BELIZE it!! SAN PEDRO TOWN

Glowing emerald waters surround you while you walk 100 yards out from the shoreline, the water still only just above your waistline. The sun shines down on your shoulders and the sea is a soothing 80 degrees, relaxing every muscle down to your bones. The white sandy beaches look like something out of a dreams and the piña coladas are satisfying. Just a few hours inland you can find yourself in a tropical rainforest vibrant with colorful flowers and remnants of ancient civilizations. Belize is a thriving beautiful land on the coast of Central America perfect for the active adventure seeker as well as the leisurely traveler.

SAN PEDRO TOWN

San Pedro, a little island off the mainland of Belize was the hub for my trip. San Pedro town is where most of the locals reside, a little off the beaten path and totally secluded. A quick 20 minute flight on a hopper plane from the mainland takes you to this slice of paradise. There are endless rows of bars on the beach and Belizean food is famous for their rice, beans, and spiced chicken. On San Pedro, fresh ceviche was also very popular because of the abundance of sea food; i ate it with every meal. Locals sell their handmade jewelry, bowls, and sculptures on the sandy beaches just along the shore. The streets are so narrow the most popular way to get around is by golf cart, which are available to rent almost anywhere. Many of the streets are one way so pay attention to where you are going. Its a blast coming in hot full speed down the road in your golf cart hitting every bump on the way. I suggest a bottled Belikin, instead of a red solo cup. Cheers!

The hopper plane is a sweet experience. You get to see the beautiful turquoise waters from above. If your'e quick making it to the front, you get to sit co-pilot on this tiny plane.

PALAPA BAR

If theres one thing that San Pedro, Belize should be famous for, its the hospitality. The native language is Spanish; however, everyone speaks English and are extremely helpful. That being said, you wont find better service anywhere on the island than Palapa Bar. Jutting out into the turquoise waters is a wooden and palm roofed bar with a dock and an upper deck. Immediately when we walked in, we were greeted by an energetic server who shook our hands, asked us our names, and got us menus. Being a bit tipsy throughout the day, I was impressed that he remembered all of our names and kept our drinks full, since I couldn't remember his.

Playing in the water is encouraged as the back side of the bar has a row of inner tubes bobbing in the water and a long wooden plank for sitting waist deep so you can still enjoy your beer. I think we spent most of our day at this bar, why would you go anywhere else? Good food, good music, good drinks, and an entire ocean to play in.

The writing is literally on the wall. If you ask for some sharpies, the bartenders will have them for you to draw all over the wooden bar tops, tables, chairs, walls, beams, and anywhere you could find some space. Palapa bar is a place in Belize you will always come back to just to see if your signature is still there.

DIVING AMBERGRIS CAYE

Becoming a newly certified diver, I was extremely excited to be diving in one of the most beautifully abundant aquatic reefs in the world. We dove with "Chuck and Robbie's Scuba Diving" center. Of course everyone here was friendly, helpful and a ton of fun. The prices were fairly rated and I can say it was my favorite experience on this trip.

Our first dive was called "Mermaid's Lair." Down to a depth of about 50 feet, a lush coral reef surrounded us as we sank into a thin crevasse on the bottom, diving through tunnels with coral, anemones, plants, and creatures lining the walls. The coral beds looked as though you were holding a blacklight up to them, glowing vibrant neon colors of purples, blues, oranges, and greens. Hundreds of nurse sharks hovered just above the reef; intimidating at first but these sharks are harmless they won't bother you, even though they have no conception of personal space. Glowing blue and yellow tropical fish swam together in swarms and we even got lucky enough witness a pod of dolphins playing at the surface above us. The Mermaid's Lair dive leads you down a walled tunnel with holes to swim through and paths to maneuver. When you are under the water, everything slows down, the world is silent, and you can only witness and absorb all of the thriving, vibrant life of the ocean.

DIVING SHARK RAY ALLEY, HOL CHAN

Even though this dive wasn't as deep as our first open water excursion, this was by far the most picturesque, interactive underwater experience i've ever had. Hol Chan is a diving/ snorkeling region in Ambergris Caye. It's a popular snorkeling spot for a reason. Starting off in the shallows, tall grasses glow golden only a few feet below the shimmering surface. The water is so clear, you can see a hundred yards away and all of the sea life on the bottom sand. Schools of fish swim all around you and dash about in all directions when you come close.

Taking us a bit deeper, our dive master "Big Sexy" took us to the coolest little reef. Towering stacks of fire red coral lined a channel, blue and purple sea grasses sprung up from the bottom, and there were little holes and caves to swim in and out of. So many schools of shimmering silver fish surrounded us. Anemones were swaying in the current. This reef was alive. Beware of touching fore coral though, it stings real bad.

Lastly, we visited the popular snorkeling site "Shark Ray Alley". Obviously the name proceeds the site as Big Sexy threw a bucket of chum over the side of the boat and immediately we were surrounded by dozens of nurse and reef sharks. All of a sudden he says "jump in". I'm one of the first in, I had to. Sharks swim all around you, completely harmless as they are only concerned with the chum. But it was the most amazing experience to be surrounded by these large creatures while rays are swimming inches below you on the bottom sea floor. I even got to ride one :D

XUNANTUNICH

Taking a ferry from San Pedro to mainland Belize, my friends and I signed up for a full day excursion tour. Using the company "Catamaran Belize" we were provided with driving accommodations, lunch breakfast, and a guide named Eric. Our first stop was the ancient Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, meaning "stone woman" located in the Belizean rainforest. The archeological site consisted of a few separate structures creating an enclosed amphitheater. The tallest most impressive structure was a multi- tiered temple called "El Castillo" that measured 130 ft high. We got to climb the large stone steps all the way to the top. The scene was unbelievable. You had a 360 degree view of green lush forrest for miles while you stand atop an ancient Mayan sacred ritual site.

ZIP LINING

Also included in our tour was a zip lining excursion through the Belizean forest. Tall blooming palms reached out at you from all directions while you stood in the trees ready to race 40 mph down a zip line. For the adrenaline seekers, its a blast going high speeds high above the ground being held up only by a few cables. I did it upside down!

CAVE TUBING

This was the last of the excursions included on our tour and it was by far the best. Taking a thirty minute hike into the forrest while lugging our tubes on our backs, our tour guide pointed out all of the exotic plants, trees, fruits and flowers that bloomed in the Belizean rainforest. Once reaching the cave opening, we hopped in our tubes into the chilly river water and floated into the black abyss.

We were equipped with headlamps so it wasn't as terrifying as it sounds. Our tour guide splash splashed through the water as he towed us through the caves.