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Action | Background | Online Video | Directions | Energy | FAQs | Games | Maps | Search The recent trip to Belize was most fascinating.
The name, "Belize" most likely originated from a Scottish pirate who used the central American coast as his base of operation. The earliest known record of the name, "Balis," appears in the journal of the Dominican priest Fray José Delgado, dating to 1677. Delgado recorded the names of three major rivers that he crossed while travelling north along the Caribbean coast: Rio Soyte, Rio Xibum, and Rio Balis. It is likely that Delgado's "Balis" was actually the Mayan word belix (or beliz), meaning "muddy-watered". Others have suggested that the name derives from a Spanish pronunciation of the name of the Scottish buccaneer Peter Wallace, who established a settlement at the mouth of the Belize River in 1638.
 The Belize Reef is the second largest reef in the world and can be very treacherous for ships that do not know its hazards. Jacques Cousteau, the famous underwater explorer, described the clear water around the reef ideal to study sea life. There are also numerous sunken wrecks along the reef. Belize is also known for ancient Mayan ruins. Our trip focused mostly on Ambergris Cay. There was a Mayan community at the far south end of the peninsula, however, the cycling there was difficult and the ruins were not much to see. The best cycling was from San Pedro town north for several miles, mostly because that was smooth pavement. The rest of Ambergris Cay was not so smooth. Caye Caulker is less suited for cycling. Really big tires would be needed for cycling on sand.
The trip involved staying in two different hotels along the beach. The first one was the Blue Tang Inn show above.
We only saw Caye Caulker from the boat when we docked briefly for passengers.
The coastline of Belize is very irregular compared to the reef which is fairly straight running north and south.
There are many docks along the beach of San Pedro to accommodate the many boats and watercraft.
Golf carts and bicycles are popular forms of transportation along the beach of San Pedro.
There are numerous bars and restaurants along the beach of Ambergris Cay.
Numerous docks provide access to the reef and beyond on a wide variety of watercraft.
Scuba diving in Belize is very relaxed. There are sharks and our dive master actually fed some friendly Nurse Sharks.
The Nurse Sharks drove off the Caribbean Reef sharks, which are not so friendly. Some Dolphins and Turtles also came to visit us while diving. Although we always search for sunken treasure when we dive, the real treasure is the beautiful reef and interaction with the sea creatures. Cycling in Belize is unique. It is not a place known for great cycling. Belize is well known as one of the best places in the world for scuba diving.
Central American History from the perspective of a Casual Cyclist.
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