Belize
is the real Temptation
by Mary
Ann Christie
 As
each episode of Temptation Island unfolds, I'm more and more
tempted by Belize. This Caribbean paradise appears to have
everything a vacationer could want and the two resorts being
used by the FOX producers, Captain Morgan's Retreat and Mata
Chica Resort are as real and tourist friendly as they look.
Captain Morgan's Retreat,
where the men are staying during the show, boasts lovely casita's,
the thatched roof cottages which are seen on the show (and
at resorts all around Belize) and you have access to the "longest
continuous barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere from the
front door of your casita". You can book your own slice of
heaven and take a look at the amenities at the Captain
Morgan's Retreat website.
Once in Belize, there's
a dizzying array of activities and you'll have trouble fitting
everything in during a one week vacation. This is the perfect
place to learn to scuba dive. The $35.00/pp price includes
a boat, dive master and tanks, plus you'll be diving the barrier
reef with it's bounty of marine life. Spend the whole day
sailing from San Pedro to Caye Caulker for $55 per person
or snorkel with Manatees for the day ($75./pp). If fishing
is your thrill, you can choose fly, reef, deep sea and flat
fishing and catch fish you'll be showing pictures of for years
to come. You'll also want to take a boat trip to the Altun
Ha ruins.
When planning a trip
to Belize, don't limit yourself to beach front. The jungle
highlands are well worth a visit to view the beauty of the
waterfalls that flow over the rocks, the bright parrots and
exotic wild orchids. Highland visitors can even stay at Blancaneux
Lodge, the "paradise hideaway" created by Francis Ford
Coppola. You can spend the night in a garden cabana for $115/couple
or enjoy your own two bedroom villa for $350./couple. You
can dine on tempting local feasts or the traditional Italian
dishes created from Coppola family recipes.
Belize offers a wealth
of historic sites for visitors. Maya temples and palaces are
easily accessible to tourists and there is a significant population
of Maya residing in small villages. There are a variety of
tours to the many locations, including Altune Ha "Water of
the Rock", which is the most extensively excavated ruin in
Belize.
Wildlife sanctuaries
are abundant and all of the major wildlife organizations have
a presence here. The Community Baboon Sanctuary, the Cockscomb
Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Blue Hole National Park, Crooked
Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Guanacaste National Park and The
Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area offer ample opportunities
to view the country's birds and animals. Viewing Black Howler
Monkeys, Central American Spider Monkeys, Jaguars, Pumas,
the Jabiru Stork, Ocelots, Margays, Jaguarundis, Morelet's
Crocodiles, Coatimundis, Tapirs, Peccarys, Ocellated Turkeys
and Brocket Deer in their natural habitat can make any vacation
an adventure.
The official language
is English, Belize was formerly known as the British Honduras,
but Spanish, Maya, Creole and Garifuna are also spoken.
The geography of Belize is extremely diverse; mangrove cayes,
barrier reef, island cayes and offshore atolls tempt divers
and snorklers but you can also explore rain forest, plains,
large savannas and the Maya mountains.
Belize' climate is subtropical and the sea breezes compliment
the temperatures which rarely top 96f or go below 60f even
on winter nights.
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©2005
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