Belize

4 ways to see the natural world in Belize:

1. Bird-Watching: Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a wetland area two hours north of Belize City, and home to nearly 300 species of birds. Spot the Jabiru stork, the northern cardinal and the roseate spoonbill while canoeing along the water. The Crooked Tree village itself is interesting as it is thought to be the earliest European settlement in Belize.

2. Diving and Snorkelling: the 407ft-deep Blue Hole is a must for any diver with the impressive cave-like hole housing remarkable stalactites in clear waters, with bull sharks and hammerheads sometimes spotted swimming amongst the array of fish. For snorkelers, the Belize Barrier Reef is home to colourful corals, timid turtles and tropical fish.

3. The Community Baboon Sanctuary: wildlife conservation is important in Belize, and the Community Baboon Sanctuary is home to the endangered Black Howler Monkey, 2,000 of whom reside in the reserve’s treetops. 

4. Wading into the Mayan Underworld: Belize is home to several ancient Mayan monuments but the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is perhaps the most exciting. Discovered in 1989, it was once a sacred site to the Mayan people who believed that gods resided in the impressive chambers. Human sacrifices were made here and several skeletons and human remains can be found in this vast cave.