BeAch : PeTer donAldson / AlAMy ; sTATue : dInodIA PhoTos / AlAMy ith its Caribbean coastline , ancient heritage and rugged landscape , Belize just may be the next great Mayan Riviera . Travellers who ’ ve been to the ruins of Tulum and
Chichén Itzá should set sights on this more off-the-beaten-path sun destination . Offering a mix of coastal islands , the world ’ s second longest barrier reef , lush rainforest and Mayan sites , Belize is emerging as the next hot ticket in Central America .
Many people first discover this former British colony , located south of Mexico and next to Guatemala , by sea . Cruise ships have made Belize City a popular port of call for day trippers . But with direct flights from Alberta , the country has become a destination in its own right for Albertans .
The pre-Columbian site of Lamanai is a perfect introduction for visitors looking to indulge in Mayan history . A 40-kilometre boat tour starts in Orange Walk Town and travels up the New River , passing Mennonite farms , local fishermen and numerous bird species , including egret , heron and the aptly named Jesus Christ bird , which appears to walk on water . You may even glimpse a camera-shy crocodile before reaching the lagoon and entrance to the archaeological site .
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A Mayan village first established in the 16th century BC , Lamanai ( meaning “ submerged crocodile ”) was excavated in the 1970s by a team led by Canadian Dr . David Pendergast of Toronto ’ s Royal Ontario Museum . It features three major pyramids : the Mask , Jaguar and High temples . The first two seem smaller than they actually are , while the High Temple , believed to date from 100 BC , is a towering 33 metres and offers a view above the treetops . A modern wood staircase makes your climb to the top easier and protects the temple ’ s ancient steps from erosion .
For those who want to channel Indiana Jones while learning more history , San Ignacio is the place to be . Found within the lush interior near the Guatemalan border , Belize ’ s second-largest city is adventure tour HQ — for ziplining , hiking , whitewater rafting and caving . The Actun Tunichil Muknal , known locally as the ATM , is the must-do cave tour — but it ’ s not for the faint of heart . Be prepared to swim and wade through a river and hike for 45 minutes in the unrelenting sun before entering the cave . Guides lead small groups and all the wading , swimming , climbing and scrambling up , over and through rock formations of the cave is a prelude to a lesson in Mayan history . Once used for
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