BELIZE

FAST FACTS

Area 22,966 sq km (slightly larger than Wales or the US state of Massachusetts)

ATMs Foreign cards accepted at Belize Bank ATMs in major towns and cities

Budget US$40-60 per day

Capital Belmopan

Costs Budget hotel in Belize City US$20, bottle of beer US$2, 3hr bus ride US$5, set lunch US$5

Country Code %501

Electricity 110V AC, 60 Hz (same as the USA)

Famous for Reef diving, that Madonna song (La Isla Bonita)

Head of State Prime Minister Said Wilbert Musa

Languages English, Spanish, Creole, Garfuna

Money US$1 = BZ$2 (Belize dollars); US dollars accepted everywhere

Phrases Arright? (an all-purpose hello/hows it going type greeting), ackin up (misbehav-ing), fer real (seriously)

Population 312,200

Time GMT minus 6 hours

Travelers Checks Cashed at major banks, some restaurants and hotels, and some exchange houses

Visas Not required for citizens of North America, Australia, New Zealand and most EU countries

TRAVEL HINTS Keep a Belizean dollar in a separate pocket somebody might ask you for it. And stop walking so fast.

OVERLAND ROUTES The Mexican border town of Chetumal has good connections into Belize. The other popular entry point is Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Guatemalan border on the road from Tikal.

Belize HIGHLIGHTS Northern cayes The second-biggest reef in the world has plenty of places to strap on your

flippers ( p230 ) Lamanai Spot crocs, birds and turtles on the boat ride to impressive Maya ruins ( p238 ) Hopkins It may be a one-street beach town with very little to do, but thats why we love

it ( p252 ) Best journey Fishing, snorkeling and camping your way south on an island-hopping sailing

tour from Caye Caulker to Placencia ( p232 ) Off the beaten track The Barton Creek Outpost is a little slice of Eden that wont stay un-

discovered for too long ( p248 )

215 Lonely Planet Publications

BEL

IZE

B E L I Z E l o n e l y p l a n e t . c o m

HondurasGulf of

S E AC A R I B B E A N

Telade

BahaAmatique

deBaha

Chetumalde

Baha

El Golfete

ovarB

oR

reviR

nubiS

reviRlacaM

reviRhcnarBlubiuqihC

reviR eet

tiS

reviR

ohoM

odno

H

oR Riv

er

New

Ro

Mop

n

Toledo

WalkOrange

Corozal

Stann Creek

Cayo

Belize

Red Bank

Maskall

de CastillaSanto Toms

San Antonio

Santa Elena

Dolores

Poptn

El Estor

Finca El Paraso

El Chinchado

Lvingston

Castillo de San Felipe Ro Dulce

San Lus

Corinto

Puerto Corts

Progresso

Hattieville

Shipstern

Douglas

Shipyard

Gallon JugLadyville

La Democracia

Hopkins

IndependencePlacencia

Big Fall

San Pedro

CuyamelitoTegulcigalpita

Cuyamel

XpujilConsejo

DANGRIGA

PUNTA GORDA

CHETUMAL

BELMOPAN

CentreMaya

RiverMonkey

CreekMango

MndezModesto

ColumbiaPedroSan

CreekBlue

Santa Cruz

BightSeine

CreekBig

RiverSittee

da SilvaDouglas

MencosMelchor de

del CarmenBenque Viejo

(Cayo)San Ignacio

CITYBELIZE

BoomBurrell

LandingBermudian

TreeCrooked

ChurchIndian

DoloresRancho

VillageBlue Creek

UninLa

TurbiasAguas

WALKORANGE

CreekYo

PabloSan

EstevanSan

LpezSubteniente

COROZAL

CasasButrnSergio

VillaFrancisco

BarriosPuerto

PunitNim Li

HaAltun

RitaSanta

Moun

tainsMa

ya

RidgeMountain Pine

1600'N

1630'N

1700'N

1730'N

1800'N

1830'N1830'N

1800'N

1730'N

1700'N

1630'N

1600'N

8730'W8800'W8830'W8900'W

8730'W8800'W8830'W8900'W

LagoonNew River

Lago de Izabal

CayesSapodilla

CayeHunting

CayeSouth Water

IslandsTurneffe

Tobacco Caye

Lark Caye

Caye Caulker

Ambergris Caye

ReefGlovers

BasinCockscomb

ReefLighthouse

PointRocky

Bar

rier

Ree

f

Ferry

Ferr

y

Ferry

Ferry

Ferry

keerCeul

B

keerCgniruobaL

keerC

gniraoR

Stann Creek

G U A T E M A L A

M E X I C O

H O N D U R A S

M E X I C O

Maruba Resort

Field StationBladen River

ManateeGales Point

Uxbenka

MilpaLa

n

Cerros

Cuello

Lamanai

Lubaantun

Caracol

Xunantunich

Chan Chich

Kohunlich

Belize Zoo

ParkNational

Blue Hole

National ParkChiquibul

(3675 ft)Victoria Peak

Cerro San Gil

Map (p243)See Western Belize

MEX186

13

Hwy

Sout

hern

yw

Hnre

htro

NdlO

yw

Hnr

ehtr

oN

ywHnretseW

ywH

eeta

naM

ywHdribgni

mmuH

BELIZE 0 30 km0 20 miles

216