Vivien Lougheed - Western Belize & Guatemala. Belmopan, San Ignacio, Caracol, Tikal & Beyond

Western Belize & Guatemala: Belmopan, San Ignacio, Caracol, Tikal & Beyond

Vivien Lougheed

HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC,

comments@hunterpublishing.com

2010 Hunter Publishing, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

1. Introduction
   1. HISTORY
   2. GOVERNMENT
   3. ECONOMY
   4. PEOPLE & CULTURE
   5. GEOGRAPHY
      1. HOW THE LAND WAS FORMED
      2. ENVIRONMENTS
      3. OFFSHORE
      4. PARKS
   6. CLIMATE
   7. PLANT LIFE
   8. ANIMAL LIFE
   9. UNDERWATER LIFE
   10. NATIONAL EMBLEMS
2. Travel Information
   1. FACTS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
   2. WHEN TO GO
   3. WHAT TO TAKE
   4. HEALTH CONCERNS
   5. MONEY MATTERS
      1. PRICE SCALES
      2. BANKING/EXCHANGE
      3. TAXES & TIPPING
      4. PLANNING YOUR EXPENSES
   6. MEASUREMENTS
   7. DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
   8. COMMUNICATIONS
   9. CULTURE SHOCK
      1. PUBLIC AFFECTION
      2. GAY & LESBIAN TRAVEL
      3. HUMAN RIGHTS
   10. FOOD
       1. TRADITIONAL DISHES
   11. BOOKING A ROOM
   12. GETTING HERE
   13. GETTING AROUND
   14. DIRECTORY
       1. OUTFITTERS & TOUR OPERATORS
       2. WATER TAXI SERVICE
       3. CAR RENTAL COMPANIES
       4. AIRLINES
       5. BUS COMPANIES
       6. EMBASSIES
       7. EMERGENCIES
       8. INSURANCE COMPANIES
       9. USEFUL WEBSITES
3. The West
   1. ALONG THE HIGHWAY
   2. LEAVING BELIZE CITY
   3. BELIZE CITY TO THE ZOO
      1. SIR JOHN BURDON CANAL
      2. HATTIEVILLE
      3. BELIZE ZOO & TROPICAL EDUCATION CENTER
      4. PLACES TO STAY & EAT
   4. LA DEMOCRACIA TO GUANACASTE NATIONAL PARK
      1. MONKEY BAY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & PARK
      2. ADVENTURES
      3. PLACES TO STAY & EAT
      4. GUANACASTE NATIONAL PARK
   5. BELMOPAN
      1. THINGS TO DO
      2. PLACES TO STAY
      3. PLACES TO EAT
      4. OTHER SERVICES
   6. BELMOPAN TO GEORGEVILLE
      1. CAVES AT ROARING CREEK, XIBALBA
      2. TAPIR MOUNTAIN NATURE RESERVE
      3. POOK'S HILL ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
      4. BAKING POT ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
      5. VALLEY OF PEACE
      6. SPANISH LOOKOUT VILLAGE
   7. THE CHIQUIBUL ROAD
      1. BARTON CREEK CAVE
      2. MOUNTAIN EQUESTRIAN TRAILS
   8. THE CRISTO REY ROAD
      1. CAHAL PECH RUINS
      2. PLACES TO STAY
      3. SHOPPING
   9. SAN ANTONIO
      1. HISTORY
      2. THINGS TO DO
      3. PACBITUN RUINS
      1. PLACES TO STAY
      2. PLACES TO EAT
   10. THE CHIQUIBUL/CRISTO REY ROAD
       1. PINE RIDGE MOUNTAIN RESERVE
       2. LODGING, WATERFALLS INCLUDED
       3. D'SILVA & RIO FRIO CAVE
       4. CARACOL
       5. CHIQUIBUL CAVES
       6. PUENTE NATURAL ARCH
   11. SANTA ELENA
       1. PLACES TO STAY
   12. SAN IGNACIO
       1. INTRODUCTION
       2. HISTORY
          1. MACAL RIVER DAM PROJECT - HULA-HOOP DANCE
       3. GETTING HERE
       4. SIGHTS
       5. ADVENTURES
       6. NIGHTLIFE
       7. SHOPPING
       8. PLACES TO STAY
       9. PLACES TO EAT
   13. SAN IGNACIO TO BULLET TREE FALLS
       1. THINGS TO DO
       2. PLACES TO STAY
   14. SAN IGNACIO TO SAN JOSE SUCCOOTZ
       1. PLACES TO STAY
       2. THINGS TO DO
       3. CHECHEM HAH CAVE
       4. VACA FALLS
   15. SAN JOSE SUCCOTZ
       1. XUNANTUNICH RUINS
       2. PLACE TO STAY
   16. BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN
       1. HISTORY
       2. THINGS TO DO
       3. SHOPPING
       4. PLACES TO STAY
       5. PLACES TO EAT
   17. DIRECTORIES
       1. OUTFITTERS, GUIDES & TOUR OPERATORS
       2. ATTRACTIONS
       3. TRANSPORTATION
       4. GROUP RESOURCES
       5. SERVICES
       6. USEFUL WEBSITE
       7. SHOPPING
       8. ACCOMMODATIONS DIRECTORY
       9. RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
4. Guatemala
   1. GETTING HERE
   2. MONEY
   3. CUSTOMS & VISAS
   4. IN GUATEMALA
      1. OVER THE BORDER
      2. DESTINATIONS
         1. A ROUND-UP OF ACCESSIBLE MAYA RUINS
      3. EL REMATE
         1. GETTING HERE
         2. THINGS TO DO
         3. PLACES TO STAY & EAT
   5. TIKAL NATIONAL PARK
      1. RECENT HISTORY
      2. EXPLORING THE PARK
      3. THE ANCIENT CITY OF TIKAL
      4. PLACES TO STAY
      5. PLACES TO EAT
   6. DIRECTORY
      1. PLACES TO STAY
      2. INFORMATION
5. Appendix
   1. EMERGENCY CONTACTS
      1. EMBASSIES
      2. CONSULATES

I n mid-winter, when gales off the plains of Siberia blow outside my window in northern Canada, I often close my eyes and visualize Belize. I see sun, sand and sea. I see white beaches, blue skies and clear waters. My memory, like a television camera, shifts to the largest coral reef in the Americas, a world brimming with exotic life: eels, jellyfish, sharks and fish striped in green and red, or dotted in purple.

This vision is what draws most people to Belize. They arrive from harsh climates and head for the islands to snorkel, swim, dive, fish, sail and hang out in the sun. They play golf, eat spicy foods, read books and drink beer. Most of all, they relax.

But if you take the time, you will find that there is more to Belize than a blissful rest in paradise. For archeology buffs there are numerous ancient Maya ruins to explore at will and an additional few that can be visited after a permit is obtained. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the animal preserves and maybe catch a glimpse of a mountain cow (tapir) or jaguar, an osprey or toucan. There are over 200 species of birds to identify at any time of the year and an equal number of different types of orchids. Those interested in herbal medicines will find delight in a jungle full of potions to cure almost anything from a love-struck heart to a parasitic infection. For the photographer, there are an endless number of exotic images to capture and seldom a cloudy sky to dull the photograph. Belize is visually stunning.

The country also has an intriguing modern history involving pirates and buccaneers, wrecked ships and the horrors of the slave trade. Throughout the country, remnants of this history remain. If you take the time to listen, you can always find someone willing to tell you their own version of these historical events. Belizeans are proud of their exotic past and of the fact that their varied cultures live together peacefully, a big contrast to most of Central America.

Belize offers every type of accommodation imaginable, from the romantic grass hut on a secluded island to the luxurious five-star hotel complete with doorman. Restaurants can be as simple as someone's kitchen in the country or as dazzling as the dining room at Versailles. There are adventure specialists ready to give you a custom tour. If you're an independent traveler, head out on your own using this book or start walking and see where the road takes you.

The best time to come to Belize is during their summer, between November and May. This is the dry season, when clouds are seldom seen and the winds never rise above a few miles an hour. Winter, or wet season, is between May and November. This is when the waters can be a bit murky and the winds can increase to hurricane levels. However, winter offers its own splendor. The jungle becomes lush, the flowers abundant, and the skies dramatic. Archeological sites are less visited.