Traveling through Belize you will see the sign, “No Shirt, No Shoes…No Problem!” nearly everywhere you go. This relaxed approach to life is only part of what is attracting more and more visitors to Belize each year.
Located between Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Belize is a country of contrasts. Belize may be the only country in Central America where English is the official language, but Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages and, culturally, Belize considers itself to be both Caribbean and Central American.
And, because over 40 of Belize’s mass is a protected national park, wildlife sanctuary or marine reserve, there is no shortage of wildlife. Sharks, coral fish, dolphins and turtles troll the waters, and over 570 species of birds, including toucans, fly the skies.
Caye Caulker – one of the tiny islands off of the Belize coast – is a great place to observe the culture of Belize, while staying within a budget. In fact, this island has been a stop for backpackers and college travelers for decades! Many of the residents of Caye Caulker are fishermen, making the island a great place to get fresh spiny lobster and snapper. There are no cars on Caye Caulker but there are plenty of beaches, friendly locals and delicious food.
Another must see while in Belize is Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, named after the cashew trees that inhabit the village. For $8 you get access to the community that is actually home to 900 locals, of Creole descent, who have been farming and fishing the area for generations. If you make it there in the morning, you’ll also get to see the amazing variety of birds that inhabit the area and make this one of the top birding destinations in the world.
After you’ve conquered Belize by land, venture seaward and see Belize’s Hol Chanand the Great Blue Hole. Hol Chan, also known as “Shark-Ray Alley,” is an split in the reef where nurse sharks and sting rays among other marine life, make their home. Besides being a prime destination for dive excursions, Hol Chan is also a marine reserve.
First made famous by Jacques Cousteau, the Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole that can be seen from space! The world’s largest feature of its kind, the Hole attracts divers looking to catch a glimpse of the nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and Blacktip sharks that live in the area. Dive trips to the Great Blue Hole are usually full-day trips, including a dive in the Blue Hole and two other dives in nearby reefs.
Whatever attracts you to Belize, the warmth of the local culture will make you feel you’ve found a second home. Actually, many visitors have made it their second home – and when the owners are away, why not take advantage of the great deals to be had by renting a vacation house in Belize rather than paying a nightly rate for a hotel?
Cancun, a coastal city on the Yucatan Peninsula, is the most popular vacation spot in Mexico. The city attracts four million tourists every year and an average of 190 flights daily! Anyone is bound to have a great time in Cancun because there is something for everyone in this exciting city.
Whether you are a diver or a snorkeler, the clear water of Cancun is home to a variety of beautiful fish. 
Chichen Itza is another must-see for vacationers of Cancun – it is one of the modern wonders of the world and rightly so…its exceptional architectural beauty is bound to leave you in awe!
Cancun’s buzzing 
Known as the “cow of the sea,” 
I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures of divers swimming next to sharks that look about as big as a school bus, and thought to yourself, “um, hasn’t this guy seen Jaws?!” Well lucky for him, though these enormous creatures (they can grow upto 40 feet in length!) are sharks, they are only 
A different type of shark encounter entirely, many outfits in the Bahamas offer opportunities for vacationers to defy their basic human instincts and swim with some of the world’s fiercest predators in their natural environment. Shark dives and feeds can be found in almost every area of the 
Vacationers who want to swim with dolphins should look for opportunities where the dolphins are wild and free in their natural habitat, rather than with dolphins that are in captivity for the sole purpose of pulling tourists around all day. 
Provo is a paradisiacal island that is ideal for families and couples trying to get away from it all. Provo has gorgeous, white sandy beaches with dazzling turquoise waters, and miles of coral reefs making it the ultimate diving destination. Flamingo Divers offers diving with small groups of eight people of any experience level and it provides an exciting and memorable diving experience! The most popular 12 mile stretch of the beach is located on Grace Bay and is surrounded by a barrier reef. 
Sapodilla Bay is a heavenly spot with white sand beaches and clear blue waters; there is a hill that overlooks Sapodilla Bay where you can observe historic stones engraved by shipwrecked sailors. 
Morro de Sao Paulo (St. Paul’s Hill) is just about as good as it gets when it comes to a laid back vacation destination. And while the island is not far from easy-to-get-to locations like Salvador, the small town has no cars and a much slower-paced lifestyle despite its popular nightlife.
The Northeast coast of Brazil is famous for its 
However, Second Beach is more than a party – one of Brazil’s most famous cultural arts, Capoeira, is preformed here every evening. With the setting sun as the backdrop for this acrobatic martial art, you will not want to miss this! Ask around for performance locations or simply follow the crowd!
Boca Grande is a peaceful seven mile long community in Gasparilla Island, Southwest Florida. This paradisiacal location is ideal for a get-away-from-it-all location as it offers a tranquilizing alternative to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Along with the aquatic activities and beaches, Boca Grande offers scenic beauty, 
Roatan is a scuba diviers paradise. Located off of the North Coast of Honduras, 
If you’ve never been to Roatan, you can plan on using your US dollars rather than the local lempiras as US currency is accapted, even welcomed, nearly everywhere. Do keep an eye out for favorable conversion rates and cash in if and when it makes sense. Also, expect to see a heavy military presence. There is almost guaranteed to be an AK-47 wielding guard at the enterence to most establsihments – they keep a low profile and it is the general consensus that Honduras is safer for locals and tourists alike since the new government has implemented this military presence.
If you’ve never been wreck diving, “El Aguila” is an amazing sight – a 210′ cargo boat perfectly sunk in 100 feet of water on a sandy bottom full of Deep Garden Eels. Divers can descend onto open large compartments where you can surprise a number of fish in their homes! The wreck runs alongside a wall where many choose to finish off their dive among the shallow water tropical fish.
Crowded beaches and congested airports, all factors in a typical vacation that makes us a little apprehensive to book that flight and take the time off. What if you could find the ultimate escape, without sacrificing the luxury and service of a resort? Let me offer a suggestion.
