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MEXICO Orange Walk Ambergris Caye Caye Caulker Belize City Belmopan GUATEMAL A San Ignacio C AYO DISTRICT Hopkins Village BELIZE Placencia TOLE DO DISTRICT 0 miles 20 0 km 20 H OND UR A S BELIZE Belize is one of the more surprising destinations you'll visit, sometimes more reminiscent of a Caribbean island than a Latin American country. With English as the official language, you'll never be at a loss for words when describing the beauty all around you. Unofficially, the national pastime is enjoying its incredible, and often secluded, natural environment. The island of Ambergris Caye is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world - an incredible world under the sea - and endless watersports. San Pedro is a casual town of brightly painted houses with only 10 streets and no pavement, where people get around on golf carts and bicycles. Low-key sun worshippers can find their niche in southern Belize, a sandy peninsula where hiking and the local Garifuna culture give beach life a special flavor. Also enjoy Caye Caulker, a quiet island of only five square-miles dotted with cozy hotels, restaurants and shops. Belize's British colonial influence is quite evident in places like Belize City, a vibrant area where you can get an authentic taste of the country's unique traditions. It's a colorful city of mixed cultures and outdoor vendors selling fresh fruit and arts and crafts in public squares. It's a city of small streets left over from colonial times, inhabited by descendants of Kriol, Garifuna and Mestizo lineage. The Mayan culture is still alive and well throughout Belize. Mayan descendants tend to their rolling sugarcane fields in the Orange District of northern Belize, a wonderful area for watching exotic birds. The country's Cayo region is home to some of the most impressive Mayan ruins anywhere, including Cahal Pech, Xunantunich, Chaa Creek and the 35 square-mile ancient city of Carocol. Cayo is also home to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, where natural pools and waterfalls flow freely beneath the lush vegetation. VACATION ENHANCING TOURS SNUBA - GO BEYOND SNORKELING! (Ambergris Caye) SNUBA diving is the safest and easiest way possible to experience the fascination of scuba diving with the simplicity of snorkeling. You can SNUBA down to 20 feet with no prior experience. Explore crystal clear waters with vivid coral reefs and "hang out" with colorful tropical species. Enjoy the incredible photo opportunities, and be one with the marine underworld. CAVE TUBING & ZIP RIDE Become a "zip rider" as you connect to a series of overhead cables criss-crossing the rainforest canopy. Your cave tubing adventure starts with a jungle trail hike where your guide will point out various plants, roots, and herbs once used by the ancient Maya. Enjoy a buffet lunch at the "Canopy Café" at Caves Branch Outpost. 6 Belize XUNANTUNICH MAYA TEMPLES & BARTON CREEK CAVE BY CANOE (San Ignacio) The ruins are located on one of the highest plateaus in the area and it is possible to climb to the top of "El Castillo", the largest of the temples at this site. From this vantage point, one gains a panoramic view of the Cayo District and Guatemala. Next, continue to Barton Creek Cave in Amish territory. Equipped with canoes and highpowered lights, you'll gently paddle into Xibalba. As you glide through the cave system you will be dazzled by the glistening crystalline rock formations and awed by the Mayan artifacts secretly tucked away in overhead alcoves. Consult your American Express travel counselor for more details on these and other tours, as well as for available airport transfers.