// BELIZE

// BELIZE I entered Belize by boat from Mexico, traveling on a small speed craft from the Mayan port town of Chetumal to the island of San Pedro, made famous in the 80s Madonna song "La Isla Bonita". I stayed on a few of Belize's paradise little islands, some seemingly little more than sandbars in the Caribbean, before landing on the mainland. I found Belize to be a particularly interesting country, a diverse little nation of more cultures and ethnic groups than I can count. For most, it's just a short cruise ship stopover and snorkeling destination, but the truth is Belize is steeped in history, in peculiarities, and several incredible ruins, a few of which you can see below. A particular highlight was staying deep in (jaguar infested) jungles with a Mayan family in their ancestral village, Aguacate. I learned there that even the Maya of Belize were separated by language; there are three major branches of Mayan still spoken in the country.