Everything You Need To Know About Belize Tourism

Belize is a place steeped in history, and with a great many legends tied to it.  This is one reason why Belize tourism is growing in popularity.  Have you heard about Karst?  That is the term used to refer to areas formed on limestone shelves.  This phenomenon causes the caves that you will find in the Belize area, and is something that you will hear a lot about from tour guides, and in travel books, should you visit Belize.  These caves were considered sacred by the ancient Mayan civilizations, who would use them for their religious rituals.

The Legends Around Belize Tourism

Archaeologists discovered that the caves in Belize, which date back to around 1000 BC, were used for rituals practiced by Mayans.  The Mayan people were quite superstitious, and believed that the caves were portals to the underworld, or the world of the dead.  It had been previously believed by historians that there was only one such portal, known as Xibalba, and that the portal was located in Guatemala.  The work conducted by archaeologists discovered the use of these caves, and revealed that all caves were treated as Xibalba.

This interesting and mystique historical background has spurred on the Belize tourism especially for those who love historical relics. There is a lot to see and experience from a historical point of view in Belize. The archaeological excavations have unearthed a remarkable array of artifacts as well as human remains which point to the facts that some of the sacrifices might have involved humans – both adults and children.

Some of the most interesting attractions in Belize are the Caves Branch and Caves System – a flowing water source with a constant temperature of 75 degrees – no matter what the time of year, and the Che Chem Ha Cave, which was home to the Mayans around 800 AD.  The Actun Tunichil Muknal is also worth visiting, as it is the cave where rituals including bloodletting and human sacrifice were performed to appease the Mayan deities.

Adventures In Belize

If you love adventure more than history, Belize would still be a great destination for you too. For a moment you can forget the historical significance of these caves and look at them from another angle.  You will find that these caves are a haven for canoing, swimming, hiking and tubing (a less known sport, but thrilling nonetheless).

The Belize Tourism department will be happy to provide you with official guides to help you with these adventures.  The guides will let you know more about the area and its historical importance, and provide you with safety advice so that you can have fun in a risk-free way.  If you want to know the best places to visit, and how to have fun safely, then get in touch with the tourism department instead of rushing to the nearest cave un-prepared.

A visit to Belize can be fun, exciting, and educational.  You will learn a lot about the ancient Mayan culture, see some spectacular sights, and have the chance to engage in some exciting outdoor activities.  Contact the Belize tourism department before you visit, and you can be sure you will have a great time.