Belize is a country that relies on tourism to help keep the economy strong - even so there is not a great infrastructure in place for those that want a more traditional holiday of fine dining, shopping and attractive nightspots. What it does have, however, is more than enough for the eco-tourist and the adventurer out there, with many areas of outstanding natural beauty, some relics of two thousand year old civilisations, some of the best diving opportunities anywhere and the second largest coral reef in the world.

The former capital of Belize City is the normal stop off point for most visitors to Belize, and not the actual capital of Belmopan. While the city does have some fine attractions, such as Belize Tourism Village, St John's Cathedral and the Bliss Institute art gallery, the best sights are only available to those that travel outside the city limits. Diving is one of the most popular activities for those that come to Belize, and for very good reason - the second longest barrier reef in the world, stretching a monumental 296km, is there for all to observe under the waters near the Sapodilla Cayes. The cayes manage to provide some of the finest resort spots and bases for committed divers, with the Ambergris Cayes especially providing some fantastic respite after a day gazing under the ocean. It isn't just seafaring activities in Belize, however, and the inland offers enough to sate the appetite of even the most intrepid explorer - from the rainforests of Chiquibul and its Mayan city Caracol, through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and on to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where jaguars are protected in the world's only dedicated jaguar reserve - the country really does have something to whet the appetite of any visitor that isn't just interested in fine dining and expensive hotels.

People that don't fear going off the trodden path will be well suited to Belize, and the country offers more than enough opportunities for the adventurer inside anyone to blossom. There aren't the countless art galleries, museums and theatres of more traditional holiday spots, but the alternative attractions more than make up for this - why visit a museum when you can see a living relic, still in its jungle home? Add to this a fascinating culture built on integration, understanding and acceptance, with a people widely regarded as some of the friendliest in the world and you have the recipe for a great destination.