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Caye Caulker -

This spec of a limestone coral island lies off the coast of Belize and is a magnet for tourists. The idyllic destination is served by hotels, restaurants, and shops.

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Caracol - While visiting Belize, you can discover the architectural legacy of the ancient Maya civilization. Among the many monuments at the archaeological site of Caracol is Canna, the "sky palace"—one of the largest man-made structures in Belize.

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Great Blue Hole - This enormous marine sink hole is an iconic feature of the Caribbean's Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a world-class diving destination.

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Tobacco Caye - Paradise comes in small packages, like the tiny island of Tobacco Caye, where colorful cabanas are perched over turquoise tropical waters.

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Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary - Set over the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains, this is the world's only protected jaguar preserve. A sacred animal revered by the ancient Maya, the big cat is a threatened species and its numbers continue to decline.

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Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Enclosing coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest, this fabulous marine environment is home to an incredible array of species including spotted eagle rays (pictured), nurse sharks, and various coral formations.

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Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Keep your eyes out (all of them) for these funny looking four-eye butterfly fish.

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Black howler monkey - The largest monkey in Belize—and one of the largest in the Americas—this is the country's most recognized primate, not least for its call: they are the loudest animal in the New World! You can see them at the Community Baboon Sanctuary.

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Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary - This vast Caribbean Sea reserve provides a safe home for a number of protected species, including the West Indian manatee (pictured).

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Brain coral -

Among the more unusual coral species found in the warm waters off Belize is brain coral. Incredibly, the lifespan of the largest brain corals is 900 years or so.

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Actun Tunichil Muknal -

A cherished Maya archaeological site, this cave contains ancient skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. It's the final resting place of the so-called "Crystal Maiden," the crystallized skeleton of an adolescent girl (pictured). 

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Xunantunich -

Set almost on the border with Guatemala, Xunantunich served as a Maya ceremonial center. Allow plenty of time to explore the site, especially the pyramid structure known as "El Castillo" and its splendid stone carvings.

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Lighthouse Reef - An atoll in the Caribbean Sea, Lighthouse Reef is a renowned snorkeling and diving destination. It's also celebrated for its birdlife, as a nesting colony of some 4,000 red-footed booby call the reef home.

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Altun Ha - Located near the village of Rockstone Pond, the modest ruins of this Maya city offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.

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Placencia - The colorful and lively beach resort is a thriving tourist destination and the departure point for sightseeing cruises and water sports excursions.

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Caribbean cuisine - A stay in Belize is flavored by some mouthwatering food options. Make sure you try cooked shrimp served up in a coconut bowl, accompanied by white rice, cilantro, fried plantains and red habanero.

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Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary -

A designated waterfowl habitat, the sanctuary includes the jabiru stork among its more illustrious residents. Two pairs are known to nest within the sanctuary.

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Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary -

The sanctuary is also home to several globally threatened species, including the colorful yellow-headed parrot. 

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St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park -

If you tire of the beach, why not spend a day exploring the jungle? The park's more unusual tropical residents include the comically named tody motmot (pictured).

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Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve - Created to preserve the native Belizean pine forests, the reserve's fauna includes wild jaguar, ocelot, and white-nosed coati. Look out, too, for Baird's tapir (pictured), the national animal of Belize.

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Belize City - The country's largest city is certainly worth browsing for its shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks. Pictured is historic St. John's Cathedral, which dates back to 1820.

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Traditional souvenirs - Handcrafted Maya blankets weaved in the color of rainbows make wonderfully authentic souvenirs.

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Ambergris Caye - Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize and is served by the vibrant town of San Pedro, which is known for hosting great get-together festivals, including the annual El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro.

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Black orchid - The national flower of Belize is the black orchid, and the country is home to more than 250 species of orchids and related bromeliads.

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Silk Cayes - Seemingly floating off the coast of Placenia, this cluster of paradise islands are lapped by waters of varying shades of blue.

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Laughing Bird Caye National Park - Named after the laughing gull that breeds here, the park boundaries enclose Laughing Bird Caye, a long thin island set off the coast of Placencia.

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Keel-billed toucan - Suitable for such a colorful and vibrant nation, the national bird of Belize is this magnificent and showy species.

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Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve - Located in the central part of the country's Barrier Reef Reserve System, this pristine maritime habitat harbors a protected feeding site for whale sharks.

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Sarteneja - Overlooking Corozal Bay in northern Belize, this picturesque village is known for its artisan boatbuilding and laid-back vibe.

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Goff's Caye -

Anchored on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef, this tiny sand-fringed retreat is known for its nearby sea turtle colony.

See also: Terrific tidbits about turtles

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