Belize is just fine.  It’s sort of a one-stop shopping introduction to the beach and the jungle scene of South and Central America, offering a smorgasbord of activities for the adventurous and not so adventurous alike.  On paper, the country really has it all:  clear Caribbean waters, dense jungles, pristine barrier reef, river rafting, wildlife, deserted becalmed beaches, mystic Mayan ruins and delicious french fries.

In fairness though, Belize is kind of the Denny’s of the Americas – the menu is loaded with options, and although satisfying, none of the offerings are gourmet.   

The beaches in Ambergris are small and overrun with turtle grass, the jungles are somewhat devoid of visible wildlife, the beach towns are touristy, and the snorkeling is so-so unless you go to great effort to improve your experience.  

The Denny’s analogy fails miserably in one aspect though:  Denny’s is cheap. 

Don’t be put off by the disclaimer though; we had a grand time in Belize.   There were three highlights that made the trip especially memorable:  the day trek to Lamanai, the adventures at Jaguar Paw and relaxing in Placencia.