Belize - Experience

With one foot in the Caribbean, and the other in Central America, Belize offers superb diving and fishing in its pristine waters as well as ancient Mayan remains. Go trekking in the dense jungle to discover howler monkeys - unique to the country – along with tapirs and anteaters.

Visit colourful Belize City with its bustling market and colonial architecture before heading to the Mayan ruins of the ceremonial centre Chetumal on the outskirts of northern Corozal. The capital Belmopan is relatively small and mainly an administrative base. Down south, Placencia attracts beach-lovers, while the lively town of Dangriga is the centre of Garifuna culture: a blend of Indian and African languages introduced by Honduran immigrants.

Visit the northern Mayan ruins at Altun Ha, a trading town built in 600 BC, where a jade mask of the sun god and a priest's tomb full of jewels were unearthed, or explore the partially excavated Mayan temple complex at Lamanai poking out of the rain forest. Trek through Mountain Pine Ridge Forest to get soaked at the Thousand Foot Falls or marvel at the dizzyingly-high Canaa Pyramid hidden in the jungle at Caracol. Spot jaguar at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and manatees while snorkelling at Ambergris and Caulker cayes.

Pick up some jars of Marie Sharp's hot sauce and spices to recreate Belize's cooking at home, Belikin Beer, shell jewellery, discs of Belizean music, locally produced handcrafts such as wood carvings from Belize City and a dive certificate from your dive school.

Pick up some jars of Marie Sharp's hot sauce and spices to recreate Belize's cooking at home, and graba few cans of Belikin Beer to accompany your feast. Buy shell jewellery, CDs of Belizean music, and locally produced handicrafts including wood carvings from Belize City. Take home a dive certificate from your dive school.

Pick up corn and chicken tamales or tacos stuffed with chicken, onion and coriander from street vendors. Stewed lobster and split peas and pig tail with rice are popular dishes and hot pepper sauce is a must. Vegetarians will prefer garnaches, flat fried corn circles with onions, cheese and beans. Try cassava pound cake or sweet potato cake for dessert.

Spend a surprisingly comfortable night sleeping in a hammock in the jungle and wake up to the sounds of the rainforest getting up.