The Zoo is totally dedicated to conservation of natural wildlife native to Belize. All of the animals are native to Belize and have either been rescued from captivity or donated to the zoo. These animals include jaguars, red macaws, coatis, monkeys, storks, and even a tapir, the zoo’s biggest star. Every year in April kids are invited to sing happy birthday to April the Tapir as she eats her “birthday cake”.

Local schools are encouraged to bring groups of students for day trips. Guided by a professional the kids are taught about the different animals and conservation of local wildlife. During the summer anyone between 12-17 years of age is invited to stay overnight for five days at Conservation Camp. Lead by the education staff, these children learn and spend time with the animals as they participate in many exciting activities.

If you really want to make a trip of it you can stay at the Jungle Lodge. The Castle Lodge is dormitory style, mostly used for large groups on overnight trips or camp. The cabins are better for small groups or families. Rates range from $30-$82 US. During your stay you can add other fun activities like bird watching or canoeing down Sibun River. Personally I can’t pass up the opportunity to go canoeing.

For those who really want to make a difference internships are available. Interns are very involved in all aspects of the zoo from guiding tour groups to conservation and vet assistant work. Sounds like fun right? Check out the requirements here.

Share you Belize Zoo experience in our comments section.

Taxis will take you anywhere you want to go. They are more expensive then public transportation but it
certainly won’t cost as much as a New York cab ride. The best idea is to agree on a price to your desired
location before you get in. If you don’t agree on a price beforehand then it’s up to the cab driver to
decide how much he wants to charge you, which could be a lot more than you want to pay.

Water taxis are totally different experience. If you’re traveling to the islands this is one of two ways to
get there. Water taxis are affordable, ranging from $11-$15 USD for a one way trip. Taxis usually leave
every hour or so. They are reliable and very safe. In Belize City you can choose from Caye Caulker Water
Taxi or San Pedro Water Taxi. There is very little difference between these two companies so the choice
is yours. The advantage of a water taxi over a plane ride is the 45 minute trip on the Caribbean sea, an
intimate close-up look at the islands and the ocean. This is something you should do at least once.

Plane rides are also an efficient way to travel though more expensive. A flight from Belize City to Caye
Caulker will range from $65-68 depending on which airline you choose (Tropic Air or Maya Island Air)
but you’ll be there in 15 minutes. This way to travel has its own unique charm. The view of the islands
from the plane is stunning. You can fly to almost anywhere in the country from Corozal to Punta Gorda.
So if you’re trying to see lots of places in a short amount of time, flying is the only way to travel.

Buses provide a cultural experience, an insight into Belizean life. However, if you’re planning to travel by
bus make sure you get a hold of the schedule and know it well. The larger cities have regular bus service
all day long but the more rural areas may only have bus service once a day.

Finally if you plan to stick around a particular town for a couple of weeks then renting a moped or
bicycle is a really fun way to travel around town!

What’s your favorite way to travel in Belize? Share your ideas, leave a comment!

Located in the heart of Ambergris Caye, near the airport, El fogon is a hidden gem, literally. Finding this restaurant is like a treasure quest and the reward is great indeed. At this local favorite, food is prepared on an open fire hearth. Just like the grandparents used to do it decades ago. The way the food is cooked gives each dish a very distinct, unique, delicious taste. The lunch specials change everyday but typical rice and beans and fresh fish are always the order of the day. The Conch fritters are amazing, full of flavor and texture. The escabeche, conch soup and boil up are local favorites. These are traditional meals done right.

Traditional desserts are also whipped up every day. Rice pudding, Cassava cake and Coconut Pie are Belizen classics all executed to perfection. Enjoy your meal with a typical drink like horchata, watermelon juice or  homemade tamarynd. The options are varied and sure to please any set of tastebuds. The unassuming, relaxed, homey atmosphere in El Fogon, will always make you feel like you’ve been welcome into someone’s home.  Check out this local review by Ambergris Today.

For locals this restaurant gives them a taste of the past. Grandma’s cooking, unchanged and unspoiled. For those of us trying it for the first time, a taste of the real Belize, a glimpse into their history and culture. Have a taste and you’ll be hooked. You’ll definitely want to come back for more of Belize home cooking at its best.

Laying amidst the deep beautiful Belizean jungle are spacious bungalows and jungle lodge rooms. They include private bathrooms, beds and futons for up to four people and relaxing hammocks. Two houses are also available for larger groups. La Casita is a two-bedroom, two-story house with two bathrooms, one with a jacuzzi and the other with a large bathtub. There are hammocks and plenty of sitting and lounging room on both wrap-around porches. The vibrant colors of each room, mayan tapestries and beautiful natural wood will give you a wonderful outdoor feel. The Belize River House is divided into two suites, The Macal and The Mopan. Each suite is equipped with two bathrooms, living room and porch. The house has a total of 7 bedrooms. Rates include breakfast, use of canoes and entrance to the Belize Botanic Gardens. Prices range from $195-$500.

All-inclusive packages from 3 -7 nights are also available. You can create your own package by hand-picking each activity that you want to do. Whether you decide to visit the many Mayan ruins or caves,  go canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding or cave tubing the options are endless. You may also choose to visit the neighboring Belize Botanical Garden and tour the orchid house or join a guided tour of the plants used by the Maya for medicinal purposes, food and rituals. These all-inclusive packages range from $260-$1800 per person depending on length of stay and the room chosen.

If you want to enjoy an action-packed, adventure-filled Belize vacation, duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge is a wonderful choice. Enjoy all the services duPlooy’s has to offer. From early-morning birding to a relaxing massage, you’ll have a once in a lifetime experience.

That’s the experience of may who come to Belize and embark on the great adventure that is cave tubing. The cave tubing experience in Belize is so remarkable that many who are in Belize for a very short time, maybe even one single day decide to pend their limited time floating through these amazing caves.

Inside the caves you’ll find a variety of beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations. In the past the Maya civilization used these caves for their rites and worship. There is still evidence of what they’ve left behind. The views in and around the caves are spectacular so be sure to carry a waterproof camera with you to capture those memories.

There are many companies that will conduct these tours and additional ATV or zip-line tours. Companies like Cavetubing.com and Belizecavetubing.net cater to those traveling on a cruise ship with limited time in Belize. Both companies offer pick-up and drop-off, a light meal, water and the equipment needed for cave tubing such as caving lights, inner tubes, and a life vest. Price also includes the park entrance fees. Most tours take about 45 minutes to complete. Travel and a meal makes the whole trip about 4 hours. Tours are around $50 USD for adults and $35 USD for children.

Come to Belize and experience the thrill that everyone is talking about. Even if all the time you have in Belize is a few hours, you’ll never forget cave tubing in Belize.

Want to see more of Central America? Visit The Gringo Travel Network.com.

The barrier reef is immense and there’s hundreds of great diving spots but if you are an experienced diver with the proper certifications, you have to visit the Blue Hole. The Great Blue Hole is an underwater limestone sinkhole 984 feet across and 407 feet deep. The Blue Hole is closest to Ambergris Caye. This giant sinkhole is full of marine life, including several kinds of sharks and impressive coral formations. Here’s a few things to remember if you’re planning on diving the Blue Hole.

Safety First. Make sure your guide is a certified diver.
If you are already certified, bring your certification card.
First time? take one of the beginner diving courses offered by the local resorts. This certification will allow you to dive into depths of 20-30 feet. Usually around $125 USD.
If you have your equipment be sure to bring it. If not you can always rent for about $7-$8 USD a piece.
If you’re staying in a diving resort the equipment is included in their fee.
Want to get certified? The local resorts also offer Open Water Certification, Advanced Open Water Certification and Nitrox Certifications. Most of these programs allow you to do the classroom training online.
Diving in Belize is safe and fun for people of all ages but divers should be in good physical condition.

One or two-day diving trips can be between $80-$150 USD per person, while multiple day packages (including overnight stay at a resort and some meals) can be $300USD or more per person. A nice resort in the area is St George’s Caye Resort, a short distance fom Ambergris Caye and the Blue Hole, where you can stay in a cabana on their private island. Packages include diving trips. Rates range from $218-$258USD.

Belize’s barrier reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest system in the world and the largest in the Northern Hemisphere.  The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System was added to the list of World Heritage sites in 1996 and in 2009 it was added to the list of World Heritage sites in danger.

And after a long day at the water you might choose to relax here…

There are some things on the Belize Report site, as BelizeTourism.net calls it, that are helpful and accurate, such as information about the weather, and suggested lists of things to pack.

There is also a basic map of Belize, which, although isn’t very detailed, it gives you an idea of the layout of the country, and basically where everything is found.

If you want up to date information on relocation to Belize, and help and advice from the people who really know, click this link: www.gringotravelnetwork.com. Once you get there, highlight any of the information you want about travel in Belize, and I’ll make sure the right people get in touch with you to provide you with answers to your need to know questions.

Belize may not be as popular a location as some of the other Central American countries, but it is definitely prime ground for living. If you are thinking about moving to Belize, start planning a trial trip today!

Life in Belize is not for everyone. Before making the decision to move here permanently, you should come and stay for an extended period of time and see if you really can handle what living here means. Even before you make that trip, however, it is important to do a self-analysis to see if you fit the mold of the kind of person who can make it work in Belize.

The kind of expat who can survive in Belize is:

1. Adaptable. In a place with such a different infrastructure than the States, it is important to be able to go with the flow.
2. Independent. You may find yourself in an area with few foreigners, and even if there are other expats, you are going to need to do things on your own, and befriend Belizeans.
3. Positive. Oftentimes your outlook on a situation can influence the outcome.
4. Tough. Sometimes you will face up with difficult situations unlike any you would experience back home. You have to be able to work through it.
5. Humble. You have to admit you’re wrong, accept another culture, and deal with the fact that things are run differently in Belize. You can’t change it, just accept it.

If you think you can be those 5 things, then you are a good candidate to retire in Belize, or any other foreign country for that matter. Plan a 3–6 month trip, maybe during your country’s winter months, and see if life in Belize really is all you dreamed it would be.

1. Malaria pills are generally all that a doctor will prescribe for visitors coming to Belize.
2. That having been said, make sure you get a full check-up by your doctor, explain the length of stay in Belize and any special activities you will be doing. That way, they can make sure you have everything you need.
3. Make sure to ask about any additional shots.
4. Pack enough of your prescription medications for the duration of your trip.
5. Bring insect repellent, and USE IT!
6. Bring sunscreen, and USE IT!
7. Bring lotion for bug bites for the times you forget to put on repellent.
8. Bring after-sun lotion for the times you forgot to put on sunscreen.

Really, coming to Belize does not indicate great concerns for your health. Just remember to take it easy as the sun, heat, and humidity are quite different from the summers in the North.

Always check with your personal health care physician before traveling outside of the country.

One of the most frustrating things can be not being able to find the exact product you want, or not being able to get something you really crave from back home. Most stores stock some imported goods, but the selections can be extremely lacking in smaller towns. The solution: fall in love with the products of Belize! You won’t find fruit this good back in Montana!

The weather, which is one of the main reasons why we move down here, can also be a major bummer. It starts with getting a little down during the rainy season, when the storms, heavy rain levels and high humidity can drive you nuts. However, the hot sunny weather can also get to you. Humidity, on top of heat… I suggest flying back up to visit family during the summer months.

Finally, bills! Of course, money will stress us out wherever we go, no matter how much of it we have (or don’t have). The issue here is that what you are spending the majority of your money on, your biggest bills, are not the same as they were back home. Fuel costs, while they may be high in the States are higher in Belize. Imported goods often carry a higher price tag and appliances can be outrageously expensive. Just keep in mind how much you are saving not having a heating bill, and how much less you drive and it will help you to balance out finanaces in your head.

Belize is beautiful and life here is wonderful, but make sure and do your research before you make a permanent move here.