6 Quick Guides to Belize

What I’d do again

Take a drive through Little Belize, a rural Mennonite community in Corozal. Unfortunately, I chose Asuncion Day, a Mennonite holiday, to visit, so no one was working. The community doesn’t allow electricity, machines, or cell phones. I’d love to come back and see Little Belize in action.

What I’d skip

Until the National Institute of Culture and History develops Santa Rita Maya Site a bit more, it’s not worth much more than a quick visit. The history is noteworthy (it’s possibly the birthplace of Belize’s Mestizo culture), but there’s no informational signs, museum, or much development. Sadly, graffiti is slowly taking over.

Where I slept

* Hotel Maya offers beautiful views of the Corozal Bay, but a noisy highway separated me from tranquility. The hotel is located close enough to Corozal Town to walk to restaurants and parks.

* Fernando’s Guest House is ideal for budget travelers looking for value. For $30 a night I had a room that looked like I was the first person to sleep there: hot water, air conditioning, wireless internet, and uninterrupted views of the ocean. Fernando can set guests up with snorkeling, fishing tours, and inland excursions.

What I ate

* Liz’s Fast Food in Sarteneja serves salbutes, tacos, and panades for $1.50USD.

* Rich’s Snack Restaurant, also in Sarteneja, does nice whole snapper with salad and fries for $7.00USD. A note to those unaccustomed to eating fish in Belize: “Whole fish” is the entire fish on a plate — bones, eyes, skin. Fillet is just the white, flaky meat with the occasional tiny bone.

Most memorable moment

Taking a tour of Laguna Seca in Shipstern Nature Reserve with Joel, a forest ranger. A big part of Joel’s job is to prevent poachers from exploiting the protected forest, and he has the scars to prove it. He regaled me with stories of shootouts, hurricanes, and caymans.

What Belize would like to promote

Miss Lydia privately owns the East Indian Museum in Corozal. Admission is by donation, and Miss Lydia herself gives a fascinating tour, explaining how East Indians came to Belize as indentured servants and how they have influenced the culture of Belize.

She has an extensive collection of objects that shows how people lived in Belize 100 years ago.

What Belize would like to forget

Corozal is on the Mexican border, and a lot of travelers drive right through without stopping on their way to Mexico’s McDonalds, Sam’s Club, and malls.

What I wish I knew before I came

I can’t stomach meat pies, regardless of the district they are made in.