The route Two weeks in Belize runs from north to south through all six districts. The return journey takes place along the coast.
background
Belize is as diverse as hardly any other country of its size. Here, from north to south, there is the transition from the rather dry Yucatan climate to the classic rainforest climate. And although the country is only the size of Hesse has, there is an exciting animal world in a landscape with a Caribbean atmosphere with the world's second largest reef, picturesque lagoons with tropical surroundings or rainforests near the coast and in high altitude, which sometimes turn into coniferous forests. In these regions there are also many caves to be discovered, which can offer some surprises.
But Belize can also convince culturally. Due to the historical development, Belize has increasingly become a receptacle for displaced cultures in the last few centuries. As a result, a multicultural society has emerged that is second to none. Whether Mennonites, Garifunas or Mayas, these groups still live their culture here and get along with each other.
The latter cultural group has also created so many archaeologically interesting sites in the last 3000 years that you sometimes just stumble across them.
Due to the small size you can reach everything quickly and e.g. snorkel with dolphins in the morning, watch howler monkeys at noon and wait for a jaguar in the mountains in the evening. Nevertheless, this country offers so many sights that you can still discover new places even after several months. But in two weeks you can certainly cross the country on a round trip and see some of the main top highlights, so that you get a good impression of the country and its people.
preparation
- Travel time
- The best time to travel is during the dry season between February and May. In the rest of the year it is also possible, but various influencing factors from continuous rain to hurricanes can definitely spoil the holiday mood here.
- health
- The journey leads through tropical regions. Therefore, you should first find out about recommended vaccinations and prophylaxis from a doctor.
- To inform
- Background knowledge of the history of the region, the cultural background of the individual ethnic groups and the fauna and flora to be expected in Belize naturally increase the holiday value.
- money
- Not all places have ATMs. Therefore you should get US dollars or traveler checks as an emergency reserve.
- mobility
- This journey can be done in different ways.
- For the part of Chetumal in Mexico to the border Corozal in Belize For the sake of simplicity, you can take a taxi to the border and then a bus from the border. This is right on the border and cannot be overlooked as a pedestrian. But there is also a bus connection from Chetumal to the border.
- Of Corozal until after Punta Gorda (Belize) you can do all the essential parts by bus. For the individual sights, however, local guides must be booked in some cases, who will also bring you to your destination by motorized vehicle. Unfortunate connections also require an extra day here and there.
- To the smaller stations like Hopkins or Red Bank Here and there, a little longer hike or a stage by taxi are necessary.
- It is better to use a rental car here. There are three options.
- First, you can order it in Corozal and drive back to Corozal from Punta Gorda and return the car here.
- Second, you can rent the car in Punta Gorda or Corozal and bring it to the starting point or have it picked up by them.
- With the third variant, you hire a licensed guide at least from Corozal to Punta Gorda. He brings the car with him, is also licensed and trained for most tours and can provide current information, such as that a bridge has been 300 meters further in the mud since the last rainy season or that a national park is currently closed combined with an alternative. But be careful, there are a lot of self-appointed guides who will intercept you at the border. Licensed guides carry a photo ID. It is not only possible to hire a guide in Corozal who will accompany you to Punta Gorda. Another possibility is to hire someone from Punta Gorda to bring you into the Toledo District takes. With Bruno Kuppinger [[1] (Tel: (501) 614-2080) the only licensed German-speaking guide who, in addition to guide, car, can also offer a dreamlike lodge in Punta Gorda.
- Of Punta Gorda (Belize) to Corozal and with a stopover San Pedro (Belize) back, if possible you should take the airplane variant with Tropic Air[2] and Maya Island Air[3]. Alternatively, you can of course travel back along the coast by car or boat, but this is associated with at least one stopover and thus a longer journey.
- Accommodations
- In the places mentioned there is always a certain selection of overnight accommodations. During the main travel season between March and May, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance.
getting there
The start and end point of this trip is Chetumal in Mexico. This airport can be about Mexico City All major airlines offer direct flights to Mexico City. From here there are two flights a day to Chetumal. This place is right on the border with Belize.
Driving / hiking / let's go ...
Chetumal - Sarteneja
The arrival in Chetumal usually takes place at lunchtime. From here it is best to take a taxi to the border. Crossing the border is mostly on foot, uncomplicated and quick. Numerous transfer service employees offer their services here to bring you to Corozal. Alternatively there is the possibility to get on a bus to Corozal on the Belize side. From here the journey can alternatively be continued with a mobile guide, rental car or by bus. The first goal is the highlight of the Corozal Districtes on the route. The region around Sarteneja offers, in addition to a good coastal location for fishing, swimming and diving, above all, direct access to the Shipstern nature reserve and the Maya ruin Cerros. Here you can discover lagoons, Caribbean flair and a unique bird life including forest stork colonies. So it is advisable to make the first stop here. A minimum of two nights should be planned here.
Sarteneja - Orange Walk
From Sarteneja it goes to the next district, the Orange Walk District. Here should only be the drive to for the day Orange Walk be scheduled. As a supplement to the day for archaeological fans there might be the ruins of San Estevan on the way as an additional program. The route is relatively short, but due to the road conditions, enough time should be allowed here. Orange Walk Although it is a third-rate tourist destination, it is a perfect starting point for this district and it offers one of the top events in Belize: the boat trip to the ruins of Lamanai. This day tour offers wildlife viewing, action and one of the most impressive Mayan ruins in Belize. Therefore, at least two nights are recommended here.
Orange Walk - Belmopan / San Ignacio
Next up is the path from Orange Walk into the Cayo District at. The route is a little longer, but it is mostly on the well-developed Northern and Western highways. You should take advantage of this time advantage to take a detour to the Community Baboon Sanctuary in the Belize District to do. Nowhere else do you get so close to free roaming howler monkeys. We continue on the Western Highway in the region between Belmopan and San Ignacio (Belize). There are not only overnight accommodations for every budget, but also top tourist destinations in double digits. At least three nights should be planned here, although this region alone would justify a supporting program of several weeks. In addition, the region is an ideal starting point for day trips to Guatemala (e.g .: Tikal) or remote destinations in Belize such as: Caracol represents.
Belmopan / San Ignacio - Hopkins
About the Hummingbird Highway it goes to Hopkins in the Stann Creek District to the coast. But the journey is the goal. Among other things, there is the Blue Hole National Park, the Five Blues Lake National Park or the Guanacaste National Park as worthwhile destinations along the way. You could spend several days on this path alone, but with Hopkins the coast attracts with Caribbean flair. In addition, this small village with many European dropouts offers a good infrastructure without being overwhelmed by tourism. Here, too, it is advisable to stay two nights in order to take the boat to the offshore islands during the day (e.g .: South Water Caye Marine Reserve), with snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing likely to be the focus. In the evening the Caribbean flair and the Lebeha drum school beckon.
Hopkins - Punta Gorda
We continue on the Southern Highway south to the Toledo District. But on the way lies on the border of the Stann Creek District the village Red Bank which has the greatest density of macaws in all of Central America. After this stay, it goes on to Punta Gorda (Belize). As an alternative to Red Bank, there is also the Maya ruin Nim Li Punit directly on the Southern Highway available as a sightseeing destination. The Toledo District was long considered the forgotten district, so it is understandable that despite the numerous sights, hardly any tourist gets lost here. Some hotels and lodges in Punta Gorda offer an ideal starting point for exploring the area. Here you should plan at least two nights, because the goals and possibilities are diverse. The Port Honduras Marine Reserve offers numerous water activities and wildlife viewing. With Uxbenká, Lubaantun and Pusilhá there are three large Mayan ruins that are still relatively unknown and unexplored. There is one for every swimmer Hokeb Ha Cave a very special adventure. In addition, in Barranco the unique Garifuna culture, which is under UNESCO protection, can be discovered.
Punta Gorda - San Pedro
Now it's back to the north along the coast. Backpackers, bus drivers or those who can leave their car in Punta Gorda have the option and recommendation to change to the plane. Two airlines fly from here along the coast from city to city over jungles, islands and the Caribbean. Manatees and rays can often be spotted from the air through the clear blue water. Depending on the length of your vacation, there is the possibility of a stopover in Dangriga, Placencia and Belize City to insert. The destination is on the island Ambergris Caye the town San Pedro (Belize). It has the best tourist infrastructure in all of Belize, which is mainly used by Americans. But the island, already sung by Madonna as La Isla Bonita, offers a lot more besides the many hotels, restaurants and bars. Above all that Bacalar Chico National Park & Marine Reserve and the Get Chan Marine Reserve Should not be missed. If San Pedro is too American for you, you might find it in Caye Caulker an alternative.
San Pedro - Chetumal
Now it goes to by plane Corozal. There are numerous transport companies that take you across the border to the airport in Chetumal.
security
Basically, Belize is a safe and friendly country and when someone greets you or wants to have some small talk with you, there is no ill-intention behind it. Especially that everyone greets everyone is so common in large parts.
However, caution is in Belize City because this behavior mentioned above sometimes also initiates a crime there. That is why you shouldn't shake hands with strangers and only go with a guide and taxi in certain districts. At night, the areas south of the Belize River are generally to be avoided. You can recognize taxis by their green license plates.
Continue to be on the border too Guatemala Be careful, because here in the border area there are occasional robberies in the rainforest. Driving on the connecting road from San Ignacio to Tikal should be avoided in the dark. During the day it is very safe.
Make sure that your tour guide and the diving company have a valid license.
Go on
Of course, numerous intermediate destinations offer the possibility of completing the trip or taking a different itinerary here. In detail:
- Sarteneja - From here it is possible over the water and / or that Bacalar Chico National Park & Marine Reserve to continue traveling towards Mexico.
- Orange Walk - If you are still looking for that certain secluded natural paradise, you can go Blue Creek Village to Rio Bravo Conservation Area travel further. This huge area makes up 4% of the area of Belize and offers rich flora, fauna and numerous Mayan ruins.
- San Ignacio (Belize) - This place is not only a good starting point to explore the west of Belize, it is also a good place to take a detour Guatemala or even to continue the journey there. Just the region around Flores and Tikal offers itself here.
- Hopkins - Anyone interested in diving and the water world of the Caribbean Particularly inclined here should not be the opportunity for those further away from the mainland Glover's Reef Marine Reserve and Blue Hole Natural Monument to seek out.
- Punta Gorda (Belize) - From here you can take a detour Guatemala to make or continue the journey here. There is a direct ferry connection from Punta Gorda. A land route is over San Antonio (Toledo District) possible. Especially the region around the Lake Izabal is a popular destination here
- San Pedro (Belize) - In addition to the goals already mentioned Mexico and Caye Caulker, represents that Turneffe Island another worthwhile destination there.
literature
Belize is often included as an add-on in travel guides for Central America. This is then limited to a few highlights.
The Lonely Planet and Rough Trade offer independent travel guides. Rough Trade certainly has the more detailed edition, while the Lonely Planet is clearer, and both guides have a small chapter for Tikal calmly.
Further literature:
- Maya. God kings in the rainforest by Nikolai Grube published by Könemann-Verlag, Cologne 2000. ISBN 3-829-01564-X .
