Belize Northbound

This portion of the route was prepared by Alain Hebert and is being maintained by Ron Lussier. Please contact him if you have any suggestions for Belize.

Day:	Destination:	Km:	Comments:
May 11	San Ignacio		Enter Belize from Guatemala via the only major road entering the country from the west. Stop for the night at San Ignacio, the largest town in western Belize with a population of approximately 11,000. There are many peanut farms around San Ignacio. There are also the ruins of Xunantunich (classic Mayan remains, "Maiden of the rock".) About 45 miles south are the ruins of another Mayan city, Caracol. It's possible to take a canoe trip down the Macal river to see iguanas and bats.
May 12	San Ignacio		Since there is so much to do in the San Ignacio area, we'll spend a second day here. Today we may drive into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and camp there.
May 13	Dangriga	126	We'll leave San Ignacio driving northeast, and then turn southeast just past Roaring Creek onto the Hummingbird Highway. Dangriga (pop 10,000) sits on the Golfo de Honduras. In the Dangriga area there are many things to see, including St. Herman's cave, with a 1-mile long walking trail in the cave. There is also Blue Hole National Park, featuring an Azure Blue swimming hole fringed with vines and ferns. Entry to the park is US$4. About 4 miles further south on the Southern Highway is Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar sanctuary. Entry is about US$5. At the park headquarters there is a picnic area and a camping area, cost US$1.50. Potable water and an earth toilet are available.
May 14	Belize City	275	Today we'll drive north along the Coastal Highway to this fairly modern tourist city on the mosquito coast featuring shopping, musems, and parks. Halover Creek divides the city, and there are swing bridges to cross the river. Belize City has a tourist patrol for the security of visitors.
May 15	Baboon Sanctuary	30	Northwest of Belize City is this small community sanctuary, named after the black howler monkeys which are known locally as baboons. The trails go through 8 villages. A boat ride available to see more birds and monkeys for US$3. A guided walk costs US$6 a person. The warden may allow overnite parking for a small donation.
May 16	Orange Walk		Heading north, we'll drive to 'Orange Walk', the center of district where about 17,000 Creoles, Mennonites and Mayan Indians make their living from timber, sugar planting and general agriculture. A toll bridge here charges BZ$0.80 per car. This is a very nice little area to relax. The nearby archeological site La Manai is the location of the tallest known Mayan structure.
May 17	Corozal		Today we return to the Atlantic, stopping at the town of Corozalito for some R&R on the beach. (Diving, snorkeling with sea rays, etc.) About 31 miles north are the Mayan remains of Altun Ha, entrance US$1.50. These ruins were a major cerimonial center in the Classic period (250-900 AD). With the wardens permission, overnite vehicle parking is free. We'll try to camp at the Carribean Village (T(4)22045), 1.5km south of the plaza. The park is marked by a sign reading "Hailey's Restaurant". US$8 per van.
May 18		13 to border	Today we cross into Mexico.
Total kilometers:		444

A lock indicates that this date and portion of the itinerary
is considered least likely to change.

caravana@vanagon.com
Copyright © 1999-2001 Ron Lussier. All rights reserved.
last modified August 3, 2000