With its verdant rain forests and crystal clear waters, this young nation is located in the Western Caribbean and is bordered by Mexico to the north and by Guatemala to the West. Being such a small country, Belize boasts a surprisingly diverse terrain, much of which consists of dense rain forest.

The population is about 441,400. Belmopan is the administrative capital and Belize City is the commercial center. Belize’s population is ethnically diverse, with 51.7% identifying as Mestizo, 25.2% as Creole, 9.8% as Maya, 4.0% as Garifuna, and 1.5% as East Indian, along with smaller populations of Mennonite, White, Asian, and others.

Belize is easily accessible via direct flights from several major U.S. cities. Travelers can reach Belize City in approximately 2.5 hours from Miami and Houston, just under 3 hours from Dallas/Fort Worth, around 3 hours from Atlanta, and under 5 hours from Los Angeles. Major airlines serving Belize include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines. Regional connections are also available through carriers like Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, offering services to neighboring countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Flight times and schedules may vary depending on the season and airline.

The climate is sub-tropical with an average temperature of 80°F (27°C). The country experiences a dry season from February to May and a rainy season from June to November, with most rainfall typically occuring between September and October.