of persons and
how far you wanted to be transported.
Caye Caulker is located 12 miles from the mainland. It
is only 5 miles long and seperated into 2 parts. The main
village is on the southern portion. Get there by small
plane (Maya Island and Tropic Air offer flights from Belize
City) or water taxi.
On the mainland, you will want some form of transportation.
The least expensive way to get around Belize on a day
to day basis is by bus. Buses run regular schedules and
by other Central American standards, Belizean buses are
clean, roomy and efficient. No reservations required though
often recommended as some bus routes fill up quickly and
completely. Rental cars are also available in the larger
towns and cities. There are many international and local
rental agencies available.
Language
Everyone in Belize speaks English.
Tipping
Tip if you find the service good. Tipping can range from
10-15%. |
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Request
More Diving & Accommodations Information
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