DESTINATION
Located just south of Mexico, Belize is home to the first civilization, the Maya. Visitors can learn about the Indigenous culture by visiting archaeological sites but also experience it firsthand—approximately 11% of Belize’s population is Maya. The wildlife is diverse and maybe a little nerve-wracking: You can swim with sharks and you just might see a jaguar or two.
ACCOMMODATION
There are plenty of places to stay in Belize that allow you to commune with nature while exploring the country’s varied topography. Naia Resort and Spa, nestled in a 200-acre reserve on the Placencia Peninsula, offers beachfront tranquility. If you travel inland to the foothills of the Maya Mountains, you’ll find The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant, which is surrounded by the 10,000-acre Sibun Nature Reserve.
The heart of the lodge is the spectacular Sleeping Giant cave, used by the ancient Maya for religious ceremonies. (888-439-5866, rooms from $550)
(888-822-2448, rooms from $199)
RECREATION
When a place has the world’s second-largest coral reef and it’s not far from the jungle, it’s safe to say the options are endless. Belize has it all.
Belize has a place for you, no matter if you’re a beach bum who enjoys the occasional spa visit or an outdoorsy type who loves nature. (But, really, why not be both?)
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: YU TSAI ; COURTESY OF NAIA RESORT AND SPA (2); COURTESY OF THE RAINFOREST LODGE AT SLEEPING GIANT ■