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t first, Belize’s small size might fool you. Laying on the beach on Ambergris Caye, you’ll begin to wonder what lies beyond the idyllic island scenery. You explore the iridescent blues of the Barrier Reef, made more brilliant with colorful fish, and living corals. Feeling braver, you leap into a sea of sharks, spotted rays, and turtles. Nights are spent strolling barefoot under the stars, wondering about the creatures you hear flapping below the docks. In the daytime, as you venture these island streets, you snack on foods with curious names: chaya, fry jack, and dukunu. The pull for adventure gets stronger, and you heed the call to trek the rainforests of Cayo. The vast expanse of green hugging your tree house, and a chorus of howler monkeys tempt you into a daring nighttime hike. The next day, you climb Caracol, standing on what seems like the roof of Belize. You learn that this archaeological wonder is indeed the tallest man-made structure in the country. The panoramic view over the forest is magical, making you feel like the toucans gliding above this once-royal palace. Fascination takes over fear, and you head south on the Hummingbird Highway, toward the drumbeats of the Garifuna. The air in Dangriga is filled with a language you’ve never heard: Mabuiga! Welcome! To the enigma that is Belize. You absorb the snail pace of Garifuna villages, but wander into national parks to chase waterfalls. Along the way, you rest on the sands of Placencia, or on the south cayes where your sole companions are of the feathery kind. Thrill seeker, you continue on to the villages of the Deep South. A stay in a traditional Maya thatch hut, and hiking surrounding cacao farms invigorate your being. If the southern tip of Belize astonishes, the jungle-covered north throws you into a world of Mestizo and Mennonite villages, lining rivers dotted with water lilies. And then–it sinks in. You realize that in Belize, curiosity is your friend. It fills your days with intrigue, and discovery. And when you let it take over your senses, it leads you into the heart of a small place with big surprises.
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