The tiniest British colony is nestled right on the coast between Mexico and Guatemala. This country's official language is English, the Queen of England is on all of its currency, it's filled with nature reserves, home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, and it's also home to some of the kindest, most cheerful people I have ever met. It's a perfect mix of beautiful beaches and islands along the coast, and lush jungles and rolling hills farther inland.
It's un-Belize-able!
You betta Belize it!
My first stop in Belize was in Caye (pronounced KEY, don't sound like a tourist) Caulker when I was on my way down from Mexico - I had reached the border town of Chetumal on the Mexican side, had to pay $22 in B.S. scam 'tourist fees' to leave the country.
*Important side note about leaving Mexico*
*In order to avoid paying this 'tourist fee', you need a PRINT OUT of your airline ticket that shows you've already paid the tourist fee that was included in your flight price. I had it on my phone but since there are 'no phones allowed', the guard refused to look at it and forced me to pay. I'm still furious about it.*
In Chetumal's local bus station that's near the main ADO station, every colorful (former U.S. school) bus was on its way to Belize City.
There were a group of four Aussies and a Czech guy also at the station, so we all boarded the same janky old bus. Along the way for the next four hours, there would be occasional Belizean local hitchhikers that the bus would always stop for, or people selling snacks and drinks board the bus and walk down the aisles. By the time we reached Belize city, the bus was packed to the max. I had given up a seat for a woman and her baby, and was standing squished between two people in the aisle, and halfway sitting on a man who was in the seat behind me.
From the Belize City bus station, those of us continuing on to Caye Caulker shared a taxi to the water taxi station, and waited for the next water taxi. I ended up not staying a night in Belize City because, although it's not as sketchy and dangerous as people say if you stick to the main streets, there are also not too many things to do or see there.
Caye Caulker was BEAUTIFUL. It was the first place I went to that was oozing with the sought-after 'island feel'. Not one road was paved, palm trees and conch shells were everywhere, and Rastafarian homies were chilling on every block, ready to try and sell you things (legal and illegal) or to just tell you to have a nice day, stay beautiful, and remember to smile.
Things to do there include chilling out in the water around any of the docks, sunbathing on the 'split', kayaking, taking a snorkeling or diving tour, eating lobster and other seafood at any of the many restaurants on the main street, or just hanging out in some random hammocks or benches that seem to be everywhere.
This was the place where I went snorkeling for the first time in my life, and I was terrified to say the least. The waves of the ocean passed the barrier reef were MASSIVE and the little tube coming out of my snorkeling gear, my only defense against drowning and being swallowed by the waves, seemed tiny in comparison. But it was 1000% worth it. I went on a half-day snorkeling tour, which included dives in two marine reserves and Shark-Ray alley, and lunch on the boat. The coral reefs and the hundreds of species of fish living around them were breathtaking. We saw tiny colorful little tykes, schools of shimmering larger fish, some big ugly mf's, a barracuda, a spotted manta ray, and just so many varieties all living together in harmony. Shark-ray alley was also something crazy to me. As we were sitting in the boat, the driver said, "Oh look, here they come!" and looking down there were just massive dark, shark-shaped masses starting to surround us. Then he told us to jump in. We just floated on top of the water looking down, and nurse sharks and sting rays were swimming incredibly close to us underneath. Checked off so many things on my bucket list in one day!
*Tip: I could have paid twice as much for a whole-day tour ($70 U.S. vs $35), but I was exhausted after just a half day. I was happy to save money and still have such an amazing experience.
After Caye Caulker it was straight to Guatemala, but just to give you an idea on the beauty of Belize inland, here's a picture of the backyard of an organic farm close to the Lubantuun ruins I took on the way back up to Mexico. It's all green, all jungle like you've never seen before.
Last one: Don't stop Belize-in!
It's un-Belize-able!
You betta Belize it!
My first stop in Belize was in Caye (pronounced KEY, don't sound like a tourist) Caulker when I was on my way down from Mexico - I had reached the border town of Chetumal on the Mexican side, had to pay $22 in B.S. scam 'tourist fees' to leave the country.
*Important side note about leaving Mexico*
*In order to avoid paying this 'tourist fee', you need a PRINT OUT of your airline ticket that shows you've already paid the tourist fee that was included in your flight price. I had it on my phone but since there are 'no phones allowed', the guard refused to look at it and forced me to pay. I'm still furious about it.*
In Chetumal's local bus station that's near the main ADO station, every colorful (former U.S. school) bus was on its way to Belize City.
There were a group of four Aussies and a Czech guy also at the station, so we all boarded the same janky old bus. Along the way for the next four hours, there would be occasional Belizean local hitchhikers that the bus would always stop for, or people selling snacks and drinks board the bus and walk down the aisles. By the time we reached Belize city, the bus was packed to the max. I had given up a seat for a woman and her baby, and was standing squished between two people in the aisle, and halfway sitting on a man who was in the seat behind me.
From the Belize City bus station, those of us continuing on to Caye Caulker shared a taxi to the water taxi station, and waited for the next water taxi. I ended up not staying a night in Belize City because, although it's not as sketchy and dangerous as people say if you stick to the main streets, there are also not too many things to do or see there.
Caye Caulker was BEAUTIFUL. It was the first place I went to that was oozing with the sought-after 'island feel'. Not one road was paved, palm trees and conch shells were everywhere, and Rastafarian homies were chilling on every block, ready to try and sell you things (legal and illegal) or to just tell you to have a nice day, stay beautiful, and remember to smile.
Things to do there include chilling out in the water around any of the docks, sunbathing on the 'split', kayaking, taking a snorkeling or diving tour, eating lobster and other seafood at any of the many restaurants on the main street, or just hanging out in some random hammocks or benches that seem to be everywhere.
This was the place where I went snorkeling for the first time in my life, and I was terrified to say the least. The waves of the ocean passed the barrier reef were MASSIVE and the little tube coming out of my snorkeling gear, my only defense against drowning and being swallowed by the waves, seemed tiny in comparison. But it was 1000% worth it. I went on a half-day snorkeling tour, which included dives in two marine reserves and Shark-Ray alley, and lunch on the boat. The coral reefs and the hundreds of species of fish living around them were breathtaking. We saw tiny colorful little tykes, schools of shimmering larger fish, some big ugly mf's, a barracuda, a spotted manta ray, and just so many varieties all living together in harmony. Shark-ray alley was also something crazy to me. As we were sitting in the boat, the driver said, "Oh look, here they come!" and looking down there were just massive dark, shark-shaped masses starting to surround us. Then he told us to jump in. We just floated on top of the water looking down, and nurse sharks and sting rays were swimming incredibly close to us underneath. Checked off so many things on my bucket list in one day!
*Tip: I could have paid twice as much for a whole-day tour ($70 U.S. vs $35), but I was exhausted after just a half day. I was happy to save money and still have such an amazing experience.
After Caye Caulker it was straight to Guatemala, but just to give you an idea on the beauty of Belize inland, here's a picture of the backyard of an organic farm close to the Lubantuun ruins I took on the way back up to Mexico. It's all green, all jungle like you've never seen before.
Last one: Don't stop Belize-in!
