Belize
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is an island near Belize City with a sleepy vibe during the day and a laid back party vibe at night. From here a big reason to visit is to do the boat tours of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is a protected part of the Belize Barrier Reef. The coral reefs around the world are dying right now, from bleaching due to climate change, but this one is still fairly intact. You can also fly over the Great Blue Hole to take the iconic Belize photo in an hour long airplane or ideally, but also more expensively, a half hour helicopter ride. I would have loved to do this for the aerial photos, but the price was steep, and our tour group was only on Caye Caulker for two days, so I just did the underwater photos both days. Of the few things I ate on Caye Caulker, by far the best was a local dish called a fry jack. So, if you visit, skip the waffles and try the local specialties.
San Ignacio
San Ignacio really adds a lot to the Belize travel experience, because besides the beautiful underwater world the country offers, it also offers a glimpse into ancient Mayan life with the ruins Xunantunich and some others nearby. Close to the town, there is also a horse farm, so you can ride through 500 acres of jungle and cross over three rivers with your horse. I really recommend both of these excursions, because there is not much to do in the main area of town itself. This area really gives the country another dimension. Belize, like most of Central America, is a country full of budget cars and modest accommodations, with tin roofs, peeling paint, and limited electricity, but it makes up for the lack of man made luxury, by being rich in nature.
